Seven What Does A Military Nurse Do
Military nurses carry out similar responsibilities as traditional nurses in hospital or outpatient facilities. Upon arriving at their assigned area, military nurses may check in with their direct supervisors and perform care in a particular setting. If nurses are delegated to work in a hospital or clinic, common responsibilities include patient assessment, passing medications, and working with other healthcare professionals.
Patients in these settings are commonly military personnel, their families, or any other military employees in local support roles such as diplomats and educators.
In areas of active war, military nurses may serve to triage patients or stabilize and treat patients with life-threatening injuries, like wounds from explosives and gunshots.
Are Military Nurses In
In general, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the nursing profession will see a higher than the normal job growth rate. Within the various military forces, the government will need nurses and also other medical personnel.
Many branches of the military offer grants for nursing education, which makes it desirable to serve in the military while getting a nursing degree or enhancing a nursing career.
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How Much Money Can I Make As A Military Nurse
Military nurse salary varies by pay grade and years of experience. Newly commissioned officers at the lowest pay grade, O-1, make $3,477 a month, as of July 2022. Military nurses should expect to earn this salary or higher, as all branches commission them as officers.
The relationship between pay grade and rank does not translate equally among U.S. service branches. U.S. Navy lieutenants fall in the same O-3 pay grade as Army, Marine, and Air Force captains.
Military nurses in good standing receive promotions regularly. Other financial benefits include free medical and dental care. Changing professions with the military does not affect salary negatively.
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Military Nurse Jobs: 5 Specialties To Consider
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- Military nurse jobs involve many of the same responsibilities as civilian nursing.
- Military nurses must hold a bachelor’s degree and a license.
- Military nurses earn more than enlisted service members.
- Popular military nurse specialties can prepare workers for a post-military career.
The nursing field provides professionals with many career pathways, including military nurse jobs. These workers use their education and training to serve in one of the military’s branches. Like civilian nurses, military nurses spend much of their day treating patients.
Military nursing can involve risks, such as working in a war zone. However, an entry-level position lets professionals explore military nurse specialties and transition to a civilian career. Students interested in this career path work with a career counselor to learn more about military nurse jobs and related positions.
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How Do I Join The Army Nurse Corps
1.Your education level required to be an army nurse depends on whether you are on active duty or in the reserves. If you are on active duty, you will need to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. If you are in the army reserves, you need to have a diploma in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.2.You must successfully pass the national certification licensure exam . 3.You must be between the age of 21 and 42 years of age.4.If you are on active duty, you must be a United States Citizen. If you are in the army reserves, you must be a permanent United States Resident.5.You must then complete the Officer Basic Leadership Course.
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The Air Force Is For You If:
This branch is great for you if you love technology and want access to some of the most highly advanced applicable training for future professions after a career in the military. The Air Force is also great for those of you that love nice amenities and some of the best deployment cycles out of all of the other branches of service.
Military Opportunities For Nurse Practitioners
Nurses can serve their country as part of the U.S. military, providing healthcare to military members, their families and people the military helps worldwide. According to Health.mil , nearly 30,000 nurses work in the military. The U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy all actively recruit as well as nurse practitioners in other specialties. In all three services, nurses can become officers by going through an officer training program.
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How Does The Military Ranking System Apply To Military Nurses
The military ranking system determines a military nurse’s salary potential. The system establishes base pay according to experience and ranking achievements.
While all nurses are officers, specific rank and base pay depends on their prior military experience. Without military experience, nurses begin at the bottom of the rank structure, earning less each month than those with four or more years of experience as an enlisted officer.
In addition to military experience, special incentives may increase pay. These incentives depend on commission type, work setting, and commitment length.
What Military Nursing Speciality Is The Most Popular
The U.S. Army’s official website lets aspiring and practicing nurses explore in-demand military careers, such as practical nursing specialist, OB/GYN nurse, emergency room nurse, and preoperative nurse. These and other positions may require an advanced degree and some experience.
The military helps nurses prepare for an in-demand specialization with loan forgiveness. Other educational opportunities for naval nurses include up to $34,000 in direct aid as of July 2022.
Licensed nurses speak with a recruiter to explore popular careers. Nursing students consult their school’s career services advisors for more information. Their school may also host a military representative on campus for degree-seekers wanting to enlist.
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Three Certifications For Military Nurses
The main certifications you will need are a Bachelors degree and an active RN license from a non-compact state. You will also need to be certified in Basic Life Support .
If Acute Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications are required for a particular nursing specialty, you should also have these completed as well. Any other specific certifications relative to your nursing specialty are helpful but not required .
Currently, there is no specific certification for military nurses. However, it is important to remember that the military has their own set of requirements for the military aspect of the job.
What Are Some Things To Consider
Becoming a military nurse can be very rewarding and very demanding. You may be away on deployment for months at a time. You may work long hours that are physically and emotionally demanding.
There are many questions to ask yourself before sign a contract:
- What do you want to get out your time in the military?
- Can I serve out my term?
- Will the military pay for my education?
- How are you at taking orders?
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Is There Nursing In The Navy
Prospective nursing students may want to inquire about the Navys Nurse Candidate Program , which can help students pay for medical school. Nurses in the Navy may practice on board a ship, at a medical clinic on foreign or U.S. soil, on one of the Navys hospital ships, or at another military facility.
What kind of nurses are in the Navy? The Navy employs a variety of nurses, including nurse midwives, pediatrics nurses, and also critical care nurses.
