Posted on May 19, 2018
Would going ROTC MO be my best bet if I wanted to go back and get a second Bachelor's in nursing?
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Unhappy with my career, I enlisted in the Army NG to try something new. Only to find out with a Bachelor's I'm out of luck when it comes down to getting TA or anny real GI benefits to jump into another degree program. Sadly this was omitted by my recruiter. Now that I'm a 68W and liking the medical field I really want to go back to school most likely for nursing but I'm not ready to incur more student loan debt. Would going ROTC MO be my best bet? Could I still be entitled to the scholarship and stipends?
Medical
Bachelors Degree
Education
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 5
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OK, have you tried the most obvious route and checked with an AMEDD recruiter? Why not let the Army pay of it and pay you at the same time?
Another choice would be to see if changing MOS to a 68C, Practical Nurse, is possible and then try to transition from there. Pretty new MOS and they were looking for for bodies.
Another choice would be to see if changing MOS to a 68C, Practical Nurse, is possible and then try to transition from there. Pretty new MOS and they were looking for for bodies.
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SGT (Join to see)
I thought about that but an LPN gives you limited choices in the civilian world. My unit, although strictly medical does not use Charlie's. I'd reclass in second if they did.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SGT (Join to see) - Doesn't a Commissioned Army Nurse end up with a BS in Nursing? That's always been my understanding and my understanding is that covers over 80 percent of the nursing profession. All the other stuff requires a masters.
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SGT (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable - I'm not sure if a commissioned Nurse needs a BS or not as an RN in the civilian world can have a good career with just an associates. Some RN's have just as much experience as BSN's. However, a lot of healthcare facilities are requiring the BSN for the Joint Commission and to obtain Magnet status as its been shown Nurses with 4 year degrees, statistically, provide a higher standard of care (lower liability).
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As CPT Lawrence Cable said, AMEDD recruiters are your best bet. There are some great programs - HSPS, STRAP, etc. Look into Green to Gold. Lots more options than ROTC for prior service.
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SGT (Join to see)
Are all those option active duty though? I'd like to first see if I can become a medical officer in my exhisting unit.
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CPT (Join to see)
For the most part, all AMEDD scholarship options incur an active duty obligation. If you are comfortable, you could try for a Masters Degree in something health related (OT/PT, PA, etc.). There is also the IPAP program, but I believe a degree of that is contingent on GPA. Your best bet is to go to an AMEDD recruiter when you’re ready. The process can be very long and you want to start it in the very beginning of the FY as most offers and slots fill up quickly.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
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SGT (Join to see)
Roger that 2LT, I will take a look into the scholarship options and Green to Gold. Appreciate your input.
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Nurse Training & Scholarship Program
With Army ROTC, nurses have a unique opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while utilizing helpful programs & scholarships from the U.S. Army.
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While I was a reservist I used a combination of TA, STRAP, and driving to an active duty base for their Education Center. Got my ASN-RN first then used STRAP to get my BSN. Went active shortly after for anesthesia school. There are many ways to work around this. Active offers an enlisted commissioning program specifically for soldiers wanting to get their BSN and be commissioned. Tuition paid and soldier keeps current rank and pay while in school.
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SGT (Join to see)
After reading your response I took a look on the DMNA National Guard Website and saw those options. I appreciate you giving me the heads up. I'll have to research more to see if its for me now or in the future.
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MAJ (Join to see)
It’s a plus plus. So many jobs and fields within nursing, something sure to make you happy and pay well. And staying within the military, being commissioned helps out too with pay, perks, chances for additional schools, etc.
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SGT (Join to see), I don't know how hard they are pursuing Nurses right now, but they usually need them. Pursue a 4 year nursing scholarship through a ROTC recruiter at a university you want to attend. Most of them will bend over backwards to get a male nursing cadet. The 4 year scholarship is the best way to go. It comes with the stipend, book fees, and some universities will add to the scholarship. Don't know what you could do with the GI bill. I wouldn't try to do this any other way. Let the ROTC recruiter work for you to help you gain admission to the university and to get the scholarship. I had a 4 year nursing scholarship out of high-school. Obviously I didn't finish on that track, but the university went to great lengths to help me out.
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CPT (Join to see)
Keep in mind many army programs look at the GPA from your “qualifying degree.” As an example, AMEDD direct commission currently requires a 3.5 from your “qualifying degree.” For my AOC, 70B, that’s a bachelors degree. I had others in the process with me that had MBA, MPH, etc. with a 4.0 but they were DQ’d in the process because their undergrad GPA was under 3.5.
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COL (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see), CPT (Join to see) is talking about the direct commissioning program. I don't recommend even wasting time looking into it for nursing. Wouldn't work for you anyhow at this point. You don't have the required degree or qualifications. Get a 4 year scholarship if you can. Then you don't have to go through the selection process he is talking about. All you have to do is graduate with a BA in nursing and get commissioned. That isn't easy, but you can graduate with a minimum GPA (not that you would), and still make it as long as you meet the minimum requirements.
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CPT (Join to see)
COL (Join to see), I was referring to that as an example sir. The soldier should speak with an AMEDD recruiter to be aware of all possible options. Direct commission has different standards, yes, but even ROTC scholarship options look at your GPA.
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SGT (Join to see)
COL (Join to see) Sir, I will be looking into that as you are correct, direct commission isn't exactly my angle right now. Appreciate the thought and input. Will talk to ROTC recruiter, and see what they have for me and what else they are looking for. I'll also look into a few things mentioned before and maybe a chat with some of my units medical officers will do me good.
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