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.

I will look into the Chevy Chase area as I will also be taking the Metro to work. I'm not taking my car with me because I imagine trying to drive anywhere on the East coast is a nightmare...better off taking public transit or a cab. I also heard that Silver Springs is a nice area although I am not sure about the commute time.

I'm laughing about the fact that here I am, going to all sorts of trouble to get my car to ODS with me, and you are brave enough to go without one at all? Haha I deal with way more traffic than I would like, but even though I've been considering taking public transit after ODS, hadn't ever thought of going car-less...

Thank you for telling me about the culture of the units you have worked on. It's a relief that they are used to new faces and teaching new grads the ropes! I will also go out of my way to reach out to others and I'm glad you mentioned church because that's one of the places I figured would be pretty easy to meet good people and maybe even the gym.

Yes, I'm nervous about being the "new kid on the block" so to speak... so it's good to hear that having a new person on the unit is not unusual.

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Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

My friends in Bethesda have cars, but they do not use it to get to work, to the grocery store, to entertainment on weekends. It's more of a going out of town kind of thing.

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My friends in Bethesda have cars but they do not use it to get to work, to the grocery store, to entertainment on weekends. It's more of a going out of town kind of thing.[/quote']

Good to know; that will definitely be a big change from my current lifestyle! Guess I'll be spending less $$ on gas and more on public transit.

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I really want to try for Bethesda but after reading these, I'm worried it will be too much of a culture shock for me! I've never used any kind of public transit in my life! What is the cost? How long does it take to get into work from the outskirts?

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I really want to try for Bethesda but after reading these, I'm worried it will be too much of a culture shock for me! I've never used any kind of public transit in my life! What is the cost? How long does it take to get into work from the outskirts?

I think moving anywhere is a bit of a shock and takes time to adjust slc1984 :-). I'm also used to taking my car everywhere but the cost of maintaining a car as well as my unforgiving student loans will make taking public transit more appealing. I have heard from a friend of mine living in Maryland that it could take up to 1-2 hours to commute to Bethesda from the outskirts. I'm used to that travel time now in Chicago whether it's by car or train so I guess it'll be alright..just have to allow extra time to get there! :-)

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I'm leaving for ODS Saturday, anyone else in class 13060? Also I'm an NCP grad and I'm getting stationed at Camp Lejeune (was my top choice, definitely don't have to put big three for all three for duty preference.. I only had one of the big three listed and put it at the bottom).

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Specializes in military nursing.

Good luck to everyone at ODS. Enjoy your time there, it goes by quickly and you'll meet some wonderful Officers and co-workers for your career. I am currently stationed at WRNMMC Bethesda and live in the Chevy Chase Area so I can walk/bike/metro to base. Most apartment complexes have parking available. I rarely use my car in town, but it is nice to have when I'm leaving town to go visit friends in Portsmouth, go out hiking, or want to pick up something from IKEA. :) I would suggest finding a place to live where you can metro, since parking on base is horrible and will be for at least 2 more years as they are building more parking garages. Silver Spring isn't a bad area, it's where Walter Reed Army Medical Center was stationed, but to bus from there to Walter Reed Bethesda is a 30-45 minute commute. If you need help or have questions please feel free to PM me. The Navy pays your metro commute so you are not paying for that monthly expense. Also, it's extremely user friendly, and there are apps that show you exactly how to maneuver through the city. I'm from Seattle, so I was used to West Coast mentality. Be prepared for longer commute times and people cutting you off while you drive, but it's not that hard to learn to be a little more assertive, you'll be fine.

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Good luck to everyone at ODS. Enjoy your time there, it goes by quickly and you'll meet some wonderful Officers and co-workers for your career. I am currently stationed at WRNMMC Bethesda and live in the Chevy Chase Area so I can walk/bike/metro to base. Most apartment complexes have parking available. I rarely use my car in town, but it is nice to have when I'm leaving town to go visit friends in Portsmouth, go out hiking, or want to pick up something from IKEA. :) I would suggest finding a place to live where you can metro, since parking on base is horrible and will be for at least 2 more years as they are building more parking garages. Silver Spring isn't a bad area, it's where Walter Reed Army Medical Center was stationed, but to bus from there to Walter Reed Bethesda is a 30-45 minute commute. If you need help or have questions please feel free to PM me. The Navy pays your metro commute so you are not paying for that monthly expense. Also, it's extremely user friendly, and there are apps that show you exactly how to maneuver through the city. I'm from Seattle, so I was used to West Coast mentality. Be prepared for longer commute times and people cutting you off while you drive, but it's not that hard to learn to be a little more assertive, you'll be fine.

Thank you & Sw88tpea for all your guidance and willingness to help! I hope to see you in Bethesda one of these days :-).

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Hello everyone. I'm currently on active duty and just decided I'd like to apply for the MECP Program. Does anyone have any advice to offer or any sample packages I could look at? I'm in Norfolk, VA for at least the next year or so. I'm an air traffic controller been in the Navy for about 12 years. All information is appreciated. Thanks.

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Your hospital should have a representative that would be able to show and help you put your packet together.

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Just woundering if you could describe a typical day at ODS? And a typical day as a Navy Nurse? How many hours a week do you work? What type of unit are you working on?

Thank you so much. This message board has been very informative!

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Ods days are long. Not hard, just long. I work 84 hours ever 2 weeks on a 18 bed multi service ward.

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