Are you able to be an active member of team and step up to leadership positions. You'd train and work in some of the best medical facilities in the world and may have the chance to engage in humanitarian missions here or overseas. The Air Force also has a scholarship program for health professionals and each branch may offer college loan repayment incentives. For example, as a military nurse in the Army, you would start as Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and so on. In addition to opportunities for continuing education and clinical specialization, you will receive low-cost or no-cost medical, dental and life insurance, generous retirement plan options, housing allowances, food stipends, and 30 days of paid vacation earned annually. You must meet the requirements to be a registered nurse and the standards to be accepted by the military branch you want to become an officer in. On the face of it, this seems like a silly question, but to this day, nursing is still plagued by countless myths and misconceptions. You can also expect to undertake additional training in military logistics at ALTC in the first 2 years. The program aims to prepare students for a nursing career in nearly any setting, perfect for anyone considering military nursing. Deployments will offer you things such as hazardous pay for the time you are deployed. I have over $90,000 in student loan debt, so you can see how this would help me financially. Copyright © 2020 Full Beaker, Inc | 866-302-3888 | [email protected] | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Only ACEN or CCNE accredited schools are eligible. Patients in these settings are commonly military personnel, their families, or any other military employees in local support roles such as diplomats and educators. The military prefers nurses to have a BSN degree. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals. The clinical track is characterized by a solid clinical foundation with progression as a field grade officer into advanced practice nursing, clinical specialist, element leader, and flight commander roles. While many of UW's BSN students end up continuing their education, others quickly find careers after graduating. In addition to your salary, you will have the option to accept a sign-on bonus or student loan repayment. For example: All these are great questions to think about and consider in your decision to join the military. As a member of the Army Nurse Corps, you’ll monitor pregnancy progress by listening to fetal heartbeat, take measurements, and estimating fetal size and weight to assure a healthy birth. On top of my own personal goals of continuing my education, I have family members that are prior military as well as a brother who is currently still serving 20+ years in the Army. After working over a year and a half at Mayo Clinic, I said goodbye to the best hospital foundation I could have had a new graduate. Although still reliant on doctors and other primary care providers to order prescriptions and certain treatments, registered nurses have become collaborative professionals rather than subordinates, with an arsenal of independent actions to help repair, maintain, and promote patients' health. UCLA's BSN program begins during the student's freshman year and takes four years to complete. In order to become a military nurse, you will need to obtain a nursing degree and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NLCEX). This fast route to licensure is excellent for current bachelor's degree holders who want to transition into a military nursing position. You can choose to specialize in a certain nursing field such as mental health or emergency nursing. What is the Air Force Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program? Hospital Corpsmen perform various roles within the military’s medical field. Many schools also offer fast-track programs for RNs with an associate degree to earn their bachelor's, as well as for graduates of other non-nursing bachelor's programs to earn a second bachelor's degree, or even a master's, as nurses. The U.S. military requires that all officers hold a bachelor’s degree, at minimum, so you’ll want to have a BSN , or alternatively, another bachelor’s degree paired with … To advance within this pathway, you should develop your specialty to be competitive in major command or lead agent positions. Of course, applicants need to meet the program's rigorous admission requirements. Regardless, NYU hosts one of the best undergraduate nursing programs in the nation, so graduates can easily transition into a military nursing position. The University of Michigan's vast alumni network and high-quality nursing program are two reasons future military nurses should consider enrolling. I had excellent professors that taught me all throughout my undergraduate career. This list is based on a number of factors including: Because military nurses can attend any school, earning a quality education best prepares students for a career as a military nurse. There are multiple ways to prepare for a career as a Navy Nurse. With your education complete, you can either enroll in an ROTC program, or directly apply via form/application. BSN students choose either a freshman entry or sophomore transfer entry. I chose to join the military because I always wanted to serve my country in a larger capacity. Registered nurses (RNs) provide day-to-day patient care based on a holistic model that concerns itself not only with medical procedures and drug administration, but also daily hygiene, mobility, and psychological and spiritual care. Nurse.org notes that military nurses must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prior to pursuing their military career. The main attraction is the student loan repayment option. Military nurses sign-up for a period of service and can be assigned to any position based on ability and need. Nurses interested in joining the military have a couple of career options: they can either serve as an active duty member of one of the branches of the military or in the reserves. Officers in this track possess executive skills,  solid command potential, and the appropriate level of Professional Military Education (PME). Upon becoming a military nurse, you start as an Officer with the lowest pay grade “O-1” (Military Ranks). Basic Occupational Qualification Training. “Family nurse practitioners are a critical component in providing primary health care support for adults and children during humanitarian missions, other contingency operations and peacetime,” according to the U.S. Army recruiting website.Army Regulation (AR) 40-68 authorizes n… The Army Nurse Corps, which includes about 11,000 women and men, is one of the six corps of medical specialists making up the U.S. Army Medical Department. You must have a high school diploma or equivalent and a score of 146 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. He’s written about military careers for The Balance Careers. The Army National Guard, closely associated with the Army, also recruits nurses. How Do I Become a Military Nurse? The length of the preceptorship depends … Aside from nursing skills and theories, Maryland's BSN also emphasizes interprofessional dialogue, ethics, and personal responsibility -- three traits required of military nurses. 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