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Itshamrtym · Jun 21, 2008

Glad that you are home.... Check out the thread "What made your decision". Maybe you could shed some light on Navy Nursing for the OP.... Take care.....

midwesternboy · Jun 21, 2008

Hello all,

I've read through many of the threads and I still have some questions about Navy Nursing. If my questions were already answered, then I apologize and hope you can direct me to the relevant thread.

1. I see that most new nurses start on some kind of med/surg floor. How long does it usually take to get into an ER or OR position?

2. I've heard that the Navy will accept applications for FNP school after 3 years. Is this true? However, does the Navy give more "selection weight" to those who have been in longer?

3. I would really like to be stationed overseas (Japan, Italy, Spain, Guam, etc). How difficult is it to get one of these spots? I understand that the first duty station is one of the big three(stateside), so I'm asking about the second tour.

4. How is the pt/nurse ratio on the med/surg floors?

5. Do all of the naval hospitals use the same charting method? Or, do you have to learn a new system each time you change stations?

6. Does the Navy have computerized charting/medscan etc, or do they still use paper MARS?

Thanks for any and all help and welcome back home.

-recent BSN grad

smattles1of2 · Jun 25, 2008

Glad you're back! That's nice you have grandparents to watch your kids! I wish mine would

DanznRN, RN · Jun 26, 2008

Gonna use Midwest's post to answer all his questions.

1. I see that most new nurses start on some kind of med/surg floor. How long does it usually take to get into an ER or OR position?
Normally takes 12-18 months. Hone your basic nursing skills on the Med/Surg floor and then specialize after that.

2. I've heard that the Navy will accept applications for FNP school after 3 years. Is this true? However, does the Navy give more "selection weight" to those who have been in longer?
True, you can apply for DUINS after your first tour (3 years). As far as "selection weight," not necessarily. See those that have been in longer tend to get "institutionalized." In other words, they are going to stay active no matter what. But for nurses who are newer to the service, the Navy has to find was to entice them to stay, having them go to DUINS is one way. Now that's not always the case, but there's is some truth to it.
3. I would really like to be stationed overseas (Japan, Italy, Spain, Guam, etc). How difficult is it to get one of these spots? I understand that the first duty station is one of the big three(stateside), so I'm asking about the second tour.
Basically, how you described is how it is suggested to be done. Do one of the Big 3 and then go overseas. So getting one of theoverseas billets wouldn't be to hard, especially Japan.
4. How is the pt/nurse ratio on the med/surg floors?
Ours hovers around 5-6 pts/ nurse for the most part. Astounding when you compare it to the civilian sector.
5. Do all of the naval hospitals use the same charting method? Or, do you have to learn a new system each time you change stations?
One thing is constant throughout all military hospitals, CHCS. It is an antiquated computer system that no one but the military uses. that is where you order labs, rads, etc.,. Beyond that, every facility has it's own method. My wife does computer charting on her floor, but we don't in the ED.
6. Does the Navy have computerized charting/medscan etc, or do they still use paper MARS?
Depends on the size of the facility and patient acuity. Most of the bigger commands will have some sort of computer charting, the smaller ones no so much.

Hope this helps some, let me know if you need more help.

LCDR Dan

crazylilkelly · Jun 26, 2008

i have another Q for you, how long do you have to work in a specialty in the civilian world before you can go straight into it when being commissioned. Is a yr good enough? Thanks!

midwesternboy · Jun 26, 2008

LCDR Dan,

Thank you very much for the information. I do have some follow-up questions.

1. The pt/nurse ratio is around 4-5pt per nurse. Are the nurses doing total care, or are there aides/techs etc to help?

2. Do we have any say over what kind of med/surg floor we work on. For example, I would prefer a cardiac or stepdown unit to an orthopedic floor.

3. How many hours/days a week does a Nursing Corps officer spend at work? Is it 4days one week and three days the next week? I understand officers are on salary (so technically you could be working 7 days a week, although I hope this wouldn't be the case).

Thank you for all your help and information.

-recent BSN

DanznRN, RN · Jun 27, 2008

i have another Q for you, how long do you have to work in a specialty in the civilian world before you can go straight into it when being commissioned. Is a yr good enough? Thanks!

Kelly-

There's nothing set in stone, obviously the more years you work in an area the better chance of getting there in the Navy. It will also depend on who the senior nurse of that facility is as well.

LCDR Dan

DanznRN, RN · Jun 27, 2008

LCDR Dan,
Thank you very much for the information. I do have some follow-up questions.
1. The pt/nurse ratio is around 4-5pt per nurse. Are the nurses doing total care, or are there aides/techs etc to help?
Yes, you do have corpsmen that help out with patient care. Their training is just shy of an LPN. They can start IVs, draw blood, a bunch of stuff.
2. Do we have any say over what kind of med/surg floor we work on. For example, I would prefer a cardiac or stepdown unit to an orthopedic floor.
Unless you can come in with a bunch of experience in one area, you won't have too much say. Unless you are at one of the larger hospitals, we generally don't have an specialized floors per se, it's just the med/surg floor.
3. How many hours/days a week does a Nursing Corps officer spend at work? Is it 4days one week and three days the next week? I understand officers are on salary (so technically you could be working 7 days a week, although I hope this wouldn't be the case).
For the most part yes, 4 days one week, 3 days the next, you will work 84hrs./wk. However, understand if they need 7 days in a week, well they can do that. Learn the phrase "needs of the Navy." It's a catch all term meaning if they need you, you'll be working. And you don't get a salary in the sense like the civilian sector. You get a pay check on the 15th and 30th of every month, we don't consider it salary.
Thank you for all your help and information.
-recent BSN

Hope that helps you out.

LCDR Dan

midwesternboy · Jun 27, 2008

LCDR Dan,

Thank you again for all your help.

-recent BSN grad

jordaa · Jul 30, 2008

Lt. Dan,

Thanks for all the great information you put on this forum and all the forums! I am currently in the application process to join the Navy Nurse Corps. My packet finally made it to the board and they are meeting this week! I will hopefully have good news in the next 2 weeks! I see that you are at Bethesda, which is one of the first duty stations I'd love to go to. I have 3 years experience in L&D, so I've been told, I have good chances of picking my first duty... but there's always the "needs of the Navy", so I take it with a grain of salt!!

Throughout my application process, I've looked at posts on allnurses, just to get an idea of what to expect, and you post on a good majority of them. Thanks for the great information. It has helped me out a great deal!

JenRN30, BSN · Jul 31, 2008

Hi Dan,

I see that you said you will work 84 hours per week. Is that right? Did you mean every two weeks?? If that's right, it doesn't seem like you'd have much time to do anything but work and sleep!!

Thanks,

Jennie