I had 3.5 years in the Naval Reserves and did the mini-bootcamp in Great Lakes. I know it's a big joke I gained 10-12 pounds in the 2.75 weeks I was there. I was sorry I did not just join the Army.

My question was I am a Critical Care RN, Nurse, with an Associates degree. When the recruiter came to our school they mentioned getting a direct commision with an Associates degree, and then coming in as an Officer once completing OCS in Texas I belive it was.
Now that I had the time I went to a totally different recruiter, as the one which came to our school was too far away to make contact. This new recuiter told me I needed to go to a full enlisted bootcamp, and then to speed up the process I should come in as supply then go the AIT for that MOS because it is the shortest in length. Then, after spending a couple of months in the unit I was assigned I would place my papers for OCS school.

I raised the bootcamp question because when he was telling me all this I noticed in communicating with him over the phone he was constantly asking help from others to answer my questions. If that kind of time is actually involved, I would not be able to join as 3-4 months of training would cost me a significant amount of time and money. Any help would be appreciated because the current pathway told by this recruiter does not seem correct.

Sounds like your recruiter is looking for a warm body to fill his quota. That or they simply are ignorant of the issue. You need to speak with an Army Nursing recruiter. They are NOT the same ones as at the local recruiting station.

If you have an ADN/ASN you can enter as an Officer, but only in the reserves. To enter as an officer in the Active Army, it requires a BSN.


The official website for the Army Nurse Corp is http://armynursecorps.amedd.army.mil/

The e-mail listed there is AMEDD@usarec.army.mil And the phone number listed for them is 1-800-USA-ARMY, ext. 193.

They should be able to provide you with the most accurate information.


If you do go in active, as any other MOS, and then apply to OCS, it would not be to work as a RN - it would be at Army needs basically. Plus, applying to OCS does not guarantee acceptance, so you could wind up doing your enlistment as whatever MOS you choose.

Check with the Army Nurse Corps recruiting to make sure you have the most up to date information. Good luck.

A little more info for you from the website http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/corps_specialties_requir.jsp...

To qualify for an Active Duty Regular Army appointment as an Officer in the Nurse Corps, you must meet all of the following conditions:

Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned Officer
Be a United States citizen
Have a Bachelor degree in nursing (BSN) or Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) from a nursing school accredited in the United States
Have a valid, unrestricted RN license
Be 21-46 years of age (exceptions may be granted to prior service applicants)

If you're an Army, Active Duty Enlisted Soldier in any MOS, you may qualify for the Army Medical Department's Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP). You will attend college as a full-time student while on Active Duty to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Tuition and fees cannot exceed $9,000 per year. Upon successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with a three year additional service obligation and attend the AMEDD Officer Basic Course in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Eligibility requirements are:

Qualify for an Active Duty Regular Army appointment as an Officer in the Nurse Corps by meeting all of the following conditions:
Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned Officer
Be a United States Citizen
Be 21-46 years of age (exceptions may be granted to prior service applicants)
Have a minimum of three years (waiverable) and a maximum of 10 years (waiverable) of active federal service at the time of commissioning.
Be able to complete your degree requirements within 24 calendar months of enrollment in the AECP program
You'll receive full pay and allowances and remain eligible for promotion while enrolled in the AECP program. In addition to full pay and allowances, the Army will pay $1000 per year for books and no more than $9000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees.

For more information, contact the AECP Manager at DSN 536-0381, or toll free 1-800-223-3735, ext. 6-0381 or send inquiries to aecp@usarec.army.mil

Dragon Rider,
You are a master, with the most useful information provided thus far. This recuiter called me back and wanted to know what I was going to do, and he was floored I wasn't going through his pathway. Thanks again for the information. I did let him know in the future I was going to be dealing with someone else. It took this recruiter two months to come up with that messed up plan.