The Army College of Nursing: A Path to Leadership and Service

The Army College of Nursing offers a unique and challenging career path for those seeking to combine their passion for nursing with a commitment to serving their country. Upon graduation with a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing, graduates become part of an elite organization dedicated to protecting the health of the nation’s fighting forces. This path provides opportunities for rapid advancement, specialized training, and a chance to make a real difference in the lives of service members and their families.

A Foundation of Excellence: The Army School of Nursing

The Army's commitment to nursing excellence has a rich history. The Army School of Nursing was established on May 25, 1918, during World War I. Annie W. Goodrich became the first Dean of the Army School of Nursing. The school was authorized as an alternative to utilizing nurses' aides in Army hospitals. The Army School of Nursing used a national, standardized curriculum and acquainted student nurses with military hospital culture and practices. By December 1918, there were 1,578 students in the program. The school was consolidated at Walter Reed General Hospital by 1923. In 1931, the Secretary of War discontinued it as an economy measure. 937 young women completed the nursing course and received the school's diploma.

Why Choose the Army Nurse Corps?

A career in the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) offers numerous advantages over civilian nursing, including accelerated responsibility, leadership opportunities, and a clear path for professional growth.

Accelerated Responsibility and Leadership

Army nurses are given more responsibility, sooner and with greater authority than they would expect in the private sector. As an officer, an Army Nurse is a leader. That’s why leadership and management are stressed as part of the ROTC nursing program.

Clear Advancement Path

There is no mystery about how to get ahead in the Army Nurse Corps. Promotions are based on performance, and the career path is clear-cut.

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Professional Environment

As an Army Nurse, you are an important member of the health care team. You have been given the training to meet problems head-on and solve them quickly, adapting to the situation and taking charge. The autonomy to practice nursing as part of the Army Health Care Team is unlike most civilian health care facilities.

Hands-on Experience

You will not find anywhere else the kind of direct, hands-on experience you will receive in ROTC training.

Educational Opportunities and Training

The Army Nurse Corps encourages its nurses to improve their skills and enhance their professional experience through a variety of educational programs, including fully funded post-graduate opportunities, continuing education, and specialty courses.

ROTC Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC) and Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP)

Nursing students participate in an ROTC Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC) and the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP). This training typically takes place during the summer between the junior and senior years in college. Benefits earned during LDAC and NSTP experience include room and board and approximately $1000 in pay.

Phase I: LDAC

LDAC is a 32-day field training exercise, focusing on basic military skills and leadership training which are taught during the junior year of ROTC. This training exercise is conducted at FT.

Phase II: NSTP

NSTP, a three-week clinical experience at an Army Hospital where nurse cadets will work one-on-one with an Army Nurse Corps Officer. Cadets will have the opportunity to gain job experience and refine their leadership, clinical, and administrative nursing skills. Nursing cadets may elect to attend the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) clinical elective. This program provides nursing students an opportunity to further develop and practice leadership and clinical skills typically between their junior and senior year of nursing. The three-week program is voluntary, although highly recommended. Nursing cadets will work at various Military hospitals throughout the country and overseas. All Army ROTC nursing students have the opportunity to apply for the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) between their junior and senior years.

Clinical Specialty Courses

After just one year at your initial assignment, you will have the opportunity to attend a clinical specialty course in one of the following areas: Perioperative Nursing, OB/GYN Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. After serving for one year as a medical-surgical nurse, Army nurses can apply for specialty training in areas such as critical care, emergency nursing, gynecology and obstetrics, behavioral health, perioperative, and public health. The ANC has 6 clinical specialty training courses offered through the Long-Term Health Education & Training Program. The Army Nurse Corps has 6 clinical specialty training courses.

