Army Nursing: Serving America’s Warriors Past and Present

The mission of nurses in the Army Nurse Corps is to care for America’s warriors past and present.  By past and present, we mean the people who have served in the military in past and the people serving in today’s dynamic military environment.  Care and compassion are our cornerstones in serving those in need at home and around the world.  We now have opportunities to develop unique nurse-patient relationships that transcend cultures, locations, and time.  For example, Army Nurses are providing healthcare to enemy combatants in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting human needs in natural disasters, caring for our country’s wounded, or meeting the diverse needs of our military beneficiaries at home. 

Army Nurses are expected to be critical thinkers who are able to quickly adapt to changing environments and patient needs.  In contrast to some of our civilian nursing counterparts, an Army Nurse is groomed from day one to first develop the basic nursing skills needed for a solid foundation; develop the leadership skills needed to motivate and encourage their patients, peers, subordinates, and managers; and to improve their professional knowledge through varying Master’s Degree programs like Nursing Anesthesia, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, Healthcare Administration, and others.   There are many non-traditional opportunities like becoming a hospital commander, several are selected for various fellowships (White House, Rand Corporation, Joint Commission, Congress, and others), some become medical program instructors, and others might choose to serve with executive level units forming the military healthcare policies of the future.

The Army Nurse Corps is a culture, a way of life that shares the same fundamental values that yielded our desire to become caregivers.  In this culture, Army Nurses develop lifelong relationships with the team members they serve alongside.  We have friendships around the planet as we change assignments every two to four years.  We are defined by the values of loyalty, dedication, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.  Nurses have traditionally embraced these values more than any other profession and it’s no different in the Army Nurse Corps.  Being a member of such a great team has never been so rewarding.

Finally, the Army Nurse Corps offers a financial security that few organizations can tender.  Starting pay is commensurate with that of civilian healthcare organizations and in many instances better, especially when you take into account housing allowances, bonuses, healthcare and retirement benefits, and pay raises every year and with increases in rank.  Retirement can begin after 20 years of active duty service and you start receiving your retirement benefits on the first day (typically 50 percent of your base salary).  Nurses who desire to make the world a better place for us all and embrace the concept of personal service to others should contact an Army Nurse to learn about his or her personal experiences as a nurse in the military.

For more information about a nursing career in the Army, contact:

Major Christopher G. Lindner, RN, MHA

Deputy Commander for Nursing and Allied Services

Dunham Army Health Clinic

Carlisle Barracks, PA

christopher.g.lindner@us.army.mil