BSN and navy nursing

Specialties Government

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there are so many discussions on this topic but they are all outdated. I would like to know current information.

I recently graduated with my BSN (in December) and want to join the navy. I have been a cna for 4 years so i have hospital experience as well as a 3.5 gpa. I do have a family. 6 kids and a wife. They are down for the adventure the Navy has to offer.

I guess my questions are..

1. What's the best route to becoming a navy nurse.

2. What do they look for in an applicant?

3. Do they help pay for student loans?

4. Do they pay for continuous education (NP program)

5. Do they still offer sign on bonuses?

6. Do they take new graduates?

7. How long is the process of getting into the navy?

8. Is it really competitive?

9. Is the navy needing more male nurses to apply? (Where i am located male nurses are in demand)

Thank You in advance!

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1. Talk to a medical recruiter.

2. Post-BSN nursing experience, good grades, letters of recommendation, and much much more. Talk a recruiter.

3. I believe there are options for this but I think you have to waive your ability to take a bonus if you take the loan repayment. A recruiter would be able to tell you what current incentives are available.

4. Yes, but you have to be in for a certain amount of time before you can apply (or maybe it's a certain rank before you can apply, like O3?) and then it's a time commitment.. I think 2 years for every 1 year of school..

5. Ask a recruiter.

6. Not typically. 1 year of experience is preferred.

7. 12-18 months is typical from the time you start your application process

8. YES. Very competitive.

9. I don't think gender matters really.

One additional thing you may want to ask a recruiter about is I believe the Navy has a policy about the maximum number of dependents you can have.. I thought it was 3 (i.e. spouse + 2 kids) otherwise you would have to request a waiver.

Like I noted above, none of your experience (hospital or otherwise) will count towards your application in the Navy's eyes until AFTER your BSN unfortunately. So the 1 year experience starts from the time you get your BSN. 3.5 GPA is good. I would say get a hospital job as a BSN and start talking to a medical recruiter. Given the amount of time it takes to put your kit together and go through the whole process you may have a year experience by the time submitting to the board comes around (that's what happened to me).

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You should contact a healthcare recruiter for current information. Bonuses and loan repayment wax and wane depending on the needs of the service at the time. Yes, it remains competitive - there are typically more applicants than slots during each cycle. Your GPA qualifies you (3.5 is usually the very minimum), but does not make you exactly competitive. Your school must also have proper accreditation.

Your best bet is to get some hospital experience as an RN (anything prior doesn't count for the military, so your CNA time doesn't matter to them) and possibly a specialty certification to make yourself a more attractive candidate. Military recruiting doesn't have a mission for males vs. females - the slots are gender neutral. Typically the process takes about a year, so all the more reason to find a job locally and get experience. Nothing with the military happens quickly.

Again, recruiters will have the most current information. If you haven't taken the NCLEX yet, don't expect them to be eager to talk to you. But be tenacious if you really want to serve! It can be very rewarding if service matters to you.

This thread has recent posts: https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/active-duty-navy-1065454-page5.html#post9600240

Good luck!

0 Votes
You should contact a healthcare recruiter for current information. Bonuses and loan repayment wax and wane depending on the needs of the service at the time. Yes, it remains competitive - there are typically more applicants than slots during each cycle. Your GPA qualifies you (3.5 is usually the very minimum), but does not make you exactly competitive. Your school must also have proper accreditation.

Your best bet is to get some hospital experience as an RN (anything prior doesn't count for the military, so your CNA time doesn't matter to them) and possibly a specialty certification to make yourself a more attractive candidate. Military recruiting doesn't have a mission for males vs. females - the slots are gender neutral. Typically the process takes about a year, so all the more reason to find a job locally and get experience. Nothing with the military happens quickly.

Again, recruiters will have the most current information. If you haven't taken the NCLEX yet, don't expect them to be eager to talk to you. But be tenacious if you really want to serve! It can be very rewarding if service matters to you.

This thread has recent posts: https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/active-duty-navy-1065454-page5.html#post9600240

Good luck!

Does years of experience count more or less than gpa. BSN gpa is 4.0 pre BSN not so hot. :( Overall is a 3.0

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Does years of experience count more or less than gpa. BSN gpa is 4.0 pre BSN not so hot. :( Overall is a 3.0

I can't speak for the Navy, but the Army didn't care about my pre-BSN GPA.

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