Navy Nursing: Anyone have experience with the NCP?

Nursing Is My Life · Feb 16, 2012

i don't have any information for you, but am interested in the reponses that you get back. as my boyfriend is considering joining the navy and going through the nursing program also. any information that i can pass onto him would be beneficial. i hope you find what you're looking for. good luck! :)

wanda

hey guys,
i am a bsn student looking into navy nursing. i just talked to a navy medical recruiter who sent me the nurse candidate program (ncp) application. there are a lot of forms to fill so i am just trying to get everything done as soon as i can to increase my chances of getting in. i was wondering if anyone who has experience with the navy corps and the ncp to share there experiences with me. here are a few questions i have to start. thanks in advance!
1. how long did the application process take?
2. any tips on making my application more appealing?
3. for those who were accepted to ncp, how long did it take for the navy to inform you?
4. pros and cons of navy nursing in general.

whatever... · Mar 3, 2012

Wasn't in the NCP, but was a Hospital Corpsman for six years, and did run across a few RN's. Can't go over the info you request (sorry), but as far as what to sort-of expect, oh yeah... OCS (Officer boot camp), is in Rhode Island, and is about 6-8 weeks. Your contract is for 3 years, and your first duty station will be state side in a Naval Hospital. That way you get some training under your belt prior to any other action. If you decide to re-up, other duty stations for RN's are either oversea's in again a Naval Hospital, "Green side" (assigned with the USMC), mainly in a clinic. You won't see any first line action due to the fact that is what HM's are for, and as a Officer you are considered to important for that (but you can still be deployed as needed). Your patients are brought to you. If you want to go to ship, good luck... There is only a couple of ships that carries RN's (Aircraft Carriers (only ONE RN per ship), and the two Hospital ships Comfort / Mercy (Unsure of the #'s, but they don't sail often, only on humanitary missions). But if you want to futher your education (i.e. specialize), go for it, there is a ton of free training programs. Plus the benefits are kinda hard to beat (free medical,vision, dental, cheap life insurance, discounts for a ton of stuff galore, travel, training, education, and so on...). The pay is a bit on the lower side, BUT you will get BAH (tax free housing allowence), plus a healthy tax free food allowence. Including 30 days of paid vacation yearly, the stasifaction of serving your country, and V.A. benefits once out. After reading all of this, it might sound as though I am a recruiter, but it actually is pretty darn neat. Honestly, I can say I didn't meet an RN's who didn't like it or regreated it. Plus it gives you a major standing leg up when looking for a job after getting out (if you do). And lastly, if you are young (and it sounds you are...), live your life a bit, you just busted your ass for four years, enjoy it a bit! Lastly, as far as all the paper work, welcome to dealing with the government.......Have a fine Navy Day!

HM2Doc · Mar 12, 2012

My name is Paul, and I am currently a NCP applicant. I will answer your questions based off of my personal experience and the information given to me by my recruiter.

Answer to ques #1: I began my kit (that's what the package you have to submit is called) at the start of November 2011 and I completed the kit around the 23rd of February. The reason it took so long was because I injured both of my knees back when I was in the military and I had to do A LOT of medical screening in order to get cleared. Plus, you have to make a bunch of appointments and end up waiting around for a lot of it. If you are a perfectly healthy individual, I'd say you could get your kit done in 1-2 months. As you already know, the application process is extensive with security screening, physical, transcripts, resumes, references, interviews, etc, etc. It's not going to be a weekend project, that's for sure.

Answer to ques #2: You will want to have a very competitive GPA (my GPA was 3.99), as well as an excellent resume, character references, interview, and purpose letter (the letter you write stating why you want to be a Navy Nurse Corps Officer). They are pretty big on leadership, so if you've been a supervisor at work or in some sort of school association, then list that. Also, make your purpose statement sound really good. Don't say "I want to join the Navy because I like the uniforms." Mention how you want to be a leader and want to experience the diversity and tradition that the Navy offers, etc. Lastly, you will have to sit down with two active duty or retired Navy nurses and they will interview you...you want to kill this interview. Come prepared and know "Why do you want to be a Navy nurse?" That's about all the help I can give you there. A lot of it you can't really improve upon because it is what it is (like past grades or prior employment history).

Answer to ques #3: I haven't been accepted. My kit was submitted last month and the next board is around the 22nd or 23rd of this month, so hopefully 1-1.5 weeks after that i'll know. On average, it takes about 1-2 weeks AFTER the board sits to review the kits. They were doing 2 boards every month at one point, but they are only doing 1 a month now. Also, you'll probably want to know what the latest numbers are for available seats, right? Well, I was just at my recruiters office today and she said that out of 65 seats available for fiscal year 2013 there are currently 25ish seats left. It was down to around 10 seats left last month, but she said 16 people declined their seats!!! SUCKERS!! That just increases our chances of getting selected! So, now there are 25 seats left and they will probably be filled by the end of April or May, if they don't get filled at the next board. Just curious, what year are you trying to join for? If its 2013, you have to get your kit done SUPER quick. I'm not sure what the deal is with 2014 seats...the quota was less than 65, but I don't know much more than that.

Answer to ques #4: I was on active duty for 7+ years as a Hospital Corpsman, so I worked side by side with Navy nurses.

