Whether you’re looking to join the Air Force nurses or join the Navy nurses on the Navy Nurse Corps, many new nurses wonder how to become a nurse in the military and whether it is worth it.
We’ll explain and help you make a decision in this article.
It is necessary to have a nursing degree in order to work as a military nurse. Any Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or advanced nursing degree from an accredited institution will suffice.
Currently, there is no certification for military nurses. It’s important to remember, though, that the military has its own set of standards.
A nurse may now work in the military by volunteering or enlisting as a fresh graduate nurse. So, when you’re ready to join the army, contact a military recruiter.
Make sure you satisfy all the criteria for your selected branch. With all conditions completed, you and your recruiter may begin work on your application package.
It will take around a year from start to commissioning board approval.
A 5–10-week course is required to get commissioned.
The training involves leadership and military life orientation. After this mandatory training, you will be a military nurse.
How Do You Become a Nurse for The Military?
To become a military nurse, there are several steps for becoming and before starting military nurses work:
- To become a military nurse, you must first get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution (BSN).
- BSN programs normally last four years.
- Although the military prefers nurses with a BSN, the Army Reserve accepts ADNs. Captains must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- You may take the state board exams after getting your Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- Before working as a military nurse, you must first get training in basic nursing skills, military patient care, and working in a military context.
- Military nurses must attend officer training after finishing their basic schooling requirements. Officer training teaches new RNs about leadership and military duty.
- RNs are also required to demonstrate physical fitness when undergoing officer training.
Military and civilian nurses share several responsibilities.
Military nurses sometimes serve alongside troops in times of crisis. Caring for active-duty soldiers overseas is one of the most dangerous and time-consuming aspects of military nursing.
Military nurses may pursue psychiatric, pediatric, and trauma nursing specializations.
They work in many different medical fields including critical care, midwifery, emergency care, and neonatal nursing.
Military nurses may build top-notch nursing abilities that may lead to future professional growth by working in a variety of settings.
Can the Military Pay for Nursing School?
It may not be in the manner you imagine, and it often entails a dedication to service, but to entice military nurses to enroll, yes, the military services often provide payback or reimbursement schemes.
In addition to these payback plans, certain branches of the military will grant stipends and incentives monthly.
Because nurses are in great demand in many military services, they aim to make enlistment as appealing as possible in the hopes of encouraging more military nurses to sign up.
In short, the Army, as well as various other branches of the military, will pay for nursing school.
Almost every department of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard, is continually searching for military nurses to serve on active duty or as reservists.
If you want to be a nurse, being a military nurse is a terrific first step.
Does the Military Train You to Be a Nurse?
The Military does not grant nursing certification, but it will assist you in obtaining it.
If you’re going to college for an undergraduate nursing degree and want to join the Army Nurse Corps, check into your school’s (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program.
Army ROTC programs prepare you for a military career by providing you with the tools and training you’ll need to serve as an officer.
ROTC programs, in addition to mentorship and training, offer financial support for college tuition and have scholarships available for qualified candidates.
When you join the ROTC, you agree to three years of active service in the military (four years for certain scholarships) in exchange for financial assistance.
Even if you do not join the Army Nurse Corps via an Army ROTC nursing program, the Army provides debt repayment programs to assist you in repaying any loans you may have taken out to pay for nursing school.
The Military has numerous flexible alternatives for military duty, including full-time and part-time options, and Army nurses may pick from a variety of specializations.
How Much Does an Rn in The Military Make?
An estimate based on a sample of 53 US Army RN salaries, shows the average US Army registered nurse makes $73,347 per year, with a military nurse salary range sitting between $58,000-$103,339 per year.
Housing stipends, low-cost or free health insurance, hazard pay when posted to conflict zones, and retirement plans are also available to military nurses.
They get 30 days of vacation each year and may retire with a pension after 20 years of service.
Military nurses earn competitive pay and benefits, as well as the chance to develop critical skills and obtain specialized training.
Military nurses have an especially bright job outlook. The salary rate that a military nurse receives is determined on the grade or rank that he or she possesses.
Many people are unaware that enrolled registered nurses in the military may have their college debts refunded via government programs.
Over the next 10 years, the military nursing sector is predicted to increase by 7%, which is faster than the national average for employment growth in other professions.
A military nursing career could be a great choice. The outlook for future military nurses is good.
What is a Military Nurse?
Nurses in the military and civilian settings have a variety of characteristics, including the goal of treating patients and increasing their well-being.
Military nursing, on the other hand, is a duty in a variety of settings.
Military nurses may be found working on military bases, military hospitals, and military clinics all around the world, including the United States all the way to foreign war zones.
Summary
Overall, becoming a military nurse isn’t easy or quick, but can be very rewarding and there is assistance to help you on your way.
Having particular personality qualities is required for those who want to be effective military nurses.
Military nurses must be in excellent physical shape and be able to think clearly under pressure to make life-saving decisions as quickly as possible to save lives.
Military nurses should also have excellent communication skills and leadership skills, the capacity to adapt rapidly to new situations, and a high degree of stamina and endurance, among other characteristics.
Military nurses must be able to do their duties with minimal sleep to be efficient.
To be eligible to work as an official military nurse, you must be a graduate of a nursing school accredited by their state’s Board of Nursing and completed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
After completing your state board exam, nursing students will be able to apply for a licence as an RN. Following that, registered nurses (RNs) may apply to join a specific military branch and, if accepted, can sign the necessary contracts and be sworn in.