March 23, 2017, by Dixie Somers – Becoming a military nurse is sure to be a rewarding career for you if you are looking for a way to serve hurt individuals and your country simultaneously. Plus, military nurses often get to travel overseas, allowing you to see different parts of the world. While there is sure to be more danger for you than there is in a hospital in the United States, most military nurses are kept out of dangerous locations. If this is a career that interests you, consider these tips for how to get started down this path.
Education Needed
A military nurse will need a bachelor’s degree in nursing rather than an associate’s degree. This is because military nurses work as commissioned officers. Individuals who follow this route will need a four-year nursing degree and will need to be licensed in their state of residency.
Military Training
Another option for becoming a military nurse is to join the ROTC or Reserves Officer Training Corps. This option will help you pay for your college tuition and will give you a very small salary while you attend school. In return for these payments, you agree to be in the military for a certain number of years. ROTC programs differ for the Army, Navy and Air Force. You will also be able to choose nursing subspecialties, such as anesthesia or an RN to nurse practitioner online program if you are seeking a master’s degree.
Skills Needed
You will need several skills sets outside of the nursing education you will receive in order to become a good military nurse. Multi-tasking and working under pressure are keys. You must also be able to communicate well with your peers and with those in authority. You will need to adapt well to change, work long hours with few breaks and be decisive.
Career Opportunities
The Army, Navy and Air Force are all currently open to military nurses. They offer amazing salaries, and some even have sign-on bonuses of up to $30,000. You may be offered student loan repayment, low-cost health insurance, a retirement plan and a housing stipend. Vacation time is good, and you can retire after only 20 years with an excellent pension. As a military nurse, you will be able to work in a clinic or hospital. Many of these are located overseas, and a few are located in hazardous areas for which you will be offered hazard pay.
There is currently a huge need for military nurses in all branches of the U.S. military. Military nurses have very satisfying careers and are typically reimbursed quite well for their services. You will also have the option of specializing in a certain type of care once you are in the military, such as critical care or psychiatric care, furthering your knowledge and skills sets.
AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance, careers, and education. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.