Advice 4 joinin navy as medical corpsman

Former_HM2_FMF · Jul 7, 2004

ca is the only state i know of, but you can check with individual boards. nc used to, but they no longer do this.
no difference between lpn and lvn other than what state you are in. they are called lpns in some states and lvns in others.

thanks for the reply. i have checked and many states will let you transfer your lvn/lpn license from state to state. would it be feasible to challenge the california board, pass it, and then transfer your license to another state? or is this "loop hole" in the system recognized by other states that do not let corpsman challenge the lpn board and rejected? i see some states do not allow lvn licenses earned under certain circumstances to transfer over and some license do transfer over. is this common place? thanks.

zenman · Jul 8, 2004

I went the Army medic route in 1971 (Ft. Sam Houston). Finished as a 91C. Took the Texas LPN boards, then challenged the California RN boards and passed so actually became an RN before officially going to nursing school. After getting by BSN, I had to take state boards again in Louisiana. Actually did better on the first set of boards! I think the Army has changed the medic program; I'll go look on their website. How long is the Navy program? Our 91C program was 40 weeks. This was after 8 weeks for 91A and OJT time for 91B.

Vici358 · Feb 4, 2005

Hi... I'm going to bootcamp soon and I'm having second thoughts. I'm not sure if HM Corpsman is going to be good for my future. How was your experience as being one? Is it true that we can get a license on it if we put enough hours in our job. That's what my recruiter told me and I'm not sure whether it is the truth or not. He said you have to apply for some program for it in the Navy. Also I was wondering if being a HM corpsman helped you after you have left the service. In civilian life I mean. What do female corpsman do?? Did you get any advantage from it???? Thank soo much.. Please reply ASAP because I have 2 weeks left before I make the decision of the 5 years of my life... THANK you again. :)

kea6783 · Mar 29, 2005

Nice to hear everyone's opinion, especially since I was told once that corpsmen can only be MEN.. and that by a recruiter! Are we on the same page... a corpsmn is a 'medic' right.. because in that case, I don't see where the "nursing assistant" comparison came into play. My brother, usmc, just got back from iraq and his navy corpsman was keeping up with standard issue supplies plus his medical gear, and doing way more than a nursing assistant would.

just my two cents. :)

CHATSDALE · Mar 29, 2005

lpn and lvn are terms used by different states...same level of training and duties..if you were in texas you would be a lvn if you moved to florida you would be referred to lpn

op should consider going to school that has rotc..military would pick up a lot of costs and would be required to work in military for a certain about of time...unsure just how much

i know a nurse who went to u of arkansas and is now a major

also a md who after graduation repaid military and she is now a civilian md..don't know exactly how she went about this

you have a lot options...hope you enjoy your career

ldshaw · Apr 13, 2005

Hospital corspman getting out of the Navy will find that it is not all that great. If you live in California (which I do), you can challange the LVN board and get your license. Most states only let you become CNAs. If you know any corpsman, you know that we do FAR more than a CNA. You do not get your license in the military, unless you challange the LVN board in California while you are active. It is not automatic. The recruiter lied to you. Funny how they can do that. It is worth every minute to be an HM. My eleven years were the most valuable to my career now in nursing.

ldshaw

crazylilkelly · Apr 15, 2005

I was in the NAVY (not an HM) & just wanted to say one thing. You should be aware that being an HM doesn't mean you'll only be on a ship or in a hospital. I was told by an HM I knew that a large portion of HMs go to the marines. It makes sense, they're part of the NAVY & need HMs desperately. They also get placed with Seabee (construction) battalions (I was a builder with the seabees----NMCB 5). If you get placed w/ a Seabee or Marine battalion you'll DEFINITELY be doing field training (wear cammies, play war games, carry weapons, sleep in tents, eat MREs etc etc etc). Basically you will be trained to survive as a soldier. I am currently in the NAVY reserves & large portion of HMs get sent to Iraq. People are always making jokes about how relieved they're not HMs b/c they'd be activated for war in a heartbeat.

I'm not trying to scare you or anything but just want to inform you on the possible outcomes of becoming an HM. Personally, I think being an HM w/ the marines and bees is very very honorable. Especially in a wartime situation b/c you have such an impact on your shipmates lives. I always hear marines say that a corpsman is their best friend (as well as a seabee!).Also, I'm not certain but I think if you go to certain C schools you'll be less likely to get a billet in the battalion. Good luck with everything! God bless you & all who serve

PS- Definitely agreed-------HMs do wwwwwwaaaaaaayyyyyy more than CNAs! It kind of upset me when I heard that in the civilian world they're on par w/ CNAs. I mean come on, HMs go to school for months upon months, even yrs & CNAs can be certified in about a month (depending on the program).

kaizenro · May 5, 2005

My advice is to talk to the Officer Recruiter. He or she can tell you about going to school full-time receiving E-3 pay. And your time in school counts as AD (active duty) time. Win-win IMO.

Also, depending on where you are and/or if the ship/unit is small enough, you can be expected to do many more jobs. Pharmacy, X-Rays, Running/Reading Labs, Preventive med, etc.; even if you don't have the NEC (Navy Enlisted Classifier) under your name.

If you really want a strong medical foundation, danger be damned, HM is the way to go. (and don't try to get stationed at a hospital too long, you're much more restricted on things you can do there/ hospital dr's and civilian nurses get jealous) If you want to become a dr ASAP, go to Medical School.

Hope this helps.

LORDGOLDENEYES · May 23, 2007

I was a corpsman for a little over 12 years and after a 8 yr hiatus from healthcare, am getting ready to graduate from a LPN program. LPN and LVNs are taught the same material and the differences can vary significantly as per scope of practice outlined by the state nursing board.

I should have challanged the LVN exam from CA when I got out, but didn't think I wanted to do pt care again.

Gennaver, MSN · May 23, 2007

I was a corpsman for a little over 12 years and after a 8 yr hiatus from healthcare, am getting ready to graduate from a LPN program. LPN and LVNs are taught the same material and the differences can vary significantly as per scope of practice outlined by the state nursing board.
I should have challanged the LVN exam from CA when I got out, but didn't think I wanted to do pt care again.

piggyback replying to say:

Goodness, now we've got adverts "in" our posts?

Gen

Studylots34 · Jul 1, 2007

Hi, I've just joined as an HM. None of my recruiters have been able to tell me the exact options I have for C-school, and I was wondering if you could tell me what some or all of them are, seeing that you did it. I feel kind of dumb for asking, but it feels like my sources are very limited to this subject!

Thanks you,

Megan

BuckeyeInIndy · Dec 21, 2007

i am a HN in the navy right now. i'm getting ready to get out and move to indiana. I was wondering what would be the fastest way for me to get my RN. Also how fast could i turn my Corpsman experience into a LPN certification, if at all.