Army Nurse Corps

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Quietlylurking

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Feb 9, 2018
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Back again, DS #3. Nurse Corps.

Hi all, I am back on here again as I help DS #3 prepare and consider AROTC and Army Nursing.

We are reaching out to this board as it has been a solid source of information for us in the past.

As a family we have been down the AROTC successfully before, but things change fast. In addition, #3 wants Nurse Corps or other medical fields. Nurse Corps is new to us (ground pounders and 12 series). This path he is discussing this as a starting point for possible future medical careers in the Army.

Unique questions he is asking:

  • He is concerned he will be offered a 4 year scholarship out of the starting box. To some this may seam odd, but we have discovered that the 3 year scholarships combined with the state schools offer for scholarships are often beneficial. Also, a 3 year gives him a little more flexibility should he make changes. As strange as it sounds, can he turn down a 4 year and take a 3 year instead?
  • He has been asking this question of cadre at schools but has not gotten a clear answer. He is hearing about a special Army Nursing summer training program, but details have been vague. Can anyone point out a link to detailed information?
  • Informally he has been told some schools have “reversed seats” for AROTC nursing students. Some do not. ROOs’ have been helpful on that end, but some of the nursing schools themselves have been less forward. Are there any state nursing schools with AROTC programs you can recommend?
  • How are the nursing MOS’s assigned after graduation? What is the progression? He really hopes to be a 66S.
For him so far it is not a matter of if he will do AROTC and Nursing, but which program. He went and spoke to several ROO’s so far and followed their advice. He has an amazing GPA, physically ready and works in our local hospital after the advice of one ROO.

Nearly 3 years ago an Army Nurse came and talked to him before a procedure. That man really impressed him and is driving much of his thought process.
 
Have he, the applicant, not you, the parent, comply with the FAST sticky under the DoDMERB tab. I can get him to the RIGHT person.:)
 
Quietlylurking said:
  • He has been asking this question of cadre at schools but has not gotten a clear answer. He is hearing about a special Army Nursing summer training program, but details have been vague. Can anyone point out a link to detailed information?
Click to expand...
Google NSTP Army ROTC. Army Nurse Summer Training Program
 
RE: He is concerned he will be offered a 4 year scholarship out of the starting box. To some this may seam odd, but we have discovered that the 3 year scholarships combined with the state schools offer for scholarships are often beneficial. Also, a 3 year gives him a little more flexibility should he make changes. As strange as it sounds, can he turn down a 4 year and take a 3 year instead?

Just curious about the 3 year v 4 year pursuit. What would the advantage be for a 3 year? Both paths would participate in ROTC from day 1 of your freshman year. Just outlining in case there is confusion/ in case it may help.

4 Year Path: The first year tuition/ fees/ book stipend would be paid by the Army and son gets a monthly stipend for months in school. Your DS would then have to decide to stick with ROTC, or drop before coming back for your second year - as on day 1 of year 2 you are "committing". You can walk away after 1 year with no obligation.

3 Year Path: Also participating your freshman year, with monthly stipend but you or other scholarships pay tuition, fees, books. Same first year but no day 1 of year 2 commitment.

Please note that some schools offer Room and Board, and some do not. For those that do not, the additional scholarships from the state schools/ schools for merit or other can often/ sometimes be applied toward room and board. Room and Board in many schools is north of 12k per year. In the case you describe he could use the state scholarship toward that need. It varies by school but again just pointing out in case that helps.

It seems like it would be an advantage to take the 4 year and after a full year of ROTC life decide if it's for him. It seems like a lot of the participants by then if not sooner have a good idea if this is "for them" - honestly A LOT of the participants in ROTC this year at DS and DS friends' schools are dropping prior to completing their first full year in ROTC - both programmers and scholarship recipients. Meaning, sounds like they get a good taste of what the program is early.

Hope that somehow helps. Serving overall and serving in the Army as a Nurse are both honorable pursuits - awesome that he is interested to serve and that you are both looking at the best ways to do so.
 
Some programs have guaranteed upper division seats and some don’t. Recommend he ask the ROOs that question. Could be a big difference.

By regulation if a nurse changes majors they are supposed to lose their scholarship benefits for a semester. Experiences may vary.

