Navy Nurse Questions

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I'm sure this question has been asked more than once, so please bear with me. I've been sifting through all the information I can find, but I still don't quite understand...

I've just started toying with the idea of Navy Nursing. I graduate from a BSN program in December. But have very little knowledge about the military in general, less about the Navy specifically, and even less about Navy Nursing.

Specifically, I'm wondering about the following:

1.What are the requirements for being accepted?

2.What is the minimum length for which you can sign up?

3.After being accepted, what happens as far as training? (What kind, where do you go, how long etc)

4.After training, then what? What kind of setting do you start off in, how long will you be there, and do you get any real choice at this point in where you'll be?

5.What about deployments? How often and how long? Do deployments differ for nurses and if they do, how so?

6.What other things do I need to know but I don't know enough to know that I need to know them? :bugeyes:

Thank you so much for any insight. I'm planning on speaking with a recruiter soon, but I want to be a little more informed first. You know... wouldn't want to have “sucker” written on my forehead.

Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

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

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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.

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

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.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

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

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

LCDR Dan,

I don't know of any O Clubs at the Navy bases. There is a bar on North Island that a lot of the pilots go to but its not really on O Club like the one at RI.

I heard of my friends going to one at Mira Mar b/c there hasn't any down here. I could be wrong though; I don't go out that much.

ENS PM

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Specializes in Green.

My pile-o-paperwork was just submitted for the Nurse Candidate Program. How long did the people that got accepted wait until the got word? What did most people put for their duty choice order?

I did Bethesda, Portsmouth, San Diego... If I get in I will be going to OIS in January of 09. At least I don't have to go far (Newport is 12 miles away from me). All of the questions answered here helped me out a lot, so thank you for asking and answering.

I have one superficial question though... all of the information I have seen, and was given to by recruiters showed the navy nurses practicing in their tan uniforms.. when you are working the floors do you actually wear those? It doesn't look remotely close to as comfortable as wearing scrubs. It's not a deal breaker, it just seems kind of over zealous.

Thanks again,

CH

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I would like to know how long is the wait from the time the application process is completed until you receive the okay and school funds are generated.

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Specializes in Green.

Well I know the funds get dispersed directly to the candidate, and how you spend the stipend is your call. From what I gathered from my recruiter is 1) all the paperwork/physical get compiled by the Navy recruiting district 2) Then passed to processing 3) Sent to Nurse Corps selection board 4) If chosen by the Nurse Corps then sent to the medical review board 5) back to navy recruiting district 6) contract signed by candidate 7) Funds dispersed.

Recruiter says it is likely to be 4-6 wks. I'd like to see what people waited real world though.

CH

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Specializes in L& D, High Risk Antepartum.

My husband did NCP in March 2005 application was complete and sent to the board. He was approved in May 2005. The problem then was there no spots or money available until October. The start of the fiscal year.

ENS Allison

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Specializes in L& D, High Risk Antepartum.

OH forgot.... We wear scrubs to work to provide direct patient care. Color depends on hospital. In Bremerton the color was light blue. I am on my way to San Diego in August.

ENS Allison

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
My pile-o-paperwork was just submitted for the Nurse Candidate Program.

...I have one superficial question though... all of the information I have seen, and was given to by recruiters showed the navy nurses practicing in their tan uniforms.. when you are working the floors do you actually wear those? It doesn't look remotely close to as comfortable as wearing scrubs. It's not a deal breaker, it just seems kind of over zealous.

Thanks again,

CH

Hello CH and good luck,

I share your question but in reverse. Scrubs are terribly uncomfy to me at times and I'd really prefer to wear the Army ACUs but, with a scrub top on top! That would be perfectly comfy for me. :)

Wishing that we both get what is best for us.

Gen

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Mamma3munchkins, thanks for your quick response. I see you're an ENS, how long have you been in the Navy and what is your husband doing now? Has he gone to his first assignment?

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