Considering becoming a Military Nurse - college requirements?

Hi friends, I'm currently a junior, and I'm thinking about going into nursing via the military. But I'm a bit confused about the educational requirements - what kind of programs should I be looking at for college? Will there be different requirements than traditional nursing programs?

The path to becoming a military nurse generally starts with first becoming a registered nurse. You can achieve this by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at college. While it's possible to become an RN with an associate degree, the military typically requires nurses to have at least a BSN.

In terms of entry-level nursing programs, there isn't a significant difference in the core curriculum between traditional programs and those geared towards military nursing. They both generally involve courses in anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, and public health, as well as clinical rotations.

After obtaining your nursing degree, you would also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse.

Interacting with the military, you'll have to complete a program in military nursing once you're commissioned as an officer. This officer induction program is essentially a course on military etiquette, laws, and traditions, rather than additional nursing education.

Keep in mind that each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.) has its own specific requirements and programs for nurses. Additionally, an important aspect for consideration is your physically fitness as military nursing often requires a higher level of physical readiness than civilian nursing.

Finally, while not always required, having experience in specialized fields such as surgical, psychiatric, or flight nursing may enhance your competitiveness for these programs. It would be helpful to research specific military nursing programs and consult with a military recruiter to get a more detailed picture.