I'm thinking of Joining the Navy as a Nurse... ?

[Wheaties]

How should I go about joining the navy? because my main goal is to become a navy nurse.

I have one more year left in nursing school before graduation.

I went to the navy recruiter today in my area, an enlisted navy recruiter, and they told me I can sign up and they will start me at the rank of E-3.

I've also heard there is a navy nurse officer program, but they gave vague details on that.

Is there a difference between E-3 and officer? I heard as an officer, you have more responsibility and you have to be a leader to lead people. I dont feel like I'm the type who can lead people, I'm more of a follower, tell me what to do, give me and assignment to do, and I'll do it.

THey also told me as an E-3, I will get 1500 a mont base pay plus other allowances for daily living, and 250 dollars for working in the naval hospital.

Does a navy nurse who starts at E-3, get paid by the hour when working at a naval hospital, like in civilian hospital? I'm a little confuse about how they get paid. I know in my area, the starting pay for graduates is around 26-30 dollars per hour, plus time and half for overtime. does the navy nurse get paid by the hour.?

If i want to join the navy, the pay has at least gotta be equal to what i make in civilian hospitals.

[KDRUS22]

Kora- I am also thinking about signing up to be a Navy Nurse. Where do you find a medical program recruiter? What is OIS like? I'm nervous it's going to be intense physically...I picture people yelling at you, etc etc. What has it been like for you so far? What is the worst possible scenario for a navy nurse? I feel like the recruiters tell you all the good stuff and make it look glamorous. Thanks for listening!

Hello,

I signed up with the Navy as a junior in BSN program in Illinois (Chicago). I went throught the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) with a sign up bonus ( which trippled since I signed up with them- oh well) and a monthly stipend which will continue beind deposited into your account until you are done with nursing school. While I was in school I had a E5 status on my paper, but once you have your bachelor they will commission you an officer, during your graduation ceremony. (pretty awsome thing) Anyway I will be going to OIS for 5 week training in a few weeks and from there to my first duty station, which you get a choice of (got my first choice assignement).

Anyway, if you are going to sign up do it through a Medical Programs Recruiter ONLY!!!!! let me know where you are from and I will try to help you as much as I can. When it comes down to pay, it is comperable with the civilian sector, but it's different when it comes down to taxes, your BAH, etc.

Let me know, I will try to answer to my best knowledge and whatever you do do not sign up through the first recruiter on the street you go to. . . .only an officer recruiting individual.

Best luck

GO NAVY

Kornelia

[KDRUS22]

sorry everyone ...i just signed up on this forum and i'm still learning how to use it. Can anyone tell me what it is like to be married as a navy nurse? I am most likely going to be engaged soon and what makes me nervous about following through with my dream (navy nurse) is...what is i get pregnant? Will I be with my husband where I am stationed etc?

[DanznRN, RN]

KD-

Depends on what your "husband" does in the Navy. My wife and I are both active duty, but we're both nurses, so keeping us together is no big deal. Whenever we change duty stations, hospitals get a 2 for 1 deal. If your 'husband' does something else that will be infinitely harder. When you have 2 members in different professions, neither professions cares about the other. Each profession has a job to do and being in the military the job comes first, not your marriage. Not what you want to hear, just reality. We've had friends where the husband was a pilot and she was a nurse, they tried it for a year, but the nurse ultimately got out to follow him as the pilot. It was just too hard. What does your future hubby do? If he's in hospital work, then you might be O.K.

LCDR Dan

[KDRUS22]

If you are a navy nurse is there a good possibility you will "see" Iraq?

I am not too sure how the Navy works as we are Air Force. However, I understand the correlation between ranks.

Your rank will be based on your degree. Are you working on a four-year BSN? In that case, you should join as an Officer; an E-3 in an enlisted person for which a degree is not required.

Also, remember whatever the recruiter tells you is NOT legally binding; some recruiters will tell you anything to get you into the system. My husband is retiring after 20 years; he has a master's degree, but was told to enlist. "It will then be easier to become an officer." Twenty years down the road and he's still enlisted.

If you will have a four-year degree, make sure you speak to an officer recruiter and not an enlisted recruiter. Also, as an officer you will be a leader - no if, ands or buts. As an officer, you are the boss.

One more thing....I've heard the Navy is offering HUGE sign-on bonuses for BSN (in excess of $100,000) for a four year commitment. I would consider joining, but would rather not see Iraq this lifetime.

