Military nursing is a profession which offers registered nurses a host of appealing opportunities. Nurses in the military have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments. Traveling to other countries and areas is possible when working for the military.

What Is Military Nursing?

As compared to patients in civilian hospitals, working with injured soldiers and military personnel carries a different set of challenges. Military nurses are able to tackle these challenges and identify with the soldier’s concerns as nurses will be serving as soldiers themselves.

What Is The Job Description For A Military Nurse?

Nurses in the military do similar tasks as civilian nurses do. They assist physicians, check vitals, treat patients’ wounds, keep records and manage a triage among others. It is also part of the nurse’s duty to lift the spirits of the patients. Military nurses can work with soldiers and civilians in humanitarian relief efforts within the country and in other nations. They are flexible and able to work in a variety of environments including hospitals, clinics, ships, planes or in a mobile clinic.

What Are The Education Expenses For A Military Nurse?

There are many different ways of availing nursing education. To help pay for the expenses, the military offers scholarships and stipends to deserving students. High school students interested in availing of these programs can approach a recruiter for the Army, Navy or Air Force to inquire. The Army also offers interested recruits the option of applying online. Various nursing schools offer programs accredited by the military. In college, students can start as an ROTC nursing student for the Air Force, Army or Navy. There are two-year, three-year and four-year ROTC programs that can be taken alongside regular nursing programs. Another program is the Nurse Summer Training Program, a three week elective for ROTC nursing cadets. This optional elective is held in various Army hospitals located within the United States.

What Are The Educational Requirements For Military Nursing?

Registered nurses may choose to pursue the military training after completing the RN program or online RN programs in their respective schools. Once Army training has been completed, nurses enter as officers in the military. Civilian registered nurses are accepted for training in the Army, Navy and Air Forces. However, when it comes to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), only the Army accepts graduates for military training. Graduates from an LPN program or online LPN programs are subjected to the Army’s basic training program which lasts for 16 weeks. Afterwards, the nurses undergo two phases of LPN training with the Army. The first phase lasts for eight weeks while the second lasts for 44 weeks. LPN nurses that complete the two-step training program take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. Military nurses must maintain their licensure to remain as LPNs.

What Are Some Other Requirements To Being A Military Nurse?

Other basic requirements to pursue a nursing career in the military include age and citizenship. Naval nurses must be between 20 and 34 years of age while nurses applying for the Army must be between 19 and 29 years when training commences. On the other hand, nurses for the Air Force must be between 18 and 40 years of age at the time of application. Applicants must also be US citizens and physically fit to be accepted into the military.

What Is The Average Salary For A Military Nurse?

Nurse jobs in the military are well compensated. Besides receiving a good salary and benefits, the military also offers nurses opportunities to continue their education. Stipends and loan repayments may be given to encourage nurses to pursue specializations. Members of the military are also given paid vacations of up to 30 days yearly with housing allowances, retirement benefits, dental, medical as well as life insurances. In some cases, Army nurses are also offered a sign-on bonus of between $20,000 and $30,000. Military nurses have a base pay of between $2784 and $9530 a month for nurses enlisted for less than two years. This amount is dependent on the pay grade or rank and number of years working in the military. Additional allowances such as housing, subsistence and working conditions can also increase this amount. For instance, nurses working on submarines are subjected to an additional Submarine Pay. Nurses separated from their families for longer than 30 days may receive additional bonuses known as Family Separation Allowance.

For more information about nursing in the military, check out the following resources:

• Military Nursing: North Carolina’s National Center for Nursing lists a few programs offered by the university in relation to the profession.
• The Army Nurse Corps: This website from the US Army details the history and development of the nursing profession in the military.
• Nurse Corps: The US Army’s website features information on nursing for the Corps, what makes it different from civilian nursing and careers.
• US Army Nurse Corps: A division of the US Army Medical Department, the website includes information on how to join the Army Nurse Corps.
• Military Nurses’ Perceptions of Autonomy: This study reveals the relationship between the work environment and the perceived autonomy of military nurses.
• Army Nurse Corps Frequently Asked Questions: The PDF file deals with some of the most common questions asked when it comes to becoming a nurse for the US Army.
• The Benefits of a Military Nursing Career: This article lists down the reasons and advantages for signing up as a nurse for the military.
• Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP): This webpage features information on how registered nurses can work for the Navy, the various responsibilities involved and how to apply.
• Find unrivaled experience and status in Navy Nursing: Includes detailed information on what military nurses do in the Navy.
• Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP): The webpage details the requirements for working as a nurse for the US Air Force.
• Army Commissioning Programs: The article deals with the programs the US Army is offering in relation to medicine and health.
• Military Pay Table 2011: This PDF file lists the different wages of military personnel depending on the years of service and other factors.
• Pay incentives help military avoid nursing shortage: The news report details the changes made to the military to entice more registered nurses to work for the Corps.
• Careers in the Military: Registered Nurses: Describes what a military nurse does, the type of environments they work in and characteristics which make them distinct from civilian nurses.