I have been debating on joing the military now for the last year while going through nursing school. I have been debating between airforce and navy as well as joing with my RN or getting bSN first. I find myself in a pickle and need some help.
I have been wanting to speak with those in the mililtary as a nurse and their experiences, tips, suggestions ect. My boyfriend told me of this place and I wish I would have found it a long time ago. I have been putting off talkign to recruiters because I want to find out everything I can before I do so I know what to believe and ask. Many military and non military people I know tell me "they will tell you anything to get you to join." I have always wanted to be a nurse, I am only 20 years old (turn 21 in feb 2012) but I am mature for my age. I graduated a year early form high school (had a minor setback in nursing school thus far and should have graduated this last may but I have recovered and will be graduating in may 2012).
I want to help people and experience as much as possible. Iplan on joining either navy or airforce for 3-4 years then I would like to settle down with my boyfirend (the love of my life) and start a family.
I need any tips and information you can give me please. I am seeing that getting a BSN and joining AF is goign ot be a long wait and very few get in ( I didnt realize how scant jobs were in AF for BSN nurses). My younger sister is married to a navy submariner and she says there is a shortage for nurses in the navy, Is this true?
for the NCP you must be pursuing your BSN. I do not know about enlisting with your RN versus your BSN but do believe you are required to have your BSN to be a nurse in the military and it is a requirement in order to be an officer. I don't know about nurses on the enlisted side, just officer. While in the Nurse Candidate Program, you have no obligations to the Navy meaning you go on living your civilian life while you receive your sign on bonuses and monthly stipend once you swear in. I currently go to school at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, I'm in their accelerated program. Nursing is actually my second bachelors degree. I graduate in December next year and when I graduate I will have 30-60 days to complete the NCLEX exam and once I pass it, I will go to Newport, Rhode Island for 5 weeks for officer development school. After ODS, I will go to my first permanent duty station and will be in training/orientation for about 6 months before I am able to work on my own in my nursing unit. You can find more information regarding the Navy NCP here and everything on here is exactly what my recruiter told me about and did not try to fluff anything up to get me to join. http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Pages/NurseCandidateProgram_Prospective.aspx should give you the information you need :) let me know if there is anything else you would like to know to help make your decision.
MY HERO! i've been looking for someone who was a 2nd bachelors and in military nursing! im applying to Accelerated BSN programs and got into an entry level MSN program for fall 2012. I'm interested in military nursing and looking for ways I can apply. how competitive was it? how did you go about applying?
If you were to do a an ABSN program, you can apply to the NCP program as soon as you get your acceptance. If you do an ELMSN you actually will probably need to get experience before you can apply for direct entry to the Nurse Corps. I think both options are competitive, but obviously the NCP option will have a smaller candidate pool. I hear the Army is now requiring 2 years of service if you want direct entry into the Corps (though they also have a NCP) and it doesn't sound like the Navy is at quite the same point. But things can change. I would talk to a healthcare recruiter if you are interested in finding out more.
MY HERO! i've been looking for someone who was a 2nd bachelors and in military nursing! im applying to accelerated BSN programs and got into an entry level MSN program for fall 2012. I'm interested in military nursing and looking for ways I can apply. how competitive was it? how did you go about applying?
Sorry I have not been on to reply. The Navy NCP is very competitive, you can apply as soon as you are accepted into the Accelerated BSN program as long as you will graduate within a 2 year time frame. Also, you have to have a high GPA, 3.0 is the bare minimum but they are looking more for those with higher GPA's. Experience in the nursing field is also an advantage as it is members of the nurse corps who recommend acceptance to the program or not. To get started with the application process, you should get in contact with your nearest military medical officer recruitment station. It is crucial to begin the application process as soon as you can as the application process can take 3-6months as I found out mine took me 6months to complete.
Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Military Nursing.
I am a Navy Nurse Corps Officer. I have worked in the ICU for 3 years. I have deployed overseas. I have 2 degrees. I 1st applied to the Navy through the NCP program along with my friend with the same resume. He got in, i didn't. I joined the Navy via the Direct Accession (DA) program. In the end I received more money than him, and owe less time. I also have a good friend that is a Army nurse, and my sister and father are Air Force so I can talk a little about them too.
You need to talk to a nurse corp recruiter. They will tell you all the great things about being a Navy nurse. They will even fly you out to San Diego or Maryland for a tour and a chance to see things first hand. With that said, be sure you talk to an active duty nurse first hand away from the recruiters. They will be able to tell you all the little things that the recruiters leave out; things like wearing a uniform to work in, deploying, living overseas, wear you will work, etc. I was surprised when I showed up on day 1. I am happy to answer all your questions. Good luck in your search.
cahsezsaywhat
31 Posts
MY HERO! i've been looking for someone who was a 2nd bachelors and in military nursing! im applying to Accelerated BSN programs and got into an entry level MSN program for fall 2012. I'm interested in military nursing and looking for ways I can apply. how competitive was it? how did you go about applying?