Graduating BSN, then ODS right after..need advice

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Specializes in Navy Nurse.

Hello, I am about to graduate this December with my BSN. After taking my NCLEX and submitting it to my health professions officer who handles my paperwork, I will be scheduled to attend Navy ODS (Officer Development School) around early to mid February. I put San Diego as my 1st choice, 2nd Bethesda, and 3rd Porthsmouth in Duty Preference sheet, but I have not heard back from my detailer yet. My question is, with this timeline, what events can I expect in the upcoming days after ODS? and What you (navy nurses) experienced of being a military officer? I just need that encouragement on how should I approach this upcoming military officer lifestyle with a Nurse specialty attached to it. I am not regretting anything, I just want to hear the pros and cons of being or having an " Nurse Officer" lifestyle.

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Specializes in Critical Care (SICU/Trauma).

Well, I just graduated from ODS 14 OCT so I can tell you what it's like to be a NEW Nurse Corps officer. ODS has changed a lot, so if your recruiter fed you some crap about it being a cakewalk, don't believe it.

As far as the lifestyle, your first couple weeks at your first command will be checking in and beginning your nurse residency program. You do a lot of NKO and submit a dream sheet and then you're assigned to your ward/unit.

If I can give you any advice, get all the partying out of your system now. ODS or once you're out there in the fleet is not the time to be a party girl. And first DUI..you're DONE.

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Since you just graduated MURunner86, how strict are they about the body fat regulations there? Do you need good-low for the first prt?

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Specializes in Critical Care (SICU/Trauma).

I will tell you that probably within the first 24 hours of your class convening your class officer will weigh everyone in the class. If you are out of standards you will be on remedial PT until you meet standards. It's better to just PT once a day, trust me you'll be tired enough as it is.

Yes, you do need a good low or again, you will be placed on remedial PT until the next PRT.

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Specializes in Navy Nurse.
Well, I just graduated from ODS 14 OCT so I can tell you what it's like to be a NEW Nurse Corps officer. ODS has changed a lot, so if your recruiter fed you some crap about it being a cakewalk, don't believe it.

As far as the lifestyle, your first couple weeks at your first command will be checking in and beginning your nurse residency program. You do a lot of NKO and submit a dream sheet and then you're assigned to your ward/unit.

If I can give you any advice, get all the partying out of your system now. ODS or once you're out there in the fleet is not the time to be a party girl. And first DUI..you're DONE.

Thank You murunner for this great information. Actually I do not even party anymore while I am in nursing school. I just focus on my grades and physical training. I know ODS is not a cakewalk but I know it is not impossible and not as hard as OCS which is 12 weeks. But I do know it is still challenging, and will need to be mentally prepared for what is up ahead. After you graduated, how long did it take you to go to ODS after you submitted your passed NCLEX scores to your detailer?? I just needed to know the timeframe...Thank you so much and good luck.

Note: ODS tips and insights will also be appreciated...Thank you..

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Specializes in Critical Care (SICU/Trauma).

I was not a typical applicant. I worked for nearly a year and a half as an ICU nurse before getting my commission. However, it was about 8 months from the time I contacted recruiter until the day I was commissioned.

As far as ODS goes, it has changed a lot. While the Chiefs there realize you are staff corps officers (and hence already commissioned and that you can't really "fail" ODS, they still try as hard as they can to push you mentally, physically and emotionally. Expect your first week to week and a half to not do anything correctly. You will get screamed at and do lots of pushups. The boot camp atmosphere quickly dies off though as you and your shipmates finally "get it" and start doing what the chiefs want.

As far as specific questions, please ask, I'd be happy to help!

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As a whole ODS wasn't hard to me at all. The worst parts for me were getting up at 4am every day and only eat three meals a day. I'm more of a multiple small meals throughout the day kind of person. My body never adjusted to it. Otherwise it's a lot of just class time about the military...aka death by powerpoint.

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Is the NEX pretty poor in RI? I'd rather go on base near me now and pick up my uniform stuff prior to leaving if they'll be deficient in correct sized uniform items.

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Specializes in Critical Care (SICU/Trauma).

deftonez...do not do this. PLEASE. I had prior service Navy corpsmen (who knew how to wear the uniform!!!) in my ODS class who ended up buying duplicates of things they had brought. ODS is a training environment. The ladies at the uniform shop will fit and tailor things for you. The chiefs want the uniforms to fit a certain way (and you will have uniform inspections), so if the stuff you bring isn't right, you're screwed.

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Will do, i'll wait then!

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