[amy0123]

I graduated recently with my BSN in nursing. I have been working as a nurse for 2 months.

The process that I was told:

I spoke to an officer recruiter yesterday, he said that I would have to take a pre-test first to see if I am qualified to join the Navy reserves.

He also said that in joining the navy, I would need to take classes all over again to become a navy nurse, regardless of what college degree I have. --> This is confusing! Does this mean I do not qualify to be a nurse with my civil BSN??? He said just because I'm a nurse now does not mean I would be a nurse in the navy.. I would have to take classes and ANOTHER exam (I thought NCLEXRN was over!), COMPETING for a spot as a nurse. If I become a Navy nurse reserve I would be highly likely to work in Iraq in the sand with the marines.

I had acquired about $40,000 in stafford loans while studying for my BSN. Navy said they could possibly cover this, depending on how I score on their exam (main reason of joining is to pay off my college debt and develop a backbone).

I would be placed on active duty while in boot camp for 7 1/2 weeks in Chicago with all the benefits. Then after, I would work part-time reserves working one weekend per month and 2 weeks a year doing whatever I was qualified for based on my test score.

Does this make sense? Was anyone told the same? Is this all true? I did not know that I needed to take a test to get in to the Navy reserves!

[navynurse06]

I don't know who you spoke with but he misinformed you! I've never heard of any test that you have to take before joining. The only test I had to take was a drug test in at MEPS. And since you would be an officer you don't go to boot camp; you go to ois in RI, which is only 5 wks. The navy needs nurses really bad so its not like you are competeing for a spot. And the think about just b/c you are a civilian nurse doesn't mean you can be a navy nurse....that just doesn't make sense. I don't think this guy knows what he's talking about. It sounds like you at talking to a enlisted recruiter.

[amy0123]

I didn't think it was so difficult to become a Navy Nurse reserve. I spoke to two recruitors, both stated that they were officer recruiters. I think joining is turning way too complicated.

[navynurse06]

Its actually not complicated at all if your are talking to people who know what they are talking about!