Pros: Competitive pay. Guaranteed promotions for the first 4 years you are in (as long as you don't get into trouble, that is). Plenty of travel. They give you money for rent and groceries. They may send you back to school for a graduate degree if you want...and they will pay you your normal full time pay AND pay for the schooling. You'll get to try out different nursing specialties. You'll have the opportunity to do humanitarian work. You'll get to where a sexy uniform (it needed to be mentioned :)). They will pay for you to go to conferences to fulfill your CEUs (this can add up to a grand or more saved). You get great medical and dental coverage. There's much more, but I'm not gonna sit here and list it all on one post.

Cons: You will start out in a low rank and will have to follow your superior officer's orders...whether you want to or not. This really isn't that big of an issue as an officer because they are generally smart and don't treat each other like idiots...which is exactly how they do it in the enlisted ranks. You will have to stand duty from time to time. You will sometimes have a great deal of responsibility placed on you and will be expected to properly manage those responsibilities. You will be in the Navy and "The needs of the Navy" will basically dictate your life...that means that if you want to work on MSU, but they need you on MBU, then you can bet you will be going to MBU; or, if you want to get stationed in San Diego, but they need you in Jacksonville, then you will most likely be going to Jacksonville (however, in all fairness, they do try to accommodate your requests if they can). Oh yeah, lets not forget that we are at war and you stand a VERY likely chance of ended up there at some point during your career; however, you will have a relatively cush job over there and will NOT be on the front line with a gun in your hand shooting bad guys. Like the pros section, there is more that I could list, but I'm not gonna. :)

Overall: Do it! It's a great experience and you get to travel and do things civilian nurses will very rarely ever get to experience. Plus, you get to retire at 20 years, collect a pension, and go work somewhere else. TWO PAYCHECKS! And, with military experience on your resume, employers will be wanting to hire you in a heart beat.

Anyway, good luck. Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any other questions. :)

Hey guys,
I am a BSN student looking into Navy Nursing. I just talked to a Navy Medical Recruiter who sent me the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) application. There are a lot of forms to fill so I am just trying to get everything done as soon as I can to increase my chances of getting in. I was wondering if anyone who has experience with the Navy Corps and the NCP to share there experiences with me. Here are a few questions I have to start. Thanks in advance!
1. How long did the application process take?
2. Any tips on making my application more appealing?
3. For those who were accepted to NCP, how long did it take for the Navy to inform you?
4. Pros and cons of navy nursing in general.

KRR2009 · Mar 29, 2012

How has this process gone for you so far? I just recently found out about the program and would love to be in it. I just contacted a recruiter today and sadly he had never even heard of it! Any advice? it sounds like this is a pretty intense application process (makes me think of nursing school applications!). Does anyone know how it works? I'm in my first semester of nursing school and should graduate December of 2013. Thanks!

jmqphd · Apr 9, 2012

I'm a Vietnam era vet and was in the NNCCP (that's what it was called then.) I only had to pay for one year of college education, the Navy picked up the rest, and gave me a stipend while I was still a student (E3 pay.) 6 months before I graduated I became and Ensign and my "stipend" increased by orders of magnitude. I was stationed at "Balboa" in Sand Diego. It was tough, it was tragic at times. I was 22 when I started and looking back, was very, very sheltered and immature.

It was an experience that shaped my life and I'm not sorry, never sorry I did it. (Plus I did my MSN on the GI bill. Two degrees for the price of one year's tuition, and 3 years of service for which I was paid pretty well.)

pattyipp · Apr 17, 2012

I started my application around September 2010. It was sent in late November (very extensive process, and let me tell you I was on the ball with it all) and I found out mid December!

Another friend of mine started her application around November 2010 and didn't find out she was accepted until May 2011! It just depends on how fast you get your application done and what other things may come up in between then.

I leave for ODS May 13 and then to Portsmouth after and am very excited!

deftonez188 · Apr 21, 2012

I'd say competitive qualities are those that reflect maturity, professionalism, and a decent noodle on top of some capable shoulders. Many people join the military young (myself included), and grow over the years into mature, capable adults. Officers must be this way from the get-go. Best of luck (prior service/current NCP).

martinez_gem · May 10, 2012

Hello, I have a few questions! I am about to graduate with my ASN in November 2012 and I have been pre-accepted into a BSN bridge program contingent about my passing my NCLEX at the begining of December. The BSN will take less than a year because I already have many of the courses needed to complete my degree. I will simply be taking nursing core leadership and community classess. Should I start this process now, in November or wait till I'm closer to completing my BSN? Also I am married with two small children. Can you still go active and get a post oversees (non-combat) and bring your family to the base? I am considering both the Airforce and the Navy. I am leaning towards the Navy because I have a friend who has been in the Navy 10+ years, four of which have been as a JAG and she loves it. I am not shy of deployment and I am aware of what a military life brings, my husband was in the Army for 7 years. Thanks so much!

deftonez188 · May 11, 2012

The government forums would give you better responses.

I'm not certain whether the NCP gives out slots for accelerated bachelor's personally. I do know that if you get your bachelor's and don't go the NCP route that there is a wait and an experience requirement that seems to change every fiscal year.

Rachelle82 · Jun 20, 2012

Quick question about the NCP, I don't have as high a GPA unfortunately, it's only 3.16. I am curious, if that alone would really hold me back. This is my dream and I'm praying to God I will get in. I am applying for the 1 year scholarship versus the 2 year scholarship, which I have been told is less competitive, any help please??

MrCAPR, LVN · Sep 26, 2012

Can someone tell me what is the required GPA to apply for the NCP? I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.