Navy Nursing

Specialties Government

Published

Hello! I am looking for information on how to join the Navy as a nurse. I am currently in nursing school, graduating August 2018, and interested in getting into the navy while or right after I graduate. I have spoken to a medical recruiter awhile ago and they mentioned that, as a new grad, I would have to gain 1 year experience in a speciality, and then apply for a commission, alongside many other experienced nurses. Sounds very competitive. Im am also aware of the NCP program, but the recruiter I spoke to said, my program finishes way to early for the fiscal year (which idk what that "means"). However, one of my friends in the same program mentioned that she is doing her application for NCP right now, and she would have to continue finishing a minor once our program is finished. Can someone please clarify any information about the NCP and how it works? Like application period? Competitiveness? Or just a contact that can give me some good info!

Thank you so much for you help :)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I just wanted to give you kudos for your choice, had I known more about everything when I got into nursing I would have been a Navy Nurse. Your program is a BSN program correct? I considered doing the Navy Nurse reserves but wasn't feasible and I am close to the cutoff age. Anyway I wish you the best and salute you for your desire to be a Navy nurse!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Essentially, the new grad direct commissioning programs are set-up to accept people graduating in May. They only have one application cycle per year. You would have to wait around for almost a year before applying for the next cycle anyway. Rather than wait around for 9 months and apply in the new grad bucket, they want you to use that period of time to get civilian RN experience. It sounds competitive, but actually it's easier to get in as an experienced RN because there are typically more experienced RN slots available.

I would recommend talking with recruiters from other branches to put yourself in the best possible situation. It's actually to your advantage to apply with experience. If you join the military as a new grad, they force you to start in med-surg of OB/L&D. This way you can choose to start in OR, ER, or ICU right off the bat and join the military in that same role.

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Add Us Navy Nurse Candidate Program on facebook.

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