How Can I Transition from Military Nursing to Civilian Jobs?

I'm currently exploring options for after high school and came across military nursing. If I choose this path, how easy is it to make the transition to civilian nursing later on? Are there specific programs that help with this?

Transitioning from military nursing to civilian nursing is a path that many have successfully navigated. With the skills and experiences you'll gain, you will be well-prepared for a variety of roles in the civilian healthcare sector. Importantly, your military nursing training and experience will count towards licensure as a civilian nurse. This could include working in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or pursuing specialty areas like pediatrics, oncology, or geriatric care, to name a few.

There are indeed programs designed to help military personnel transition to civilian careers, including nursing. Programs known as military bridging programs have been developed to facilitate this process. These programs recognize the experience and training of military medics and corpsmen, and provide the additional coursework and clinical experience necessary to meet civilian licensure and certification requirements. Due to the nature of military nursing, these programs often focus on emergency and trauma nursing.

While these programs can significantly aid in the transition, one potential challenge you may face is cultural. Military and civilian healthcare settings can operate quite differently, and adapting to these changes can take some time. You might find professional networking organizations beneficial, as they can offer mentorship and peer support during this transition.

Finally, you may need to obtain certain civilian certifications that weren't necessary in the military but are often required in civilian settings. This can include things like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or specialization certification, depending on the state you are practicing in and the specific job you are aiming for. Your military experience could potentially make you more attractive as a job candidate in civilian settings, as it shows adaptability, teamwork abilities, and potentially experience in high-stress or emergency situations.

Overall, while there may be some additional steps required for transition, your military nursing career can set a strong foundation for shifting into civilian nursing later on.