LVN to military nursing

Hey all!
This is my 1st post so bare with me. I've been a LVN for 6 years. I'm currently on a waiting list for the RN program (2 year wait). I work home health, urgent care, and do intermittent visits NOW. I am a work-a-holic! I enjoy it though...money is good and I can always make more or work less if I choose to.
I spoke with a naval recruiter yesterday and he said there were no openings in nursing!!! I also spoke with an Army recruiter and he said the ARMY does have nursing opportunities. I don't have an associate's degree but I am interested in military nursing. Can I go in as a LVN and work my way up to RN in military? Has anyone done this and if so what steps did you take? I want to do it for experience and not money. I hear I may be taking a 30% pay cut but I want to be the best RN I can be.
Quote from vn galHey all!This is my 1st post so bare with me. I've been a LVN for 6 years. I'm currently on a waiting list for the RN program (2 year wait). I work home health, urgent care, and do intermittent visits NOW. I am a work-a-holic! I enjoy it though...money is good and I can always make more or work less if I choose to.I spoke with a naval recruiter yesterday and he said there were no openings in nursing!!! I also spoke with an Army recruiter and he said the ARMY does have nursing opportunities. I don't have an associate's degree but I am interested in military nursing. Can I go in as a LVN and work my way up to RN in military? Has anyone done this and if so what steps did you take? I want to do it for experience and not money. I hear I may be taking a 30% pay cut but I want to be the best RN I can be.

Quote from lindarnLPN/LVNs go in the military as enlisted, as do Respiratory Therapists, X-Ray Techs, and ADN/Diploma RNs. Have you considered going into the Reserves in any of the services, Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.? That way your pay would be IN ADDITION, to what you make in your civilian job, instead of taking a 30% pay cut, you would have a pay increase with your reserve pay. Talk to a Health Care recruiter. That is your best bet. Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRNSpokane, Washington

This was great information, I too at one time was interested in a military nursing career!

Thank you much for your replys What is AD nurse??

What is an AD nurse?

AD=Associate Degree

thank you much!

Unless you would be chosen for some type of special education program you can not "work" your way from being an enlisted LVN to officer RN. In my day, people who already were LVN/LPNs could enter at a higher rank, E5, when the policy was in effect. There were also incentive programs to help people obtain their nursing education. For example, you would enlist and receive the pay of E3 while in your final two years of a college BSN program, and then get commissioned upon graduation and obtaining the license. The money you received while attending school did not have to be paid back unless you changed your mind about accepting the commission. You might want to talk to health care recruiters for each of the services to see if any such programs exist today.

this may be a "dumb" question. but in order to be a nurse in the military, do you have to actually enlist. meaning that they will be able to call you to combat and go to war? or can you just strictly be a nurse and thats it.

Quote from Prettyladiethis may be a "dumb" question. but in order to be a nurse in the military, do you have to actually enlist. meaning that they will be able to call you to combat and go to war? or can you just strictly be a nurse and thats it.

oh no no no no. thanks so much. not that going to war or the military is bad. my dad fought in vietnam so there is no problem with anything military. i just dont want to do that. thanks again. and good luck to all of you who are going this route.

you do not have to enlist to be employed by military hospital this includes hospital bases overseas. you are hired in as a civilian army medical personnel. I graduate next month and hope to work in this area check out this website: http://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/medical/ for more information and job openings!