Answering Navy Nurse Recruiting Questions

NavyNurseCorpsPM1 · Sep 8, 2014

Joker269MPCO, Hello and I hope this finds you well. At this time the Navy is not offering any assistance to reserve applicants still in graduate school. We are using the funding as a retention tool at this time. It may be available sometime again in the future, but right now we are focusing on those who have already obtained degrees for the reserves.

For active we would send you to school, but that is a program called DUINS, and you are not eligible to apply until after your initial commitment is completed. In your case it does not sound as if it would help since you are getting ready to begin already.

The above answers are for NAVY only, and if I confused you at all please let me know.

Ciao Ciao,

LT, NC, USN

mrslizgraham · Sep 8, 2014

Hi I'm actually wondering if you have any info in GPA, how hard is the process into getting into the program and my husband is actually in active duty navy also. I'm considering applying for school next year then applying before I start BSN program. Thanks so much

mrslizgraham · Sep 8, 2014

RCMED thanks and we are currently in Texas but awaiting PCS orders. I talked to a recruiter but she only told me, get into a program then contact me which didn't actually answer my questions. Thanks for reaching out.

Lisbeth

RCMED · Sep 8, 2014

Lisbeth,

No problem. I want to make myself available to users on this board and if I can't help them, I can point them in the direction of someone who can.

Best,

LTJG Weinstein

mrslizgraham · Sep 8, 2014

Thanks. I only have three more classes left and I can apply next deadline (fall) to start a program the following year. I obtained some information online but was wondering if I go the Navy nurse route, I need to take my NCLEX before actually starting my career with the Navy?

NavyNurseCorpsPM1 · Sep 8, 2014

mrslizgraham, I hope this finds you well. GPA for the Direct commission route has no minimum requirement, but generally if your cumulative GPA is on the lower side then you should get some work experience under your belt prior to applying. Yes you need to have taken and passed the NCLEX prior to applying as you will not be eligible until the FY16 year opens next October 2015.

Hope this helps, but if you have more questions please post to my thread and I will answer as much as I can.

Ciao Ciao,

LT, NC, USN

mrslizgraham · Sep 8, 2014

Thanks so much NavyCorps. I'm actually taking a CNA program and have 10 years medical experience so hopefully that will help me with my nursing school endeavors.

Lisbeth

mrslizgraham · Sep 9, 2014

NavyNurseCorps I'm actually interested in the NCP because I was told you could apply for the candidate program once you are in a BSN program accredited. I'm hoping next summer to apply and start the following year, which would make us three years in the Navy.

socalRN91 · Sep 10, 2014

To LewisGarza,

I am a new grad RN applying for Navy Nursing Direct Accession Active Duty. I just completed my physical yesterday, all testing went well. Pending a phone interview and final lab results, I should have my package completed and ready to go. Based on that information, I have a few questions:

1) Do you have an estimate as to how many DA spots are available for FY 2015? Are these spots usually taken by experienced RNs?

2) My top three duty preferences are San Diego, Camp Pendleton and Bethesda. I have heard that new grads usually are placed in one of the three large naval hospitals. Does this mean, if selected, I will most likely be stationed in San Diego or Bethesda?

3) Are Navy nurses commonly deployed?

Thanks in advance and feel free to add anything extra!

Kariw1088 · Oct 7, 2014

I have a few questions for you. I have a BSN in nursing and have been working in dialysis for about 3 years. My overall goal is to be a nurse for the military. I applied to air force last year and I was put on the alternate list. I have a 3.0 GPA and I don't really feel that I compete with others with higher GPA's and more work experience. I am thinking of enlisting and applying internally. What do you think about taking this route? I have had a few people advise against this, however I am tired of waiting to get accepted and I wouldn't mind learning a new skill in the mean time.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 8, 2014

If you enlist, do it with the knowledge that you will not be a nurse in the military. They will not automatically allow you to commission and transfer you. If you enlist, that will be years of nursing experience lost in favor of whatever you might do as an enlisted person. Probably not a way to achieve your goal.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Oct 8, 2014

Why not get an MSN and reapply? Why not get board certified in a nursing specialty? Why not transfer to a specialty that's more in demand (ICU, ED, or OR for example). Why not become a part time clinical instructor at a local nursing school? There's always stuff you can do to be more competitive. I wouldn't just throw up your hands and enlist.

I would say impatience will cost you big here. As a general rule, enlisted personel make roughly half as much money as officers with equal time in grade. Did you know that a nurse who has been in the military for 4 years (O-3) will make about the same as an E-8 with 26 years of service? That's not a hypothetical...that's a real world example.