BSN to Military

M

matthewobrien

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Sep 23, 2024
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Hello,

TO START OFF, I know nothing about the military to be honest.

I'm currently a 22-year-old male nursing student about to get my BSN. I've always considered the military, but I haven't been sure because of my career choice. I've always heard the title "Combat Medic" and I even have a friend in my program who was one. Is there an Army Nursing title or does it all fall under Combat Medic? I don't know what it is but having the privilege of being a part of the military has always been a part of me. The real questions I'm asking before I consider are:

- Is there a difference in the roles, or is there even an "Army Nursing" role?
- Pay difference?

I know I might look like a dummy but I am just looking for answers. It might seem selfish, but pay is something I look at especially since I've gone through 4 years of schooling.

Thank you to anyone who responds. God Bless.
 
People serve in the military for all kinds of reasons, including practical ones. The critical thing is to educate yourself and know what is involved, to understand what service involves.

“Combat Medic” likely refers to an enlisted specialty, highly trained field medical personnel with advanced training who can work independently in operational situations. In the military, officers and enlisted work together in complementary ways to execute the mission of their assigned unit.

If you haven’t done so already, go to the site below to start exploring the role of a Nurse Corps officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force.

General:
www.medicineandthemilitary.com

Non-Physician Careers | Medicine + the Military

Explore non-physician military careers offering impactful roles beyond the frontlines. Discover opportunities contributing to healthcare in the armed forces.
www.medicineandthemilitary.com www.medicineandthemilitary.com

Army;

Navy:

Air Force:

The Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force receive healthcare from the 3 bigger armed services, Army, Navy, Air Force, or USPHS (described below).

At some point, you will talk with an officer recruiter. Listen carefully as compensation is discussed. In addition to basic salary based on the officer rank and paygrade, military people receive some untaxed allowances, such as a housing allowance, a monthly addition to base pay. In general, the medical, dental, vision and pharmacy are free for the military, no monthly premiums or co-pays, even for emergency care at a civilian provider, under the TRICARE Prime defense health care program. There is also tax-free shipping at military commissaries (grocery stores) and exchanges (department stores). Retirement benefits, advanced educational opportunities, etc.

Be prepared for a military medical accessions process, including a detailed medical history and exam, per this standard:

There is also an expectation of physical fitness, including height, weight, body fat standards, as well as regular physical fitness testing.

In addition to Nurse Corps opportunities with the 3 armed services mentioned above, there is also this uniformed, but not armed, service:

Nurse | Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service

Become a nurse in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.
www.usphs.gov www.usphs.gov


There is also federal civil service nursing, such as at VA hospitals. Federal civil service is a way to serve without being in a uniformed or armed service. You can also stay in one place, not be under orders to move every few years.

vacareers.va.gov

Nursing jobs

Nurses like you are at the heart of our patient-centered standard of care. Each day, you’ll make a lasting difference in the lives of Veterans and their families.
vacareers.va.gov vacareers.va.gov

Good luck - glad you are considering this field of nursing.

Edit: Since pay is an important factor for you, officers and enlisted personnel receive different rates of pay, quite significant. Officers have leadership and management roles, and are accountable and responsible for executing the mission with their team. Enlisted personnel are highly technically and professionally trained, and can also perform critical leadership roles, and typically do not start out with the same degrees as the officers, but can take advantage of military educational programs to gain them.

The link below is the main pay site for the military, DFAS. Much of it will not make sense to you yet. Look at the officer pay tables and enlisted pay tables they are set up to show monthly base pay for each paygrade and years in service. Look for the housing allowance tables too, the untaxed monthly allowance. That is tied to rank, locations, with/without dependents, location, etc. There are also pay bonuses for certain critical fields.

 
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@Capt MJ mj beat me to it but here are a couple other sites to check out. As the captain stated above, the army's combat medic is enlisted and as a BSN you will commission as an officer. And there is always someone who will come along and advise you to change your screen name if your current one is your actual name.

www.goarmy.com

Army Medical (AMEDD) Careers

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
nurse.org

How to Become a Military Nurse

Being a nurse in the armed forces is both heroic and rewarding. Find out the requirements to become one as well as the salary and benefits that go along with it.
nurse.org nurse.org
 
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