Upon graduation from college with a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing and successfully completing the Army ROTC program, you may be eligible to commission into the U.S. Army and become part of an elite organization that protects the health of our nation's fighting forces. It is a position of great responsibility, high expectations, learning and adventure. You will immediately be given more responsibility, sooner and with greater authority than you would expect in the private sector. You will refine the leadership skills you developed in ROTC as you serve your country.
There are five BSN producing schools (UNC Charlotte, Gardner-Webb University, Queens University, Pfeiffer University, and Wingate University) that are eligible to participate in the UNC Charlotte Army ROTC program. All ADN students would have to transfer to a BSN producing school and aquire a BSN in order to commission as an officer in the Army Nurse Corps. We ensure our nursing students have the necessary tools to succeed as well as meet with a Brigade Nurse counselor once a semester to help mentor our nursing students.
For additional details and information check out the Army ROTC Nursing website and/or the Army Nurse Corps website.
Nurse Scholarship
If you receive an Army ROTC Nurse Scholarship you will recieve the following extra benefits:
- NCLEX-RN review course fee paid
- NCLEX-RN exam fee paid
- Guaranteed nurse position upon graduation
- Malpractice insurance paid
- Immunizations paid
- Nursing supplies paid
-
Uniforms paid
Nursing Specialty Courses
The Army offers six specialty areas of study to nurse officers:
- Critical Care
- Perioperative
- Emergency Medicine
- OB/GYN
- Community Health
- Psych/Mental Health
These courses are 16 weeks in length and are conducted in a combination of classroom and clinical settings. Army Nurses must have a minimum of one year clinical experience prior to attending one of these schools. All scholarship nurse cadets will automatically be eligible to apply for specialty training within the first 6-12 months on active duty.
Educational Opportunities
The Army Nurse Corps encourages its nurses to improve their skills and enhance their professional experience through a variety of educational programs, including fully funded post-graduate opportunities, continuing education, and specialty courses. Post-graduate fields include:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Healthcare Administrator
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Informatics
- Nurse Midwife
Advantages of Army ROTC Nursing:
Summer Training:
Army Nurse vs. Civilian Nurse
Where civilian nurses typically start out with 2 weeks of vacation a year, an Army nurse enjoys 30-days of vacation a year, unlimited sick leave with full pay and benefits, free medical and dental benefites, free fitness centers, tuition assistance programs, and eligible for a retirement pension after 20 years active service. Army nurses also enjoy pay raises every two years, at a minimum, and get promoted like any other commissioned officer in the Army.
|
Civilian Nurse |
Army Nurse |
---|---|---|
Vacation |
2 weeks per year |
30 days per year |
Sick Leave |
Limited |
Unlimited, with full pay and benefits |
Medical/Dental |
Possible Professional Discount |
FREE |
Travel |
At Own Expense |
Military facilities around the world offer discounts on flights |
Recreation |
At Own Expense |
Officers Club, golf courses, fitness centers, etc at reduced rates |
Continued Education |
Possible Reimbursement |
Programs available for tuition. Army pays 75-100% of all tuition costs. |
Retirement |
Social Security at 62 and own retirement plan |
Eligible for retirement after 20 years active service |
Pay Raises |
As determined by civilian institution |
Automatic raises every 2 yrs. |
Shopping |
civilian stores |
Reduced prices at Post Exchange, and Commissary |
Relocation Allowance |
At own Expense |
Household goods moved at Government expense, plus moving expenses |
Life Insurance |
At own Expense |
$400,000 term policy at $27 a month |
Job Security |
Seniority lost when relocating |
SECURE! Your seniority moves with you. |
Advanced Education Opportunities as an Army Nurse:
1. Obstetrical/Gynecological Nursing:
Prepares nurses to care for patients in all aspects of the childbearing spectrum-pregnancy counseling, pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and postpartum care. This course lasts 16 weeks and is offered at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) in Hawaii.
2. Critical Care Nursing:
Trains nurse in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physics, CPR, inhalation therapy, diagnostic, psychological and sociological problems, and ethical and legal considerations in the care of critically ill patients. This 16-week course can be taken at Walter Reed Army Medical Center(WRAMC) in Washington, D.C., Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) in Tacoma, Washington, or Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX.
3. Preoperative Nursing:
Prepares Nurses for all phases of operating room nursing, including advanced skills related to specialty areas in surgery and the principles and techniques of supervising and managing an operating room. This course is 16 weeks and can be attended at WRAMC, MAMC, or BAMC.
4. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing:
Prepares nurses to provide specialized care to emotionally distressed individuals both as inpatients and outpatients, and to provide consultation within the general hospital community. This course is 16 week long and is offered at WRAMC.
What Happens After Graduation?
First off, you will receive a commission in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps as a Second Lieutenant. After commissioning and completion of the NCLEX, you will attend Officer Basic Course at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. After completion of this course, you will then move on to your first duty station. Duty station assignments are based on your input of location preference and your performance throughout both the nursing and ROTC program. After just one year at your initial assignment, you will have the opportunity to attend a clinical specialty course in one of the following areas: Perioperative Nursing, OB/GYN Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.
Senior Nursing Handbook