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How to Become a Nurse as a Military Spouse

Updated | Hannah Heine
military spouse nurse

Nursing can be a career that is both fulfilling and easily transportable; two things that are not easily achieved by military spouses in their career pursuits. If you are interested in a nursing career, here’s an introduction on how to become one as a military spouse. 

Military Spouse How-To on Becoming a Nurse

Military Spouse Nursing Programs

Finding a job that meshes well with your military life is a challenge that military spouses face daily.  Frequent moving and a lack of a local network can present challenges as you strive to achieve your dream job or career. Nursing is one of the careers that, by nature, is in high demand all over the country and as a result, is easily transferable.

>> Find nursing programs and nursing schools with CollegeRecon’s Program Matcher tool.

Nursing Careers for Veterans and Military Spouses

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing provides a statistical overview of the growth and demand for the profession:

  • Nursing is the largest profession in healthcare, and a large portion of the US workforce
  • RN salaries have, in the past, averaged approximately $70,000 per year
  • Employment is projected to grow 15% from 2016-2026
  • 200,000 new RN positions will be created each year
  • There are more than 3 times as many RNs as physicians in the US
  • 88% of employers prefer RNs with bachelor’s degrees
  • 1% of nurses hold a master’s degree
  • 9% hold a doctorate degree

Many who graduate from nursing school through the military have great potential for advancement. Civilians seeking a nursing career in the military have opportunities through the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Active duty service members have additional opportunities through voluntary credentialing and education programs. Military spouses have opportunities through MyCAA.

What is Nursing?

Nursing is both an art and a science. It is a science because nurses understand how the human body works, how to administer medications safely, and how to identify and react to medical emergencies. It is an art because nurses, being human, take care of other humans. Nurses provide care in various settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, homes, and jails.

Clinical Requirements

Nearly all nursing degrees require clinical rotations. Clinical rotations are hands-on experiences in which students practice nursing under the supervision of an instructor or a seasoned nurse. Even programs that advertise themselves as 100% online still require clinical rotations. For families who PCS often, completing clinicals can be challenging. This is especially true for military spouses moving OCONUS.

Levels of Nursing

The exact details of what a nurse does depend on their training and certifications, their credentials, and the state in which they are licensed to practice. If you are considering a career in nursing or are a nurse facing relocation, the State Board of Nursing is the best place to start for specific information.

Here is a general description of the nursing levels, including programs for acquiring these credentials and military-specific resources available for those interested in becoming a nurse.

Certified Nurses Aid – CNA

CNAs play a valuable role in healthcare teams. They often fall under the umbrella of nursing in healthcare facilities. A CNA completes approximately 75 hours of training and a certification exam. CNAs are considered unlicensed healthcare professionals who assist individuals with activities such as eating, bathing, and walking safely, while also checking vital signs. With additional training, they can administer medications in some states. CNAs play a crucial role in nursing teams. Some nursing programs require CNA licensure as a prerequisite for admission.

    • Active-duty military members can complete the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) through Army COOL. This exam is widely accepted for fulfilling CNA certification requirements.
    • Military Spouses can complete a CNA program using MyCAA

Licensed Practical Nurse – LPN

An LPN completes approximately one year of training and is required to pass the NCLEX-PN exam to be eligible for licensure. LPNs are licensed professionals who have earned a license or certification. LPNs practice under the supervision of RNs. There are not as many options for specialization, and LPNs primarily perform technical nursing skills. Like CNAs, LPNs play an important role in many healthcare teams.

    • Active duty military members have several LPN opportunities available through Army COOL.
    • The MyCAA program can be used to complete LPN training.

Registered Nurse – RN

An RN completes either a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. An RN must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be eligible for licensure. ADN and BSN represent nursing degrees, and RN represents a nursing license.

RNs perform all of the technical nursing skills that LPNs can, plus some more complex technical nursing and critical thinking skills. A BSN can earn a higher salary and has more opportunities for leadership roles.

    • Active duty service members enrolled in a BSN program may be eligible for the Health Professional Scholarship Program. This program offers full tuition, a sign-on bonus, and a monthly stipend to students pursuing a BSN in nursing.
    • Students in their second year of a BSN program may be eligible for the Nurse Candidate Program. This program offers tuition assistance, a bonus, and a monthly stipend upon completion of the degree. Participants are required to serve in the Navy after graduation.

Specialty Certifications in Nursing

An RN has countless opportunities for specialty certifications. RNs are not required to hold specialty certifications, but these hard-earned credentials demonstrate that a nurse has acquired knowledge and significant experience in a specific nursing specialty.

  • Veterans’ unique training and experience may be a perfect fit for nursing specialties such as public health, emergency care, critical care, operating room nursing, or flight nursing.
  • The Army COOL offers active-duty military members opportunities to obtain nursing specialty certifications.
  • Military spouses have opportunities for additional training certificates through the MyCAA program.

Graduate Degrees in Nursing

Just like specialty certifications, there are countless graduate degrees that RNs can pursue. To earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a nurse must complete a BSN and an additional two years of graduate-level education. An MSN can also earn specialty certifications. Administration and Education are two common specializations within the MSN degree. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) also complete graduate degrees. There are four APRN roles.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

An NP independently manages patients by promoting health, preventing disease, diagnosing, and managing care.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

A CNS focuses on improving healthcare by directly caring for patients, supporting nurses to deliver the best possible care, and ensuring that healthcare organizations operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

A CNM cares for women of all ages and for women and infants during pregnancy and childbirth.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

A CRNA cares for patients receiving anesthesia, typically in the hospital operating room setting.

