Navy Nurse Questions

My husband spent 4 years in the IRR. He was never called up. It was nothing at all. The reality is though you could be called up. It just depends on what is going on in the world.

Allison

Bela-

The whole "officer first, nurse second" thing is something that you hear from the "higherups." The notion is that you are to conduct yourself in an "officerly" (not a word) manner and that nursing is secondary to that. In actuality the two go hand in hand. Your job in the Navy is to oversee and supervise enlisted personnel that are caring for your patients. You are to mentor and educate them on how to care for patients, this would be the leadership/ officer part. However, you really can't do that without doing your nursing part, so the two are intertwined. Is is just a way that "some" leaders try to get you to remember that you are in the military. It's not a big deal. You do have some extra duties that are separate from nursing that you sometimes have to attend to in your off time, that's another officer part. All depends on where you are that dictates what you do. I have been a manpower officer, education and traiing officer, and Assistant DivO in my days in the Navy. Thoses were all extra duties aside from nursing.

LCDR(s) Dan

Alright so I finished my paperwork for the NCP and now my recruiter is taking me to San Diego to do the interview process of the application on May 30th. Im excited about it but also really nervous and I have already started stressing! What should I expect? Anything particular that I need to pack? Any advice?

Dress in a neutral/ professional manner and be yourself. Answer any questions honestly and be confident. The interview is no sweat, good luck.

LCDR(s) Dan

Amen to what LCDR Dan said. Also, the weather is kinda of crappy right now here is San Diego. We've been having a thick marine layer, so it has been cooler than usual for this time of year. So just make sure you back some long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts for you time in San Diego other than at the hosptial.
Also, while your are there for your interview they will have some nurses in there talking to your guys and than you will be able to ask them questions face to face (this has nothing to do with your interview). Then you will get the tour of the hospital.
Too bad I won't be there to meet you. I leave the day before (29th) for my deployment.
Good luck on your interview.
ENS PM

Alirhgt I am a little nervous because I have been told that the whole time I am there I will be watched and judged on my personality/manners/conduct. Do you guys think this is true? I have been also told that they will take us to the officer club to see how we conduct ourselves. What were your experiences like? I haven;t recieved the itinerary yet so I am curious to what we will be doing for three days.

Well I'm sure they are going to take in condsideration your manners and conduct while at the hospital. But we don't have an O Club at any of the navy bases in San Diego.
The only O Club that I know of is at the Marine base in Mira Mar. I highly doubt that they are going to take you to the O Club.

Never heard of the o-club thing. ENS PM isn't there one over on Point Loma? Used to be right where they docked the Mercy, things have changed. Anyway ASU, back to my original comment, be yourself. You're not in the Navy yet, so just act normal. If you have questions, ask them. Show interest in what is going on around you. As a naval officer there is a certain about of the "follow the leader" philosophy, but there is also some of the "why are we doing it this way" philosophy as well. A good naval officer knows when to question authority and when to go along with it. Just be yourself, answer questions honestly and you'll be fine. My interview consisited of going to lunch. Not sure who told you you were going to be scrutinized like that, but I think it will be better than you think. If you do go out to a club or for lunch for some reason, don't lose you mind and order shots for everyone. Just be reasonable.

LCDR(s) Dan