NCP only covers half tuition at 2nd degree BSN programs

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2009

Dino,

Have you done any homework?

The navy nurse candidate program is straight forward - 10k bonus + 1k monthly stipend. This is freely available info. If you choose an expensive BSN program then that is your choice... if its not financially worth it - then you as the individual can determine that and it has nothing to do with the navy, army, or civilian employer. That is your choice. The reality is that nurses are far easier to recruit then the other health care professionals - regardless of the reason or rational that is the bottom line.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Pages/NurseCandidateProgram_Prospective.aspx

Dino · Feb 17, 2009

This sounds like a response from a recruiter. Thanks for the reply. I actually did not chose a more expensive program in my area. That is the cost including living expenses for between a year and year and a half schooling. Minus living expenses tuition, books, PDA, fees etc... tuition will fall around the 35,000 mark for most accelerated 2nd degree BSN programs. There may be cheaper, but not by much when all is factored in. Second degree nursing programs are not cheap. I don't understand why the military won't accept a regular RN without the BSN. There is no difference in clinical skills. And like civilian, all one has to do is take some non relevant credits to get the BSN while working as a nurse in the military. I would love to make the military a career move, but I am looking at 50,000 vs only 7,000 for my RN at a local community college that has a good program. Problem is military won't accept it. Doesn't make sense seeing I have graduate level work in the sciences far beyond undergraduate nursing already. All I need are the clinical skills to become a nurse.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2009

Take the route to get your 7k adn, then attend an online RN to BSN program (some hospitals offer it p/t and free on site) while you gain your first years of experience... either way cost is a good factor to keep track of and you will then decide what is 'worth it' to you.

best of luck,

rockytopRN2b · Apr 25, 2009

The Navy won't accept an ADN-RN because Navy nurses are officers. ALL officers (regardless of occupational specialty) are required to have at least a bachelors degree. It's not a statement on the clinical preparedness of an ADN versus BSN, but just a requirement of being a military officer.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2009

Correct that all naval officers have at least a bachelors - but all nurses have to have a BSN.... so yes it is BSN specific. You are unable to be a nurse in the navy with an ADN and a non-nursing BSN/BA.... same with AF and Army - alibi is Army reserve accepts a given number of ADN nurses but cannot be promoted past 03.

rockytopRN2b · Apr 26, 2009

Correct that all naval officers have at least a bachelors - but all nurses have to have a BSN.... so yes it is BSN specific. You are unable to be a nurse in the navy with an ADN and a non-nursing BSN/BA.... same with AF and Army - alibi is Army reserve accepts a given number of ADN nurses but cannot be promoted past 03.

Thank you for the clarification. I was taking for granted we were comparing a BSN verus ADN, but yes, you specifically have to have a bachelors in nursing versus a bachelors in another discipline.

I guess the point I was trying to make though, was that a bachelors degree is the general standard for being an officer. Even though the Army Reserve allows a limited number of ADN's, as you pointed out, they are limited in progression until they complete the BSN. It is the exception rather than the rule.

The OP remarked about ADN nurses being as clinically competent as those who are BSN prepared and wondered why the requirement existed. I was just trying to clarify that the requirement for a bachelors degree is just a standard that officers are held by, and not an implication that the ADN nurse is less clinically competent. But you're right that as a military occupational specialty, nursing is unique in requiring a bachelors degree specific to the field. :up:

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2009

This begs the question, if the general standard of entry in every branch is a BS / BA except nursing... despite if you are already a registered nurse via ADN route with an additional non-nursing Bachelors, then yes there seems to be a specific area of competence that the military believes is present vs not having a BSN based on the military's criteria of acceptance...

rockytopRN2b · Apr 26, 2009

This begs the question, if the general standard of entry in every branch is a BS / BA except nursing... despite if you are already a registered nurse via ADN route with an additional non-nursing Bachelors, then yes there seems to be a specific area of competence that the military believes is present vs not having a BSN based on the military's criteria of acceptance...

Yes...you're absolutely right. I acquiesced the point about the BSN specificity. :) :) The main point I was getting at from the start is that it's standard procedure to require a bachelors degree in order to become an officer. I just noticed, however, that the OP is in a second degree program and already has an existing bachelors degree, so I think that makes my point moot in this circumstance anyway. Oh well. Forget I said anything. :)

PrynsezNing · May 14, 2009

Take the route to get your 7k adn, then attend an online RN to BSN program (some hospitals offer it p/t and free on site) while you gain your first years of experience... either way cost is a good factor to keep track of and you will then decide what is 'worth it' to you.
best of luck,

I have a questions about this. Are you able to do the first year experience as a civilian nurse while you are in the NCP program? I'm currently in an ADN program and will finish up next May and will be able to take boards. I will still have a year left to get my bachelors. Im interested in the NCP program.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · May 15, 2009

I am almost finished with my app. for NCP, however, I had to meet with the advisor for the 2nd degree BSN program I will be attending and the total cost for a year and a half schooling will be over 50,000 dollars, this includes books, PDA's estimated fuel costs driving to hospitals etc... Why does the NCP program not cover full tuition as do other scholarship programs such as for medical students, pharmacists etc...? ALthough the BSN is not a doctorate degree, tuition is still just as high per year, you just do not go as long to school. In a year and a half time I will not even be able to take full advantage of the 24 months of payments that the NCP offers. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am still looking at 20+ thousand in loans over what the NCP offers, yet I still have the same commitment as a doctor or pharmacist that had full tuition paid for. This leads to a second question, knowing I still have some old loans from graduate school in my first career of approx. 18,000, will I be upside down on a military salary with a new addition of loans that the NCP won't cover? Thanks for replies.

Where are you coming up with these numbers? Is it a private or state school? How much is it a credit hour & how many classes/credit hours do you need? How many miles do you have to drive to the school & hospital over the time you are in school?