corpsman vs cross train

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I've finally decided to go active navy enlisted. I'll have a ASN and sit for the boards before enlisting. My last post was very helpful so I decided to try again. What do you guys think about going to corpsman school for about 6 months and work in the field vs cross training in something non-healthcare (not work in the field), while I get my BSN? I would be out of the field for about a year and half maybe two because I can't be a nurse without the BSN even though I would be an RN. I don't like the prospect of being out so long but I also like the idea of cross training in something completely different.

Also any corpsman out there that can tell what the heck you do out of corpsman school without a C school under your belt? My recuiter is encouraging me to wait a little bit after A school to go to C school.

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If it were me I would be a corpsman, with the idea that I would only be a corpsman for as long as it took me to get my BSN. How long will it take you to cross over after you get your BSN? If its a lengthy process at least as a corpsman you will use some of your skills and not be too rusty when you do commission.

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Specializes in CCRN, TNCC, CEN, CFN, CNOR, CMSRN.

When you graduate from Corps school you'd be know as a quad-zero corpsman. They call it that because your code would be 0000. Without a C school you won't have a code. I believe the term is NEC, Navy Enlisted Code. For example, if your C school was field medicine your code would be 8404. If it was radiology tech it would be some other four digit code, an OR tech would have another different four digit code.

Quad zero corpsman work just about anywhere in the medical field. Since you don't have a specialty (an NEC) you could be helping out in any medical setting from an ambulatory clinic, to a floor on a hospital, to anywhere they'd like to put you that helps out navy medicine. No specific place since you have no specific code.

I agree with sycamorestudent. I'm a former corpsman and I've been navy nurse corps for 17 years, reserve component. There's one thing that always seems to be true; former corpsman make the best nurses. You'll have a leg up on anyone new to nursing who commissioned right out of school. Good luck.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiology.

In the Army we have enlisted LPN's (until you have your BSN done), maybe check into that for the Navy...Just a thought.

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