Artillery: September 12, 2004

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The U.S. Army medical services, like most civilian hospitals, cannot get enough nurses. So the army has introduced a financial incentive program. College students in nursing programs can get $5,000 if they qualify for and join a college ROTC program. Another $7,500 is paid if the student passes their national nursing exam and accepts a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Nursing Corps. The ROTC program also covers school costs, and once in the army, nurses can get graduate nurse training at army expense. The downside is that you are liable to find yourself in places like Iraq or Afghanistan. But for many young men and women, the prospect of getting through nursing school without a lot of bills, and the travel and, adventure, in the army, is attractive.