I've been a nurse since 2010 and graduated from University of Portland, Oregon. I worked in mental health and with the red cross for a year before applying for the Navy. 13 mos later I found myself at Officer Development School and graduated this February. I'm stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth now and living in Norfolk. I wanted to offer myself as a resource to any of these topics since I felt like I was at a loss for information prior to coming in. Feel free to ask anything about the nursing, the Navy, the application process, duty stations, ODS, Norfolk, etc. Good luck to you and thank you for considering service in the US military.
Hi there! The sock bun is the way to go! If your hair is long enough to be put up in a bun DO NOT cut it. If cannot be put in a bun, I would trim it so it won't touch your uniform after 6 weeks of growth. Otherwise you'll have to go to the barber-not recommended.
I'm not sure what the process is if you do not pass. They may push back your ODS date or have you go to training without it and then work on it. Not recommended. Pass the test.
The most we ran at training was 3 miles. We did not run everyday. ODS in February (same time I went) limits your running opportunities because of the snow, ice, etc. You will need to run the PRT I believe 3 times, 1.5 miles. Most of training at ODS is about following instruction and not necessarily fitness or pushing yourself.
Hope that helps! I'll be leaving NMCP in March so I think we'll just miss each other! 3 years goes by quick!
I can answer one question, having just gone through the process myself. When it was time for me to talk with my detailer and get my orders it went like this:
I called him and sent him emails for a week
He finally called back, he's a very busy man, super nice though
When he called me, he was pulling up my duty preference sheet and I had listed 1. San Diego, 2. Portsmouth and 3. Bethesda, he said the only openings he had were in Portsmouth but if I was interested in staying on the West coast, he had Camp Pendleton available. He could only send me where there were openings, but was pretty flexible about where I could go. I chose Camp Pendleton and will be going to ODS this summer!
Hope that helps!
Hey there! I tried sending a PM regarding Camp Pen but I'm not sure it went through so I'll try you here. Like you, my first choice is San Diego but I've heard it's packed so I don't have a great chance. How was CP? What unit were you assigned to? Were there opportunities to change units? What was your experience overall? Thanks so much!
Hey guys! I am going to ODS next month and am headed to Bethesda/WRNMMC shortly after. (So excited! :) )
I have kind of a random question for any Navy nurses who might be able to answer. I am replacing my old cheapo nursing school stethoscope, and I was wondering if there is any sort of uniform standard for stethoscopes. I am looking at getting the Littman Cardiology III, and I really like the raspberry and ceil blue colors. With the Navy uniform, are we allowed / would it be appropriate to have a colored stethoscope? Or would it be better to get a boring, plain black one?
Sorry if this is too silly of a question! I just don't want to get in trouble on my first day for something so frivolous!
I believe I replied incorrectly...didn't add the quote. I was asking you Sw88tpea about where you are planning to go when you extend. I have thought of another question for you since yesterday. Could a new ODS grad be stationed in Guam for a first assignment?
Sw88tpea, BSN
155 Posts
Hi there! The sock bun is the way to go! If your hair is long enough to be put up in a bun DO NOT cut it. If cannot be put in a bun, I would trim it so it won't touch your uniform after 6 weeks of growth. Otherwise you'll have to go to the barber-not recommended.
I'm not sure what the process is if you do not pass. They may push back your ODS date or have you go to training without it and then work on it. Not recommended. Pass the test.
Nurses do not attend OCS (its a 12 week program/try out for 'line' officers). You will attend 6 week ODS Officer Training Command, Home of Navy OCS - Officer Development School (ODS) with RNs, PAs, MDs, lawyers, chaplains, nuclear instructors, and other specialties that are 'staff' officers.
The most we ran at training was 3 miles. We did not run everyday. ODS in February (same time I went) limits your running opportunities because of the snow, ice, etc. You will need to run the PRT I believe 3 times, 1.5 miles. Most of training at ODS is about following instruction and not necessarily fitness or pushing yourself.
Hope that helps! I'll be leaving NMCP in March so I think we'll just miss each other! 3 years goes by quick!