Headed to ODS then Portsmouth, RN BSN Ensign in Navy NC with 1yr exp.

willhigg6 · Jan 19, 2012

Hey, no really useful information from me. I am in the middle of the NCP process now. Deadline for turning stuff in is next week. Should have everything done. I imagine waiting for an answer is going to be the hardest part. Congrats on getting in. I bet you are excited. I'd really love to hear an answer to your post, so that's why I am posting. :cheers:

navyman7 · Jan 21, 2012

Good luck in Portsmouth. As for flight nursing, they call it en route care nursing in the Navy. The only available billet is in Diego Garcia. It is a 18+ month assignment unaccompanied. No other way to get your wings. Not even if you do en route care in Afghanistan will they give them to you. You need to decide soon whether or not you want critical care or not. The reason is; once you get onto your med/surg floor you need to start pressing your DIVO for a transfer to Critical Care soon because lots want it. You need to make your wants known soon otherwise you will spend all 3 years there. Also keep in mind that if you go to the ICU you are far more likely to deploy than before.

littleluvbugnavy · Jan 21, 2012

Hey navyman7! I'm in the NCP and will be graduating in May coming on hopefully in July or August. What does it look like for someone that wants to do L&D, do you find that they get pretty limited? Any info would be great!

navyman7 · Jan 22, 2012

You shouldn't have a problem getting into L&D, but you never know. It's those folks who have their hearts set on the ER or ICU that get frustrated. One thing that will help your case is if you state that you have a desire to get your masters in midwifery or some other L&D specialty. It will say to those making the placements that you are goal directed and not just wanting to go there because it sounds fun. Later you can say that you are not interested in a masters, but by that time you are already in and by that time it will be too late to transfer you out. If they can't give you L&D ask for some area that is related like the high risk antepartum areas or something like that. That way if a space becomes available in L&D you will know about it and know people in that dept who can grease the wheels for you to get in there. Good Luck and enjoy that fundus.

GoNavyHopefulRN · Jan 29, 2012

Hi NavyMan7 and everyone else!

Enjoy that fundus? I needed a good laugh so thanks! I have been reading posts related to the Navy Nurse Corps. For this last few days, I have been gathering info on how to get in by DA. It's tough I know and I wish it wasn't so. I've contacted the Medical Program Officer in my area- so far we are playing phone tag but I'm sure we will be able to have a conversation this upcoming week. I am a Public Health Nurse with a focus on Psych/Mental Health. There is nothing I want more than becoming a PMHNP/FNP (I plan to obtain a post-cert after I find out what the Navy's needs are) and serving those who served. My hubs recently separated from the Navy after nearly a decade and has given me the ok to go for my dream of being a Navy Nurse. What a guy...

About Me:

1. 34 soon-to-be 35 y/o female

2. Graduated in May 2008 with a 3.3 (not a strong GPA but I got into a great school with a special needs kid in a city I didn't know much about. My husband was gone that whole time so I'm happy with what I've accomplished.

3. Won a spot in the VA Nursing Academy in VA SD Medical Center.

4. 2 Awards given by my employer.

5. I'm a go-getter and has been so fortunate to never have to go the Plan B route. I get it done.

6. Public Health Nurse: Tons of mental health, admin, quality assurance type of experience.

7. I have realistic expectations. I come from a military family as did my hubs. I am all about this.

Any thoughts or advice? How about #6? Is this a done deal because I am not a hospital nurse? If they need me on the floor, I'll take it but wondering if I should say that as to not sound so Navy-desperate; without sound goals. Did I mention I want this so bad? Haha. I need a pick-me-up. I am not the type to get nervous and not give up but I am getting pretty antsy. I don't know what to think.

Thanks all in advance!

GoNavyHopefulRN · Jan 29, 2012

Congratulations Sw88t Pea! This is going to be the start of a great chapter...

navyman7 · Jan 29, 2012

GoNavyHopeful: I have not encountered a single public health nurse yet in the Navy. I have met people who have gotten there masters in public health and they deploy a lot since they oversee things like water potability issues, malaria prophylaxis, etc. In regards to your mental health experience, you shouldn't have much trouble coming into the Navy to work in mental health. As with all my posts, nothing is certain. You will definitely need to talk to a medical officer recruiter, make sure that he puts you in touch with someone from the MSC (medical service corps) who works in Public Health, like an EHO. They can give you actual guidance as to the best route for pursuing that line of work. Don't take the recruiters word for things, talk to someone who has done it first hand. Hope this helps a little. Let me know if you need further clarification.

annamfuentes1 · Jan 31, 2012

Hello sweetpea!!

Hi, congratulations on your way to become navy nurse. I am graduating this coming may 5th/2012. I am doing the paperwork to become a navy nurse. I did MEPS already and I am trying to obatin onfo about ODS. I will be going on october this year. Good luck on yours. Coul you let me know how easy is to get your duty assignment? I want Bethesda. I have been reading that you can select from bethesda, san diego or portsmouth is this true?? Please, also could you let me know about ODS when you go there...and what exactly I have to focus on that training? Thanks Anna

Hi there,
I graduated from University of Portland with RN BSN in May 2010. I just completed one year of psych nursing at a 78 bed hospital. I'm very excited to move on. I commissioned before Christmas as an Ensing (O-1). They moved my rank date back 7 months which was awesome (extra points for past employment). I'm headed to ODS in February and then will be stationed at Portsmouth Medical Center. I have a 3 year active duty contract. I took a sign on bonus, no loan repayment (I'm set). I'm taking any info on this process, ODS recommendations, Navy life, info on Portsmouth Med Cen or the area and where to live, etc.?
I'm a good student, a good athlete, a good nurse, and ball buster. I'm confident, flexible and looking forward to a new experience with the navy-no expectations. As a nurse, long term I hope to do life flight. My goal will be to head towards critical care. If I can do that in that in the Navy, great if not I'll get to it. Cheers to new times.

navyman7 · Jan 31, 2012

annamfuentes1 : it depends on where they need nurses the most. it also depends on where you live. if you live on the west caost, it's more cost effective if they send you to san diego, and vice versa for the east coast. but you never know. it's all up to the detailer. there are other hospitals that you can go to also. they just don't advertise that fact. they want you to go to the big 3 because they need nurses badly at them. hope this provides some insight into your question.