Answering Navy Nurse Recruiting Questions

BamaPsych · May 24, 2015

Is the Navy Reserves still needing Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners? I am a PMHNP and a child of a Sailor. This thread has piqued my interest. I am 40 years old and had no idea this was even a possibility. I would love to know how to explore this option further. Thanks!

Abby10 · May 25, 2015

So I am thinking about joining the military for many reasons 1 I live in a town that is hard to get movement in the hospital-extra training 2 some of the best nurses I have worked with were military 3 I want to eventually get my masters and would be willing to do it via the military program and then work for the military after. 4 I want to travel and I'm ok doing it in little burst here and there based on assignments.

About me I'm 26 and single have been a nurse for 4.5 year 3.5 years a telly nurse then the last 1 as NICU. I do have my PCCN but that will need to be renewed in September and I don't have the hours. I'm ok with doing any kind of nursing as long as I can eventually do some L&D, but med surg for a time would be fine. I graduated with my BSN and magna cum laude. I do need to get into shape which I am going to start swimming more and then get a trainer when the summer end (when I have less week long commitments with church).

SO now the question what is the current spots looking like for becoming a Navy nurse (or Air Force-second choice) and how soon should I start talking to a recruiter? There's none in my area the closest is 6 hrs away, I will be there in June and am thinking that taking a friend to a least be a second set of ears would be good but how would that look? And I'm really thinking that I would be about a year from joining but how do the spots workout?

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 25, 2015

It's never to soon to start talking to a recruiter. The application process takes the better part of a year. You should be eligible for a med-surg board certification at least; you definitely want to get that done before applying.

It seems a little unusual to have a friend actually sit in the recruiter's office with you. I just recommend bringing a list of questions and taking notes.

Direct commission is a last resort recruiting method for officers after ROTC guys get their commissions. That means the number of spots is based on the widely varying needs of each branch (which right now is very small).

littlekrickett · Jun 15, 2015

I have question abt what occurs once you PCS to your first duty station after selection. I heard there was an orientation.. How long is it? Do you stay in MED/Surg for the first 3 yrs? Where do they need people most other then med/surg? Does it depend on the hospital? Do you go to ODS before your 1st station or after you are already assigned? Thank you for your time.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 15, 2015

The Navy might differ a bit from the AF, but you stay home doing whatever civilian job you were doing before selection until it's time to leave for basic officer training (ODS in your case). Shortly after you are accepted, your recruiter will assist you with commissioning in the inactive ready reserves (IRR); this status will count towards your years of total federal service (see pay chart) but you won't collect a salary while on IRR. Day 1 of basic officer training is your first day on active duty (when you get paid). I've heard of providers doing this in reverse order (1st base before basic training) but never nurses.

After your basic officer training is done, then you will PCS to your first base. Med/surg and OB are the only places the military puts new grad nurses without experience. You'll work med/surg or OB until you are accepted into a retraining program to become an OR, ICU, ER, Psych, or NICU nurse. That usually happens at the end of your 2 year mark. There are also opportunities to transfer within your hospital (to PACU or an outpatient clinic) after a year or two, but that's not guaranteed and is at your boss's discretion.

ksaun33 · Jul 13, 2015

Hello,

If I submitted an officer's package for navy nursing in May 2015, how will I hear if I was selected or not? Do they send out a letter or will they have my recruiter get in touch with me. Still haven't heard anything...

Sincerely,

ksaun33

williams84 · Jul 14, 2015

ksaun33,

I can't speak for the Navy boards, but my package for the Army Reserves went to board in early May. I emailed my recruiter at the end of May asking him if they had made a decision yet. He said he didn't contact anyone until Congress was done with the scroll, but he could tell me I was accepted pending that. Then he called me on June 11 asking me when I could commission. I did that on June 13. Now I'm just sitting around waiting for orders.