These courses include:

Prepares nurses to care for patients in all aspects of the childbearing spectrum-pregnancy counseling, pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and postpartum care.
Trains nurse in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physics, CPR, inhalation therapy, diagnostic, psychological and sociological problems, and ethical and legal considerations in the care of critically ill patients.
Prepares Nurses for all phases of operating room nursing, including advanced skills related to specialty areas in surgery and the principles and techniques of supervising and managing an operating room.
Prepares nurses to provide specialized care to emotionally distressed individuals both as inpatients and outpatients, and to provide consultation within the general hospital community.

Graduate Education

In addition, Army nurses can be selected to attend fully-funded graduate training via the Long-Term Health Education & Training Program, either in a Master or Doctoral program. Each nurse will continue to receive their full salary and benefits even though their job is to be a full-time student. The United States Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN) educates and prepares individuals to become independent Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Army programs affiliated with civilian universities, such as the Army-Baylor University Health Care Administration Program.

Officer Basic Course

First off, you will receive a commission in the US Army Nurse Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. After commissioning and completion of the NCLEX, you will attend Officer Basic Course at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. After completion of this course, you will then move on to your first duty station. After passing the NCLEX, you will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, before reporting to your first duty station.

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Financial Support and Benefits

The Army ROTC program offers significant financial assistance to nursing students, making a career in the Army Nurse Corps an accessible and attractive option.

ROTC Scholarships

The ROTC program offers two, three, or four-year scholarships for undergraduate nursing students. Scholarships pay full tuition, $1,200 annual book costs, and a monthly tax-free stipend, $420.00, based on your academic year.

Additional Financial Support

Clinical Stipend: a one-time $650 payment intended to help cover the cost of clinical attire (such as scrubs, shoes and lab coats) and necessary equipment (including a stethoscope, shears, clipboard, etc.).
Bonuses: Army nurses during their fourth year of service may be eligible to receive a bonus by signing an additional contract. The amount can be up to $35,000 per year.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

As a commissioned officer in the Army Nurse Corps, you’ll receive a competitive salary, promotion opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. While base pay for Army nurses may start lower, they receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes housing, healthcare and tax-free allowances, which significantly increase total compensation.

Comparison of Army Nurse vs. Civilian Nurse Benefits:

Benefit	Army Nurse	Civilian Nurse
Vacation	30 days per year	2 weeks per year
Sick Leave	Unlimited, with full pay and benefits	Limited
Medical/Dental	FREE	Possible Professional Discount
Travel	Military facilities around the world offer discounts on flights	At Own Expense
Recreation	Officers Club, golf courses, fitness centers, etc at reduced rates	At Own Expense
Continued Education	Army pays 75-100% of all tuition costs. Programs available for tuition.	Possible Reimbursement
Retirement	Eligible for retirement after 20 years active service	Social Security at 62 and own retirement plan
Pay Raises	Automatic raises every 2 years.	As determined by civilian institution
Shopping	Reduced prices at Post Exchange, and Commissary	Civilian stores
Relocation Allowance	Household goods moved at Government expense, plus moving expenses	At own Expense
Life Insurance	$400,000 term policy at $27 a month	At own Expense
Job Security	SECURE!	Seniority lost when relocating

Obligations and Service

Accepting an Army ROTC Nursing scholarship entails signing a contract. This commits you to a total of eight years. In exchange for two, three, or four years of college tuition and stipend, the graduate nurse agrees to serve on active duty for at least four years. After the “obligation” phase, you may choose to stay on active duty or leave active service.

Duty Stations and Work Environment

Duty Station Assignments are based on your input of location preference and your performance throughout both the nursing and ROTC program. Your first duty station is merit-based and determined by a combination of your academic performance, ROTC standing and personal preferences. Most Army nurses work in military treatment facilities (MTFs), which closely resemble civilian hospitals. A military treatment facility (MTF) is operated by the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide healthcare to service members, their families and other eligible beneficiaries.

