Should I get my BSN before joining Navy Reserves?

Wanna-B-Nurse · May 8, 2011

i think it would depend on the age limit to enter the Navy... if you can join after getting your BSN you would join as an officer but it may be too late by then. on the other hand if you need help paying for school the military can help with that, I'm receiving the GI Bill right now and it really helps

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · May 8, 2011

If you goal is to join the Navy Nurse Corps then I would get your degree before joining the Navy. You'll be a Seaman Recruit(E1), or a Seaman(E3) during bootcamp depending on how many credit hours you have. Where as if you were accepted into the Navy Nurse Corps you'd be an Ensign(O1) an officer in the Navy and you'd be an Petty Officer 3rd Class(E4) through bootcamp and Officer Commissioning School (OCS). You need a BSN minimum to be accepted into the Navy Nurse Corps.

Samantha79 · May 8, 2011

Get your BSN first. Talk to your recruiter (and if it's not an officer recruiter, ask to speak to one) about the age max for a nurse. But I believe it's 42. Also, you should really look into active duty vs reserves. You kind of get screwed on pay and benefits in the reserves. JMO. My husband was a Navy recruiter for 3 years and just returned to the fleet.

oaktown2 · May 8, 2011

You want to make sure that you are speaking with a healthcare recruiter and not just an officer recruiter. You can easily get the contact from your local recruiting office. You must be commissioned by the time you turn 42 and right now, it doesn't sound like they are offering many wavers, they do have plenty of nurses to chose from. Once you are within two years of finishing your BSN you can apply for the Navy Nurse Candidate Program which would give you a small stipend while you are in school. The amount you receive is probably less than if you were a direct commission, but I figure it depends on how much money you are looking for and how badly you want to be in the Navy. Applying for the NCP gives you a shot and if it didn't work out then you could try again once you finish or have some experience. Good luck!

just_cause, BSN, RN · May 8, 2011

If you want to be a nurse in the military BSN should be the primary goal then the military - as BSN enables those options and joining military first limits your ability to get BSN or prolongs this time frame.

Navymm1swaw · May 16, 2011

I am a Reserve Medical recruiter and right now, technically, the age cut off is 35 in order to retire (per PA). The Program manager usually will not have any reservation about submitting before 40th B'day. You must have your BSN before commissioning as a nurse, however, there is one program that many do not utilize. It is the HM to BSN program. If you are and HM (Corpsman) in the Reserves and you have your associates, you can apply for this program. It will help you offset the cost of schooling in order to obtain your BSN. You can always get a commission from with-in the Navy. Once Enlisted, not always Enlisted. Prior service helps with the age cutoff, so if your situation allows you to do the Reserves and get schooling out of the way for your BSN, It might be worth looking into. On a side note, going Enlisted first will take you away from family for a while in the forefront. You will be required to go to boot camp and A school for HM (long time).

Age waivers are possible, depending on specialty.

NCP is an Active Duty Officer program only.

Navymm1swaw · May 16, 2011

I forgot to add that with a specialty, the age thing is not too important. With a needed specialty, you can get in at a much later age. You just will not be able to retire. If you are good with that, I agree with "Just_Cause", get the degree first.

Friction · Jun 22, 2011

Hi Navymm1swaw-

I had a couple of questions if you find your way back to this thread. I'm currently an HM3 in the Navy Reserves, been in a little over a year as of April. I've been looking into the HM to BSN program since before I joined because I knew a BSN was something I wanted to complete in the near future. I'll be done with my nursing pre-reqs in the Spring of 2012 and I plan on applying to programs for the following semester. I noticed you said that you could apply to the program with an associates, however, everything I've read about the program said you must be accepted to a BSN program first. I never saw any mention of an associates in the literature I read. Can you explain or elaborate regarding that? I did notice the 3 years to complete with a BSN, is that where the associates comes into play? How often does the program actually meet its quota? Anythings else you can throw in to help me with the process?

Sorry for so many questions! There just doesn't seem to be very much out there as far as information, at least not on the internet.

Thanks, Joel

Navymm1swaw · Jun 28, 2011

Joel,

I have sent off a request to BUMED to get direction on a new instruction or if the one that is online is the most current. I have not gotten a response as of yet. I will let you know when I find out something as far as quotas or even if the program is currently on-going.

Friction · Jun 29, 2011

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you doing that for me!

Navymm1swaw · Jul 8, 2011

As of this posting the HM to BSN PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ONGOING.

Here is what you need to know:

Members desiring to be considered for this drill option will be required to submit an application package for review by a selection panel of nurse corps officers. Application packages may be submitted upon acceptance to an accredited BSN program. Application packages will be reviewed and approved or denied on a quarterly basis by the review panel. Both the DET OIC and Operational Health Support Unit (OHSU) commanding officer must endorse application packages. Packages shall be submitted with the following requirements:

A. A cover letter of application including demographic information of name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

B. Statement of Motivation from applicant

C. DET OIC endorsement (with contact information)

D. OHSU CO endorsement (with contact information)

E. Letter of acceptance from an accredited school of nursing BSN program. (check for accreditation at nlnac.org or aacn.nche.edu)

F. Degree completion plan (courses required and not yet completed to earn BSN) indicating projected date of graduation and credit hours per semester.

G. Current transcript of all grades from courses completed towards BSN at time of application

H. Copy of last two evaluations

I. Proof of citizenship (Birth cert or Naturalization cert)

Package will then be mailed, faxed or FedEx applications to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED)

Selected candidates and unit commanding officers will be notified by letter from board or e-mail.

Sample cover letter format:

date

From: HM2 I. M. Sailor, USNR

To: HM to BSN Review Board

Subj: HM TO BSN PACKAGE FOR HM2 I. M. SAILOR, USNR

Encl: (1) Statement of Motivation

(2) Letter of acceptance into BSN Program

(3) Degree completion plan

(4) Current transcripts (including legend)

(5) Last two evaluations

(6) Proof of citizenship

1. Name: I. M. Sailor

Address: 1111 Admiral Drive

Washington, DC 20307

Phone: (202)111-3333

Email: [email protected]

2. Navy Operational Support Command:

Baltimore

1201 Halsey Place

Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 752-4561

3. Enclosures (1) through (6) are submitted for review and acceptance into the HM to BSN program.

Very Respectfully

I. M. Sailor

Hope that helps and good luck:up: