Rank structure determines pay grade and responsibilities based on your level of experience. Since Army nurses are officers, you'll instead be required to attend a Basic Officer Leader Course to acquaint you with military life. Nurses in the military provide nursing care for wounded and ill soldiers wherever they are stationed around the world. Annual In-State Tuition: $21,746 Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $56,386. To qualify for the Army Nurse Corps, you need a BSN from an accredited program; for Army Reserve, a BSN, an associate degree, or a dipl… These nurses may also work in hospitals or global response centers alongside deployed military personnel during natural disasters or times of war. What Is It Like to Be a Licensed Practical Nurse? As a military nurse on active duty, you may work overseas, on a ship, or on a base. Pay increases in the military rely on many factors. Phase 1 in 15 days and Phase 2 in 10 days. Step 2 - You then complete a short Transition to Military Practice Course, after which you will be assigned to a Joint Hospital Group (JHG) to commence your preceptorship and rotation programme and begin life … 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. Are you able to be an active member of team and step up to leadership positions. I knew I wanted to be a nurse and I knew that being a nurse in the military would come with great benefits. It's still up to each individual college how much transfer credit you'll receive for your military experience. I graduated USC Upstate December 15, 2015, studied for the NCLEX and passed in January of 2016. These tracks aren’t set in stone, and movement between them is possible during the first half of your career. While in the clinical/operational track, you can incrementally acquire the executive skills required for entry into the executive/leadership track. As an RN in the U.S. Army or Army Reserve, you'd have opportunities that civilian nurses don't get—such as commanding an entire hospital. Located in New York, New York, NYU accepts high school graduates directly into their BSN program, introducing students to nursing topics early on. After a long application process and with the help of a recruiter, I found out I was accepted into the Air Force Nurse Corp in the beginning of 2017. The University of Michigan's vast alumni network and high-quality nursing program are two reasons future military nurses should consider enrolling. 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. How Do I Become a Military Nurse? The program even offers a rare study abroad program in New Zealand or Australia, designed specifically for nursing students. Officers in this track possess executive skills,  solid command potential, and the appropriate level of Professional Military Education (PME). Another great nursing program with a prime location, the University of Virginia's BSN boasts an impressive 94% NCLEX pass rate and 89% employment rate within one year of graduation. On the other hand, some nurses who pursue advanced nursing practice degrees earn even greater autonomy. The Army National Guard, closely associated with the Army, also recruits nurses. Military nurses carry out similar responsibilities as traditional nurses in hospital or outpatient facilities. The amount of your housing allowance and food stipend are dependent upon your rank, but as you get promoted these stipends increase. In peacetime, military nurses work in a variety of settings providing ambulatory, maternal/child, acute and rehabilitation nursing care. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends college credits for experience and training in the military (except the Air Force, for some reason.) 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. Aside from nursing skills and theories, Maryland's BSN also emphasizes interprofessional dialogue, ethics, and personal responsibility -- three traits required of military nurses. What Will You Do After Completing Your Nursing Degree? Do you have plans to further your education? For the right candidate, it is an excellent opportunity for travel and personal and professional growth. Commission route requires you to be competitive in major command or lead agent positions for a career... 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