Physical requirements to be a Navy nurse

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I just read something on the requirements for a recruit who joins the military as far as the physical requirements go. I was wondering what they are for nurses because I'm not sure if the requirements for the soldiers are the same for the nurses in the Navy. If the requirements are different (I read the soldiers have to do a tredmill test and I hope that doesn't have to be for Navy nurses), please tell me. Thank you!

Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

You need to have all the basic childhood immunizations. Anything you don't have, but need you will get in OIS, TRUST ME!!! My arms hurt for a few days after that, thank god for PT to work it out.

"Needle aren't your thing"? You're going to be a nurse, right? Start liking needles or is it you can put them into others, just don't like them in you? get a tatoo, that'll get you over that phobia.

LCDR(s) Dan

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
You need to have all the basic childhood immunizations. Anything you don't have, but need you will get in OIS, TRUST ME!!! My arms hurt for a few days after that, thank god for PT to work it out.

"Needle aren't your thing"? You're going to be a nurse, right? Start liking needles or is it you can put them into others, just don't like them in you? get a tatoo, that'll get you over that phobia.

LCDR(s) Dan

Hello,

Hey I totally overlooked the "needles aren't my thing".

to the OP:

Well, one thing is that you will be able to truly empathize with your patients who share your feelings.

However, you will have to brace yourself for the yearly TB skin tests, the yearly flue vaccines and then whenever you will need blood draws for proof of immunity.

I generally don't mind needles but, when I had my phlebotomy class it started to wear on my nerves. For twice a week for five months we had to let two classmates draw our blood as our pre-clinical practice!

Yes, by the end of it there were classmates I made sure not to be near when choosing partners! To this day I worry that I have unecessary scars. :)

You should be fine!

Gen

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Someone recently told me that their son had to get both Smallpox and Anthrax. I do not know though if those are required.

Good luck!

Gen

This should come into play with certain deployment locations, not for initial entry.

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

Also, you'll have more blood drawn at OIS regardless of the last time you had blood work done.

I also had to have a yellow fever vac.

You don't have to have the smallpox or anthrax until deployment.

And if you don't have documentation with you the day they do the vac. at OIS you'll get everything all over again. Trust me....it happened to me. But its now big deal; I just have really good titers now.

ens pm

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
This should come into play with certain deployment locations, not for initial entry.

Thank you,

That makes sense.

Gen

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Also, you'll have more blood drawn at OIS regardless of the last time you had blood work done.

I also had to have a yellow fever vac.

You don't have to have the smallpox or anthrax until deployment.

And if you don't have documentation with you the day they do the vac. at OIS you'll get everything all over again. Trust me....it happened to me. But its now big deal; I just have really good titers now.

ens pm

Aha, thank you Navynurse,

I won't sweat having current titers then.

Wait! I misread...I will indeed bring copies of ALL my titers and bloodraws!

By the way, my MMR titer is REAL good, (I ended up getting immunized last spring -WHILE I was currently innoculated NATURALLY with the mumps!) Yeah, that was not a fun month following. ;)

I could do without getting any other MMRs for a good lone while-mentally, (do they check your immunitiy first ever?) I caught the ckn pox at age 26 or 27 too.

Yet, I realize that if we have good health and get anohter inoculation, then...we just get another vax.

Gen

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Soo..I am applying for the nurse candidate program in the Navy and have several Q's about OIS.(That's why I googled and got this great website!) You all seem very knowledgable!! Well... I have told people about my plans for the Navy and of course all hear are horror stories about someones cousin or friend who went through the officer training!! From what they tell me it sounds awfull!! Running all the time, even on an injury and feeling hungry all the time!! Do they feed peopel adequetly there??? The lady that told me about this, her cousin had training in Pensecola (sp) Fl... is the training in Rhode Island different. Ohh... and how many miles do they make you run??? I appoligize for all the questions... I just get these horrible thoughts in my head the scare me and me apprehensive!! Hopefully someone can get my thoughts on the right path. Thanks!

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
From what they tell me it sounds awfull!! Running all the time, even on an injury and feeling hungry all the time!! Do they feed peopel adequetly there??? ... Thanks!

Hello!

Welcome to allnurses.

I have heard that Officer training for "combat" officers is different from Medical officer basic course.

Possibly your friends are not talking about medical officer training.

I have read at an online military forum website very similar words about being in the field all the time and running and loosing LOADS of weight...that isn't Medical officer, more like combat.

Welcome.

Gen

p.s. not yet to Officer Basic course for the Army nurse corps but, I am have read at the 187th website that pt is three days a week and that the field training exercise is three weeks long but, I think we will receive adequate food.

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Thanks for the info!

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Specializes in Ortho/Neurosurgical.

Hi,

I am just in the beginning of my ADN program. I am turning 30 this year. I currently have a second bachelor's degree. With that being said, for the security of my family and bettering of myself I am considering going into the nurse corp after I finish my BSN. I have committed to a hospital for 2 years, but I know this will only help me in the long run, so ultimately, I would be 34 when applying. Are the officer candidate reviews annually or every 6 mos? Also, I had financial trouble in my early 20's do you think that will hold me back? I appreciate all the assistance.

Heather

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

Ok...OIS been there done that! The training in FL is OCS, which is very different from OIS. At OIS everyone already has been commissioned; at OCS you get your commission after you complete OCS. So to answer your questions: You get three squares a day, so you will be feed. Food isn't allowed in the dorms, and you aren't allowed coffee, caffiene, or any other kind of junk food. You WILL pt every day; so there is alot of physical activity. And you will get yelled at! However, its only 5 wks, and they go by very fast. Plus you will come back with some good stories. Its good character building, as well.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
... So to answer your questions: You get three squares a day, so you will be feed. Food isn't allowed in the dorms, and you aren't allowed coffee, caffiene, or any other kind of junk food. You WILL pt every day; so there is alot of physical activity. And you will get yelled at! However, its only 5 wks, and they go by very fast. Plus you will come back with some good stories. Its good character building, as well.

No coffee?

Hmm, never thought to ask if coffee was a banned substance at Army OBC. However there is a difference in that the Army OBC dorms are so full that they have a note posted on their site that we must secure our own hotel off base and bring our car or rent one in order to attend OBC. We are also advised to bring our own laptops, (so many in use I imagine). Now, if we are staying at our own lodging, then how can they "ban" any food or coffee? However for the three weeks field training I better anticipate NO coffee. :smilecoffeecup: Five weeks is fast. I read that OBC has condensed to less than the three months it was but, it isn't down to five weeks.

Good luck!

Gen

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