Becoming an Army Nurse.

[EchibooNurse]

Hi I just finished my Junior year of High School becoming a Senior and graduating in 2010. I come from a low income family and try hard in school so I can be the first in my family to go to college. I was planning on becoming a nurse, but due to our economy here in California I'm afraid of student loans and whatnot. I was thinking of joining the Army (I considered this for a long time) and at first I wanted to become an engineering, but I found the medical field more suitable for me. I was wondering if I can do all the paperwork and ship out to BCT and AIT during the summer then after I'm done with my BCT and AIT, can I use the GI Bill to get my Bachelor's in Nursing during my 8 years of enlistment? Or do I have to finish it first.

PS: I love the Army, but I'm only familiar with the terms BCT and AIT haha. It would help if you had the short form and long form in parenthesees. Please and thank you to all those who take time off to help me.

God Bless Our Men & Women in Iraq..

[cali510]

We have a military forum here where you can find a lot of info and you can get your questions answered. In short, to be an Army nurse, you need to complete your BSN before you can get a commission in the Army Nurse Corps. There are programs where the Army will assist you financially in your final two years of college. You could join the Army Reserves with a two year ASN. You might want to visit your local Army recruitment office and ask to speak to a nurse recruiter. Another option is to enlist to become an enlisted medic. You can become the equivalent of a licensed practical nurse this way. Some states allow one to take the NCLEX to become an LPN licensed in that state based upon military service in this capacity. Hope that you can get all your questions about the military answered and good luck as you begin your journey through nursing school. And welcome to the site!

[EchibooNurse]

Thank you for taking time to look at my post. I would also like to include now that I'm gonna use student loans in addition to financial aid to go through my first 4 years of college without the Army to get my BSN. After that may I enlist in the Army with the CLRP to help repay the student loans? While I'm enlisted as a nurse may I apply for the HPSP to help get me my masters in CRNA?

[cali510]

It has been almost 20 years since I was in, so I'm not familiar with current programs. Your best source of info is a healthcare recruiter. You might want to ask your questions in the military forum and maybe SoldierNurse can help you out. He is an Army nurse on active duty.