The Army Nurse Corps has been tending to wounded soldiers, veterans, and their families for over two decades. There is a rich history of brave nurses caring for soldiers in combat and in country beginning over 200 years ago. The Army Nurse Corps (2015), mission statement reflects this history as it states, “ Providing responsive, innovative, and evidence based nursing care integrated on the Army Medicine Team to enhance readiness, preserve life and function, and promote health and wellness for all those entrusted to our care.”
The rich history of the Army Nurse Corps actually began before it was a “corps” in the Army. One of the first major steps for nursing in the Army began in 1775. At this time, the 2nd Continental Congress paid nurses approximately two dollars a month and one meal a day for their services helping soldiers. This was a very minute payment considering they were helping keep soldiers in the fight. In 1861 more stipulations were put in place to limit that could be a nurse. They included being at least 30-years-old and plain looking. Today these rules may seem absurd, but at the time they wanted women who would be less likely to become involved with the soldiers. After this was implemented there were approximately 3,000 active nurses, all of which received 40 cents per day. The last major event in prior to the establishment of the Nurse Corps happened in 1898-the Spanish American War. During this time the Army hired another 1,500 female civilian nurses to assist with caring for the wounded soldiers. The Nurse Corps was officially established February 2, 1901 although it would undergo major changes in the following years (Recruitment and Training).
After its establishment, the Nurse Corps first major test was during World War I (1914-1918). Throughout the war over 22,000 nurses served (one-third of all U.S. nurses); over half of these served on the Western Front either on the line or working ambulance services. By the end of WWI, 266 nurses had died in the line of duty and 3 of those received the Distinguished Service Cross. Also, the Army School of Nursing was established by the end of the war in 1918 (World War I [1914-1918]).
World War II was on of the largest increases in size for the Army Nurse Corps; by the end of the war over 57,000 nurses had served their country. In order to enlist during WWII one must have agreed to enlist for the duration of the war plus six months, been unmarried, between the ages of 22-30, and have no children. If a nurse became pregnant or married she could be discharged immediately. Another major change for nurses at this time was the introduction of fatigues instead of skirts or dresses. This was great for equality but placed the nurses at further risk of being targeted by the enemy. One of the most influential changes the Nurse Corps made during WWII had an everlasting impact on the care of soldiers: the introduction of Army Flight Nurses in 1943. This ability decreased the death rate of wounded soldiers to 5 out of 100,000 in flight. The following year Congress passed a bill that granted nurses actual military rank, which they previously did not hold. In 1947, shortly after the end of WWII, nurses were deemed eligible to earn regular commissions as officers and were under the same terms as male officers. 1400 nurses were decorated by the end of the war. 78 of those nurses were known as “Angels of Bataan.” These were nurses who were captured as POWs and while in a prisoner camp tended to the other soldiers and used their own uniforms to make splints and bandages. Ruby Bradley, one of the “Angels” earned 34 medals for her role in the war (The Army Nurse Corps in World War II).
It wasn’t until 1955 that men were allowed to become nurses in the Army Nurse Corps. The Nurse Corps had grown into a major force in the Army by 1991. At this time there were 13,500 working beds in 44 field hospitals that spanned across four countries. This was great for the Army because the Nurse Corps was able to mobilize and care for soldiers during nearly any conflict in a matter of minutes or hours. This was a great force multiplier for the Army because soldiers were able to stay in the fight longer and return faster.
Army Nurse Corps officers are much more than typical nurses. Their role goes beyond a nurse’s typical scope, because they are soldiers and nurses. This means they not only have to perform their duties as practitioners but they must also lead soldiers, represent the Profession of Arms, and think critically in multiple facets. Nurses often begin their career supervising nursing care for several patients during their shift. As they begin to gain experience, their duties increase to commanding an entire unit of a medical installation or field hospital. It is even possible after many years of experience that a nurse can command an entire hospital.
There are many requirements to becoming an Army Nurse Corps officer. First, a nurse must graduate with their Bachelor’s Degree in nursing from an accredited school. Upon graduation, one must pass their NCLEX exam. After passing their NCLEX, nurses then apply for a spot at the Officer Basic Leadership Course at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Next, a nurse will be assigned a duty station at one of the eight Military AMEDD training facilities. The final step is completing the six-month Clinical Nurse Transition Program (CNTP). This program focuses on refining nurses’ skills and building on their already vast knowledge base. After completing all of these steps a nurse may practice as an independent Army Nurse Corps officer. A nurse may perform their duties in the Active or Reserve component in the Army, although certain specialties are only available in the Active component.
While in the Army there are many opportunities for nurses to specialize in a particular field of study or continue their education. Specialty training can occur as soon as one year into a nursing career and paid education opportunities such as Master’s and Doctorate programs are available once you become Captain. One of the most important specialties is Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (66C). These nurses help provide care for soldiers and their families struggling with mental illnesses such as PTSD. With all of the veterans returning from overseas conflict this is a growing and much needed field. Perioperative nurses (66E) care for patients throughout the surgical process. They often plan and coordinate all of the nursing care from beginning to the end of a patient’s surgical visit. Obstetrics-Gynecological nurses (66G) specialize in pregnancy nursing. They provide care during pregnancy and the delivery process (Careers & Jobs).
Several of the specialties require more than just a certification. For instance, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists-CRNA (66F) earn their Master’s or Doctorate in Anesthesia. There is a rigorous application process a nurse must go through to apply for the Army CRNA program, but it is well worth it because their program is top notch. Another reason the Army education benefits are so great is because they will continue to pay your salary while you are enrolled in school and they guarantee you a job upon graduation. CRNAs provide anesthesia during surgical procedures, in the critical care setting, and even down range to wounded soldiers and civilians. Another Master’s program is for Family Nurse Practitioners (66P). Practitioners act as primary health care providers across the entire lifespan. They are typically utilized during humanitarian missions and peacetime operations. Other specialties that require a Master’s or Doctorate degree are Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Midwives, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and Aviation Medicine Nurse Practitioners. Not only do specialties allow the nurses to enhance their skills and knowledge, they often come with benefits such as yearly monetary bonuses (Careers & Jobs).
The knowledge nurses gain while in the military makes them some of the highest trained nurses in the world. Their knowledge gets put to great use in a variety of environments. They can care for soldiers and their families while stateside or for soldiers and foreign nationals while downrange. The opportunities Army Nurse Corps officers gain through training, education, and deployment allow them to keep the Army strong and ready to fight. Lastly, many nurses choose the profession because it gives them the opportunity to help others. What better to way to help others than to help America’s sons and daughters that are protecting their country stay healthy while serving the country yourself?