New to Navy, ODS, Portsmouth-need any help?

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Hi there,

I've been a nurse since 2010 and graduated from University of Portland, Oregon. I worked in mental health and with the red cross for a year before applying for the Navy. 13 mos later I found myself at Officer Development School and graduated this February. I'm stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth now and living in Norfolk. I wanted to offer myself as a resource to any of these topics since I felt like I was at a loss for information prior to coming in. Feel free to ask anything about the nursing, the Navy, the application process, duty stations, ODS, Norfolk, etc. Good luck to you and thank you for considering service in the US military.

PineappleCrush,

I was one of those 17. Worst case scenario if they don't choose you as an alternate for a FY you just go back in at the end of the year, update your paperwork, and resubmit for the next board (that's what my recruiter advised. Luckily that didn't need to happen). He said they always make conservative cuts at the beginning of the year, and then always find ways to add more throughout the year. I submitted my kit at this time last year and got into the Sept ODS at the last minute.

Look forward to meeting you all this weekend!!

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

Good luck to you all! I look forward to seeing you in the Big Navy!

I'm graduating in December and would like to join the Navy Nurse Corps. I spoke with an officer recruiter and had a lot of my questions answered but I recently thought of another that someone may be able to answer. How does the application process work? From what I understand I have to start getting everything together and it gets sent off...but how long can that take? I guess what I am worried about is graduating and still not having heard anything back about acceptance/denial...I am a little lost on this if anyone at all could clarify.

The process takes a different length of time for each person. For instance, I got hung up with needing letters from an MD for a medical waiver. Just a word of advice, apply for civilian jobs and dont depend solely on the navy. It may take a lot longer than you think. I started the process in March of 2011 and just finally submitted. In the meantime, I have a job in a nurse residency program. I just graduated summa cum laude in may and am not keeping my hopes up that I'll get picked up since I'm a "new grad." I know this isn't the most positive feedback, but if this is what you want just stay motivated and dedicated to it... It will work out the way it is supposed to! Best of luck!

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

Currently, applications are being reviewed once a year, September. All packets must be submitted by then for review for the following year. So starting now, the soonest you could apply, get in, and go would be January 2014. I agree with SailorWifey that it is recommended not to wait around for the Navy. Certainly apply but also get your feet wet in the civilian world and always be building that resume.

-MEPS physical (within a year of application being sent I believe)

-3 letters of recommendation (dated within 6 mos of app being sent)

-Navy Accession Security and Information System-Security Clearance App

-Motivational Statement

-Two interviews

-Bonus/Loan Repayment paperwork

-3 Duty Stations of Preference

-etc.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Received good news around end of August from my recruiter. She said that the Nurse Corp has finally decided to give me a spot for FY 2012 and that I should be ready for ODS on October 14. Unfortunately, I broke my right ankle in July and I have been in intensive rehabilitation since then. My orthopedic surgeon says that I should be ready (back to normal/active duties) by January 2013. My recruiter says my spot will be held for me pending medical paperwork from my doctors, which I am currently working on. I am deeply frustrated because I have been waiting for almost a year and now that it's here for me, I can't "move" on it. I've read previous threads as regards to PT and I've been really active prior to my injury. I think you mentioned on one of the threads that I should be able to run three times a week (I ran 10 to 11-minute miles). My surgeon (a Nam Vet) is pretty confident that I will be able to go through ODS by January 2013. I am not as confident so any thoughts from you would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time.

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

Hmmm ODS was a lot of impact as far as feet go. And towards the end you have to wear combat boots etc that are not good on your feet.

We generally had 3-5 running days a week. We didn't know when they were. We never ran more than 3 miles and an 11 min. mile should be ok-remember to look up the PRT regulations. You have to run 1.5 mile in a certain time. There's a lot of getting down and doing push ups, mountain climbers, sit ups-where someone is holding your feet. A lot of things that seem they would bother a broken ankle.

A hard part with ODS is that you tend to be out on your feet for 16+ hours. There's not much down time between things. You tend to go from one thing to the next to the next etc.

It would be tough. I'd take it easy and keep up with recovery. Being injured at ODS is no fun!

RNMAYO- I'm currently in ODS and agree with Sw88tpea. Ive never had foot problems but the first two weeks here my feet and ankles were constantly swollen and sore. Nothing can prepare you for standing such long hours on concrete and tile. You do spend a lot of time in class but ODS is on the fourth floor of a building without an elevator. You climb A LOT of stairs while you're here. My recommendation is to allow as much recovery time as you are able. If you have a preexisting condition you want to spend as little time on limited duty to prevent missing the time with your class due to being stuck in medical for follow ups.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Sw88tpea and carolinakate88! I greatly appreciate it! :)

Specializes in Cardiology, ICU.

Sw88tpea,

I have just been assigned to Naval Hospital Jacksonville in Florida. I was given a survey to fill out asking me what collateral duties I would prefer and to rate my top three preferences of units to work. Not being prior Military, I don't know what collateral duties there are to choose from, or which ones are best to start out with. Also, I hear most new nurses either go to the Multi-Service Unit or L&D, but have you ever seen newer nurses go to ER or say a step down unit? My end goal is critical care, so I'm not totally against MSU as that would be a good background, but I'd like any step up I can get. any advice would help!

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

Congrats!

Collateral duties are different for every unit. Some involve more work than others. Some are weekly work (DHMRSi or training officer) others are once a month (environmental preparedness or code officer). Let me know if you have specific questions.

Most new grads without nursing experience go to medsurg wards. At Portsmouth, if you had previous experience as a nurse (with a BSN) then you could get to the Progressive Care Unit/Cardiac Care Unit (PCU). They do not take new grads directly to ER or ICU. There is the opportunity to move towards the ICU after your 18 mo assignment. We have nurses that do that often. At Portsmouth the PCU is mostly the unit that feeds ICU, we float there, etc.

Also know that Jacksonville is a medium sized treatment facility, ICU may only be 6-8 beds and the ER may cater mostly to sick call. Just something else to keep in mind.

Go Navy!

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