Nurse officers in the Commissioned Corps have the flexibility and freedom to pursue a diverse and fulfilling career. Day-to-day responsibilities of nursing officers may include:

• Promoting the public health of the nation
• Providing nursing care to underserved and disadvantaged populations
• Expanding knowledge through biomedical, behavioral, and health services research leading to the prevention and treatment of disease
• Improving the health care system, including development of innovations in health care
• Ensuring the safe and effective use of drug and medical devices

In addition, nurse officers may have the opportunity to assist in public health responses to man-made and natural disasters and participate in rural health missions helping some of the neediest populations in the Nation.

There are also exciting possibilities for nurse officers to work side by side with a variety of nurses (e.g., Commissioned Corps, civilian, and tribal nurses) and multi-discplinary officer colleagues from various regions and agencies through participation in workgroups, advisory committees, and health initiatives to further the health of the Nation.

As a nurse officer in the Commissioned Corps, you work throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and in other Federal agencies and programs. Below is a list of potential Federal agencies and programs where nurses have the greatest likelihood of finding an assignment – the order is based on the number of nurse officers presently assigned. See duty station map for more details.

• Indian Health Service (IHS)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)