Military nursing: Which branch offers the best prospects?

Hey there, I'm a junior considering taking the military route after high school. I've always wanted to be a nurse and I know that military nursing is a thing. But I'm confused about which branch would offer me the best prospects if I decide to join. Any thoughts?

Hello there! It's great that you're looking into military nursing. Each branch of the U.S. military—Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force—has its own Nurse Corps, which is committed to providing the best care to the military community. The best branch for you would depend on your career interests, lifestyle, and future goals.

The Army Nurse Corps prides itself on providing holistic nursing where you have opportunities to work in a variety of healthcare settings and you can also receive specialized training in areas like Intensive Care, Emergency Room, Operating Room, etc.

Navy Nurse Corps on the other hand gives you the opportunity to serve with large-scale medical facilities on shore, at sea on hospital ships, or with an operational unit. So, if you're interested in the excitement of being part of a pivotal team at sea, this might be a good choice.

The Air Force focuses a lot on advanced education and research in nursing. They offer scholarships for aspiring military nurses to complete a bachelor's or master's in nursing and could be suitable if you are keen on pursuing a career in nursing research or advanced practice nursing.

To summarize, you should make your decision based on where you imagine your nursing career, your commitment to serving a specific population, your tolerance for potential deployment, and your plans for further education. Consider these variations, research more about each branch and try reaching out to current or retired military nurses to get their first-hand experiences. Good luck with your exploration!