Not sure NROTC program is for me. Any advice please?

NavyCheerGirl · Jan 17, 2006

I'm actually going for my BSN first. I know this will sound strange, but I found that dating three guys from the Army enabled me to want to go into the military for nursing. And I've asked a ton of nurses in the Navy so I know I can help you.

As far as NROTC, you're better off going to college first. That's what a lot of Navy nurses have told me, since you will get paid more as an officer and because you have more of a background necessary. The NROTC won't teach you anatomy and physiology, possibly chemistry, and the other things that civilian nurses know. Trust me, you're better off going through college first. The scholarships are one way to pay for college, but you need to give extensive time, about four to six years. You can check on that. Also, if you need to check for more information, I suggest you go onto this website. Look under a search engine for "Navy Nurse Corps Association" and there will be a forum you can check out. Otherwise, if you need anymore help, you can ask me. I hope this helped!

NavyCheerGirl · Jan 17, 2006

This is the first time I have posted. There is a wealth of information on this board, and I am hoping that some of you may give me some advice or information. I'm sorry if this sounds kind of rambling, but I'm very confused about my career options right now.
I am a freshman student in a NROTC Nurse Candidate Program. Although my grandfather served in the Navy in WWII and my uncle is a retired Naval Academy graduate, I have never experienced what military life is like or even been on a base. When I applied for the program I spoke with an officer recruiter. I thought I was going in just to get some information, but he conducted the formal interview right then and there. He told me at the time of the interview that I probably had the scholarship because my grades were good, I had attended a high school with a medical academy program and had two years of "internship" experience at a large metropolitan medical center. I feel very honored to receive this scholarship and know that I want to be a nurse, but am now undecided if the military life is what I want. I feel guilty because I know there are some scholarship option guys in our unit who would love to have this fantastic opportunity. When I asked my uncle about the Navy nursing program before accepting the scholarship, he just said that I needed to know that the Navy will train me first as an officer, and then as a nurse. I'm starting to see what he means now.
PT has been a struggle and I dread it every time. I've been working out with a trainer to develop my upper body strength for push-ups and going to remedial PT. I can do the runs but I am usually one of the last. I could easily swim my time, but that is not an option. I know that I will eventually pass my PRT, but I'm not there, yet. I haven't been yelled at any more than anyone else because they know I'm trying and don't complain. Gotta confess that I don't like drill at all. Part of the problem is that I think I'm just tired. I also work a part time job. My unit is at a university about 10 miles away from my college and I'm spending most of my stipend in gas driving back and forth, sometimes three times a day (the recruiter never mentioned the mandatory study hall 5X a week for the first semester ). I know after next year when I'm in nursing school, a lot of this won't be a factor, but I just don't know if I will make it that long and I have only this year to decide without obligation. As I type this, I don't mean it to sound like a pity party. I'm not afraid of hard work. My parents have had tough financial problems and I worked two part time jobs in high school. I'm afraid this is the chance of a lifetime and if I give it up I'll be sorry. Then I think I could be obligated to a life that I'm not sure would be right for me. These are the questions I have:
1. I never have talked to a Navy nurse. What is a typical day like? How many shifts per month?
2. Do you feel like you are military 24/7? When you go home, can you leave the job at work?
3. What are the things you like about being a Navy nurse?
4. Can anyone who has been through the program tell me about their summer training?
5. Are you usually assigned to a med-surg floor for the first two years?
There are only a couple of other women in our unit who are nurse option. They are both in nursing school now. One has become a good friend and says to stay with it. She transferred in and says our unit doesn't have the camaraderie of her former unit. Maybe that's why I'm so uncertain.
I know the decision is mine alone to make, but I would greatly appreciate any advice or comments. Thank you!

Also, if you read my last post, I forgot to add something. Should you chose to be a nursing student first, you will enter the OIF for five weeks. It will teach you a variety of things, from Naval history to ethics and law. It's a wise decision because being a nursing student will give you more extensive knowledge. You probably know that you will be able to stay in the US for hospitals because you will be an officer.

My reasons for joining are because of the soldiers. I was sad to hear that a lot of men and women were dying for me and I feel I owe them something for their honorable efforts. I feel that being able to help the wounded soldiers piece their dreams together and I will get something out of helping them feel better. I hope one day I find a Naval officer and marry him and help him make his dreams come true. Among other things, I will be able to see the world and the money is good, but the money is not a huge motivational factor. Just being a nurse and helping the soldiers is motivation enough for me. Good luck!

CB123 · Jan 17, 2006

Thank you so much for replying. The Navy will be lucky to get you. You sound so committed and caring!! :saint:

I am actually in a 4 year program for a BSN so I will get all the prerequisites that a civilian nurse would get. It's two years of pre-nursing and a little over 2 years of nursing school to get in all the college requirements and Navy requirements. I will be commissioned as an Ensign when I finish. The Navy pays most of my expenses except room and board plus a $250 month stipend. I can't believe how much I've paid for gas going back and forth to the university where my unit is. I'm up at 4:30 to drive over for PT/drill, back to my home campus for class, back to the unit for naval science course (1 a semester for 4 semesters). Back to home campus and then back to the unit for 3 hours at night five nights a week for mandatory study hall. Thank goodness my grades are good and that's over now. I'm questioning my motives for getting in (pay for education) when a lot of the guys are so gung ho military. I'm feeling guilty that if I do drop out I took up a place someone else could have had and I feel unpatriotic.

I wish I had known when I talked to the officer recruitor to ask to visit a base and see what Navy nursing was like. Initially, I liked the idea of travel--thought it would be an incentive to try new places, otherwise I would probably stay in this area because there are many great hospitals. I was OK with probably doing med-surg for a couple of years to develop my skills. My high school senior year "internship" was in NICU which I loved, but the nurses there said to develop the basic skills first. Now after reading postings here I'm worried about someday getting married and having a family, and being stuck in assignments I may not like. My committment will be 4 years active and 4 years call up. Seems like a lot but then they are giving me a lot.

I am going to check the other forum you mentioned and hopefully, someone here or there can give me an idea of what to expect.

Best of luck to you and THANK YOU for your concern!!

NavyCheerGirl · Jan 17, 2006

Just in case, I can leave you with some websites to check out when you have the chance. I used them to look up all the information I need so I hope this works for you, too. The sources are very reliable, although I often visit an NROTC at a school near mine. Anyhow, you might want to check the sources to the recruiter. I don't think I'd get in trouble for posting websites, would I? Or was that something else?

http://www.npc.navy.mil/Audiences/ForOfficers/

http://nhcne.med.navy.mil/index.asp

http://www.navy-la.com/nurses.html

http://www.navalreserve.com/opportunities_officer_healthcare_nc.aspx

http://www.navy.com/careers/officer/healthcare/nursing/

That should do it for now. Again, if you have anymore questions, feel free to ask :)

BBingSN79 · Jan 17, 2006

Well every Navy nurse I talked to has spent a lot of time on a ship. Definitely not my bag. I'm going for the Air Force Nursing corp once I get my bachelors if I decide on military nursing. Either that or Army. No way I could spend 6 mos on a ship. The military is not for everyone. Even as an officer you'll have to do PT. Just remember if you can make it through what you're going through now everything else will be downhill. I'd say hang in there. Every military nurse I've talked to regardless of the branch loves it.

CB123 · Jan 18, 2006

Thanks again! My academic advisor got permission from a former NROTC nursing student for me to email her. She went through the same unit, and knows the personalities involved. She replied, sent me her phone number and said she would be happy to talk to me. it will be nice to talk to someone who has gone through the progrram here and see what she thinks about it all now. I appreciate all your help here!