5 answers
Jimena
Student
Palmdale, California
1
Question
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How do I become a military nurse?
What are Pros and Cons on being a Military nurse?
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5 answers
Landon DeLisio
Consultant
2
Answers
Fairfax, Virginia
Updated
Landon’s Answer
There are many advantages to being a military nurse, and they can be quite exciting. One of the biggest perks is the extra benefits that go beyond your regular salary. You might have your nursing school paid for or get your loans forgiven, depending on the path you choose. Looking into ROTC programs at universities can be a great way to secure a scholarship and have your education covered upfront.
Another fantastic benefit is access to veteran programs like the VA loan, which allows you to buy a home with no money down—an incredible opportunity when you're just starting out. Your pay as a military nurse is also competitive, often better than civilian pay, because a portion of it is tax-free, thanks to a housing allowance based on your location. When you add in the education benefits, you really come out ahead compared to civilian nursing paths.
While there are a few challenges, they can also be seen as opportunities. You will need to serve a certain amount of time in the military for any educational benefits you receive, usually one year of service for each year of scholarship. This means you might be stationed anywhere in the world, but this can be an exciting chance to travel and experience new places with the support and security of the military.
You may also be asked to take on leadership roles that aren't typically available in civilian nursing. While this might seem like more work, it actually provides valuable experience that will benefit you in any future career, whether in nursing or another field.
I hope this gives you a positive outlook on the opportunities available as a military nurse!
Another fantastic benefit is access to veteran programs like the VA loan, which allows you to buy a home with no money down—an incredible opportunity when you're just starting out. Your pay as a military nurse is also competitive, often better than civilian pay, because a portion of it is tax-free, thanks to a housing allowance based on your location. When you add in the education benefits, you really come out ahead compared to civilian nursing paths.
While there are a few challenges, they can also be seen as opportunities. You will need to serve a certain amount of time in the military for any educational benefits you receive, usually one year of service for each year of scholarship. This means you might be stationed anywhere in the world, but this can be an exciting chance to travel and experience new places with the support and security of the military.
You may also be asked to take on leadership roles that aren't typically available in civilian nursing. While this might seem like more work, it actually provides valuable experience that will benefit you in any future career, whether in nursing or another field.
I hope this gives you a positive outlook on the opportunities available as a military nurse!
Brock Chism
Corrections Specialist
12
Answers
Oceanside, California
Updated
Brock’s Answer
Hi Jimena, becoming a military nurse is a great option if you enjoy helping people and are interested in both healthcare and serving your country. A common path is to do well in school, especially in science and math classes, graduate high school, earn a nursing degree in college, pass the nursing exam (NCLEX), and then apply to become a nurse in a military branch. Some people also join programs such as scholarships or ROTC that can help pay for school while preparing them for military service.
There are several pros to being a military nurse. You can gain valuable medical experience, receive good benefits, have opportunities for leadership, travel to different places, and in some cases receive help paying for education. Military nurses also make a real difference by caring for service members and their families.
There are also some challenges to consider. Military nurses can have long work hours, may need to move to different duty stations, can spend time away from family and friends, and may work in stressful situations. Like many healthcare jobs, it can be emotionally demanding at times.
Overall, military nursing can be a rewarding career for people who enjoy caring for others, working as part of a team, and taking on challenges while serving their country.
There are several pros to being a military nurse. You can gain valuable medical experience, receive good benefits, have opportunities for leadership, travel to different places, and in some cases receive help paying for education. Military nurses also make a real difference by caring for service members and their families.
There are also some challenges to consider. Military nurses can have long work hours, may need to move to different duty stations, can spend time away from family and friends, and may work in stressful situations. Like many healthcare jobs, it can be emotionally demanding at times.
Overall, military nursing can be a rewarding career for people who enjoy caring for others, working as part of a team, and taking on challenges while serving their country.
Robert Peters
Customer Service Support Driver
34
Answers
Kissimmee, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Jimena,
Congratulations on your interest in being a military nurse. I myself was not one but I knew several and beside offering patient care you have the opportunity to travel around the world. You would need to check with each branch online to see what they offer and contact a military recruiter after. Some require you have a degree already or you can earn while you are in the reserve or national guard depending on the branch. Good luck,
Congratulations on your interest in being a military nurse. I myself was not one but I knew several and beside offering patient care you have the opportunity to travel around the world. You would need to check with each branch online to see what they offer and contact a military recruiter after. Some require you have a degree already or you can earn while you are in the reserve or national guard depending on the branch. Good luck,
Ariane Copeland
HR, Payroll
10
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ariane’s Answer
Military nursing can be a fulfilling job, but it has different challenges compared to civilian nursing. Some benefits include scholarships and tuition help for nursing school. The military also offers chances to earn advanced degrees and receive special training. Depending on the branch and its needs, there might be programs to help repay student loans.
Joseph Melchi
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
10
Answers
Dublin, Ohio
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I am a retired Navy Nurse Anesthetist. To answer the first part of your question:
All military RNs are commissioned officers. Although it is possible to obtain LPN licensure as an army medic, I would discourage this approach if you are currently in nursing school or aiming to become an RN. All the services (Army, Navy, Air Force - Marines don’t have a separate medical service) have their own requirements and admission programs. You will need to speak to an OFFICER recruiter for the service you are interested in. Make sure you do not go to a recruiting office or enlist in the military if your ultimate goal is to become an officer. Although there are pathways to a commissioning from being an enlisted service member (I was fortunate to go through one), none of these programs are easy to get into and certainly not guaranteed. Rather, what you should pursue is an out of service commissioning program for the Nurse Corps in the service of your choice. There are a number of programs available:
1. ROTC: Provides money for college while in school (essentially a scholarship) with a contracted service obligation (I think around 4 years) following graduation.
