Any Air force or Navy Pediatric Nurse Practitioners willing to provide information?

[PNP09]

I graduate with my MSN as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner August 09. I am looking into both the Air Force and the Navy, trying to decide which would be best for me. I would love any information from any PNP's in either branch regarding their military career and what to expect as far as assignments, pay, COT training, processing time as well as job satisfaction.

Also, I will be certifying as a Primary Care pediatric nurse practitioner, and that is where my training is. I have not trained in a PICU and want to be sure that I won't be expected to function as an Acute Care PNP. Does this happen? I have a former AF nurse tell me that it was possible.

One more thing (and I know that there may not be any info on this), I am particularly interested in autistic spectrum disorders and developmental pediatrics. I know opportunities may not be available initially, but is there any possibility later down the road to focus on this in the military that you know of? (Are there any new programs, etc)

Again, any information would be greatly appreciated!

Also, did any one else have trouble contacting recruiters and getting follow up?

Thanks again!

[ArtisticAthlete]

BUMP!

I'd like to know the answer to this, too. Any takers??

[Fungo34]

I have been a Navy nurse for 10 years and a PNP for the Past 3. Your assignments will most likely be stateside. Pay is excellent considering what my civilian counterparts make. Most new to the Navy PNP's will start out as a Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2) and will be promoted to Lieutenant (O-3) in 2 years. You woul also be eligible for 2 additional bonuses: non-physician board certifed pay ($2000/yr) and a Multi-Year Incentive Specialty Pay (if you agree to a 4-year commitment, you will receive an annual $20,000 bonus, 15k/year for a 3 year, 10k for a 2 yr, and 5k for 1 year). As a new naval officer, you will have to commit for at least 3 years. Also, as a new navy nurse you may be eligible for a signing bonus (recruiter would know more about this.)

I was thinking about getting out of the Navy this summer and I interviewed for a job in Washington state. They offered me $40K less than I do now as a Lieutenant Commander. Needless to say, I stayed with the Navy. I see an average of 20 patients per day, 5 days a week. Not an overwhelming amount of patients but our EMR is slow and cumbersome, which tacks on additional 1-2 hours a day of just charting.

A complete listing of all available duty stations for PNP's are below:

Naval Hospital YOKOSUKA JA

Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA x 2

Naval Branch Health Clinic GROTON CT X 2

Naval Branch Health Clinic KINGS BAY GA

NH OKINAWA, JAPAN

NH OKINAWA JAPAN

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA X 2

Naval Hospital Pensacola, FL X 2

Naval Hospital Jacksonville, FL X2

Naval Hospital Camp Lejuene, NC X 2

Naval Hospital Cherry Point

Naval Hospital Bremerton, WA x 2

Naval Branch Health Clinic, Bahrain

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, CA x2

Naval Branch Health Clinic Paxutent River, MD

Naval Hospital 29 Palms

There are only 28 active duty positions available at which this time I think only 25 are filled.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Tim

[letiboo]

Thanks for your informative post!!! I have been a Pediatric RN for 7 years now and am currently in school for PNP. I applied for the Naval Reserves, and had my interview and MEPS physical back in March. My packet went up to the board in April and I still have not heard anything yet. My husband is active duty Army, so the reserves is my option for now until I graduate. He retires in 5 years and I informed him that I plan on going active navy once he retires. Of course, if I need to go active before that, I would love it!! There are not many naval stations near Army bases, so I am nervous about being stationed apart from him. I know we can live on the coast of GA, Washington state, VA, Japan and some others.

I am glad that the Navy (and AF) still use PNPs. The Army has removed their PNPs. They informed me that right now it is Army mission, so they need and recruit FNPs and Psych NPs.

Sorry such a long post....

[jmpopo]

Fungo34

hi. i also considering entering the Navy to become a Navy Nurse. Im already a BSN and passed my nclex exam. my question is what are the transition from signing up to becoming a Navy Nurse. I heard that you need to pass the asvab and a physical test which is 1.5miles in 12min, 55+ push-ups in 2min and 50+ sit-ups in 2min. what will happen then if i pass? im also fat :mnnnrsngrk:

[suiteums, MSN, RN]

I was previously Army and I've been a Navy spouse for ten years. One of our recruiter friends told us they have too many nurses right now, that's maybe why you're not getting follow up--still no excuse IMHO. I applied to two direct entry NP programs...we'll see if I get in (I will...positive thinking)!