The Army National Guard always has a need for nurses. There is always a call for skilled medical help of different skill levels. As a National Guard nurse, you will work one weekend per month and one 2 week training period every year. The experience and pay you can receive from this part time job can greatly help your living situation, plus you are helping with the protection of the United States of America.
In today’s post, we are going to take a look at the National Guard Nurse and 17 things you may want to know.
1: BSN
If a person has achieved a Bachelor Of Science In Nursing (BSN) degree, they can be commissioned as an Officer in the Army National Guard. Officers receive higher pay than enlisted personnel, but they also have more responsibility.
2: BOLC
Those who have their BSN degree and desire to become a nurse in the Army National Guard will have to complete the AMEDD Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC). This course teaches the person how to properly lead in Army medical settings, along with leadership techniques away from medical settings.
3: Leadership Possibilities
As a nurse and an Officer, you could be put into a Command position for a nursing unit at a field hospital, or other medical installations. You will also have supervisor responsibilities during your shift. Not only will you be a nurse, you will also be a leader.
4: RN Or LPN
Within the Army, as with civilian medical facilities, there are RN nurses and LPN nurses. An RN is an Officer in the Army whereas an LPN is an enlisted nurse. RN stands for Registered Nurse and LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse. The Army National Guard does have needs for both.
5: Pay Ranges For Nurses In The Army National Guard
As a nurse in the Army National Guard’s Nurse Corps, the extra income can be wonderful. When you consider it is a part time position, it would be very difficult not to join the Guard. A newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Nurse Corps averages approximately $6,000, and a senior Colonel averages $22,500. Along with this pay are a plethora of benefits which includes paid education. If I were younger, I would highly consider a career in nursing and joining the Army National Guard.
6: Requirements
The requirements to become a nurse and commissioned Officer in the Army National Guard are:
Be a United States citizen
Be 21-48 years old
Have an Associates Degree in nursing or a 3 year nursing diploma, and have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN)
Have an unrestricted RN License from any State or Territory of the United States
Be medically and morally sound as viewed by the Army to become an Army National Guard commissioned Officer.
7: CME
As a commissioned Officer in the Army Nurse Corps, you also will have the advantage of CME. CME stands for Continuing Medical Education, and you have the benefit of attending 1 CME training or event yearly. This benefit can be valued up to $2,500.
Army Nursing Concentration Areas
The Army National Guard especially needs nurses in specialized areas. The next 10 describes those areas of greatest need. If you are considering more education in your nursing career, you may want to consider one of these specialties.
8: Army Public Health Nurse
This position is MOS 66B. The Army Public Health Nurse helps implement public health programs by working with public officials. Their job is to protect the health of the military community where they are stationed.
9: Army Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
This position is MOS 66F. As a nurse anesthetist, you will be responsible for all forms of the anesthesia process, including administering it for surgeries and other medical processes. Included with this are documenting and other nursing leadership duties.
10: Army Critical Care Nurse
The title speaks for itself. This is MOS 66H8A. As a critical care nurse, you will be responsible for giving the best care to those who have been put into precarious medical conditions. You will be the best of the best.
11: Army Emergency Room Nurse
This is MOS 66HM5. This nurse is able to react quickly and soundly under high-pressure circumstances. It could mean just minutes or even seconds before an individual lives or dies, and this person could make all the difference.
12: Army Family Nurse Practitioner
This position is MOS 66P. The Family Nurse Practitioner takes charge of physical exams, tests and other care needs for military staff and their families. This person will also have many leadership, and training duties for other staff members.
13: Army Medical-Surgical Nurse
This job is MOS 66H. Whether it is a bullet or shrapnel removal, or a C-Section on a soon to be Mother, the Army Medical-Surgical Nurse works closely with the Surgeon to guarantee a good outcome while the patient is sedated and being cut open. This is a high-pressure position that can provide great satisfaction after a successful surgery.
14: Army OB/GYN Nurse
If helping women and babies is something you love, the MOS 66G just may be your nursing National Guard job. This job entails the complete scope of gynecological care that women need. It also will provide good experience for civilian careers.
15: Army Perioperative Nurse
The function of MOS 66E is to provide nursing care throughout the complete surgical process. From before surgery to full recovery, this position covers the whole scope.
16: Army Mental Health Nurse
The Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse: MOS 66C covers the area of mental help. From crisis intervention to group therapy, this position covers a wide range of mental health medical needs.
17: Army Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
This is MOS 66R. The person in this job often is involved with drug and alcohol intervention, combat stress, and other mental health areas. If dealing with psychiatric issues is something you long for, the 66R position just may be for you.
Final Words
As you can plainly see, there is a wide range of nursing options in the Army National Guard. This part time job can provide experience needed to move up in the civilian world.
We would love to hear from some of the Army National Guard nurses who read this. Tell us more. Why would a person want to become a National Guard Nurse?
Please provide comments and questions below. Thank you.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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I am a RN, BSN with 20 yrs experience in Emergency medicine. My experience has been in a Level one trauma center. I have experience as a charge nurse, clinical instructor, and nurse educator. I am 69 yrs old and in great health. I have previous military experience as a Navy Corpsmen. I suppose that I would be considered to old, however this would be a waste of my knowledge and experience.
Hello my name is Maritza C Byles I am a LPN I work for the Veterans Administration. I have been a LPN
For around 12 years. I have worked many different specialties. Is there a age requirement for a LPN in the
National Guard? I would love to join. Please let me know.
Thank You
Maritza C Byles