I'm in the process of working with a recruiter and getting a package together in hopes of commissioning as a critical care nurse in the USN. I just wanted to see if any other applicants are out there!
A little about me-I only have about 7 months of RN experience in a level I ICU and my TNCC certification. Prior to getting my BSN, I served in the Air National Guard for 6 years as a 4N0 and a 4N1.
Specific questions I have:
1. Does anyone have specifics on the credentialing process? I've seen elsewhere on this forum that to become credentialed in a specialty, you only need 90 days of experience off orientation...Can anyone verify? I think the only weakness in my application would be my limited experience. I can't obtain the coveted CCRN certification until around the one year mark per the AACN's requirements.
2. My recruiter says med-surg/critical care are in high demand. Anyone out there know how many billets are available for direct accessions? My recruiter is on leave, else I'd ask him.
Hey everyone, just found this forum. My kit was sent for Reserves in ER/Trauma in March, but I was denied this round because I lacked the hard one year of experience in the field. Hope to RECON in a couple months and try again. Congrats to all those that gained commissions!
So I've been very disappointed! I've barely had any contact with my recruiter. He isn't returning any of my texts or calls ? Apparently CCPD did NOT clear me! They cannot credential me as an FNP because I work within the Infectious Disease field (I round at 4 different hospitals and 2 nursing homes) I started to volunteer some of my time with a Family Medicine doc. I submitted my papers again and it was a no go. Any tips?
I was hoping to talk to someone from CCPD but I have no contact with my recruiter.
Don't want to give up but this is getting very annoying and pushing for 2.5 years trying to get in.
I've had ER experience as an RN, but apparently that's not helping.
Edit: Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers on this wonderful forum!
Actively working as an fnp in family medicine is crucial. And not just prior experience. I was considering a new job in recent months while we await jobs to reopen. Even though I cleared credentialing, my recruiter told me I absolutely could not go to a specialty in the meantime.
Actively working as an fnp in family medicine is crucial. And not just prior experience. I was considering a new job in recent months while we await jobs to reopen. Even though I cleared credentialing, my recruiter told me I absolutely could not go to a specialty in the meantime.
That’s what I figured. Ugh. Guess it’s time to look for something else at least for a year or something. Welp, this’ll set back my package. Meh! Thanks for your input! I look forward to one day joining!!!
That’s what I figured. Ugh. Guess it’s time to look for something else at least for a year or something. Welp, this’ll set back my package. Meh! Thanks for your input! I look forward to one day joining!!!
I had one of the worst recruiters ever but I finished my packet and was credentialed as a FNP but I found out they have not taken any FNPs in 2 years after my packet was done. He couldn’t submit it to the board because there were no openings. When I started the process he said oh yah no problem we always need FNPs. The navy is downsizing a lot of their medical that is not critical care or trauma/ER the ones they have taken were on a wait list or were already navy nurses they sent to school. I’ve been in contact with a Lt commander and she told me the FNPs are losing a lot of order choices for example she’s been out in Hawaii and once her contract is up she doesn’t have the option to extend out there and is being moved into an admin role at one of the big navy hospitals my sister is a corpsman and told me most of the FNPs she sees now are civilian she’s currently at NMC San Diego
My first Choice was the navy but It wasn’t working out and I want to serve in an active duty role. Not getting any younger so I looked into the army which has expanded their primary care roles and is offering bonus or student loan repayment. They were able to use a lot of my info including MEPS and submit the packet. I have been recommended by the board and awaiting scroll.
I don’t want to discourage you as things may open up next FY but if you want to serve as a FNP you may want to check into another branch
I had one of the worst recruiters ever but I finished my packet and was credentialed as a FNP but I found out they have not taken any FNPs in 2 years after my packet was done. He couldn’t submit it to the board because there were no openings. When I started the process he said oh yah no problem we always need FNPs. The navy is downsizing a lot of their medical that is not critical care or trauma/ER the ones they have taken were on a wait list or were already navy nurses they sent to school. I’ve been in contact with a Lt commander and she told me the FNPs are losing a lot of order choices for example she’s been out in Hawaii and once her contract is up she doesn’t have the option to extend out there and is being moved into an admin role at one of the big navy hospitals my sister is a corpsman and told me most of the FNPs she sees now are civilian she’s currently at NMC San Diego
My first Choice was the navy but It wasn’t working out and I want to serve in an active duty role. Not getting any younger so I looked into the army which has expanded their primary care roles and is offering bonus or student loan repayment. They were able to use a lot of my info including MEPS and submit the packet. I have been recommended by the board and awaiting scroll.
