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Missouri Board of Nursing, US Air Force discusses streamlining military into workforce

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Members of the United States Air Force joined a Missouri State Board of Nursing meeting to discuss ways to improve and streamline the transition of military service members, veterans and their spouses into the civilian workforce.

“We value the contributions veterans have made in the military and acknowledge their training and experience,” said Lori Scheidt, Executive Director of the Missouri State Board of Nursing. “Our goal is to make sure veterans receive the credit they so rightly deserve and assist with civilian careers in nursing.”

The White House report titled, The Fast Track to Civilian Employment: Streamlining Credentialing and Licensing for Service Members, Veterans and Their Spouses, encouraged states to support legislative efforts that would transition veterans into the civilian workplace.

In 2017, the Missouri Board of Nursing wholeheartedly joined this effort and approved the United States Air Force (USAF) Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program (BMTCP – Air Force Specialty Code: 4N0X1) as Practical Nursing program. This allows service members to apply for and take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and obtain a LPN license.

At the May meeting, officials discussed the Air Force’s assessment of 4N0X1 training and presented the Missouri Board of Nursing with current and projected changes to the 4N0X1 curriculum, education and training. Air Force officials presented plans for upgrade training in civilian acute care facilities.

According to supporters, the plan has the potential to have a positive impact on the nursing workforce in Missouri while providing an avenue for valuable upgrade training for Air Force active duty personnel. This would create a win-win situation for the Air Force, Missouri health care providers and recipients of nursing care in Missouri and abroad.

In addition to easing the transition for veterans into the civilian workforce, this is an action that also addresses the need to increase the number of licensed nurses in the state which is currently facing a shortage of qualified nurses.