Joining the Navy

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I've been thinking about it for a while, and have finally decided to go ahead and join the Navy Nurse Corps. I'm excited! And nervous. But mostly excited. I think the final tipping point in the decision for me was that this will be an experience I won't get anywhere else, completely unique, and that if I wanted that experience better to do it early in my career before I have a more complicated family life (married but no kids).

Anyway, just wanted to share with someone other than my husband. I'm in an accelerated nursing program, so would be joining as a new graduate.

Any and all unsolicited advice is appreciated ;)

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Specializes in Telemetry, Observation, Rehab, Med-Surg.

You should contact your local navy nurse officer recruiter ASAP so he or she can answer all of your questions and get you started on the application process. I've been trying to contact mine and its been very difficult. Hopefully you'll have better luck.

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I spoke with a recruiter at my school's career fair the other day and left him a message tonight. I'd tried to get in touch with someone before and never heard back but then got cold feet so didn't really try that hard to follow up.

How long have you been trying? I've read a couple of posts here about Navy recruiters being hard to pin down.

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It took me 6 months + to get a call back and have a meaningful conversation with a Navy Nurse Recruiter. They dont seem to be dying for nurses now, and I was informed the candidate program was full. The gentlemen I talked to was VERY helpful, and I did finally receive the application etc. I am also into an accelerated BSN program as well. When you finally get in touch with a recruiter you may realize as I did that there are criteria you have to have they dont take anyone. Begin the application process as early as you can....if you wait until a few months before graduation it could be 6-8 months before you start with the Navy, if accepted. They arent offering loan repayment in active duty right now, but they are offering 30k sign bonus.

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Specializes in Psych NP.
I spoke with a recruiter at my school's career fair the other day and left him a message tonight. I'd tried to get in touch with someone before and never heard back but then got cold feet so didn't really try that hard to follow up.

How long have you been trying? I've read a couple of posts here about Navy recruiters being hard to pin down.

My application just went in front of the board earlier this month (still haven't heard anything back); I first tried contacting a recruiter in March/April, got a hold of one in May and started the application process at that time; it took 6 months to complete (it got sent back once for missing a medical test result). That gives you a basic idea of the time frame you're looking at. In other words, starting trying to get a hold of a recruiter now and be persistent. Try calling your local enlisted recruiter officer and ask them to put you through to a health care recruitment office, then ask for a recruiter who can help you get into the Navy Nurse Corps; let them know that you have made a decision and are serious about applying.

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Oh, let me tell you!

I've been in the process of applying for the Navy Nursing Candidate Program for several months now. Like everyone else, it seems that this is a drawn out process. I had a HORRIBLE time reaching my recruiter in the beginning, but after I actually started completing the application documents and went in for the physical exam at MEPS, he magically became reachable. Now he practically answers on the first ring!

I read in another post that someone thinks the Navy makes you "work" for it and prove your commitment by being hard to reach. That may very well be. It fits. I put my time in and now I get access. Hmmm...

The Navy nursing recruitment quotas were filled easily last year, but they refreshed in October. So, now is a good time to apply.

I'm entering an accelerated (one-year) BSN program next month. It is the moment of truth right now. I'm debating Navy vs staff nurse and traveling nurse after a few years. There are so many benefits to Navy nursing that it's difficult to say no to it. I honestly haven't found a single person who advises against it. Can that be?

Even traveling nurses on a forum all suggested hands down to do the Navy.

My biggest concern is the obvious - you are basically signing control of your life over to the govt for a number of years.

I'd like to direct my career into L&D and eventually midwifery. Both are much sought after. L&D is always needed in the military hospitals (according to the Navy RN's I've spoken with). They say they never regretted it. Some even say they couldn't imagine nursing in a civilian hospital now.

The Navy offers unbelievable benefits - health care, continuing education paid for, housing expenses and food stipends paid, travel opportunities, awesome hospital locations.

It's a big decision, but I think it comes with big rewards, too. Either way, the nursing profession is probably the most flexible and dependable profession available.

Good luck!

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Yeah, it's the control over my life thing that always gives me pause. Really it's more about location, for me. I've spent the last years living in a city I hate because we needed to get on our feet, I needed to go to school, etc and my husband and I are ready to buy land and live in the country. I'm trying to figure out if a few years in the Navy would work with that, and if we'd like living wherever I'm sent.

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Specializes in cardiac.

If you are looking for a more stable position you can always go with navy reserve. Then you only have to serve 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year unless they call you to deploy. This way you can live where you want and still work as a civilian in a normal hospital and just be a navy nurse when needed. I talked with a nurse who is the air force reserve and she loves it. For her 2 weeks she has been to different states and countries working in clinics and doing the medical shots and things for new enlisted soldiers. It sounds like a great way to have the best of both worlds.

Anyways I'm wondering why you have all decided to choose the Navy over other branches. I know I'm going to join the military as a nurse I'm just not sure which branch I want to join. Please fill me in on what sold you to the Navy.

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If you are looking for a more stable position you can always go with navy reserve. Then you only have to serve 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year unless they call you to deploy. This way you can live where you want and still work as a civilian in a normal hospital and just be a navy nurse when needed. I talked with a nurse who is the air force reserve and she loves it. For her 2 weeks she has been to different states and countries working in clinics and doing the medical shots and things for new enlisted soldiers. It sounds like a great way to have the best of both worlds.

Anyways I'm wondering why you have all decided to choose the Navy over other branches. I know I'm going to join the military as a nurse I'm just not sure which branch I want to join. Please fill me in on what sold you to the Navy.

I've thought about that too. Do you still get any training as a new grad? That's one of the things that is drawing me to the military- I've heard that you get more training than you do in the civillian world.

Ass far as for the "why the navy" question...I don't think I could put my finger on it. It's the only branch that appeals to me and the only one I've really considered. I like the hospital ships and humanitarian missions, hate flying and am not super gun ho and soldierly, so it just seems like the right fit. Maybe it's because I saw more Navy posters around before I was even thinking about doing it and it crept in to my subconscious ;)

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Specializes in cardiac.

I'm not aware of the reserves offering new grad training. The only places I've heard about having new grad training are active duty navy and active duty air force. I know even for the Army active duty you need at least 6 months of RN experience before they will take you.

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I'm not aware of the reserves offering new grad training. The only places I've heard about having new grad training are active duty navy and active duty air force. I know even for the Army active duty you need at least 6 months of RN experience before they will take you.

I agree that I have not seen that the reserves accepts no experience. However the active Army DEFINITELY accepts new grads. If not why would they have:

1) ROTC Nurse Option

2) Army Nurse Candidate Program

3) Countless threads on this board about new grads joining the Army

:twocents:

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Specializes in cardiac.

Hmm. I was sure that when I talked with a health care recruiter from the Army he said I needed 6 months of RN experience before joining. Maybe that was if I waited until I was out of school... I could be confused.

Its good to know that they all offer new graduate opportunities

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