Can I use the Navy Nursing Scholarship, and still work as a nurse when done?

I am receiving alot of info about the navy nursing scholarship. The idea of leaving school essentially debt free is very appealing to me. However someone told me that when I leave the Navy my nursing degree will be worthless, and I wont be able to work as a nurse in the community. I have completed all of my pre-requisites, so I really only need the last two years of nursing school. If I cannot use my training outside of the Navy it would not be worth it to me.
I am also a single mother of two girls and I am not sure the Navy would even accept me, or have any infrastructure to support my family. Does anyone have any advice on this?

As far as any RN program through the military, when you finish you must be licensed in one of the 50 US states or one of the US territories as a Registered Nurse. You must also keep that license active while serving as an RN on active duty. When you finish your time with the Navy you will continue to be an RN. It is also a fact that most military nurses over the rank of O-4 (Lt. Cdr. in the Navy) generally have been sent back to school at government expense to obtain a graduate degree. This can be CRNA, nurse practitioner or any other field which may be of use to the military.

The military has nice benefits for families, but it can be difficult for single parents, as you may be alerted for deployment and will need a family care plan for your children. There have been and always will be single parents in the military. Just as with any situation for single parents it is very difficult to manage the needs of family and work. The military will be more insistent that you be available for duty, even if your child is sick, so support systems are needed. It is common for single parents in the military to make agreements to care for each others children in such cases so they can meet these obligations. There are child care facilities on most military bases but few have 24 hour care. However, most bases have 24 hour care facilities near the base, as military operations are always 24 hours in nature.

Significant issues are of course extended deployments of 6 months to 15 months when your children will need family support systems. If these are not available, then the military might not be a good fit for you.

Military scholarships allow you to use them at most schools so the veracity of your training acceptance after the Navy would be based upon the school you graduate from. You will also have a lot of experience that will be helpful once you complete your commitment to the Navy.

Not sure about your nursing program question. I would guess that you could work as a nurse. As for the Navy accepting you, if you meet BMI standards, pass all backround checks, and sign all the papers they will accept you. You have to understand that once you are in the Navy, the Navy doesn't care about your children. All orders are needs of the Navy. You will have to provide your own babysitting, etc. The Navy will pay you a little extra for food and housing for them. Good luck.

Sorry to tell you, but it sounds like a bad idea to me.

1) The military may have the infrastructure, but it does not work well with families (i.e. your family will always come second).
2) There will always be demand for nurses, especially as the population ages. Student loans allow a ridiculously long payback period.

Stay in school. You will always be able to find a job, and student loans (for nursing no less) will be the best investment you ever make.

was in the navy
and NO that is not true when you get out you will still be a rn
no one can take that away from you