2. Nurse Candidate Program: I know the Navy has this program, not sure about other branches. Would provide a stipend your last two years of nursing school and a guaranteed commission upon graduation. More school choice than with ROTC.
3. Direct Commission: you graduate and pass boards, apply, and if selected receive a commission. Typically will entitle you to a signing bonus or loan repayment.
You also asked about pros and cons. There are several of each. First, on the positive side:
1. Pay for military nurses can be higher (when counting benefits) than civilian nurses. You will receive essentially automatic promotions and pay raises at your 2 and 4 year marks.
2. The military offers programs for free graduate level education. You have to apply and be accepted, but there are paths to advanced practice nursing such as nurse practitioner, CRNA, and nurse midwifery for instance.
3. Retention bonuses are offered for certain specialties such as ICU once your initial commitment is over.
4. If you are interested in leadership, this is something highly valued in the military and looked for and cultivated in junior nurses.
5. Strong sense of comraderie and unity with other service members. For instance, relationships between physicians and nurses are typically more cordial than in the civilian sector.
6. Service orientation: you are serving your country and many of us derive a great deal of pride from that
Cons:
1. Lack of control of where you live: although detailers will try to take into account your preferences, ultimately the military can and will send you anywhere. This could be either at a permanent duty station (2-3 years at a time) or on deployment. You are expected to be worldwide assignable. Note this also could be a positive for many people.
2. Possible deployments. Not all nurses deploy but the longer you are in the service the more likely that becomes. Deployments can be to combat zones and can be dangerous. Nurses aren’t frontline combatants but anything can happen at some of these locations. Deployments can be arduous and without creature comforts. Most deployments are 6 months in the navy but can be more or less. After 9/11 some army unit were doing 15 month deployments.
3. Up or out: there is no guarantee you will be allowed to do 20 years of service and receive a military retirement. After the first two promotions you will compete for promotion. Lack of selection will potentially require you to leave the service earlier than intended.
4. Lack of control: in the end, you have to do what you are told to do (within reason). I have seen ICU nurses assigned to OB because that is what was needed.
I know this was long but I hope that helps. Good luck!
All military RNs are commissioned officers. Although it is possible to obtain LPN licensure as an army medic, I would discourage this approach if you are currently in nursing school or aiming to become an RN. All the services (Army, Navy, Air Force - Marines don’t have a separate medical service) have their own requirements and admission programs. You will need to speak to an OFFICER recruiter for the service you are interested in. Make sure you do not go to a recruiting office or enlist in the military if your ultimate goal is to become an officer. Although there are pathways to a commissioning from being an enlisted service member (I was fortunate to go through one), none of these programs are easy to get into and certainly not guaranteed. Rather, what you should pursue is an out of service commissioning program for the Nurse Corps in the service of your choice. There are a number of programs available:
1. ROTC: Provides money for college while in school (essentially a scholarship) with a contracted service obligation (I think around 4 years) following graduation.
2. Nurse Candidate Program: I know the Navy has this program, not sure about other branches. Would provide a stipend your last two years of nursing school and a guaranteed commission upon graduation. More school choice than with ROTC.
3. Direct Commission: you graduate and pass boards, apply, and if selected receive a commission. Typically will entitle you to a signing bonus or loan repayment.
You also asked about pros and cons. There are several of each. First, on the positive side:
1. Pay for military nurses can be higher (when counting benefits) than civilian nurses. You will receive essentially automatic promotions and pay raises at your 2 and 4 year marks.
2. The military offers programs for free graduate level education. You have to apply and be accepted, but there are paths to advanced practice nursing such as nurse practitioner, CRNA, and nurse midwifery for instance.
3. Retention bonuses are offered for certain specialties such as ICU once your initial commitment is over.
4. If you are interested in leadership, this is something highly valued in the military and looked for and cultivated in junior nurses.
5. Strong sense of comraderie and unity with other service members. For instance, relationships between physicians and nurses are typically more cordial than in the civilian sector.
6. Service orientation: you are serving your country and many of us derive a great deal of pride from that
Cons:
1. Lack of control of where you live: although detailers will try to take into account your preferences, ultimately the military can and will send you anywhere. This could be either at a permanent duty station (2-3 years at a time) or on deployment. You are expected to be worldwide assignable. Note this also could be a positive for many people.
2. Possible deployments. Not all nurses deploy but the longer you are in the service the more likely that becomes. Deployments can be to combat zones and can be dangerous. Nurses aren’t frontline combatants but anything can happen at some of these locations. Deployments can be arduous and without creature comforts. Most deployments are 6 months in the navy but can be more or less. After 9/11 some army unit were doing 15 month deployments.
3. Up or out: there is no guarantee you will be allowed to do 20 years of service and receive a military retirement. After the first two promotions you will compete for promotion. Lack of selection will potentially require you to leave the service earlier than intended.
4. Lack of control: in the end, you have to do what you are told to do (within reason). I have seen ICU nurses assigned to OB because that is what was needed.
I know this was long but I hope that helps. Good luck!