Best of luck with your decision. The military is a totally different way of life.

[DanznRN, RN]

If not Iraq, somewhere else, Afghanistan, Africa, there are deployments/ missions all over the world, some you have never heard of, all in the "War on Terrorism." Consider this, if there is a Marine on the ground somewhere fighting, there is a Navy nurse nearby to patch them up. That's just the way it goes. Keep the questions coming, we'er all ears.

LCDR Dan

[nursewannbe]

A heads up about Air Force recruiters- my brother came home from bootcamp and then did a two month stent as an Air Force recruiter. So, you never know exactly how much "experience" your recruiter may or may not have. Listen VERY carefully!!!!!! They are smooth(don't be afraid to be persistent-let them know that you can double check what they tell you with someone who's already in(other forum members).

Hopefully, i'll be joining those of you who are Navy nurses in three years(two years of nursing school left!!!!!!).

Ps: What you said about marines is true!!!! I have a couple friends that are marines, and i think the ratio of nurse to marine should be at least two nurses for every marine. lol.

[borntoflyc]

Quick question: I graduate in December and I'm not planning on going to OIS until after I get married in May. So for the in between time I have an opportunity to work in a M/S ICU, Trauma ICU and possibly a Ped ICU. I'd like to eventually do peds while in the Navy...so what's my best bet? Would it even matter what I had already had experience in?

Also anyone with spouses have a hard time finding a job, or was the Navy good about helping them out? My fiance is worried he won't find a position (my #1 choice is San Diego)...he's an aerospace engineer.

Thanks! :-)

[DanznRN, RN]

Born to flyc-

It never hurts to come in to the Navy with experience. If you can get 5 months of PEDS ICU under your belt and that's your ultimate goal, do it. Now keep in mind it might not be the Navy's goal for you, but if you come in with experience, it makes it harder to put you somewhere else. As for your fiance, the Navy is helpful with finding people "normal" jobs, administrative secretary, Daycare worker, stuff like that. Something as specialized as Aerospace Engineer is going to be way out of there league for help. Another thing to keep in mind is that you will be moving every 3 years, so he needs to find a position in a company that will allow him to move more easily. Also think, what is he going to do when you go overseas, gotta start thinking from now. He should be able to find a job in San Diego relatively easily, but once you leave there, then what? I know nothing of Aerospace, so I don't know what opportunities in engineering he can apply his degree too. Good luck.

LCDR Dan

[The Little Greek]

Born to flyc-

It never hurts to come in to the Navy with experience. If you can get 5 months of PEDS ICU under your belt and that's your ultimate goal, do it. Now keep in mind it might not be the Navy's goal for you, but if you come in with experience, it makes it harder to put you somewhere else. As for your fiance, the Navy is helpful with finding people "normal" jobs, administrative secretary, Daycare worker, stuff like that. Something as specialized as Aerospace Engineer is going to be way out of there league for help. Another thing to keep in mind is that you will be moving every 3 years, so he needs to find a position in a company that will allow him to move more easily. Also think, what is he going to do when you go overseas, gotta start thinking from now. He should be able to find a job in San Diego relatively easily, but once you leave there, then what? I know nothing of Aerospace, so I don't know what opportunities in engineering he can apply his degree too. Good luck.

LCDR Dan

I was happy to read this because my husband and I have been discussing this issue. He, however, has a pretty easy position to transfer with...he's trained in HVAC but at this time is working as a commercial kitchen repair tech. If/when one is transfered overseas, does the military try to place civilian spouses in positions on base? My husband and I are very excited about the prospect of going overseas, but he is NOT excited about the idea of becoming a stay-at-home dad.

[NursePamela]

No, unfortunately civilian spouses do not get placed in jobs. There may be jobs out there but it is up to the individual to find them. My advise for any couple going overseas if one is AD and the other civilian - plan on the civilian NOT working that way if you get a job it will be a nice surprise. On the other hand if you do not get a job you will not be in financial ruin.

Pam

[DanznRN, RN]

Born-

Unfortunately, NursePam is right here. One thing though, was your husband ever active duty? If he was that would give him precedence over other civilians because he would be a veteran. However, if he isn't a veteran the reverse is true. there are jobs overseas, you have to start looking the moment you get your orders to go over, that way you maximize your chances.

LCDR Dan

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Does anyone know about opportunities in the Navy for NP's? How about NNPs? I assume if they exist, they'd be stateside.....