Does anyone have any info on the process of going from active duty army to becoming an army nurse?

2020-01-15T19:38:16-05:00

I’m currently taking classes to get my RN, I want to commission and become a nurse but I’m hearing that the nursing route is a different process than your typical green to gold. Has anyone done this or does anyone know anybody who has? Thanks

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 8:05 PM

2020-01-15T20:05:13-05:00

You can commission as an RN through ROTC if you want. You can also commission through a nurse that's specifically for nursing called the AECP.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 8:32 PM

2020-01-15T20:32:34-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member has given you some good information. I recently graduated with my BSN and commissioned. I’m currently waiting to take my NCLEX-RN. I did not do AECP as I had under a year left on my contract, I simply ETS’d and joined ROTC and contracted as a nursing cadet.

I would recommend you download and review the current AECP Milper as well as contacting ROTC recruiting and enrollment officers at universities you’d like to attend and have them explain the process to you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 8:55 PM

2020-01-15T20:55:39-05:00

I got off active duty as a SSG and did my ASN and BSN with some help through the Reserves. Came back active to go through anesthesia school. Wish I would have used the AECP as it was a much better deal.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2020 6:42 AM

2020-01-16T06:42:41-05:00

Talk with an AMEDD recruiter. They can give you all the guidance on current programs, MILPERs, and incentives.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 16 at 2020 9:27 AM

2020-01-16T09:27:43-05:00

You can get your BSN and direct commission without AECP, ROTC, or OCS. Some ways it is the easiest to do and at times the hardest. I would get on the horn with an AMEDD recruiter as for several years they were not taking direct accessions (direct commission). Are you currently in nursing school or doing the pre-reqs? They is big on providing you the best advice.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jan 19 at 2020 4:37 PM

2020-01-19T16:37:46-05:00

I had a enlisted dental specialist on active duty at ft hood, got accepted into dental school in SF. Guess what now she is a CPT after graduation and back on active duty.

They have an internal program called the AECP because you are already on active duty:

Able to meet prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned officer
U.S. citizenship
Be between 21–41 years of age at date of commission
Be in the grade of E-4 or above (non-waiverable). Have a minimum of three years (waiverable) and a maximum of 12 years (non-waiverable) of active federal service at time of commissioning
Be able to complete a Bachelor's of Nursing degree within 24 calendar months of enrollment
GT score of 110 or above (non-waiverable). SAT scores within the last 5 years of 450 Verbal and 450 Math. GPA of 3.0 or above