FY 2011 for Navy Nurse Corps

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Hi, I have been following threads about the Nurse Officer Corps Program both the Navy and the Airforce. I'm a new grad, graduated in Dec. 2010. I'm planning to join the Navy, and I just called a Navy healthcare recruiter a week ago, but he said to call back in July as they have so many applicants. I was told that all the spots for FY 2011 are filled...I don't know if I got this right, but I think I heard him say something about waiting list...so does it mean that there are a few spots left for FY 2012? I contacted another recruiter, an Enlisted one. He collected all the paperworks such as my transcript, copy of my BSN and license....He emailed his medical officer and forwarded my paperworks and he said that he or the medical officer would call me and arrange for an officer interview. I don't want to get my hopes up or anything as I know that it has been very difficult to get accepted especially for a new grad like me. Any feedbacks on how the process goes, how long it takes...and if they are even accepting new grads...I know that I should be contacting the healthcare recruiter directly but he shows no interest to me at all...Are all healthcare recruiters like this with new grads? Do you guys think working in nursing homes for now will make me stand out even though it's non-acute experience? Sorry I have too many questions... I really appreciate it if anyone can lead me to the right direction.

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I am prior service and have called all the branches looking for a commission as an RN. Like you said none of the branches are accepting new grads for this fiscal year which ends in October. Recruiters have let me know that spots will also be extremely limited for the 2012 fiscal year.

Most recruiters will ask for all your paperwork so they can screen you and assess whether or not you are eligible. Any promises about saving you a spot are meaningless unless you get an official document.

As far as getting experience in a non acute setting to meet the 1 year experience requirement; I asked a recruiter and she said it honestly won't help. You can't substitute something else for this. Your application will pass by many eyes, some of which are military nurses and they will instantly recognize that your current position is not in an acute setting. I tried this with the Navy and was grilled by the recruiter, who was an RN, about the specific details of my current job. It did not make the cut :)

You really need to deal with only the healthcare recruiters. I called an Army enlisted recruiter who tried to talk me into joining as a medic with a special designation for having an RN license. He promised to pass my information to the healthcare recruiter; never happened.

Yes the Healthcare recruiters are showing little interest. They have met their quotas for the entire year and have other vacancies to fill. Trust me, if there was any interest they would be calling almost everyday. Supply and demand, you are offering something they don't need. Retention is at an all time high and branches are actually forcing over populated specialties to leave. My friend is a Cobra Helicopter pilot and they are forcing lower ranking pilots to leave with a check or switch specialties.

Because things won't open up for a while, you are better off looking for civilian employment and checking with the military every couple of months to see if they are accepting new grads.

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Thanks for the reply B52-H. I talked to another recruiter and said the same thing, which is to call back in July...I asked him what is my chance in getting in since I'm a new grad, and he told me that it is basically a first come first serve, and that it depends on the budget and how many spaces they have to fill in..and for the airforce, they said to call back in June...I guess I'll just have to wait... I'm still looking for a position in many hospitals, but like in the military, it is very tough to get a job outside as well.

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I hear ya, I am in the same exact position

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I am prior service and have called all the branches looking for a commission as an RN. Like you said none of the branches are accepting new grads for this fiscal year which ends in October. Recruiters have let me know that spots will also be extremely limited for the 2012 fiscal year.

Most recruiters will ask for all your paperwork so they can screen you and assess whether or not you are eligible. Any promises about saving you a spot are meaningless unless you get an official document.

As far as getting experience in a non acute setting to meet the 1 year experience requirement; I asked a recruiter and she said it honestly won't help. You can't substitute something else for this. Your application will pass by many eyes, some of which are military nurses and they will instantly recognize that your current position is not in an acute setting. I tried this with the Navy and was grilled by the recruiter, who was an RN, about the specific details of my current job. It did not make the cut :)

You really need to deal with only the healthcare recruiters. I called an Army enlisted recruiter who tried to talk me into joining as a medic with a special designation for having an RN license. He promised to pass my information to the healthcare recruiter; never happened.

