Help! Navy Nurse Canidate Program!

meg314 · Jan 31, 2008

I can't tell you a WHOLE lot about the Navy, but I can inform you a little bit about the Nurse Candidate program application process because I just finished and was just accepted about a week ago!

First of all is contact a recruiter. Find your local Navy Recruiting District in your area and call or e-mail them and set up an appointment to talk. I met my recruiter at nursing school orientation in August and we had a few meetings while I was working on my application. Usually there should be a medical officer or health programs officer of some sort to talk to. Ask a lot of questions so you are making a well-informed decision.

The application process takes quite a bit of time so the sooner you start the better. I believe you have to be in a nursing program with fewer than 24 months left or more than 6 months left to finish. In my case (I'm a sophomore) my 24 month time frame won't start until May, so that's when I will swear in and start receiving pay. You can start the application when you're a sophomore or with more than 2 years left of school, but you won't start the program until the 24 month mark.

You have to complete a background check, an EPSQ (security questionnaire, just asking a lot of questions about where you live, where you worked, etc) and an application (most important part: the motivational statement!) and get transcripts, all things that require time more than anything. I also had to get 3 letters of recommendation from college professors. Also, two interviews with Nurse Corps officers are required as part of the application process. For my interviews, we were taken on a MEDVIP trip (a trip for applicants finishing up the application process) to San Diego to both tour the medical center and conduct interviews, but I believe the interviews can also be done over the phone. You also need to get a complete physical at a MEPS station which takes a good portion of your morning (mine was about 5 hours).

As for the competitiveness, I can't really judge that. I finished my application in the end of October and it was reviewed on November 14th, 2007. I just found out Friday (January 25, 2008) that I was accepted. My recruiter told me that 55 applicants were chosen for this fiscal year (which begins in October, runs through October I believe). I believe it's like a "first come, first serve" process, where if you're qualified and you get your application in early, you have a better chance. They don't accept a bunch of applications and then pick the best ones. At least that's what my recruiter told me (don't believe everything you hear, obviously).

So all in all, give yourself enough time to complete the application well. Time is the key factor. The first step is contacting a recruiter and once you do that, they will guide you and tell you pretty much everything you need to do!

Like I said before, I was JUST accepted so I can't fill you in about the experience, only the application process. Feel free to correct me if I have something wrong here, but I'm just basing it on my experience. Best of luck to you!

DanznRN, RN · Jan 31, 2008

Meg pretty much nailed it for the app. process. I did the NCP program back in '95-'97 and it was pretty much the same. As for Navy experiences, do a search maybe using my username to filter and you will find multiple posts regarding experiences in the Navy. Any specific questions you have, just let me know.

LCDR Dan

Itshamrtym · Jan 31, 2008

:balloons::balloons::balloons::w00t::balloons::balloons::balloons:Congratulations to you MEG!!!! I'm sure you are very happy!!!!! Good Luck to you with your NAVY career.

sw224439 · Oct 27, 2008

I am in the process of applying to the Navy Nurse Corps. I graduate in May '09. but I have lots of questions!

1. How long will it take for me to actually know whether or not I get accepted into the Navy? ( I plan to have my application completed and submitted by November 2008)

2. Is OIS before or after I pass the NCLEX?

3.Do you know of anything that may disqualify me or hinder my acceptence? (G.P.A, swimming capabilities, medical issues etc)

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2008

1. Boards are 'typically' every month - and they make there decision within a week or two 'typically'.

2. OIS is after NCLEX.

3. Yes medical, swimming can disqualify you... or not getting your degree and successfully passing your NCLEX.

captncourageous98 · Oct 27, 2008

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/noru/orojt/medicalofficer.htm

Check this site out. I hope it helps! It was passed along to me and now I do the same for you! I am also looking into this. Good luck! See you in the fleet!

:0)

sw224439 · Oct 27, 2008

Okay thank you! I just want to clarify the swimming-I could not answer yes to all of the questions on the application regarding the swim test. I can swim and Im not afraid of water,but I just couldnt do everything listed. Could that disqualify me?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2008

Is it because you can't now-or you won't ever? ...and it probably depends what it is....

I recommend contacting your recruiter :)