Condisering the Navy after graduating

[jdorm41]

I have began my upper division classes for my BSN at my college. We do quarters instead of semesters and it's an accelerated program, so I will be graduating 6 months earlier than the normal 4 year colleges. After finishing my BSN I am putting much thought into nursing in the US Navy as an O1. I will be 42 years and 7 months old when I graduate, and a recruiter said I could apply for an age waiver. How likely is that to happen, and what experience do I need before applying? I have been working as a CNA in the emergency room for 6 months and will have 2 years of experience in acute care, as well as the possibility of getting several months of Peds oncology experience. Will any of this help me at all with getting accepted?

[DiscGolfNurse, BSN]

I have heard of people getting waivers for being older than 40. Whether the waiver is approved or not is up to the board. If its something your heart is set on and you get the chance to get a waiver then why not at least try? Depending on what specialty you want to enter in under is the area you should focus on in acute care. Was your 2 years of experience in acute care in med/surg? Critical care? Periop? Experience and certifications in your specialty to help with your chances of being picked up.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

CNA experience is not equivalent to RN experience, if that's where your 2.5 years of experience is. You'll be treated as a new grad nurse. I would say your odds are slim for getting a waiver active duty anywhere. I believe that the Air Force reserves max age is 47. You would not be eligible to earn a retirement if you enter after age 42 regardless of the waiver, because the hard mandatory federal retirement age is 62.