The summer program is NSTP. Basically go and shadow an Army Nurse at a hospital. Some schools give clinical credits for this (a big deal their senior year). Ask the ROO about this.

Also ask the ROO if nursing is a hard 4 yr program or 4.5-5 yr. with the extra ROTC requirements there is a benefit to extending a semester.

A 4 yr scholarship provides an extra $1200 for books and $3360 (8 months of stipend). What state benefit provides 4500 into your pocket and pays your tuition?

And I wouldn’t count your chicks before they hatch. The national process sometimes produces interesting results. Nurses are judged differently than non nurses.
 
Has your DS had an opportunity to talk with an Army Nurse Recruiter about the ROTC scholarships and summer training program? There is some good information on the program on their website.
www.goarmy.com

ROTC Scholarships

Apply for an ROTC scholarship in order for the Army to help you pay for college, all while gaining invaluable leadership skills.
www.goarmy.com www.goarmy.com
 
Another consideration would be to attend nursing school and be a direct commission to the Army Nurse Corps. They have student loan repayments to help pay back one's student loans.
www.goarmy.com

Army Medical (AMEDD) Careers and Training

AMEDD provides specialty careers in the Army medical field where leadership opportunities are extended to individuals with valuable health care experience. Learn if you’re ready for a medical career in the Army.
www.goarmy.com www.goarmy.com
 
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Another way to consider- join a Reserve or National Guard Unit and under the SMP program.

Current Guard members can get even more out of your ROTC experience with the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), meaning you can earn drill pay on top of your ROTC allowance. Those enrolled in SMP may also be eligible for the following National Guard scholarships:

  • Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDNG) Scholarship
  • Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship


Army National Guard

Army National Guard
www.nationalguard.com www.nationalguard.com
 
SurferGirl said:
Another way to consider- join a Reserve or National Guard Unit and under the SMP program.

Current Guard members can get even more out of your ROTC experience with the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), meaning you can earn drill pay on top of your ROTC allowance. Those enrolled in SMP may also be eligible for the following National Guard scholarships:

  • Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDNG) Scholarship
  • Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship


Army National Guard

Army National Guard
www.nationalguard.com www.nationalguard.com
Click to expand...
Nurses can not be SMP and have a national guard scholarship(GRFD) anymore. Be very careful with this route.
 
MullenLE said:
Have he, the applicant, not you, the parent, comply with the FAST sticky under the DoDMERB tab. I can get him to the RIGHT person.:)
Click to expand...
Mr. Mullen, slightly confused by your response. Do you mean that you can help with contacts that can clarify things for him? Or are you referring to something specific to DoDMERB? If the case is the later he won't even be applying for a few months.
 
Montana State Army ROTC said:
Some programs have guaranteed upper division seats and some don’t. Recommend he ask the ROOs that question. Could be a big difference.

By regulation if a nurse changes majors they are supposed to lose their scholarship benefits for a semester. Experiences may vary.

The summer program is NSTP. Basically go and shadow an Army Nurse at a hospital. Some schools give clinical credits for this (a big deal their senior year). Ask the ROO about this.

Also ask the ROO if nursing is a hard 4 yr program or 4.5-5 yr. with the extra ROTC requirements there is a benefit to extending a semester.

A 4 yr scholarship provides an extra $1200 for books and $3360 (8 months of stipend). What state benefit provides 4500 into your pocket and pays your tuition?

And I wouldn’t count your chicks before they hatch. The national process sometimes produces interesting results. Nurses are judged differently than non nurses.
Click to expand...
Thanks Montana for your well thought out response. It's difficult to fully explain all the financial aspects as he will likely be "stacking" other state based automatic scholarships on top of AROTC.

Yes his concern is very much based on what should happen should he switch from nursing.
 
My daughter recently exited the Army after her 4.5 year stint was up. She offered to stay in if they would send her to Germany where her Air Force husband was being shipped off to but the Army declined. Like Montana ROTC stated, I would absolutely look into colleges that have the "guaranteed" upper division route. I know several people (not all ROTC related) that didn't get chosen for the upper division route and ended up having school or changing majors. Just off the top of my head, I know the University of Portland and University of Michigan offer the guaranteed route just as long as you have the minimum grades in lower division coursework. Portland also offers free room & board to all scholarship cadets so all in nowadays, that scholarship is worth $200K plus.

