A Few questions about career advancement in the Navy Nurse Corp

Published Apr 3, 2011

32 Posts

Good afternoon,

I'm about to embark on my career as a nurse in the USN. Over the past several weeks, I've learned the basics of becoming an officer in the USN, and am planning on reeping the benefits of the camaradic field. For those of you that are NC, can you shed some light on a few questions I have:

1.) How can I make the best impression to my superiors during my first few years as a nurse. I want to be the best officer possible, but at the same time I'm going to be learning how to be the best nurse possible. I want to know how to balance the two. What things should I prepare myself for? How can I gain the respect of my coreman / chiefs, co-officers, etc... Are there any books out there you'd recommend to help me be an outstanding officer? I've been told to read "Armed Forces Officer", which I intend to pick up soon. I understand that I should concentrate my first year to nursing by reviewing and becoming proficient, but I also want to demonstrate to my command that I'm able to balance both the officer aspect and the nursing aspect of the USN. My first priority is always the mission. I've met some great people in the USN, and I can only hope my future is filled with such spectacular, intelligent people.

2.) As far as my career goals, I want to take advantage of the educational benefits the USN offers to their fullest. My plan is to start working on Master's classes using tuition assistance after the first year at my UDS. I've already been accepted, but I'm delaying classes until summer of 2012. My hope is to one day qualify for the DUINS program and head to anesthesia school. Regardless if the needs of the navy are not with anesthesia, I will use the DUINS program to advance my degree into some other specialty. My question is, how difficult is it to qualify for the DUINS? How can I start NOW to increase my chances of acceptance into the DUINS program. In the event that I do not qualify for the DUINS program by the time my contract is up, I plan to use the post 9/11 bill to attend medical school. I've always had a longing to be a physician, but if I can continue on my track as a nurse, I'd much prefer it. Have any of you qualified for the DUINS program? When did you put in your application? What kind of collateral duties did you have before you applied? Did you serve oversea tours?

3.) Can someone with NC experience tell me what my goals during my first few years of nursing should be like? I know that I need to concentrate on nursing during my first 6mo to 12mos, but what do I concentrate on during that second year? third? etc...

Thank you all for your time,

Very Respectfully,

ENS Edwards