Nursing Doctorate Degrees

Many people are unaware that there are doctoral degrees in nursing. The most common degrees, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD in Nursing, require at least three additional years of education. In general, a DNP focuses on providing direct patient care in clinical settings, while a nurse with a PhD in Nursing focuses on nursing research activities.

  • Active duty service members enrolled in graduate programs may be eligible for the Health Professional Scholarship Program. This program offers full tuition, a sign-on bonus, and a monthly stipend for qualifying students.
  • An advanced nursing degree can be earned through Air Force nursing programs. There are several, including the Health Professional Scholarship Program.

GI Bill®-Approved Schools with Nursing Programs:

The list may include partner schools of CollegeRecon.  They have paid for promotional consideration. This list includes both online nursing programs for military spouses and in-person options.

How to Become a Nurse as a Military Spouse

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 2.7 million registered nurses (RNs) are employed in the United States, and approximately 60 percent work in hospitals.

RNs may also work in clinics, physicians’ offices, home health care settings, critical and long-term care facilities, governmental organizations, the military, schools, and rehabilitation agencies. The demand for registered nurses is expected to continue growing swiftly.

You have two options for starting on the path to becoming a nurse….

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) vs. Registered Nurse (RN)

The difference between a vocational or practical nurse and a registered nurse is significant.  Note: Some states refer to practical nurses as ‘vocational’.  These are essentially the same thing: entry-level nurses with practical education & training.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) typically complete a one-year nursing education program. Registered Nurses (RNs) typically hold a 2-year degree or a 3-year diploma, although many have a bachelor’s degree.

Registered nurses are more likely to be employed at a hospital, whereas LPNs are more likely to work at long-term care facilities. Although both fields are continually growing, registered nursing is growing faster.

Becoming an LPN may require less training than becoming an RN. However, both fields require a screening process and background check. Additionally, to become either an LPN or RN, one must take the NCLEX exam, which has versions for both LPNs and RNs.

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

  • Step 1: Complete high school
  • Step 2: Complete a year of full-time nursing education

**Important note: You must attend a program that is board approved in order to be licensed. Accreditation is not as important as being board approved.

  • Step 3: After graduating, you must take the NCLEX-PN (A national exam that you don’t have to take in the state where you wish to be licensed).
  • Step 4: Once the candidate receives their license, it will be relatively easy to obtain licensure in other states. (This is especially important for military spouses, considering how often military families move.)

For more details on the process of becoming an LPN, click here. 

Before getting into the details of how to become a Registered Nurse (RN), read this quick post on why an RN degree is one of the best degrees for a portable career field.

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

  • Step 1: Complete high school.
  • Step 2: Complete either an ADN or BSN program. (The ADN is an associate’s degree, and the BSN is a bachelor’s degree. The BSN involves more academic learning and coursework as it is a longer program. If getting a higher degree after this to advance your nursing career is a thought, getting a BSN will get you closer to that goal. Nurses who already have an LPN usually have an option to do an LPN to RN bridge program.)
  • Step 3: Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. 

Once applicants pass the exam, they become licensees.  Similar to LPN licenses, RN licenses are highly transferable. This is incredibly important for military spouses and their families.

Connect With Top Nursing Schools

Learn about and connect with some of the top nursing programs in the U.S. below.  Some schools listed below have paid for promotional consideration.

Duke University

Duke University offers a few pathways to BSN programs through its nationally recognized nursing school. The most popular option is the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which helps students complete the program in four consecutive semesters, or within 16 months.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, is home to one of the top three nursing schools in the nation and offers some of the best BSN programs. It is also one of the only universities in the country that allows medical professional students to gain dual degrees, such as a dual degree in Nursing and Healthcare. 

Trinity Washington University

Trinity Washington University offers a pre-licensure BSN degree and a completely online B.S.N. nursing program with advanced placement for Registered Nurses holding an Associate’s degree or a diploma in nursing. Designed for adult learners, R.N.s in the program may receive up to 32 credits for previous nursing courses.  In addition, you may also receive credit for your last general education courses.

Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is perhaps one of the best nursing schools for students interested in becoming nurses in the ER or in high-risk medical situations.

The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University has one of the best nursing schools in the country. It is home to various BSN programs, offering students a range of options for admission into its nursing programs.

University of California – Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is recognized as one of the top nursing schools in America by U.S. News and World Report. It is home to some of the top BSN programs in the country and is nationally recognized for its academic excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

The traditional top BSN programs offered by the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, are nationally recognized for their academic standards and for their ability to help students secure employment even before they graduate. Students who choose to attend the University of Michigan over other nursing schools have access to internship and fellowship opportunities through the University of Michigan Health System, which is recognized as one of the largest health science center systems in the country.

University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh offers traditional BSN programs, as well as a second-degree BSN program, an accelerated program designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree. 

Explore These Nursing Programs

Licensed Practical Nursing Programs – Partner Schools

Registered Nursing Programs – Partner Schools

Partner schools are paid promotional partners.  CollegeRecon may be compensated by these schools in exchange for promotional consideration.

You can use CollegeRecon’s Program Matcher tool to find other military-friendly nursing programs and nursing schools.

How to Pay for Nursing School as a Military Spouse

Numerous scholarships are available to military spouses.

You can also use MyCAA, an option for military spouses that can be used to help pay for nursing programs, and you may also use transferred GI Bill benefits.  Learn more about the Post 9/11 GI Bill and transferring to spouses and/or dependents.

Not all options are MyCAA-approved nursing programs; check with the school you want to attend to learn more about their MyCAA options to help pay for nursing school for military spouses. You can also explore options to speed up your academic journey via accelerated nursing programs online if you have a bachelor’s degree.

 

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