Army ROTC Nursing Program

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) provides an opportunity for college nursing students to receive practical hands-on leadership experience. The courses provide a chance for students to develop management, communication and decision-making skills in a non-threatening environment. Physical training and confidence-building activities (e.g., rappelling and obstacle courses) also provide a chance for students to be physically and mentally challenged.

Students who are interested in obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited university or college [Widener University] may enroll in ROTC. Students may enroll as a freshman, sophomore, or as late as an entering college junior. More than 450 colleges and universities offer both a BSN and access to Army ROTC. Upon completion of the program, students are commissioned as officers in the United States Army.

CDT Dan Antinucci practices inserting IVs on the virtual IV machine.

Cadets participate in team-building exercises at a Field Training Exercise

Financial Benefits

Scholarship Students: 2, 3 and 4 year scholarships are available to nursing students going to schools affiliated with ROTC programs.

All scholarships provide:

Tuition/fees: Full tuition
Books: $1,200 per year
Additional reimbursement for required nursing uniforms, equipment, and testing fees
Monthly tax-free stipend during the school year (freshman-$300/month, sophomore-$350/month, junior-$450/month, senior-$500/month)
University incentives: Some schools offer additional incentives for scholarship winners (e.g., free room and board, out-of-state tuition waivers, etc) [Widener offers free room and board—an $11,300 value]

Criteria for Scholarships:

United States Citizenship
High School Graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.5
Minimum SAT of 920 or ACT of 19
Physically fit and medically qualified
Under 31 years of age on 31 December of the commission/graduation year
Good moral character

Non-Scholarship Students: Students can participate in ROTC as a non-scholarship contracted cadet and receive the monthly stipend during the junior and senior years.

Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP)

NSTP is a clinical elective conducted the summer between your junior and senior year. There are several Army hospitals in the United States, Hawaii and Germany that are NSTP sites. During NSTP you will receive experience under the direct supervision of a preceptor -- an Army Nurse Corps officer who works with you one-on-one. You will be introduced to the roles, responsibilities and expectations of a new officer in the Army Nurse Corps while gaining progressive experience and leadership opportunities in a clinical setting.

What happens after Graduation?

You will be commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. After you pass the NCLEX, you will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas prior to reporting to your first assignment. At BOLC (9 weeks), you will study basic army knowledge and the functioning of an army unit. Your first assignment, which is determined by evaluating college performance, ROTC standing, and personal preferences, can be one of the nine major Army Medical Centers in the continental United States, Hawaii, or Germany.

Once you have completed the Army Nurse Residency Program and have worked for one year on Active duty, you are eligible to attend a clinical specialty course of your choice. Currently, the course choices are: Perioperative Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Emergency Nursing, and Public Health Nursing. You also have the opportunity, as a member of the Army Nurse Corps, to apply for fully funded Masters Degree programs, such as Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Anesthesia Nursing, MSN/Clinical Nurse Specialist, and the Baylor Health Care Administration Program.

Service Obligation

Scholarship Recipients: The total service obligation is eight years, of which the first four are active duty. At the completion of the first four years, the remaining four years may be completed on active duty, in an Army Reserve (drilling) unit, or in the Individual Ready Reserve (non-drilling).

Non-scholarship Recipients: The total service obligation is eight years. The active duty service commitment will be 3 years. At the completion of the first three years, one may elect to continue on active duty or enter the Army Reserves/IRR for the remaining five years.

Application Procedures

Four Year Scholarship Applications: Applications are available online at http://www.armyrotc.com, or to receive a copy by mail call 1-800-USA-ROTC.

Two and Three Year Scholarship Applications: Normally completed by college freshmen and sophomores. Applications are available at the Army ROTC or Military Science Department on your university or college campus [Major Keith Karbel, (610) 490-7035, keith.r.karbel@us.army.mil].

CDT Meghan Barrett went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC for the Nurse Summer Training Program

Army ROTC Nurses in front of Old Main

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