While Army nurses are trained to support field or deployment missions when needed, day-to-day responsibilities are typically carried out in hospital-based settings caring for service members, their families, and veterans. Army nurses begin their careers with early leadership roles and access to training in a wide range of nursing specialties. They are vital members of the nation’s military healthcare team, providing care to service members, their families and veterans, both at home and abroad. Clinical staff nurses are responsible for planning, directing and providing nursing care across a variety of healthcare settings. Off-duty time is your own. Army nurses have a full personal life outside of their clinical responsibilities.

Joining Army ROTC

Army ROTC is offered at hundreds of colleges and universities, giving nursing students the flexibility to choose a school that fits both their academic and career goals. Many schools offer guaranteed seats in upper-division nursing programs for Army ROTC cadets, depending on the school and based on merit. To learn more about these opportunities and to find a school, contact an ROTC Brigade Nurse Counselor (BNC) in the region where you would like to study. 1st Brigade (BDE) programs are located across the country.

Joining our program is literally like signing up for a class. When you sign up for ROTC, you will register for a Military Science Class and Lab. You can be issued uniforms and equipment. You will then take part in the training and class work that encompasses the ROTC program and will be able to explore the world of the military to see if it’s right for you!

*Note: It’s recommended to join as a freshman or sophomore to stay on track with ROTC and commissioning requirements to become an Army nurse.

Eligibility

There is no minimum required ACT or SAT score.

The Army Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP)

Army-wide, listed LC State among 11 institutions nationwide as preferred schools for the AECP program. “We are very proud of this partnership and recognition,” LC State President Cynthia Pemberton said. “Not only is LC State a healthcare education leader in north Idaho, but our value and quality is truly recognized nationally. “I’m truly glad I chose Lewis-Clark State College to earn my BSN degree,” said Shnightdine Aristil, a senior from West Palm Beach, Florida, in the nursing program at LC State and participant in the AECP program. “From the moment I arrived, I’ve felt welcomed by the teachers and embraced by the close-knit community. Both students and faculty genuinely care for one another, creating a supportive and uplifting environment. The convenience of having an on-campus daycare has been perfect for my family, allowing me to focus on my classes with peace of mind, knowing my children are nearby. The AECP is one of three programs LC State works in conjunction with. It also works with the Air Force’s Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program and the Navy’s Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program to allow Air Force and Navy service members to have the same opportunity.

A Rewarding and Meaningful Career

Being a nurse in the Army provides you with opportunities not found in the civilian world. As an Army Nurse and Officer, you will have the respect of your peers and coworkers, as well as opportunities to train and serve in a variety of specialties.

Testimonials

*“Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to positively impact the health and well-being of service members and their families, a responsibility I take to heart.” Capt. Felicia Dahl, Army Public Health Nurse - University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2018)

*“Before joining the Army, I did not have a clear career goal. Having previously served in the enlisted ranks, I was familiar with the military lifestyle, but I was unaware of the wide range of opportunities available to me as an enlisted Soldier and now, as a commissioned officer.” Capt. Felicia Dahl, Army Public Health Nurse - University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2018)

*“The Army also invests significantly in the education and professional development of its nurses. I have had the privilege of attending numerous courses and training programs that have enhanced my skills and broadened my knowledge base.” Capt. Felicia Dahl, Army Public Health Nurse - University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2018)

*“Being an Army nurse is profoundly meaningful to me and represents the true essence of servant leadership.” Capt. Felicia Dahl, Army Public Health Nurse - University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2018)

*“When I joined, I thought I’d be a nurse in uniform. I didn’t expect to grow into a leader responsible for building teams, guiding strategy, and mentoring the next generation of Army nurses. Some days still go sideways, but the impact you make especially in leadership is real, immediate, and lasting.” Maj. Ashley D.

*“These days, I spend more time solving problems than starting IVs, but I wouldn’t trade it. Maj. Ashley D.

*“It’s more than a job. It’s a career with purpose. Maj. Ashley D.

*“It means showing up… not just for patients, but for Soldiers, families, and the people you serve with. Maj. Ashley D.

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