Joining the Navy Nursing Corp

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Good A.M.! I'm a 2nd year nursing student (currently located in the Philippines) that is very excited on joining the Navy Nursing Corp. I hope that someone could help me by answering some of my questions regarding the Corp:

-Should I join the Navy as soon as I graduate and pass the NCLEX? Or should I sign up after I've gone to graduate school?

-I know that active duty takes three years but what I don't know is how and where they station you during those three years?

-Is it possible to go on "tour" in the Asian Pacific? What are the requirements and how does it actually work? I have a lot of relatives in that area and it would be great to be on tour somewhere near them.

I welcome any feedback/answers regarding this since this is a HUGE life decision. I am very excited to join the Navy since some of my relatives have served in all the different branches of the military except for the Navy and I heard that the Navy has an excellent program medical-wise. Thank you for your time! Oh and if you're in a similar situation please do not hesitate to message me! It's great talking to those with similar interests!

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Good A.M.! I'm a 2nd year nursing student (currently located in the Philippines) that is very excited on joining the Navy Nursing Corp. I hope that someone could help me by answering some of my questions regarding the Corp:

-Should I join the Navy as soon as I graduate and pass the NCLEX? Or should I sign up after I've gone to graduate school?

-I know that active duty takes three years but what I don't know is how and where they station you during those three years?

-Is it possible to go on "tour" in the Asian Pacific? What are the requirements and how does it actually work? I have a lot of relatives in that area and it would be great to be on tour somewhere near them.

I welcome any feedback/answers regarding this since this is a HUGE life decision. I am very excited to join the Navy since some of my relatives have served in all the different branches of the military except for the Navy and I heard that the Navy has an excellent program medical-wise. Thank you for your time! Oh and if you're in a similar situation please do not hesitate to message me! It's great talking to those with similar interests!

Hello there Kababayan,

In order to join the US Navy Nurse Corps, you must have graduated from bachelor's degree granting institution that is accredited by either NLN (National League for Nursing) or by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). To the extent of my knowledge, none of the Philippine programs offer a nursing program accredited by either of those 2 agencies. If you are determined to join the Navy Nurse Corps, you may want to pursue your Master's Degree in Nursing, in the United States from one of the accredited institutions.

I hope this helps.

Best,

Bleemme

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I read that exact requirement stating that the institute must be "accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)" on the Navy's main website which seems to contradict the NCSBN's policies since the Board of Nursing grants licenses to graduates from foreign countries (both immigrants and US citizens) permitting them to practice in the US.

Is it possible that they will not consider my application if I attempt to join right after I have graduated from my BSN program?

Although the nursing school I'm attending is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (which is a part of the President's administration therefore making it government affliated) it does not make me qualified for enlisting?

If I become a practicing RN (licensed and all) in the US and work for a year or two will the Navy consider me then since I've been working in the states?

I thank you for your reply po, it certainly has helped me with my preparations for enlisting!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The Navy or any of the other branches of service are not beholden to the NCSBN for their policies. I think all the branches of service required CCNE or NLNAC accreditation, period. This is not something that will be negotiable, especially when there are more applicants than positions -- the military has been turning applicants away this year.

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If you are determined to join the Navy Nurse Corps, you may want to pursue your Master's Degree in Nursing, in the United States from one of the accredited institutions.

I hope this helps.

Best,

Bleemme

Hello Bleemme,

Great post. Yesterday I was told by the navy recruiter that currently the navy only recruits BSN only from NLN and CCNE. The navy does not recruit BSN. And the reserve will recruit MSN.

Please let us know if you have links that say otherwise. I am an ADN-RN and currently in a MSN program. I am considering to alter my academic planning so I can join military nursing.

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Thank you for your info! This will definitely help with my future plans!

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Hello Bleemme,

Great post. Yesterday I was told by the navy recruiter that currently the navy only recruits BSN only from NLN and CCNE. The navy does not recruit BSN. And the reserve will recruit MSN.

Please let us know if you have links that say otherwise. I am an ADN-RN and currently in a MSN program. I am considering to alter my academic planning so I can join military nursing.

Hello Tzu911,

Unless things have changed, your recruiter is incorrect. The following is an excerpt of rules for appointment of Navy Nurses in the Active Duty and the Reserves.

a. Education

(1) Must have graduated from a school of nursing

accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting

Commission (NLNAC) or the, Commission on Collegiate Nursing

Education (CCNE), that conferred a nursing baccalaureate or an

advanced nursing degree.

Keep in mind that the US Navy appears to be actively looking for reserve nurses at this time.

Best Wishes!

bleemme

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Word on the street is that if you aren't already accepted into sme Navy nurse program then chance are very high that you won't get a chance till 2013. I talked to an Officer recruiter today and he said quotas have been filled up to the end of 2012...and if your school isn't accredited by the right commission then you chances go from slim to nil.

As for your first tour, it will be in the states at one of the larger training hospitals. I believe prior enlisted medics have the opportunity to be stationed in a few additional places like Guam (which is where i was once stationed as a Corpsman and loved it!). Hope this helped.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical, Telemetry.

i am a practicing nurse for 7 years with a BSN and is determined to join the navy. i spoke to a recruiter and was disappointed that they're NOT accepting a foreign graduate, YET, an NCLEX and a CGFNS-passer (CGFNS - Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School) AND has been serving Uncle Sam for years! they said if im sooo determined to join the Navy as an officer, i need to re-take my Bachelors at a school accredited by NLNAC and CCNE -- REALLY?! i AM gna have to REPEAT a degree that i have been practicing in the United States ALREADY?!!

total BS.

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how about if you go for officership? direct commission officer? they might have you undergo higher, stricter standards, but there is nothing on the web page that says a foreign graduate cannot be accepted.

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was your application for direct commissioned nurse officer?

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