Info on becoming a Navy nurse

Gonavy · Jan 3, 2013

Hi, my name is Hailey & I am looking for as much info as possible on becoming a Navy nurse.
I am currently a high school sophomore. I am planning on getting my bachelors in nursing after high school so I can join the Navy Nurse Corps & I have a few questions regarding that.
1.) I have heard to get into any branch of the military, you must take the ASVAB test. Since I am planning to attend college before joining the Navy, do I take the ASVAB at the same time I take my SAT/ACT? Or do I wait & take the ASVAB later on closer to the time I join?
2.) Can I specialize in a certain field of nursing in the Navy Nurse Corps (such as pediatrics or neonatal nursing)?
3.) I have also read that you have to go to select nursing schools that are certified with some government agencies or something if you want to join the Navy Nurse Corps? If this is so, how do I find out if the colleges I am considering are certified with these agencies?
Those are the three main questions I have but any other information that anyone thinks I should know about this topic is more than welcome. Thank you so much to anyone who is able to help answer these questions & give me any other information.

Hailey,

To answer your questions;

1. You will not need to take the ASVAB. The test is administered to only those who are looking to enlist in the service. You're going to apply with a college degree so you'd be looking for a commission in the service. A commission means you'll be an officer so the ASVAB is not required.

2. It is possible to request a specialty area as a new nurse but most likely the Navy, or Air Force/Army, will require you to do a year on a medical surgical floor first. Also known as medsurg floors. I'd guess about 90% of the time new nurses are assigned to medsurg floors for about a year before they can apply for a specialty area.

3. The Navy does not care where you go to nursing school as long as you earn a bachelors degree and pass your state nursing boards. Doesn't matter which state, the Navy will accept it. Any four year program from any college is acceptable.

There's a whole lot of info on these boards that will address any questions you have. Just look for any topic that's similar to yours. Hope this helps and good luck.

Frank

oaktown2 · Jan 5, 2013

Hi Hailey,

Just a point of clarification on nursing schools, the nursing program must be NLN or CCNE accredited. My guess is that most four year colleges with nursing programs will be accredited by one of those agencies, but it is a requirement. Some of the other branches are specific to one agency, but the Navy will accept either.

If you know that you want to join, then for college you also have two other options to look at - attending a nursing school that has a Navy ROTC program with a nurse option. ROTC will take time away from your nursing program, but it also gives you a head start on the Navy side of things before commissioning as an officer. You can find more info along with a list of schools here Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps - Nurse Corps.

Another option is to apply for the Navy Nurse Candidate program which you can do once you have your acceptance to nursing school (usually during your sophomore year of college). Here you receive a stipend while you are in school but your only task is to attend nursing school. There is no additional training, so once you graduate (& pass the NCLEX) you commission as an officer, but don't have any Navy training. You then will get some, but ROTC definitely provides you with more.

It really depends on what you are looking for and how certain your are that you want to join the Navy. Both of these options provide you a spot upon graduation but that means you have a commitment to serve, so you don't want to sign anything until you know this is what you want. You also have the option of going to nursing school and then applying to the Navy upon graduation or, more likely, after you have gained some experience.

Good luck!