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The Perks of Being a Military Nurse

If you work in the health care field you may be eligible for a special pay bonus. The following is a summary of these bonuses and who qualifies for them:

Military Nurse Accession Bonus
A person who is a registered nurse and who agrees to accept a commission as an officer and remain on active duty for a period of not less than four years may be paid an accession bonus of up to $30,000.

Military Nurse Anesthetist Bonus
A nurse anesthetist officer who agrees to remain on active duty for a period of one year or more may be paid incentive special pay of up to $50,000 for any 12-month period.

A nurse anesthetist officer is an officer who:

• Is an officer of the Nurse Corps of the Army or Navy, an officer of the Air Force designated as a nurse, or an officer designated as a nurse in the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service;

• Is a qualified certified registered nurse anesthetist; and

• Is on active duty under a call or order to active duty for a period of not less than one year.

It might also be worth your while to consider a degree in Psychology.

Military Psychologists and Non-Physician Health Care Officers

An officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service who is designated as a psychologist, and has been awarded a diploma as a Diplomate in Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, entitled to special pay. The rate of such special pay is:

• $2,000 per year, if the officer has less than 10 years of creditable service;

• $2,500 per year, if the officer has at least 10 but less than 12 years of creditable service;

• $3,000 per year, if the officer has at least 12 but less than 14 years of creditable service;

• $4,000 per year, if the officer has at least 14 but less than 18 years of creditable service; or

• $5,000 per year, if the officer has 18 or more years of creditable service.

Also eligible for special pay is one who:

• Is an officer in the Medical Service Corps of the Army or Navy or a biomedical sciences officer in the Air Force;

• Is designated as a psychologist; and

• Has been awarded a diploma as a Diplomate in Psychology by American Board of Professional Psychology;

or one who:

• Is an officer in the Medical Services Corps of the Army or Navy, a biomedical sciences officer in the Air Force, an officer in the Army Medical Specialist Corps, an officer of the Nurse Corps of the Army or Navy, an officer of the Air Force designated as a nurse, an officer of the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve designated as a physician assistant, or an officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service;

• Is a health care provider (other than a psychologist);

• Has a post baccalaureate degree; and

• Is certified by a professional board in the officer’s specialty.

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