I don’t want to discourage you as things may open up next FY but if you want to serve as a FNP you may want to check into another branch
Thanks for replying Shay! Funny you replied with Army because I’ve been thinking of that one instead. It is not my first choice at all however I’m 32 and I do agree with you on the age part. I do want to serve but I really don’t want to wait 2 -3 more years. I feel that by that time I’ll already have a family and may be hesitant to do it. I will take your advice.
How was the Army process? Simple or as painful as Navy?
They had slots last year and had about 6-8 this year. But across services, they are moving some jobs to civilian federal control as well as many hospitals. This year they unexpectedly pulled all billets in the Navy for fnp about two weeks into the fiscal year. Some were moved to high need RN billets I told my recruiter they have until next to get a package submitted or I'm moving on to another service. Which she's cool with.
Just wanted to post an update for anyone wondering about active duty. I was recommended by the board back in November and hadn't heard anything until recently. This is what my (crappy) recruiter told me.
" It turns out that there will be no active duty spots for your specialty (labor and delivery) this year or next year. However we have an open spot for reserves if you want to take it. Sorry about this, I was just informed that they are not going to open up any of these billets for next year either. I'm sorry this is happening, right now we are in a high demand for ICU nurses, CRNA, and Peri-Op RN nurse. We even reduced the ER nurse as well".
Just wanted to put out what information I know to share with others in the waiting game.
I’d hate to move on from the Navy process but jeez it’s been soooo long and nothing is happening. I haven’t heard anything from my recruiter and I’m getting irritated that I can’t contact him via any platform. One month he told me he needed more FNPs and then he comes out saying well, no we can’t because we only had two spots. Frustrating!
Just wanted to post an update for anyone wondering about active duty. I was recommended by the board back in November and hadn't heard anything until recently. This is what my (crappy) recruiter told me.
" It turns out that there will be no active duty spots for your specialty (labor and delivery) this year or next year. However we have an open spot for reserves if you want to take it. Sorry about this, I was just informed that they are not going to open up any of these billets for next year either. I'm sorry this is happening, right now we are in a high demand for ICU nurses, CRNA, and Peri-Op RN nurse. We even reduced the ER nurse as well".
Just wanted to put out what information I know to share with others in the waiting game.
WOW what a low blow! What will you do then? Ugh, I’d hate to be in your same position. Getting recommended and then this bit of crappy news.
Thanks for replying Shay! Funny you replied with Army because I’ve been thinking of that one instead. It is not my first choice at all however I’m 32 and I do agree with you on the age part. I do want to serve but I really don’t want to wait 2 -3 more years. I feel that by that time I’ll already have a family and may be hesitant to do it. I will take your advice.
How was the Army process? Simple or as painful as Navy?
The army process has been amazing but I attribute that to my recruiters who worked so hard to get my stuff ready they even went to the navy recruiter to get some of my meps stuff from him when he wouldn’t send it over. I think a battalion commander or something went with them. Had to redo some letters of recommendation but it was pretty easy.
WOW what a low blow! What will you do then? Ugh, I’d hate to be in your same position. Getting recommended and then this bit of crappy news.
Its because the military healthcare is transitioning to be under 1 roof. Under the care of DHA. Theyre focusing uniformity on all braches and will focus on highly deployable jobs like icu peri op crna and ER. I read the other jobs will be given to GS jobs or contract
The army process has been amazing but I attribute that to my recruiters who worked so hard to get my stuff ready they even went to the navy recruiter to get some of my meps stuff from him when he wouldn’t send it over. I think a battalion commander or something went with them. Had to redo some letters of recommendation but it was pretty easy.
I don’t want to do MEPS again so hopefully whomever works with me will have no issues.
murse616, BSN, RN
1 Post
Hey everyone, just found this forum. My kit was sent for Reserves in ER/Trauma in March, but I was denied this round because I lacked the hard one year of experience in the field. Hope to RECON in a couple months and try again. Congrats to all those that gained commissions!