Yes the Healthcare recruiters are showing little interest. They have met their quotas for the entire year and have other vacancies to fill. Trust me, if there was any interest they would be calling almost everyday. Supply and demand, you are offering something they don't need. Retention is at an all time high and branches are actually forcing over populated specialties to leave. My friend is a Cobra Helicopter pilot and they are forcing lower ranking pilots to leave with a check or switch specialties.

Because things won't open up for a while, you are better off looking for civilian employment and checking with the military every couple of months to see if they are accepting new grads.

Not sure but I have had the opposite experience with the Navy Reserve. I am working and they wanted 3 months experience but I am only in home health which is non-acute care....the recruiter (who is medical) didnt care. Went to MEPs, started all other paperwork already and they said I could be in by June, 2011. It could be regional, but I would assume active duty is filled because they offer loan $. Reserves offers 10k and thats it....at least Navy.

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Actually, loan money has nothing to do with it. All the branches are full of nurses right now, and the looming budget cuts aren't making it any better. I was extremely fortunate to make it in as a new nurse through the direct commission program while I was still in school and the program was still being offered (word on the street is they're cutting it due to the overabundance of applicants and the talent they already have in house). Best of luck in applying, but don't make it your only option.

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Not sure but I have had the opposite experience with the Navy Reserve. I am working and they wanted 3 months experience but I am only in home health which is non-acute care....the recruiter (who is medical) didnt care. Went to MEPs, started all other paperwork already and they said I could be in by June, 2011. It could be regional, but I would assume active duty is filled because they offer loan $. Reserves offers 10k and thats it....at least Navy.

Hi SunSurfRN, It is good to know that you had a good experience with the Navy :yeah:. I am also open to either Reserve or Active Duty.. just want to get ahead of the game..coz I know that if I'm already working as a Reserve if there is an open spot it will be easier for me to go Active rather than getting in and be Active right away...I will also have an interview next week with a home health service, just a part time job while I wait to get a full time one. I just have a few questions for you though...

1. When did you apply for the Reserve? and When did you graduate?

2. What was the process like with the Navy Reserve?

3. From which State and City did you contact a Navy Medical Recruiter?

4. And do you mind if I ask for your medical recruiter name and number? (this one you can just pm me or however you wanna give it if you're willing).

I am just like one of those new grad who is stuck and willing to do anything...I already applied in 80+ hospitals all over California and called each one of them to follow up my application, yet they wanted one year acute experience...Thanks a lot for this message...this gave me hope...Update me for any adventure you're gonna have with the Navy...I'm very interested to know...:):):):D

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The navy is not accepting nurse applications currently, until fiscal year 2012 which starts October 2011. Usually can start applying with the recruiter in June or July. I was blessed to be selected for active duty, 1 out of 79 slots, over 700 applicants. I'm currently halfway through ODS(Bootcamp), I had 1 year experience prior to applying. There are 6 Rn's in my class, with 2 having no prior experience. The rest have less then 1 year experience. If your looking to have loans paid for don't do the military route, your wasting got time and the military's. Join because you want to serve.

Do things to make you stand out if you want to join. Join a med-surg association, get your ACLS, etc. Get all te info you need now so your packet will be ready come October 2011

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The navy is not accepting nurse applications currently, until fiscal year 2012 which starts October 2011. Usually can start applying with the recruiter in June or July. I was blessed to be selected for active duty, 1 out of 79 slots, over 700 applicants. I'm currently halfway through ODS(Bootcamp), I had 1 year experience prior to applying. There are 6 Rn's in my class, with 2 having no prior experience. The rest have less then 1 year experience. If your looking to have loans paid for don't do the military route, your wasting got time and the military's. Join because you want to serve.

Do things to make you stand out if you want to join. Join a med-surg association, get your ACLS, etc. Get all te info you need now so your packet will be ready come October 2011

i thought the military repays student loans?

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i thought the military repays student loans?

If you have experience in the right specialities or are admitted to certain masters in nursing programs yes...new grad no...the reserves anyways are offering 10k bonus and thats it right now...must have minimum 3 months experience. Active duty is VERY competitive....believe they pay 50 but its closed this year. Thats Navy.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

The Navy Has the Health Loan Repayment Program (HLRP). It is competitive and not everyone who applies for this program will receive it. Below is a link to the Navy Medicine Manpower, education and training website.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Pages/LoanRepayment.aspx

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