New to Navy, ODS, Portsmouth-need any help?

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Hi there,

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.

Anyone headed to ODS in March?

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Specializes in Cardiovascular.
Feel free to let me know if you have questions about Navy nursing.

I was trying to PM you but it isn't letting me. My kit will be reviewed in the February board for ICU. If selected, when would I find out my first duty station prior to being sworn in? I am hoping for Portsmouth, do you know the chances of getting orders there? How long does it take from getting selected to going to ODS? Any other information such as: the hardest thing from being a civilian to officer, how does selection for deployment work, and how does the sign on incentive work?

Thank you,

Kim

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Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

I'll get on it!

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sweetpea,

How much do you get hourly or annually as a nurse in the navy? How's the patient load and acuity?

If you have a wife, can you bring her later on when you're done with the ODS and stationed at your place of duty? How hard is it? Is it expensive?

How much money do you spend at ODS and do you get reimbursed for most of it?

You mentioned, Navy pay you for 10 hotel days, why do you need to stay at a hotel? Aren't you going to be on base?

thanks !!!

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[COLOR=#003366]Sw88tpea,

is your date of rank based on your graduation date from your BSN program?

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I just called my recruiter here in cali and they said the navy don't accept online RN-BSN programs even if it's accredited

I'm devastated now

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indigo622,

I'm headed to ODS in March! Where will you be stationed?

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Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

Nurseadam,

Pay is salary based on 'time in' and rank.

Patient load and acuity on the shore is generally less than that of the civilian sector because the military, in general, is a healthier population. Also, few Navy hospitals are trauma hospitals.

Married folk can certainly join the Navy, knowing there will be times when they will be separated. There is a wealth of information about this online.

The bulk of money spent at ODS is on uniforms which you do not get reimbursed for. $2-3K. You receive money for food. No other expenses than that and you are receiving a paycheck.

Officers rarely live on base and use 'possible hotel days' when transitioning into off-base housing.

SECOND POST:

"I just called my recruiter here in cali and they said the navy don't accept online RN-BSN programs even if it's accredited"

Dear Nurseadam, the Navy will only take BSN, RN from an accredited school by the AACN. 'Accredited' is a loose term with the wide variety of nursing schools and especially online programs. The Navy and military is specifically looking for those on the list from this website:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Find Accredited Programs

For example, there are only four schools in Oregon where you can obtain a true accredited BSN, RN.

Another reminder is that the Navy and military is vastly changing this year. Budget cuts are getting exponentially higher and they will be adding more and more ways to cut people from the application process (let alone from the Navy).

The main point I would take away is to always be building your resume, always assuming that something amazing is going to find you and your 'application package' needs to be good to go. Nursing is extremely vast and growing. I hope you seek out ways to fulfill the dreams that motivate you towards the military. Keep working hard!

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Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.
[COLOR=#003366]Sw88tpea,

is your date of rank based on your graduation date from your BSN program?

Date of rank is based on years you have worked full time as an RN, BSN only. Civilian time gets cut in half usually to add on to military time. For example, if you are a new grad with no experience, you will be an O-1 (Ensign). If you are an RN, BSN with 4 years of RN, BSN full time work, then you may have the opportunity to have your date of rank 'backdated' so you would come in as an O-2 (LtJG).

However, many nurses get confused when they have been an RN, ADN. No time as an associate degree nurse will count towards rank. It has more to do with the commission than the nursing and the idea of being a Naval Officer (which requires a 4 year accredited degree Navy-wide).

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Officers rarely live on base and use 'possible hotel days' when transitioning into off-base housing.

Not a true statement at all duty stations. Plenty of officers live on base at places other than Portsmouth.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular.

Does anyone know the navy incentive amount ICU nurses? I think it's 20k for a 3 yr agreement and 30k for a 4 yr agreement.

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Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

#newnavynurse You're right! I apologize, I am speaking regarding my own experience in Portsmouth, VA. I appreciate your input.

#staugnurse The incentive can change. My agreement was 20K for 3yr however, with the recent changes in budget they may very well change the options. When I was coming in I believe it was 30K for 4 yrs.

Anyone else have some input?

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