Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) provides an opportunity for college nursing students to receive a practical, hands on experience and training. The courses provide a chance for students to develop communication and decision making skills in a non-threatening environment. Students are also physically and mentally challenged.
Students who are interested in obtaining a bachelor of science degree in nursing may enroll in ROTC as a freshman, sophomore or when entering their junior year. Upon completion of the program, students are commissioned as officers in the United States Army. For more information regarding nursing majors follow the schools' respective links. Two, three and four year scholarships are available to nursing students attending schools affiliated with ROTC programs. To gain a better understanding of what a future Army nurse does in college and in their careers, refer to the links below.
Moravian Nursing
http://home.moravian.edu/public/Nursing/
DeSales Nursing
http://desales.edu/home/nursing
Nursing For ROTC
http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/courses-and-colleges/programs/nursing.html
Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP)
The Nurse Summer Training Program is a clinical elective conducted the summer between junior and senior years. There are several army hospitals in the continental United States, Hawaii and Germany that are NSTP sites. While attending NST, students receive one-on-one experience under the direct supervision of a preceptor-- an Army Nurse Corps officer. Students are 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.
Post Graduation
Students are commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Army upon graduation. After passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) students then attend the Basic officer Leadership Course (BOLC) at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas prior to reporting to their first assignment. During the nine week program, students study basic army knowledge and the functioning of an army unit. First assignments, which are determined by evaluating college performance, ROTC standing, and personal preferences, can be one of the nine major army medical centers in the United States, Hawaii, or Germany. Once the Army Nurse Residency Program is completed and one year on active duty is served, participants are eligible to attend a clinical specialty course of their choice. Currently, the course choices are Perioperative Nursing, Critical Care, Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing, as well as Psychiatric/Mental Health, Emergency, and Public Health Nursing. As a member of the Army Nurse Corps, one also has the opportunity to apply for fully funded master's degree program, such as family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, anesthesia nursing, MSN/clinical care specialist.
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 unit, or in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
Non Scholarship recipients: The total service obligation is eight years. The active duty service commitment will be three 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 are available on line at http://www.armyrotc.com or to receive a copy by mail call 1-800-USA-ROTC.