Nurses are a crucial component of the United States military. To be able to provide care to this country’s servicemen and servicewomen, you must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Unlike some medical offices, hospitals and healthcare facilities, the military requires a four-year nursing degree.
The University of South Carolina Aiken offers a series of courses for professionals who have earned an associate degree and wish to serve as a nurse in the armed forces. USC Aiken’s Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN to BSN) is 100 percent online and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
How to Become a Military Nurse
After you’ve graduated with a BSN and obtained a nursing license, the next step is to undergo military training for whichever branch you choose to serve: Navy, Air Force, Army or Coast Guard. Officer training provides nurses with leadership skills and educates them about military life. This instruction also serves to ascertain each nurse’s level of physical fitness to ensure you can fulfill assigned duties. Upon completion, you will officially be a military nurse.
Nurse Journal reports that the number of jobs for military nurses will increase 19 to 26 percent over the next decade. “This is higher than average for job growth in other professions across the country, and opens the doors to many nursing students who wish to join the military and serve their country while helping their fellow men,” it says.
South Carolina’s Military Presence
As of September 2017, the Palmetto State was ranked eighth in the country for number of active duty and reserve members of the military. With nine bases, South Carolina is home to more than 50,000 service members. As a military nurse, your job is to care for them by treating wounds and illnesses.
The most common settings for military nurses to work are at military bases, hospitals and clinics, so South Carolina is a great place to find employment in the medical field. Active military bases in South Carolina include:
- Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Marine Corps Base, Beaufort.
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Marine Corps Base, Port Royal.
- Naval Weapons Station Charleston Navy Base, Goose Creek.
- Joint Base Charleston Air Force, North Charleston.
- Fort Jackson Army Base, Columbia.
- Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter.
- Naval Hospital Beaufort Navy Base, Beaufort.
- Naval Hospital Charleston Navy Base, North Charleston.
- McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover.
Salary and Benefits of Military Nurses
The grade or rank a military nurse holds determines his or her pay rate, as well as any special certifications. According to Nurse.org, “A person who is a registered nurse and agrees to accept a commission as an officer may be paid an accession bonus of up to $30,000 for a four-year contract or up to $20,000 for a three-year contract.”
According to a Glassdoor.com estimate based on a sample of 53 U.S. Army Registered Nurse salaries, the average U.S. Army registered nurse earns $70,559, with a range of $58,000 to $103,400 annually.
The benefits of serving in the military can be very rewarding. Each year, nurses receive 30 vacation days and after 20 years of service, you can retire with a pension. Military nurses also receive low-cost or free health insurance, housing stipends and retirement plans. Government loan forgiveness programs for nursing students can provide up to $40,000 per year.
The University of South Carolina Aiken is ready to help you achieve your dream of serving in the armed forces as a military nurse. Each course in USC Aiken’s online RN to BSN program offers you the convenience of studying when and where you choose. The professors offer support and guidance to help you graduate in 12 months. When you enroll in the program, you move one step closer to becoming a healthcare provider for the United States military.
Learn more about the USC Aiken online RN to BSN program.
Sources:
MilitaryBases.com: South Carolina Military Bases
Governing: Military Active-Duty Personnel, Civilians by State
RegisteredNursing.org: What Is a Military Nurse?
