Commissioning Process

lcbradley · Jan 4, 2006

From talking to my recruiter, if I am selected for the nurse candidate program, after graduating from a BSN program, you would ship out to Rhode Island for 5 week training in officer school. After completing the schooling, you are commissioned as a nurse in the navy. Then in about ten days to two weeks you ship out to your first duty assignment--either San Diego, Bethesda, MD, or Portsmouth, VA. I think this is mostly correct. May be a little off, though.

PickyRN · Jan 4, 2006

From talking to my recruiter, if I am selected for the nurse candidate program, after graduating from a BSN program, you would ship out to Rhode Island for 5 week training in officer school. After completing the schooling, you are commissioned as a nurse in the navy. Then in about ten days to two weeks you ship out to your first duty assignment--either San Diego, Bethesda, MD, or Portsmouth, VA. I think this is mostly correct. May be a little off, though.

Ok, thanks, but this wasn't my question. My question was, "how long will it take until I receive my first installment of money." I have yet to sign up for the NCP. Here's my timeline:

1. Lose weight, get in shape

2. Sign up

3. Get commissioned, start getting bonus money ($10K bonus split in 2 pymts, $1K a month while in school.

4. Graduate with BSN

5. Go to OIS

6. First duty station.

My question is not how long does it take between #4-5, but rather between #2-3.

PickyRN

lcbradley · Jan 4, 2006

Ah... don't know.

hondurena · Jan 4, 2006

Clarify things with your recruiter first. Don't know much about Navy--- but Army is "hurry up and wait" meaning hurry up to get your paper work in and loose all the weight you want then put the lbs back on waiting on them. Secondly you are not commissioned upon signing any papers--- you are not an officer until you have Registered Nurse licensure in your hands--- the online verification does not count. I had to wait until I actually had my license in my hands before the army shipped me out--- even though my license number was posted online. As far as the money 5k now 5k after be prepared to give uncle sam 28-30% of that money as well as your monthly $1,000 stipend.

:uhoh3: Yeah, yeah--- get to the point honestly it varies depending on your recruiter, when the boards meets, and the time you finish school in conjuction with when OBC is being offered. But good luck --- keep doing your research and you'll be fine

PickyRN · Jan 4, 2006

Ok, talk to the recruiter. I have so far just talked with him on the phone, but I may go in during the next few weeks at some point. I realize my commission doesn't happen until after my BSN. I already have my License, I am a Registered Nurse, but I just have my Associates degree. It's interesting to talk to those of you on the other side, though (in the service).Thanks for the input!

BTW, whaddya mean the govt keeps the $1K stipend? You mean they tax it outrageously? Because I can probably get that back with my tax return.

PickyRN

lcbradley · Jan 4, 2006

PickyRN, I realize that you already have your RN, but my recruiter informed me that even after graduating from a BSN program, I have exactly one year to take the NCLEX. He said they would help me prepare for the test if that is what I wanted. Although I wouldn't wait.

hondurena · Jan 5, 2006

Well Picky you are already an RN so that's probably different. See I was seeking the Nurse candidacy but through the army--- i was previously in the reserve component as an LPN. In the reserve you can be commissioned as an RN holding an associates degree. The 1K stipend is taxed is what i meant. What is your commitment for the BSN--- the army wants 4years of active service for giving me 10k + 1k per month like you mentioned. What detered me was 4years service for 1 year it would take me to do the RN-BSN. With the army you must be attending full time 12+ credits. So i figured 12cr Spring + 6cr summer + 12cr fall for 30 credit RN-BSN :uhoh3:

total of two semesters payback 4years active? Hopefully the Navy makes more sense. I tried to e-mail the brochure to you but had no luck. Well when you see your recruiter get all the details details details----- keep me posted maybe the Navy is the way to go

PickyRN · Jan 5, 2006

Well Picky you are already an RN so that's probably different. See I was seeking the Nurse candidacy but through the army--- i was previously in the reserve component as an LPN. In the reserve you can be commissioned as an RN holding an associates degree. The 1K stipend is taxed is what i meant. What is your commitment for the BSN--- the army wants 4years of active service for giving me 10k + 1k per month like you mentioned. What detered me was 4years service for 1 year it would take me to do the RN-BSN. With the army you must be attending full time 12+ credits. So i figured 12cr Spring + 6cr summer + 12cr fall for 30 credit RN-BSN total of two semesters payback 4years active? Hopefully the Navy makes more sense. I tried to e-mail the brochure to you but had no luck. Well when you see your recruiter get all the details details details----- keep me posted maybe the Navy is the way to go

Yeah, I guess those who are in a traditional BSN program join the NCP at the end of their Sophomore year. Then they graduate and have to pass boards before they can go to OIS. Thankfully I have already passed that hurdle. As far as my committment, I think the time in service is 4 years active duty and 4yrs inactive. That is for the $10K sign on bonus and $1K a month stipend (up to 24months...mine will only be around 18 months). Thanks for all the advice!

Picky

Barb2000 · Jan 7, 2006

Hi, I happen to look at this and wanted to clarify some things that I read from the post. I am a former Navy Nurse, and I can tell you my recruiter did not give me completely accurate information. I have never heard of allowing new BSN grads a year to take the NCLEX. We did have "New Grads" working who had not taken (or didn't pass NCLEX) right after arriving to the hospital, but they were expected to immediately be prepared to take it at that next opportunity. Also, the commissioning process in the Navy Nurse Corps is different than some other programs. You are considered a Staff Officer (along with physicians, JAG, chaplains, dentists) so you are commissioned once you complete MEPS and your application to the Navy is accepted. Your recruiter should put you in touch with an officer in your district who will actually have you "raise your right hand." Then you will attend OIS as an ensign (it was 6 weeks long when I went). OCS is the program Line Officers (pilots, etc), and they have to complete it first, and then are commissioned.

This is just information for a direct commission, I am not sure how the bachelor completion program does there's. When I read anything stating "my recruiter says this...", my alert goes up :) .

lcbradley · Jan 7, 2006

Hi, I happen to look at this and wanted to clarify some things that I read from the post. I am a former Navy Nurse, and I can tell you my recruiter did not give me completely accurate information. I have never heard of allowing new BSN grads a year to take the NCLEX. We did have "New Grads" working who had not taken (or didn't pass NCLEX) right after arriving to the hospital, but they were expected to immediately be prepared to take it at that next opportunity. Also, the commissioning process in the Navy Nurse Corps is different than some other programs. You are considered a Staff Officer (along with physicians, JAG, chaplains, dentists) so you are commissioned once you complete MEPS and your application to the Navy is accepted. Your recruiter should put you in touch with an officer in your district who will actually have you "raise your right hand." Then you will attend OIS as an ensign (it was 6 weeks long when I went). OCS is the program Line Officers (pilots, etc), and they have to complete it first, and then are commissioned.
This is just information for a direct commission, I am not sure how the bachelor completion program does there's. When I read anything stating "my recruiter says this...", my alert goes up :) .

Thanks for the info. I do believe the 5 weeks is very accurate. As far as the NCLEX, what you stated makes more sense.