Army Practical Nursing Specialists (MOS 68C) are responsible for performing nursing care procedures.
These specialists work with physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel to bring preventative, therapeutic, and emergency care to soldiers and their families.
This position requires skilled individuals who are comfortable working in all medical situations whether in a controlled or deployed environment.
Table of Contents
Qualifications, Training, and Duty Stations
This is an entry-level position that requires recruits to pass all physical and medical evaluations.
To enter into this Army MOS, individuals must receive a minimum score of 101 on the Skilled Technical (ST) and 107 on the General Technical (GT) portions of the ASVAB test.
Practical Nursing Specialists are required to attend 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training.
They will then receive 52 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.
Training consists of classroom, field, and clinical instruction and consists of 2 phases.
At the end of training, the soldiers must pass the Texas Board of Nursing National Clinical Licensure Examination.
After the examination, the soldier will be a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Skills that are helpful in this MOS:
- Effective communication
- Ability to perform under stress
- Detail oriented
- Compassion and care for others
- Interest in working with chemistry, biology, algebra, and general science
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Duty Stations
Those serving in the Army in MOS 68C can expect to be potentially based at one of the following duty stations:
Inside the Continental US (CONUS)
- Ft. Detrick, MD
- Ft. Belvoir, VA
- Ft. Moore, GA
- Ft. Bethesda, MD
- Ft. Bliss, TX
- Ft. Bragg, NC
- Ft. Campbell, KY
- Ft. Carson, CO
- Ft. Eustis, VA
- Ft. Gordon, GA
- Ft. Cavazos, TX
- Ft. Irwin, CA
- Ft. Jackson, MS
- Ft. Knox, KY
- Ft. Leavenworth, KS
- Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
- Ft. Lewis, WA
- Ft. Meade, MD
- Ft. Polk, LA
- Ft. Riley, KS
- Ft. Sam Houston, TX
- Ft. Sill, OK
- Ft. Stewart, GA
- West Point, NY
Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)
- Ft. Richardson, AK
- Ft. Wainwright, AK
- Tripler, HAWAII
- Hohenfels, Germany
- Landstuhl, Germany
- Miesau, Germany
- Seoul, South Korea
- Yongsan, South Korea
What Does a Practical Nursing Specialist Do?
A Practical Nursing Specialist’s main job is to assist in all patient care routines.
This can be dressing a wound or assisting in emergency procedures.
Individuals must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to empathize in order to be successful in this position.
The specialist in this MOS will work with people of all ages from infants to seniors.
They can work in areas ranging from surgical to ICU and OB.
A Practical Nursing Specialist will work with and must be familiar with, cardiac pulmonary systems, nutrition, and other related field nursing areas.
Some of their job tasks include taking vital signs such as blood pressure or temperature.
They will set up an IV, take blood samples, give immunizations, and administer medications.
Their job functions may vary based on the area they are working in.
If they are working in surgery, they may be required to assist the physician during a procedure, dress wounds, apply first-aid, a tourniquet, or perform other methods to stop bleeding.
If working in OB they may be required to care for a newborn or new mother.
When working in Emergency care, job tasks may include performing life-saving measures including CPR or immediate procedures.
In all locations, they will be required to assess patient condition, monitor any changes, and discuss the patient status with the physician.
The specialists assist with admittance and discharge of patients.
Any needed transfers or movement of the patient will be completed by the specialist.
Specialists also monitor patient food and liquid intake. They’ll also supervise their overall care and condition.
This means that they work to not only heal whatever ailment the patients have but to make them as comfortable as possible during the process.
These Specialists will work with patient care documentation and must be familiar with how to properly document and submit information.
Any treatment given, notes taken, or physician instructions given will be documented in the appropriate computer systems.
Because these specialists work in a medical setting, their hours may be long and they may often vary.
The Army Recruiting video below provides more information on training and job functions.
What Does a Practical Nursing Specialist Get Paid?
When entering into this MOS with no prior Military experience or related education, recruits can expect to make around $23,000 a year in base pay.
This amount is based on rank and time of service.
Income varies during the first few months of training.
The Army base pay table below can be followed to get an idea of base pay.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | PVT | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,503.50 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $6,055.50 |
Base pay does not include benefits, special pay, or allowances.
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Benefits
The Army has generous benefits in comparison to most civilian jobs.
If living on base, the Army pays for both housing and food.
Other benefits include:
- Free/low-cost medical and dental
- Paid Sick Time
- 30 days paid annual vacation
- Low-cost life insurance
- Annual Military Clothing Allowance
This position allows for a certification that is transferable into a civilian career.
For those wishing to continue their education beyond the certification, the Army offers tuition assistance programs including book cost assistance.
Job Reviews
Reviews of this position are mostly positive.
Most reviews stress the invaluable experience the position gives you, along with being one of the only MOSs that gives soldiers a certificate as part of training that can be used as a civilian.
Positive reviews discuss being able to help other soldiers and their families, the ability to travel, and the ability to work in different environments.
Negative reviews discuss the high demands of the position, the hours are often long, and the job is sometimes performed in dangerous situations.
The review below discusses the many different areas that individuals in this MOS can work in.
This review discusses the working experience a soldier was able to have.
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Civilian Career Opportunities
This position allows individuals to receive a certificate that gives them the ability to work as an LPN outside of the military.
During training, individuals will work in a wide variety of areas and topics, giving them the ability to gain experience in different fields from clinical to hospital emergency care.
Soldiers can also find work in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
This position qualifies for the recruiting PAYS program that guarantees soldiers a job interview with a military-friendly employer after the Army.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is AIT for Army nursing?
Conducted in Ft. Sam Houston in Texas, AIT training for nursing lasts approximately 59 weeks.
Do Army nurses go to boot camp?
Like all other Army MOSs, nurses are required to complete Army boot camp. Basic Combat Training, or BCT, is approximately 10 weeks in duration.
Do Army nurses go to war?
Typically, Army nurses will deploy to combat zones. However, they will very rarely venture ‘outside the wire,’ and are traditionally far away from seeing any real combat.
How much do Army nurses make?
The typical salary for Army nurses is around $2,263 per month. Keep in mind that the pay for nurses is based on the length of time in service, as well as rank. Base pay also doesn’t include housing or food allowances.
What does a nurse do in the Army?
Army nurses provide patient care for soldiers wounded in battle, as well as provide routine medical care for members of the Army and their families.
Summary
Army Practical Nursing Specialists (MOS 68C) perform preventative, therapeutic, and emergency procedures.
These specialists work in various medical settings and receive training as an LPN.
After meeting all entry requirements, recruits will attend Basic Combat Training and then AIT for 59 weeks.
This position will follow the Army base pay table and will include the normal benefits and allowances.
Individuals who have been in this MOS recommend the position for the skills you learn and its transferability to a civilian career.
After the Army, individuals in this MOS can find civilian work as an LPN in hospitals or clinics.
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References
Zach currently resides in Syracuse, New York, and is very active in politics and local news media.
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