Graduate School & Navy Nursing

Specialties Government

Published

Hello Everyone!

My husband is an RN (ICU/ER) that is interested in joining the Navy. He has been talking about it for the last few years & I think it is a battle I'm not going to win ;) (I am not against the military but I am nervous/scared like I'm sure most wives are!). He was previously in the Navy (6yrs) after HS and really misses it. We have been trying to get ahold of an officer recruiter for the past month, but unfortunately no emails or phone calls have been returned!

Here is my question for all of you though - My husband is also wanting to return to school soon to receive his MSN. He would rather do the schooling sooner rather than later so that he will not have to repeat certain classes that have a 5yr time limit on them. I know that the military encourages advanced education but would he be able to join & spend his first 2 years in school before being sent out on duty? Does this depend on what type of MSN he was going for? He is planning on going to school for his MSN in Disaster Management & Response.....would this be something the Military would use? It sounds like it...but you never know! He would hate to spend a few years working hard for his degree & still be stuck as a bedside ICU RN (I know nothing is "for sure" in the military but how likely would this be?)

It says on the Navy Nursing website that if you sign for 5yrs that you can receive a 20K sign-on plus up to 40K in tuition reimbursement (DH has 35K in student loans) - is that really the case?! If he were to resign DH plans on staying the 14yrs needed to be "career".

Any information that you guys could give us (including things to ask the recruiter....if we ever find one) would be great! I have been searching the boards but haven't found too much information about Navy nurses for those that are already practicing RNs!

THANK YOU!

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