You won't have to go through basic training, but you will have to go to orientation and attend a ten week to 14 week course. The duties of this type of nurse are the same as a civilian nurse.
In order to get into the army nurse corps, you will have to meet various requirements. For starters, you have to be a citizen of America, be between 21 and 42 years old, have a license as a registered nurse and have a bachelor's degree in the field of nursing. You will also have to take and pass a test that examines your moral and medical skills. If you are between 42 and 60, you are able to apply for an army nurse position that lasts two years.
There is a program that's offered by the U.S. army called Army Medical Department's Enlisted Commissioning Program, or AECP. This means that soldiers that are already enlisted in the army can apply to become an army nurse. In order to do this, they must have served for between three and ten years. They are able to go to college full time to get a bachelor's of science in nursing. It takes about two years to complete the program.
You can pick a specific area you would like to work in as an army nurse, such operating room, gynecology, critical care, emergency room, mental health and public health.
Working in the army nurse corps will allow you to become eligible for a $30,000 bonus, just for getting into the service. You are also able to receive help within schooling, with the Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program. This will give you up to $120,000 to help pay for school loans. You also get health insurance, 401K, paid vacation and stipends for housing.
