Fact Sheets

Overview:
The Army Nurse Corps consists of more than 11,000 men and women dedicated to providing high-tech, quality health care for military personnel, their families and military retirees all over the world. Ranging in age from 21 to 62, Army nurses have the opportunity to gain education and experience in advanced practice nursing roles such as:

• Nurse Anesthetists
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Nurse Practitioners
• Nurse Midwives

Regardless of specialty, Army nurses care for an extremely diverse patient population in advanced medical facilities using state-of-the-art equipment. And they do so in collaboration with talented physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, therapists and other health care professionals.
 
Professional & Personal Benefits:
Members of the Nurse Corps receive all the privileges that come with being an Officer, including:
 
Access to a variety educational programs, including: 

• Post-graduate opportunities and continuing education and specialty courses, all of which they often attend at the Army’s expense.
• Professional advancement opportunities, including master’s or doctoral nursing degree programs in obstetrical/gynecological, critical care, perioperative, psychiatric/mental health, community health and emergency nursing.
• Greater responsibility to supervise a variety of professional and paraprofessional health care providers at Army health care facilities and make decisions about day-to-day patient care.

 
In addition, Nurse Corps Officers receive the additional benefits that come with being a part of the Army Health Care Team, including:

• Being a commissioned Officer upon entry
• Access to recreational, cultural and educational activities, including golf courses, fitness facilities, theaters and swimming pools
• 30 days of leave with pay earned annually
• Retirement benefits
• Low- or no-cost medical and dental benefits
• Low-cost life insurance
• Thrift Savings Plan
• Travel and new assignments
• No-cost, on-post housing or tax-free housing and subsistence allowance
• Post exchange and commissary shopping privileges

 
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE
Active duty nurses have opportunities to broaden their nursing experience beyond medical/surgical nursing, both through on-the-job learning and opportunities in the classroom.
 
Financial Incentives:
Active Duty Special Pay for Nurse Anesthetists: All nurse anesthetists are entitled to $15,000 annually for a one-year agreement. Nurse anesthetists without other military service obligations or who have 12 or fewer months remaining of their active duty service obligation for CRNA training can execute a two-year agreement ($25,000 annually), a three-year agreement ($35,000 annually), or a four-year agreement ($40,000 annually).
 
Board Certification Pay: Certified registered nurse anesthetists, family nurse practitioners and nurse midwives may receive $2,000 to $6,000 annually based on their years of service.
 
Incentive Programs:
Nurse Accession Bonus: Provides a $15,000 to $25,000 bonus for qualified nurses who accept an active duty service commitment of three to four years.
 
Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (ADHPLRP): Provides up to $114,900 for repayment of qualified educational loans. The annual repayment of $38,300 is contributed over a maximum of three years. Qualifying loans for loan repayment may include tuition, principal, interest, related expenses and related living expenses. Active duty obligation is the minimum term of service which is three years.  
 
Combination Bonus & Loan Repayment Package: Individuals may opt to accept both an Accession Bonus of $10,000 and the ADHPLRP. The combined active duty obligation to the Army is six years.  

Direct Accession Program for Anesthesia Nursing: A graduate program for nurse anesthesia consisting of one-year didactic instruction at either the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland, or the Army’s Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing at the Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDD C&S) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The program includes at least one additional year of clinical instruction and practice and upon graduation, participants receive a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Students receive full pay and allowances commensurate with their active duty rank during the entire program and tuition expenses are paid by the Army. Active duty service obligation is 54 months.
 
Active Duty Eligibility Requirements:
To apply for an active duty appointment in the Army Nurse Corps, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be 21 to 42 years of age (age waiver may be available).
• Have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited school.
• Have a current, valid, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse.
• Meet the Army’s physical and moral standards.

 
ARMY RESERVE SERVICE
In addition to entering the Army Nurse Corps as a commissioned Officer, Army Reserve nurses  work in their communities and serve when needed. Plus, they have the opportunity to enhance their civilian careers with the skills and knowledge learned from interactions with the diverse group of health care professionals in the Army Reserve.
 
Financial Incentives:
Special Pay: Provides up to $30,000 ($10,000 per year for a maximum of three years) to nurses with a BSN, MSN, DNSc or PhD in nursing and provides up to $15,000 ($5,000 per year for a maximum of three years) to ADN or diploma nurses.
 
Incentive Programs:
Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP): Provides a monthly stipend (currently more than $1,600, adjusted every July) for nurse students enrolled in or accepted to accredited programs leading to master’s degrees in Critical Care or Nurse Anesthesia. STRAP requires a one-year obligation for each six months of financial assistance. STRAP is also available to nursing students currently enrolled in an accredited BSN program. To be eligible for the BSN STRAP, applicants must have an ADN or diploma degree from an accredited nursing program and a current, unencumbered RN license. BSN STRAP participants may only receive a maximum of 24 months of stipend payments.
 
Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment Program (HPLR): Pays up to $20,000 per year of outstanding professional education loans (up to a total of $50,000) for Critical Care, Medical-Surgical, Perioperative and Psychiatric Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists.
 
Army Reserve Eligibility Requirements:
To apply for a Reserve appointment in the Army Nurse Corps, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be 21 to 42 years of age (age waiver may be available).
• Have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited school.
• Have a current, valid, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse.
• Meet the Army’s physical and moral standards.
• Make an initial commitment of eight years.