Why pursue a degree when you can pursue a career?

Army ROTC Nursing Program

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) provides an opportunity for college nursing students to receive practical, hands-on leadership experience directly applicable to nursing practice. As a Registered Nurse, you are looked at as a leader in providing nursing care. But how can a person become a leader if they have never been given the skills to walk in that role? The Army ROTC Nurse Program is one avenue to acquire these skills. The Army ROTC Nurse Program provides nursing students the opportunity to develop management, communication and decision-making skills through hands-on training. There are many advantages to becoming an Army Nurse.

To Learn More

For more information or questions regarding nursing in the United States Army, contact the UAF Army ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Officer (toll free) at (866) 891-5538 or email at olrayfor@uark.edu. Check out these websites for more information:

Financial Benefits

As a University of Arkansas Army ROTC Nursing Cadet, the following are some of the benefits available to you:

  • 2,3 and 4 year scholarships are available to eligible nursing students at the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and at John Brown University.
  • Tuition/fees or Room and Board: Valued up to $10,000 an academic year or complete cost of your nursing school tuition and eligible fees.
  • Books: $1200/yr
  • Monthly stipend of $420 while in school
  • Army ROTC will additionally pay for your nursing supplies (stethoscope) and your NCLEX.
  • University Incentives: Increased consideration for the University of Arkansas Army ROTC Provost’s Room and Board Scholarship ($8000 a year for on campus housing).

Criteria for Scholarships:

  • United States Citizenship
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Physically fit and medically qualified
  • Under 31 years of age on 31 December of the year you graduate from college
  • Good moral character
  • Non-Scholarship Students: Students can participate in ROTC without a scholarship and will receive stipend benefits during their Junior and Senior year while pursuing their degree.

Graduate School

Upon completion of your degree requirements, you will spend 2-4 years gaining a foundation in safe nursing practice. After this time, you may apply for fully funded graduate school. The Army will pay your tuition, give you up to 24 months to complete your program (as a full time student), and pay your salary during this time. Graduate level study is open to Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwifery, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Administration, Informatics, and a host of Clinical Nurse Specialist fields.

Post Graduate Educational Opportunities

Your education does not stop once you become an Army Nurse Corps Lieutenant. Since nursing is a dynamic profession, your skills and professional knowledge must be constantly updated. The Army Nurse Corps is committed to providing opportunities that will enhance your abilities, interests and knowledge. As an Army Nurse, you may apply for specialty courses such as:

Critical Care Nursing

This 16-week course prepares nurses to take care of critically ill patients in a variety of critical care settings. Course content includes the necessary knowledge and clinical skills, teaching techniques, and the principles of management of the critical care setting.

Emergency Nursing Course

This 16-week course prepares nurses to function as entry-level emergency nurses. The course will focus on responsibilities, nursing care, teaching role, principles and techniques of staff supervision and management of patients across the life span in an emergency setting. Portions of this course are jointly instructed with the Critical Care Nursing Course.

Perioperative Nursing

This 16-week course will prepare you to function as first-level staff nurses in the operating room (OR). It also focuses on the OR nurse's responsibilities in the preparation and sterilization of supplies/equipment; special fields of surgery; and the principles and techniques of management of the operating room.

Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing

This 16-week course is designed to provide the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to deliver inpatient and ambulatory nursing care to pregnant women, newborn infants and patients with gynecological problems.

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

This 22-week course will prepare you with the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to deliver care and treatment to psychiatric patients.

Community Health Nursing

The 9-week Principles of Military Preventive Medicine course is designed to provide the entry-level skills and knowledge in preventive medicine specialty areas. Content includes community health practices, communicable and infectious diseases, epidemiology, statistics, medical entomology, industrial hygiene, health physics, sanitary engineering, and environmental science as well as various specialty modules.