Considering the military to help pay for nursing school — is this a smart move?
I’m 20 years old and currently pursuing nursing. My goal has always been to become a nurse, but I’m at a point where I’m seriously considering joining the military, specifically the Navy, because I’m struggling financially with school and trying to figure out how I’m realistically going to finish my nursing degree.
I’ve actually been interested in the military for a long time. I almost joined my senior year of high school and was *very* close to signing up, but ultimately decided not to. It’s something I’ve continued thinking about even years later, so this isn’t completely out of nowhere.
Right now, though, finances have become a really serious issue. I’ve actually had to take **another semester off from school because I don’t have the finances to continue right now**. It’s extremely frustrating because I want to be in school and working toward becoming a nurse, but I don’t want to keep putting myself further into debt just to finish my degree.
That’s a big part of why I’ve started seriously looking into the Navy again. I’m interested in nursing and the possibility of having my education supported while also having a career afterward. I’m also wondering whether there are options for someone who wants to become a nurse but doesn’t have their nursing degree yet.
At the same time, I’m nervous because I’m not sure if I’m the right personality type for the military. I’m a pretty sensitive person and I definitely feel things deeply. I know basic training is intentionally difficult and involves being yelled at, being pushed physically and mentally, having very little control over your environment, etc. I’m worried that maybe I’m too sensitive and that I wouldn’t make it through training or would struggle with the military culture.
I also don’t want to make a huge life decision *just because I’m struggling financially*. I genuinely have an interest in the military that existed long before my current financial situation, but I’m trying to figure out whether that interest is strong enough to make the sacrifices that come with joining.
For anyone who has experience with the Navy, Army, Air Force, military nursing, ROTC, or military education benefits:
Would you recommend this route for someone whose ultimate goal is to become an RN?
Are there programs that can help pay for nursing school before you have your BSN?
Is it better to finish nursing school first and then commission as a nurse?
What is basic training actually like for someone who is more sensitive/emotional?
Do you think being a sensitive person means you’re not suited for the military?
What personality traits actually make someone successful in the military?
What are the biggest downsides or things you wish you knew before joining?
How much control do you actually have over where you’re stationed and your career?
If you could go back and choose again, would you still use the military to become a nurse?
I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who have actually gone through this, especially people who were nervous about whether they were “military material” before joining.
I’m not looking for someone to convince me to join or not join. I’m just trying to figure out whether this could genuinely be a good path for me, whether someone like me can actually thrive in the military, and whether it makes sense to pursue this instead of continuing to struggle financially trying to finish nursing school on my own.