Hello everyone,
I am a new graduate BSN RN and have always wanted to serve in the United States Navy. During nursing school, I was working with a Nurse Corps officer recruiter in San Diego and went through the very lengthy process of building my kit for selection for Direct Accession into the Nurse Corps for fiscal year 2014. Long story short, I had a very strong application but when the numbers came out for Direct Accession, it was zero nationwide (which I know many of you looking into this path know very well).
With all of the budget cuts and downsizing, it doesn't seem to be likely that the next fiscal year will be any different which brings me to a crossroad that I hope some of you can help with.
I really have a strong desire to serve in the Navy during this time in my life and bringing this up to my recruiter he asked if I would be willing to enlist and commission later down the line as an officer through an enlisted-to-officer program the Navy has. I told him I would be but I want to make the most informed decision as this is a huge one. He was very understanding which makes me think that he's genuinely not trying to screw me over.
So my questions....
1. How likely is it that an enlisted sailor (hopefully get hospital corpsman rating) to commission into the Nurse Corps with a BSN and RN in hand?
2. Has anybody gone this route before?
3. How likely is it that I get into the Hospital Corpsman rating when enlisting?
4. To any current Hospital Corpsman, what are the pros and cons of your job?
5. Will it be more difficult for me down the line to work as an RN as a civilian if I don't get a nurse position during my time with the Navy?
I understand the specificity of these questions and the small chance that any one person can answer all of these questions, but ANY input will be appreciated.