How long after turning in application package to Navy Nurse Corps

MURunner86 · Dec 5, 2011

I can only speak from my experience. My packet went to board around 20 July. I didn't hear back for almost 10 days, then I waited another 2 weeks for orders, and then 3 more weeks until I went to ODS.

singsongRN · Dec 5, 2011

Thank you so much for your response! Very helpful. My recruiter said I should hear something sometime this week...fingers crossed! Then, if I am selected, hopefully I will get into the ODS class in January....

MBRN74 · Mar 18, 2012

To MURunner86 and singsongRN,

What specialties were you applying for? How long have you guys been nurses. Please let me know. My packet didn't go up until december (paperwork left out etc) and then I was told, after I found out on my own, that the med/surg slots were all filled. Did you guys go n for critical care or the new nurse program?

MURunner86 · Mar 18, 2012

My application package was sent to the Navy Nurse Corps Board for review Nov. 15. Does anyone know how long it will take before I hear if I am selected as a candidate? And how soon I can go to ODS? My recruiter told me I should hear something by Dec...but it is now Nov. 28...I'm just anxious. Thanks!

I am a critical care (CCRN certified) nurse.

MBRN74 · Mar 18, 2012

Hi singsongRN,

thanks for the reply. I figured you must have been. My packet didnt go up until December and then marked as "no goal" because all the medsurg slots were filled. How long have you been in critical care? How hard was the test? I should have sought out a critical care position last year, which i did but to no avail. I am now seeking one. They said that if i get a job in critical care and get the CCRN that would be a good thing and I can apply again before fiscal year is out but those positions will most likely be filled by then for critical care nurses. Or I will have to submit for med surg position in aug/oct. Did you get picked up or not? What happened with yours? Thank you for replying. If you didn't get picked up then what will you do next?

Thanks

MBRN74 · Mar 18, 2012

Hi MU Runner86,

How long have you been a CC nurse? What the certification test really hard? How long did you study for it. My packet didnt make the board in time and all the med surg slots filled up. Now they tell me that I can reapply for CC nurse position as long as i have the CCRN. I need to get moving on this right away. I wish someone told me this sooner. Folks havn't been really proactive. I have asked millions of quesitons. Please give me your feedback, especially about the test.

Purple_Demon_RN · Mar 21, 2012

I'm not MU Runner86, but we are acquainted. I can tell you that our experiences (mine and Mu Runner86's) are very similar, albeit still different. I am currently a Critical Care Nurse in the US Navy and I work at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. I can tell you that if you're trying to do direct accession into the navy without critical care or mental health experience and you are not certified in med/surg, you shouldn't even pick up an application. You don't have to have the CCRN in order to apply for the critical care nurse position, you just have to have 4 months of ICU experience. The certification for the CCRN was not terribly hard at all. I got 90% of it right, but I can see how some people would fail it. Now I can tell you that if you go into the navy with 4 months of ICU experience without your CCRN, you'll be right back in med/surg no matter which duty station you go to. I recommend you not going to Walter Reed because I had 1.5 years of ICU experience, CCRN, and TNCC and I still almost got put in med/surg. If you're really worried about the test, just watch the Gasparis DVDs and you should be ok if you understand most of it. The people that fail it are those that walk in without studying for it at all.

snathers · Mar 21, 2012

Again demon, your posts are too much to bear. Please speak objectively. I know plenty of poeple who have taken the CCRN with not studying for it as you and passed it. So your last statement is just false. However I would recomend putting in some serious study time. Do some research before posting. We don't need lazy posters.

Purple_Demon_RN · Mar 21, 2012

So I'm a little surprised by that reply. I have to say it seems like either something was misunderstood on purpose or just completely overlooked. I think I make it pretty clear that the CCRN is not that bad and the only people that fail are those that don't study, which does not mean that if you don't study you will fail. So it appears that what you've done is re-packaged my post, because you basically repeated what I said, then insulted me by calling me cocky and non-objective. Interesting. I wish I knew your motivation for it

MBRN74 · Mar 22, 2012

Hi Purple Demon,

I really want to thank you for taking the time for promptly responding to my post. I know you must be busy so thank you so much. Here is my history. I started this process last year (March) to be exact. I wasn't told the navy was looking for critical care nurses or else i would have sought out positions then. I was just told they weren't taking many nurses anymore. Nontheless, it was a long drawn out process and I wasn't even told that i needed to have a packet in by august much less october. my packet never got sent up until january and in december my recruiter didnt know that the goal for med/surg had already been met. I found out and told her. I did apply for ICU positions last fall to no avail. However, I am being told as of today that the need is obviously for CC nurses. I worked in a critical care unit but only doing specific treatments. (dont want to reveal too much) Anyway, i havn't actually worked as a critical or icu nurse nor have i had the course. I am interviewing for an ICU position this week in hopes that i can reapply by august 1. I have been a nurse over 14 years with ER, med/surg, experience, etc.....I really want to take the CCRN exam but i do hear its pretty hard, especially since i technically dont have icu experience. At least all my experienced icu friends say it's hard. By the time august rolls around i would only have 3 months icu if i get hired and hopefully the CCRN but that's not a promise. I dont mind being placed in med/surg once im in that's no problem. Are there any other tips you can offer up. How many months experience did you have when you applied. Please tell me your timelines in case i have missed it. I really appreciate all of your help and effort in assisting with this. Again, i'm thinking the CCRN was easier for you because you have some experience and are generally a smart lady. Thanks again and look forward to hearing back from you.

MB

Purple_Demon_RN · Mar 22, 2012

Hahaha, do I come off as a lady? That's funny because I'm actually a guy. Anyways, I think I see now why some people get mad at my initial response because I have looked through the rest of the allnurses site. I can see that a lot of people are having trouble finding jobs, which I wasn't aware of how bad it was for this many people. In any case, you've asked a few questions, so here are your answers (this is my nicest and least offensive tone that I have for those out there that are easily offended).

As for how many months of ICU experience I had when I gained accession, I had 6 months of experience. I had a total of 13 months when i began my service. Now it is important to remember that as time goes on, the budget for nursing in the Navy decreases and the obstacles to getting in appear to be increasing. Therefore, please get your CCRN and TNCC before you apply because you'll be much more competitive that way. The board recognizes those two things for sure and they understand how they set you apart from your peers.

My timeline is as follows: I put in my first application as a general nurse accession in December 2010, which is right after I graduated and before I had my license. I found out in February that I was not accepted. I put in my application in May of 2011 as a critical care nurse. In June, I was approved by congress as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, however I didn't find this out until October 2011 because of the possible government shutdown. I received orders November 2011 along with my formal commissioning. I went to ODS on new year's day 2012 and I now work for the United states Navy as a critical care nurse.

With the critical care application, there are advantages. One of the advantages is that you can re-submit it every month. I think with the general application, it is only twice a year, once in August and once in December. I'm not entirely sure about those facts on the general application, but I know for a fact the critical care application is on a rolling basis.

Another tip I have for you is that if you have ER experience and you want to get in the navy, get your CEN. That will also help you. The Navy has different classifications for specialty nurses with experience, certifications, master's degrees, etc. The only thing that would beat out that CEN in your emergency specialty is a master's degree in acute care. In case I didn't make myself clear, emergency nursing is a specialty in the Navy. On that note, obtaining your med/surg certification would also be helpful. Med/surg nursing is also a specialty in the Navy. If there are any other questions you have, just let me know.