Any Navy Nurses Out There?

Barb2000 · Jan 4, 2006

I worked as a Navy Nurse for almost ten years. I really miss it. I worked in OB at Portsmouth Naval Med Ctr. If you are interested in working there, they will welcome you with open arms, as they are always short-staffed. It is a great place to learn, when I was there the average birth rate was 424 births per month (on a 10-bed unit). They do all of the hi-risk OB also, and c-sections are done on the same floor. You will be trained for all of that. If your interest is OB nursing, the is the place to learn. Once you spend a year there, you will be able to handle any other OB environment. Good Luck to you.

lcbradley · Jan 4, 2006

If I am selected for the nurse candidate program, Portsmouth is my first choice. I have so much to consider right now like hubby is not really for it. But I think it such a wonderful opportunity to lead and learn. I hope to go visit the facility soon. Thanks for the info.

TXNAVYNURSE · Jan 10, 2006

I would love to hear some advice from any Navy nurses. I am thinking seriously about joining, and I would love to hear from someone on the inside about the benefits of joining.

Bradley:

Congrats on considering a career in the the US Navy Nurse Corps!

I am in the Navy Reserve and have really enjoyed my time as a Nurse Corps Officer. I just returned from 9 months in Kuwait as a memver of Expeditonary Medical Facilty Dallas.

I have enjoyed my Navy Reserve career tremendously. I have had many excellent experiences and seen a few foreign places... Japan, Ghana, Honduras, Kuwait, Qatar. I have had lots of cool schooling, such as Cold Weather Medicine at US Marine Corps Mountain Warfare School and study at the Naval War College (12 graduate credit hours). I have had interesting leadership opportunities such as leading a humanitarian/training mission in Honduras and overseeing three clinics in Kuwait.

My best advice to prepare yourself for a career as a Navy Nurse is:

1. Get/stay in good shape. You don't have to be a stud, but being a fat slug will hurt you.

2. Stay away from illegal drugs.

3. Stay out of legal trouble.

4. Develop your leadership skills through your work and extra-curricular activities.

5. Excel in your nursing studies, as you will often be a teacher.

I look forward to your specific questions. Good luck with your decision.

Very Respectfully,

CDR Jim McGraw, NC, USN

If you can read this, thank a teacher; if you are reading this in English, thank a vet.

lcbradley · Jan 10, 2006

Bradley:
Congrats on considering a career in the the US Navy Nurse Corps!
I am in the Navy Reserve and have really enjoyed my time as a Nurse Corps Officer. I just returned from 9 months in Kuwait as a memver of Expeditonary Medical Facilty Dallas.
I have enjoyed my Navy Reserve career tremendously. I have had many excellent experiences and seen a few foreign places... Japan, Ghana, Honduras, Kuwait, Qatar. I have had lots of cool schooling, such as Cold Weather Medicine at US Marine Corps Mountain Warfare School and study at the Naval War College (12 graduate credit hours). I have had interesting leadership opportunities such as leading a humanitarian/training mission in Honduras and overseeing three clinics in Kuwait.
My best advice to prepare yourself for a career as a Navy Nurse is:
1. Get/stay in good shape. You don't have to be a stud, but being a fat slug will hurt you.
2. Stay away from illegal drugs.
3. Stay out of legal trouble.
4. Develop your leadership skills through your work and extra-curricular activities.
5. Excel in your nursing studies, as you will often be a teacher.
I look forward to your specific questions. Good luck with your decision.
Very Respectfully,
CDR Jim McGraw, NC, USN
If you can read this, thank a teacher; if you are reading this in English, thank a vet.

Thanks for your response. I am really having hard time deciding, rather convincing my husband that this would be an excellent opportunity for our family. I am currently a career changer, prior teacher, who is now in my first year of a two-year ADN program. I recently received a full scholarship which will pay 100% tuition and books in exchange for a work commitment at their hospital. I am really excited about not having any student loans. Before that my plan was to apply to the NCP and attend an accelerated nursing program and then enter the Navy. Now I am looking at all the expenses that would pile up even with the benefits I would receive from the NCP, you know the 1000/month and 10,000 bonus.

TXNAVYNURSE · Jan 10, 2006

1. Only you can decide what is best for you, and it sounds like you have a complex situation to consider.

2. If the money and benefits are the only driving force behind your decision.... you will likely be unhappy in the Navy. A military career (especially in the early years) can't pay you enough to warrant some of the sacrifices that you will be asked to make. If you join the military as a form of service to our country, as an adventure, or to take care of those taking care of us... you will find the money and benefits to be a nice bonus.

V/R

CDR Jim McGraw, NC, USN

lcbradley · Jan 10, 2006

1. Only you can decide what is best for you, and it sounds like you have a complex situation to consider.
2. If the money and benefits are the only driving force behind your decision.... you will likely be unhappy in the Navy. A military career (especially in the early years) can't pay you enough to warrant some of the sacrifices that you will be asked to make. If you join the military as a form of service to our country, as an adventure, or to take care of those taking care of us... you will find the money and benefits to be a nice bonus.
V/R
CDR Jim McGraw, NC, USN

Thanks for the advice. I do agree with you.

pannie · Jan 13, 2006

The commander is right! But my school was paid by the Navy in return for a commitment to serve. It was the BEST thing I've ever done, although hard to return to a civilian hospital. I had married a civilian so could have been transferred anywhere. Since he made the big $$, I served my commitment and left. I wish things had been different concerning females then and I could have stayed in and still had children. We would have worked out the separations very well, I think. We're still working problems out after all these years. But I will say that serving was absolutely the right thing for me. It's pretty weird that I can pick out a former military nurse anywhere. Commander, is that your experience? There's just something very professional about them.

kookinitreal · Jan 13, 2006

You have to graduate from a 4yr program to apply for the NCP

kookinitreal · Jan 13, 2006

CDR McGraw,

Welcome back. I was CDR Sanders last NCP prospect and I interview with you back in late '04. (former - Air Force EOD guy) I'm happy to say I was selected, should graduate this May, and ship out to NMCSD this summer. I've run into a couple of your former students at HMFW ICU. Sorry...I can't remember their names. Anyhow, I just wanted to say hi, and welcome back.