Navy Officer Nurse Corp

lubdubRN · Jan 15, 2009

Hey guys,

Thanks for the encouragement:rcgtku:. March will probably be warmer. I talked with my recruiter today she admitted she just plain ol' forgot about the form. :eek: so I believe that things will work out how they are supposed to as well. Sassy maybe we will be there together...and second week in Feb is not so bad. I will keep you all posted...What is your duty station choice Sassysailor??

Jordaa thanks for offering your help...It so appreciated!!

Ciao for now

sassysoldier · Jan 16, 2009

I put down NAS Jacksonville or NAS Pensacola as my duty choices. What about your choices. I'll keep you updated too. Its good to know someone before you get there.

lubdubRN · Jan 17, 2009

I put down Portsmouth Naval Hosp, VA as my first North Carolina, and then Bethesda. I will definitely keep you posted. I agree it is good to know someone.

jamesday · Jan 18, 2009

how hard is it to get a BSN on active duty? I am enlisted in the Marines and would like to earn a commission in the Navy.I plan on going to a non deploying unit for my second enlistment and will start working towards my BSN later this year. Does prior military experience such as combat deployments and conduct help with getting a commission and earning promotions? What does my GPA have to be to be considered for the job? How hard would it be to get commissioned? Thanks

Jordan

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

Jordan,

I can give a perspective from Army experience as many things will be in common - but navy will be a bit different.

While enlisted I would say it is virtually impossible to attain a BSN. This is due to the time constraints that clinicals and class will require and limited flexibility to you while working full time as a marine. The Army did have programs that enabled Soldiers to apply to enter a BSN program and then attend school full time and then graduate with a BSN and obtain a commission. So I recommend seeing if any programs are available within the Navy that enable Marines to apply to - think of it as an active duty scholarship.

Prior exp does not necessarily count towards gaining a commission or promotions. The commissioning process first requires a degree and how you commission determines what makes you competitive ie rotc, OCS, service academy etc. Prior service is certainly a plus and will be helpful - but is only an aspect of making you competitive. I would talk to your PL and see what opportunities might be present within the Navy or Marine Corp to move you from enlisted to officer - if that is your goal... If your goal is to become a nurse I recommend you look at some longer term options as well. For ex, upon completion of service use your GI bill to attend and obtain your BSN.... currently that would enable you to start working on some basic pre-reqs.

If you are currently working in a health care specialty within the Marine Corp that could be beneficial.... if you are around any Navy Nurses I would talk to them and get a list of aviable routes that you can take to achieve your goal - and rank your goal as what is more important.. becoming an officer or becoming a nurse with the goal of becoming an officer as well.

best of luck, feel free to provide some feedback and look forward to hearing more,

v/r

Here are two links of routes to become a navy nurse as a either a navy nurse candidate or via a direct commission.

http://www.waynesdyno.net/NCP.html

http://www.waynesdyno.net/NCDA.html

lubdubRN · Jan 18, 2009

I think Just Cause just put it all in a nutshell, and would concur that it would be impossible to get your BSN while enlisted unless you apply to a program that would allow you to focus on your degree with the desired end of becoming an officer. There are some available to help.

Best of luck to you.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

Hi-

I was hoping someone on this thread can answer a kind of vague question I have about kids in the Navy. I have already spoken with the nursing recruiter but I kind of wanted an honest opinion.

I have two kids and am divorced. My ex is okay with me leaving to join the Navy with the babies after I get my BSN but I wondered how difficult is it to negotiate life with kids in the Navy? I know its no kiss for christmas but is it practically impossible or doable if organized.

Can someone help me please?

Thanks

V

lubdubRN · Jan 25, 2009

I formerly was active duty Navy enlisted. At the time my kids were 5 and 6 years old. My kids remained with my parents during boot camp and subsequent training school, but when it was all over I wanted my children with me. There were a lot of people DISCOURAGING me to do so (how crazy is that) but my kids are MY kids. And yes I was afraid after all of that....(new state, new job new set of rules, new lifestyle) but it all worked out. The Navy is a different lifestyle, yes. But if you have a great support system and (not sure how old your kids are) but keep them in the loop and let them know what's coming down the line I think all will be well.....not easy all the time, but well. It is do-able... I saw many others including myself that made it work. My recruiter did tell me (for officer side) that you can negotiate with your detailer, but the bottom line is the "needs of the Navy"

hope this helps some

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

I formerly was active duty Navy enlisted. At the time my kids were 5 and 6 years old. My kids remained with my parents during boot camp and subsequent training school, but when it was all over I wanted my children with me. There were a lot of people DISCOURAGING me to do so (how crazy is that) but my kids are MY kids. And yes I was afraid after all of that....(new state, new job new set of rules, new lifestyle) but it all worked out. The Navy is a different lifestyle, yes. But if you have a great support system and (not sure how old your kids are) but keep them in the loop and let them know what's coming down the line I think all will be well.....not easy all the time, but well. It is do-able... I saw many others including myself that made it work. My recruiter did tell me (for officer side) that you can negotiate with your detailer, but the bottom line is the "needs of the Navy"
hope this helps some

If I did join, my daughter would be five and my son would 10. I have a not so great support system but my ex would take them for ODS.

What do you mean about the detailer? What should I negotiate? I don't care about where I go just that the kids and I have housing and that we are together.

Thank you so much for your help.

sassysoldier · Jan 26, 2009

i don't know if i put this on another post or this one b4 so excuse me if this is a repeat. My recruiter is a single mom who has two sons. She is a recruiter and takes care of her boys. She manages and says she has thinks its easier because she has the support of the activities and people on base rather than in civilian world. I am currently in a blended family I have a son from a previous relationship and so does dh. However my son is currently with my mom until I get out of ODS and get settled at my duty station. Then I will be doing everything with him until my husband finishes boot camp, Aschool etc.

I look at it like this for single and married woman in the navy. 1/2 of the wives on base who are married are doing everything when the men go out to sea or get deployed. You have to help and depend on each other.

There are plenty of woman out there single moms serving and making a better life for there children. Go for it!!!

lubdubRN · Jan 28, 2009

Your detailer is the person that arranges your orders to your duty stations. You can speak with your detailer to "negotiate" meaning for your particular job what locations is open that will still fulfill the navy needs and possibly close to yours.

jammies805 · Feb 9, 2009

I am about to graduate from a BSN program in May. I am very interested in the Navy, but I also have a serious boyfriend who will have to stay in Indiana for the duration of my time with the military. Is this doable? He is very supportive, telling me that I should do what I want and he will be behind me 100%. If I am stationed at Bethesda, it's a 10 hour drive. I am wondering if on weekends I could meet him half way? How often does on work weekends as a Naval Nurse? Any and all help/advise would be great. Thank you!