You might consider applying to the Armed Forces Nursing Academy (AFNA) if you are interested in pursuing a career as a nurse officer in the Korean military and if you want to serve your country while advancing your nursing skills and knowledge. The Armed Forces Nursing Academy is a prestigious military college in South Korea that prepares students for the challenges and rewards of military nursing.
This is one of the top military academies in South Korea.
This article will give you an overview of the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea, its history, admission process, tuition fees, rankings, academic programs, campus life, athletics, notable alumni, and frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, you will better understand what it takes to become a part of the AFNA and what you can expect from this unique and honorable institution.
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History of the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea, was established in 1951, shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War, to provide the necessary education and training for nurses who intended to serve as officers in the Armed Forces. The first class of 100 students graduated in 1954 and was commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Since then, the armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea, has produced over 10,000 nurse officers who have contributed to the health and welfare of military personnel and their families, as well as the civilian population in times of peace and war.
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy is located in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea, and is affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense. It is a four-year university that offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree for qualified graduates. The AFNA is accredited by the Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing Education and the Korean Council for University Education.
How to Gain Admission into the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea’s admission process is highly competitive and selective, as only a limited number of students are accepted each year. The AFNA recruits students from high schools across the country, as well as from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs. The applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Korean citizen with no dual citizenship
- Be between 17 and 21 years old at the time of admission
- Be unmarried and have no children
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have a minimum score of 800 on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) or equivalent
- Have a minimum score of 60 on the Korean Scholastic Aptitude Test (KSAT) or equivalent
- Have a minimum score of 80 on the AFNA Entrance Examination or equivalent
- Have a minimum score of 70 on the Physical Fitness Test
- Have a minimum score of 70 on the Medical Examination
- Have a minimum score of 70 on the Psychological Test
- Have a minimum score of 70 on the Interview
In addition to these requirements, the applicants must also obtain a nomination from a member of the National Assembly, a high-ranking military officer, or a high-ranking government official. The nomination is a crucial factor in the admission process, demonstrating the applicant’s potential and suitability for military service. The applicants must submit their nomination letters, application forms, and other documents by the deadline.
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea, Entrance Examination consists of four subjects: Korean, English, Mathematics, and Science. The examination is administered by the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea, and is held once a year, usually in November. The applicants who pass the examination are invited to take the Physical Fitness Test, the Medical Examination, the Psychological Test, and the Interview held in December. The final admission results are announced in January, and the successful applicants are enrolled in March.
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy admission process in South Korea is rigorous and demanding. Still, it is also rewarding and fulfilling for those passionate and determined to become nurse officers. If you are interested in applying to the AFNA, you should start preparing as early as possible and seek guidance and support from your teachers, counselors, mentors, and peers. You should also visit the AFNA website for more information and updates on the admission process.
Tuition Fees
One of the benefits of attending the Armed Forces Nursing Academy in South Korea is that the government fully covers the tuition fees, as the students are registered as military personnel upon admission. The students also receive a monthly stipend of about 300,000 won (approximately $260) for living expenses. The students must wear uniforms and follow the military rules and regulations on campus.
However, the students must also sign a contract with the Ministry of National Defense, which obliges them to serve as nurse officers for at least six years after graduation. The students who fail to complete their degree, pass the national nursing examination, or fulfill their service obligation may face penalties, such as dismissal from the military or repayment of the tuition fees. Therefore, the students should be fully committed and dedicated to their studies and future careers as nurse officers.
Current Rankings of the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy in South Korea, is widely recognized as one of the best nursing schools in Korea, as well as one of the most prestigious military academies. According to the 2020 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the AFNA ranked 51st globally and 2nd in Korea for nursing. According to the 2020 JoongAng Ilbo University Rankings, the AFNA ranked 1st in Korea for nursing. According to the 2020 Korea Military Academy Evaluation, the Armed Forces Nursing Academy ranked 3rd among the six military academies in Korea.
These rankings reflect the high quality and reputation of the AFNA, as well as its achievements and contributions in nursing and military service. The AFNA strives to maintain and improve its standards and excellence and to produce competent and ethical nurse officers who can meet society’s diverse and complex needs.
Academic Programs
The AFNA offers a BSN degree program consisting of two sets of courses: military and general. The military courses are prescribed by the Minister of National Defense, and include subjects such as military history, military law, military strategy, military leadership, military ethics, and military nursing. The Minister of National Defense prescribes the general courses in collaboration with the Minister of Education and includes subjects such as liberal arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and nursing.
The BSN degree program requires the students to complete 140 credits, of which 40 are for military courses and 100 for general courses. The students must also complete at least 1,600 hours of clinical practice in various settings, such as military hospitals, civilian hospitals, community health centers, and disaster relief sites. The students must also pass the national nursing examination before graduation, which qualifies them to obtain their nursing license and to be commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy in South Korea also offers an MSN degree program open to qualified graduates of the BSN degree program. The MSN degree program consists of two tracks: clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP). The CNS track focuses on advanced nursing practice in a specific area of specialization, such as adult health, maternal-child health, mental health, or community health. The NP track focuses on primary health care for individuals, families, and communities, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.