Va Jobs At Health Ecareers
The desire to serve as a military nurse is admirable, and you can anticipate enjoying a career that could take you anywhere in the world. While becoming a military nurse practitioner does require you to accept a high level of responsibility, seeking the best educational opportunities that are available will help you rise to the task whenever you are called for duty.
About the Author: Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
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Faqs About Army Nurses
Is it hard to become an army nurse?
Becoming an army nurse is harder than getting a civilian nursing job. In order to become an army nurse, an RN must complete a lengthy pre-commission process and be selected for an Army commission by a board. They must leave home to complete the Basic Officer Leadership Course when selected. This training consists of strenuous physical and mental tests. Training starts early at 5:45 am and may last late into the night. Army training is rigorous compared to other nursing jobs. However, it leads to a rewarding career.
What do you need to become an army nurse?
A BSN degree is required to become an army nurse in the ANC. Nurses can join the Army Reserves with a BSN, ADN, or nursing diploma, but the BSN is preferred.
Do army nurses go to basic training?
Army nurses join the military as commissioned officers. Army Medical Department Officers do not attend basic training. However, they are required to attend BOLC.
How long do army nurses serve?
S To Becoming A Military Nurse
The other option is to apply to one of the military academies including West Point or the Naval Academy prior to becoming a nurse. Then, you can have the military pay for your nursing school tuition and put you on a path to becoming an officer.
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What Is The Fastest Way To Become A Military Nurse
All military nurse jobs require a bachelor’s degree. A typical bachelor’s program takes four years for full-time students. Learners in an accelerated program may need just under three years to graduate.
Military nurses do not complete basic training. Instead, they enroll in a 5-10-week Basic Officer Leadership Course. Aspiring military nurses must meet their branch’s physical fitness requirements, as well.
Newly licensed nurses may enlist in the military immediately or gain experience in a civilian healthcare setting. The latter may help professionals learn a nursing career’s basics before adjusting to military life.
How To Become A Military Nurse
Earn a BSN or graduate nurse degree
Pass the NCLEX exam to receive a registered nurse license
Complete required nursing experience
Choose a military branch and connect with a military recruiter to enlist
Complete an officer basic leadership course
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What Is The Highest
Advanced practice registered nurses serving the military earn an average annual salary of $115,530, as of July 2022, according to Indeed. This salary exceeds the median salary for registered nurses by approximately $38,000. Advanced practice registered nurses may make more, depending on their pay grade and years of military experience.
Prospective military nurses should consider how their transition to civilian life may affect salary potential. Nurse practitioners and anesthetists with a master’s degree make a median salary of over $100,000 a year, as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . These professionals may find a career with the highest pay by moving to California, New Jersey, or New York, according to the BLS.
What Does A Military Nurse Do
Military nurses can serve in any branch of the armed forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Nurses can be active duty, reservists, and the Army National Guard. Navy nurses support the Marines.
Nurses who want to serve their country enjoy many job-related benefits, including:
- Housing allowances
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Reasons Why Nurse Practitioners Choose To Serve In The Military
Nurse practitioners choose to serve in the military for a variety of reasons. Some are retired or have worked at a civilian practice for years and find they miss the camaraderie that comes with military life. Others may be looking for a different pace of work, one where their skills will be put to good use in a time of war.
And some may even simply be fulfilling their life-long dream of serving in the armed forces. Whatever the reason, nurse practitioners who serve in the military find themselves giving and receiving support from fellow medical providers and nurses. Many of those who serve as physicians assistants, for example, forge close friendships with those they work alongside.
The camaraderie that comes with military life is both unique and invigorating, leading many to continue their military careers even after theyve retired. Although there are many benefits to serving as a nurse practitioner in the military, this career choice also poses challenges.
The Air Force Nurse Corps
Air force eligibility age is 18 to 47. Some air force nurses work for aeromedical evacuation units as flight nurses. One will find emergency/ trauma nurses and critical care nurses. Air force nurses are employed in a number of other capacities, though, caring for military families as well as soldiers. Among the careers listed are pediatric nurse practitioner and even neonatal nurse practitioner.
The air force offers critical care/emergency trauma nursing fellowships.
An article in Minority Nurse features an air force nurse who manage a Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team, or AELT .
Some nurses transport wounded and ill service members through the Air National Guard.
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The Use Of Pas In Context
AdvanceWeb notes its no coincidence that the first PA program started at Duke University began in 1966, in the middle of the Vietnam Era. The first graduating class was handpicked, and all four students had backgrounds in military medicine courtesy of the U.S. Navy. The PA program was seen as a way for these corpsmen to transition from military to civilian healthcare and to help deal with a physician shortage.
Around 2,600 PAs have graduated from military-sponsored training programs since the 1970s, and since 1996, the Interservice Physician Assistant Program, based at Fort Sam Houston, has trained PAs for several military branches. It holds three separate classes throughout the year, composed of around 60 students each. This helps meet the demand for trained healthcare professionals, especially since the beginnings of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is estimated that the Army currently has 698 PAs on active duty. The Navy has more than 100, the Air Force has 275, and the Coast Guard has 42. This is not counting those employed by the Veterans Association to take care of troops as they return home.
While PAs began their relationship with the military earlier, NPs can find homes there as well. The variety of opportunities, plus the possibility of working with considerable autonomy and the ability to train in various subspecialties, makes the military a very attractive career path.
Memoirs Of Service: A History Of Nurses In The Military
When one thinks of a nurse, images of a caped Florence Nightingale roaming the dank halls of a military hospital with oil lamps aglow come to mind. And while Ms. Nightingale’s philosophy on health and high standards for the nurses in her charge changed the trajectory of nursing and healthcare overall, nurses have been aiding servicemembers since the Revolutionary War.
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