As mentioned there are schools that have a "nurse allotment". Nurses get scored like other cadets and then get to turn in a "wish list" at the end to see who goes where. Speaking only for my daughters class, all the nurses received one of their top 3 choices. Most went to San Antonio, 2 went to Germany and 2 went to Hawaii. After you have a minimum amount of time in, you can request to go to a specialist type school (ER, ICU, etc...) but that lengthens your commitment. My daughter was chosen for (2) specialties but her command wouldn't release her because they were too short staffed. She ended up in San Antonio all (4) years which was a blessing since she met her husband there.
 
Can't imagine the Army doesn't need nurses in Germany...but what do I know. Maybe she can find employment there as a civilian nurse. Maybe there's a private contractor up & running near DH's base. I understand healthcare is different in Europe, but some things are universal; I'm sure she'll have no issues adapting. Congrats to her & husband!
 
Wishful said:
Can't imagine the Army doesn't need nurses in Germany...but what do I know. Maybe she can find employment there as a civilian nurse. Maybe there's a private contractor up & running near DH's base. I understand healthcare is different in Europe, but some things are universal; I'm sure she'll have no issues adapting. Congrats to her & husband!
Click to expand...

Honestly, I have no idea what the nurse situation is like there as far as "need" but it's just the way the military works. At first, I couldn't understand them turning down someone volunteering to stay, a person who has always received the highest possible evaluation scores and promotes first time through. It worked out for the best anyway since my daughter, who was always one of those "I'm not having kids until I'm 30 and see the world" people, had a daughter of her own and has a full time Mom gig she enjoys. Her husband just made Major so $$ isn't an issue. Thank you for your kind words.
 
k2rider said:
My daughter recently exited the Army after her 4.5 year stint was up. She offered to stay in if they would send her to Germany where her Air Force husband was being shipped off to but the Army declined. Like Montana ROTC stated, I would absolutely look into colleges that have the "guaranteed" upper division route. I know several people (not all ROTC related) that didn't get chosen for the upper division route and ended up having school or changing majors. Just off the top of my head, I know the University of Portland and University of Michigan offer the guaranteed route just as long as you have the minimum grades in lower division coursework. Portland also offers free room & board to all scholarship cadets so all in nowadays, that scholarship is worth $200K plus.

As mentioned there are schools that have a "nurse allotment". Nurses get scored like other cadets and then get to turn in a "wish list" at the end to see who goes where. Speaking only for my daughters class, all the nurses received one of their top 3 choices. Most went to San Antonio, 2 went to Germany and 2 went to Hawaii. After you have a minimum amount of time in, you can request to go to a specialist type school (ER, ICU, etc...) but that lengthens your commitment. My daughter was chosen for (2) specialties but her command wouldn't release her because they were too short staffed. She ended up in San Antonio all (4) years which was a blessing since she met her husband there.
Click to expand...
In a whisper
Montana State has guaranteed upper division slots and we help with room/board freshman year to national winners. If a 3AD and out of state MSU will cover freshman tuition.
 
Montana State Army ROTC said:
Nurses can not be SMP and have a national guard scholarship(GRFD) anymore. Be very careful with this route.
Click to expand...
A have a follow up question. So if our DS does not get a scholarship on this last board, his plan B is to enlist the the Guard as a medic. Once he finishes BT and AIT he would come back, and attend nursing school. He has several different direct admits which are willing to allow him to do his service. Are you saying that by virtue of his pursuing a BSN he cannot participate in ROTC in this situation? Even as a non-scholarship his first two years?
 
Sorry- he can be SMP non scholarship and do nursing. He can then compete for active nursing (99% guaranteed). But once he is listed as a nurse in the system he can no longer get a scholarship from the guard.

I would talk to the ROO at the school he wants to go to before enlisting. A nurse with good grades is a shoe in for a scholarship. Every nurse freshman we had is being recommended for a campus based scholarship and if medically qualified will get one.

Talk with us (406-370-2337) for unbiased info. Mr Reinhardt.

Talk to ROO not a recruiter if he wants to be an Army nurse. Seriously!!!!!!
 
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