The MSN degree program requires the students to complete 36 credits, of which 18 credits are for core courses, 12 for specialty courses, and 6 for thesis research. The students must also complete at least 500 hours of clinical practice in their chosen area of specialization. The students must also pass a comprehensive examination and defend their thesis before graduation, which qualifies them to obtain their advanced practice nursing license and to be promoted to first lieutenants in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
The Armed Forces Nursing Academy in South Korea provides a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of nursing and the military and professional aspects of nursing. The AFNA also provides various opportunities for the students to enhance their knowledge and skills, such as academic exchange programs, research projects, seminars, workshops, and conferences. The Armed Forces Nursing Academy aims to cultivate the students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership abilities, and ethical and moral values as nurse officers.
Campus Life
The campus life at the Armed Forces Nursing Academy is challenging and rewarding, as the students must balance their academic, military, and personal responsibilities. The students have to follow a strict schedule and routine, typically starting at 6:00 a.m. and ending at 10:00 p.m. The students must attend classes, lectures, labs, and clinical practice during the day and study, do homework, and prepare for exams at night. The students must also participate in various military training and activities, such as physical fitness, drill, weapons, tactics, and survival. The students must also abide by the military rules and regulations, such as wearing uniforms, saluting, and standing at attention.
However, campus life at the Armed Forces Nursing Academy is also fun, as the students can access various facilities and resources, such as libraries, computer labs, cafeterias, dormitories, gyms, sports fields, and recreation centers.
Students can join various clubs and organizations, such as music, dance, art, drama, debate, volunteer, and religious groups. The students can also enjoy various events and festivals, such as cultural, sports, academic, and military celebrations. The students can also make friends and bond with their classmates, seniors, juniors, and faculty members, who share the same goals and values as nurse officers.
The campus life at the Armed Forces Nursing Academy is a unique and memorable experience, as the students learn and grow as individuals, nurses, and officers. The campus life at the AFNA also prepares the students for their future careers and challenges, as they will be assigned to various units and locations, both domestically and internationally, after graduation. Campus life at the Armed Forces Nursing Academy also instills in students a sense of pride and honor, as they are part of a noble and respected institution that serves the nation and the people.
Athletics
The AFNA values physical fitness and sportsmanship, as they are essential for students’ and military personnel’ health and well-being. The Armed Forces Nursing Academy offers various athletic programs and facilities for the students, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, swimming, track and field, and martial arts. The AFNA also participates in various intercollegiate and interservice competitions, such as the National Athletic Meet, the President’s Cup, the Minister of National Defense’s Cup, and the Military Academy Sports Festival. The Armed Forces Nursing Academy also hosts various intramural and recreational sports events, such as the AFNA Sports Day, the Armed Forces Nursing Academy Marathon, and the Armed Forces Nursing Academy Triathlon.
The AFNA encourages the students to engage in physical activities and sports, as they can improve their physical and mental health and their teamwork, leadership, and discipline skills. The Armed Forces Nursing Academy also recognizes and supports the students who excel in sports, as they can represent the AFNA and the military in various national and international events, such as the Asian Games, the Olympic Games, and the Military World Games. The Armed Forces Nursing Academy also fosters a spirit of camaraderie and solidarity among the students and the faculty members as they cheer and support each other in various athletic endeavors.
Notable Alumni of the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, South Korea
The AFNA has produced many distinguished and accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions and achievements in nursing and military service. Some of the notable alumni of the AFNA are:
- Kim Young-sook, the first female general in the Korean military and the former director of the Armed Forces Nursing Service. She was also the first Korean nurse to receive the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international distinction a nurse can achieve.
- Lee Eun-kyung, the first female colonel in the Korean Air Force and the former chief nurse of the Air Force Medical Center. She was also the first Korean nurse to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in East Timor.
- Park Sun-young, the first female captain in the Korean Navy and the former chief nurse of the Navy Hospital. She was also the first Korean nurse to serve as a military observer in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in the Middle East.
- Choi Eun-hee, the first female lieutenant colonel in the Korean Army and the former chief nurse of the Army Hospital. She was also the first Korean nurse to join the United States Army Nurse Corps as an exchange officer.
- Kim Hyun-joo, the first female major in the Korean Army and the current chief nurse of the Army Field Hospital. She was also the first Korean nurse deployed to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force.
These alumni are just some examples of outstanding and inspiring nurse officers who graduated from the Armed Forces Nursing Academy. They have demonstrated professionalism, competence, dedication, and leadership in various settings and situations at home and abroad. They have also served as role models and mentors for the current and future students of the AFNA, who aspire to follow in their footsteps and uphold the legacy and tradition of the Armed Forces Nursing Academy.