Maybe the board didn't get to meet when they thought it would. Hopefully they're just waiting on all of that other stuff and they'll let you know soon. Just try to stay busy in the meantime. That really does help.

tacomaster · Jul 26, 2015

ksaun33,
I can't speak for the Navy boards, but my package for the Army Reserves went to board in early May. I emailed my recruiter at the end of May asking him if they had made a decision yet. He said he didn't contact anyone until Congress was done with the scroll, but he could tell me I was accepted pending that. Then he called me on June 11 asking me when I could commission. I did that on June 13. Now I'm just sitting around waiting for orders.
Maybe the board didn't get to meet when they thought it would. Hopefully they're just waiting on all of that other stuff and they'll let you know soon. Just try to stay busy in the meantime. That really does help.

So the Army only took one month? Would you mind answering some questions for me? what type of nursing do you do? For the Reserves, is GPA a big component of your package? I'm at a 3.2 but I had a really strange GPA system at my private nursing program. What led you to the Army over the other branches? I'm prior enlisted Army (4 years). I just want to commission and serve as a nurse. I don't really care which branch. Thanks.

williams84 · Jul 26, 2015

So the Army only took one month? Would you mind answering some questions for me? what type of nursing do you do? For the Reserves, is GPA a big component of your package? I'm at a 3.2 but I had a really strange GPA system at my private nursing program. What led you to the Army over the other branches? I'm prior enlisted Army (4 years). I just want to commission and serve as a nurse. I don't really care which branch. Thanks.

I am a perioperative RN. I've only done OR nursing. That's what they needed when I happened to talk to the Army recruiter. The Navy recruiter only seemed interested in putting me up for the Active Duty board, which they've hardly taken anyone in a few years. Since I was already prior Navy, I guess he figured it was a better "fit" for me, but I never really wanted to leave my current job. The Army gave me the 66E designation, a special pay bonus, and loan repayment. Now, if I get all of that in the end, fantastic. If not, at least I have the 66E. GPA-wise, I can't answer. My transcripts were all submitted, but I didn't really hear about what the board was going to look at. My nursing degree was easily over a 3.5, but I have a bachelor's degree in accounting that I just barely passed with (like a 2.56).

tacomaster · Jul 27, 2015

I am a perioperative RN. I've only done OR nursing. That's what they needed when I happened to talk to the Army recruiter. The Navy recruiter only seemed interested in putting me up for the Active Duty board, which they've hardly taken anyone in a few years. Since I was already prior Navy, I guess he figured it was a better "fit" for me, but I never really wanted to leave my current job. The Army gave me the 66E designation, a special pay bonus, and loan repayment. Now, if I get all of that in the end, fantastic. If not, at least I have the 66E. GPA-wise, I can't answer. My transcripts were all submitted, but I didn't really hear about what the board was going to look at. My nursing degree was easily over a 3.5, but I have a bachelor's degree in accounting that I just barely passed with (like a 2.56).

Congrats on getting what you wanted! All of the branches want OR experienced nurses so I am in the process of switching to that area very soon. Would you mind telling me how much the bonus or loan repayment was? I know it changes often, but still. And ya, I'd still join even without those things. So for reserve Army nursing what type of training will you receive?

I'm still shocked you got your package and commissioned so quick. From what I've heard about the Navy and Air Force, it tends to take anywhere from six months to a year.

williams84 · Jul 27, 2015

Congrats on getting what you wanted! All of the branches want OR experienced nurses so I am in the process of switching to that area very soon. Would you mind telling me how much the bonus or loan repayment was? I know it changes often, but still. And ya, I'd still join even without those things. So for reserve Army nursing what type of training will you receive?
I'm still shocked you got your package and commissioned so quick. From what I've heard about the Navy and Air Force, it tends to take anywhere from six months to a year.

I will PM you. I feel like I've hijacked this thread.

Colby21 · Jul 27, 2015

I have a quick question, I was going to go Navy reserves during school but never followed through with it. Now I have earned my BSN and want to be in critical care. I also have 50k in school loans. Will the navy assist me in repayment of those loans for critical care specialty? I know some specialties earn more than others.