First Duty Station?

Specialties Government

Published

Hi Y'all,

My name is Aaron and I am in the NCP program graduating next month. After 4 long years I can finally see the light!!!

Anyway, I spoke to my LTCR today and learned that the 3 big Naval Hospitals (Bethesda, Portsmouth, and San Diego) have met their new grad requirements. I requested these 3 on my Duty Preference Sheet. My LTCR recommended Camp Lejeune, NAS Pensacola, and Camp Pendleton. He did not mention NAS Jacksonville and I totally forgot to ask if that was still available.

I am looking for the hospital that would give me (a new grad) the best experience

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing (CEN).

Hi AG_RN! I'm a NCP'er too! Just got my duty station of Camp Pendleton, mainly because I wanted to stay on the West coast, not really familiar with the East Coast way of life! When do you graduate? What specialty are you hoping to go into?

I graduate 6MAY2012. And I really want to get into an ED. I have previous ED work experience and I'm doing my practicum in the ED. I like the high turnover and not sitting with the same pt for 12hrs. You?

Specializes in Emergency Nursing (CEN).

I graduate 5 May and am hoping for L&D, wanting to get my NP in Women's Health eventually. I did my practicum in the ED and LOVED it, I just have a few weeks of exams left and I'm finally free! Sent in my app for my RN license today!

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

I'm two months in. I didn't do NCP. I got my BSN, RN, worked a year, signed up, commissioned, and went to Officer Development School in February. I've been placed at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. They still have nurse grads coming in, not very many though-one a month or so. With the choices you listed... I would go 'green' meaning go marine but I don't have much experience with it obviously.

I would see what the detailer has to say about the big three having 'met their requirements.' He's the only one that will really know that information. This is what the NKO website says.

LCDR Joe Gomez, NC, USN

New accessions, ENS, LTJG

[email protected]

Com: (901) 874-4041

DSN: 882-4041

If you are currently in a recruiting billet, please contact LCDR Gomez prior to contacting your assigned detailer to negotiate orders.

For recruiting duty orders, please contact your assigned detailer.

Hi Aaron!

I'm in the NCP program too and am also graduating in May! I listed Bethesda and San Diego as my first and second choices but unfortunately LCDR Gomez told me those were all filled up. I got my third choice at Camp Lejeune. I'm really excited but so nervous! Where are you thinking about requesting since the Big Three are all booked up?

-Alex

I am also in the NCP. I graduate april 28th. I will be stationed in Jacksonville. I hope it's not as bad as what I have read on some of the earlier posts. I asked for Jackonsonville after I found out san diego was full.

I will be going to NH Pensacola after graduating ODS. White sand and clear water! :)

Have any of you been told what the training is like for new grads at the smaller hospitals?

Specializes in LTC & Med-Surg, L&D, Pre-Op Clinic.

How is NAS Jax? My hubby will be stationed in Jax, and if I'm accepted to the corps, I'll be attempting co-location there...

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

I'm not sure how it is in Pensacola, but just a heads up that new navy nurses at Portsmouth are not allowed to go to ER or any of the ICUs for their first assignment. I have a friend from ODS that had 10 years as an ICU nurse with full certifications that had his orders written for critical care and that's it. I'm working in the PCU, progressive care unit which the order is: ICU/Stepdown, PCU, Med-Surg. I floated to stepdown this week which was awesome. Keep you head up and know that you can get to critical care it just might take a year first. Again, things may be different in Pensacola. Good luck! Go Navy!

Hi Sw88tpea,

I am doing ODS in Sept and reporting to Portsmouth in October. I am a new graduate so I would expect not to get in the ED or ICU, but I am hoping within 1-2 years I can get into an ICU. I've worked in a big city hospital on a Step-down Telemetry floor as a Tech working primarily with oncology patients with heart conditions, some GI, some pulmonary, surgical and psych. Would it be of benefit to tell someone that? It's been a great learning experience, but I am excited to see what navy medicine is all about!

I went down twice to Portsmouth since I received my orders to NMCP. The area seems nice, but a whole lot different than what I am used to in Philadelphia. I noticed traffic sucks on the downtown tunnel so I am getting the hint that I should live in Portsmouth at least for the 1st year so I am not late for work. I am thinking about getting an apartment at the myrtles. I would really like a roommate since I am new to the area and to bank a little extra on the BAH, but I absolutely don't know anyone! My recruiter said it is a good possibility of meeting someone in ODS, but I don't know if I should rely on that. Do you have any recommendations?

Also, do you like the hospital? Do you have any recommendations on how to be successful? What is the 3-month internship like?

+ Add a Comment