Hello everyone. I am a new nurse in the Navy reserve. If you are interested in Navy nursing or have any question about application process, testing, medical exam, background verification, selection board, accession process, Package preparation, MEPS, quota, credentialing, interviews, drills or units, just ask and I will do my best to answer them. I am not recruiter and my posts are based on my personal experience and may or may not reflect those of the Navy. Thx.
In general job changes in the guard/reserves of any military branch are totally a matter of luck, timing, and your willingness to move/travel. If you graduate NP school (and attain 1 year of full-time experience) and there happens to be an empty NP slot in your unit, then you're good to go. If not, you're going to have to either wait until someone leaves/retires or move to another unit.
That's really how promotions work too. You can't promote if there are no empty spots in the unit for your new rank. You have to either move units or wait.
In general job changes in the guard/reserves of any military branch are totally a matter of luck, timing, and your willingness to move/travel. If you graduate NP school (and attain 1 year of full-time experience) and there happens to be an empty NP slot in your unit, then you're good to go. If not, you're going to have to either wait until someone leaves/retires or move to another unit.
That's really how promotions work too. You can't promote if there are no empty spots in the unit for your new rank. You have to either move units or wait.
Just curious But what happens if your coming from AD? Theyre not going to put you to the nearest reserve unit in your area?
It's difficult but possible. Once you enter the Navy as RN, you get credentialed as RN for specific field (ICU, ER, OR,...). If you finish NP school while in the Navy , then you will need be credentialed as NP (aka new application) . But you have to finish your original contract as RN first before you can start as an NP with a new contract as a reservist. So if you planning on finishing NP school then enroll in Navy as an RN with shortest contract length which is 3 to 4 years.
FloRNda, from RN to NP, you will need to reapply. You won't need to go through MEPS a second time but everything else you will need to repeat just like how you did initially for your RN navy appointment.
I'm really not familiar with the Navy specifically, but generally speaking transfers within the nurse corps are fairly easy. You're changing your position code and specialty code (AFSC/MOS/billet designator code)...not your pay or rank. I'd encourage anyone looking at job changes to talk to their chief nurse. Unless you have been a chief nurse or done a job change yourself, you won't likely know the process.
NPs, CRNAs, and RNs all fall within the Nurse Corps and have same chain of command. I've personally done the RN to CRNA route for the Air Force and will share that process. It was far easier than initial commissioning...literally 2 pieces of paper and 1 interview. There was no new contract to sign.
1. Graduate from CRNA school (on your own dime) and pass boards while still drilling as a reservist RN. Send transcripts and board exam results to Air Force personnel office.
2. Attain 1 year of full time civilian CRNA experience. Have current chief nurse sign Air Force Form 2096 (classification of on the job training). This awards you the 46YM3 Air Force specialty code (CRNA).
3. Find a unit with an open CRNA job. There is a database that lists open jobs within your service's intranet. There are also in-service recruiters if you need help getting the new unit's chief nurse contact info.
4. I emailed the chief nurse a resume and interviewed by phone.
5. Get one form signed by both old and new unit (Air Force Form 1288).
6. Start at new unit as CRNA.
The big caveat here is that you need to find a unit with a vacant CRNA job. You also need to be willing to travel (if applicable) to that new unit each month for drills.
I'm really not familiar with the Navy specifically, but generally speaking transfers within the nurse corps are fairly easy. You're changing your position code and specialty code (AFSC/MOS/billet designator code)...not your pay or rank. I'd encourage anyone looking at job changes to talk to their chief nurse. Unless you have been a chief nurse or done a job change yourself, you won't likely know the process.
NPs, CRNAs, and RNs all fall within the Nurse Corps and have same chain of command. I've personally done the RN to CRNA route for the Air Force and will share that process. It was far easier than initial commissioning...literally 2 pieces of paper and 1 interview. There was no new contract to sign.
1. Graduate from CRNA school (on your own dime) and pass boards while still drilling as a reservist RN. Send transcripts and board exam results to Air Force personnel office.
2. Attain 1 year of full time civilian CRNA experience. Have current chief nurse sign Air Force Form 2096 (classification of on the job training). This awards you the 46YM3 Air Force specialty code (CRNA).
3. Find a unit with an open CRNA job. There is a database that lists open jobs within your service's intranet. There are also in-service recruiters if you need help getting the new unit's chief nurse contact info.
4. I emailed the chief nurse a resume and interviewed by phone.
5. Get one form signed by both old and new unit (Air Force Form 1288).
6. Start at new unit as CRNA.
The big caveat here is that you need to find a unit with a vacant CRNA job. You also need to be willing to travel (if applicable) to that new unit each month for drills.
Congrats! Wow how did do you CRNA school on reserve isn't it risky with chance of deployment while on CRNA school
CRNA school is a continuous 9-full semesters over 3 years. You need flexible military leadership that will let you do things like waive annual tour and reschedule drill weekends. CRNA clinical rotations and classes are generally Monday-Friday. If you're willing to forgoe your weekend off to drill, then you can make it work. It was very challenging and I actually missed my first look at O-4 due to the workload. All's well that ends well I guess.
As for deployments, that is always a risk. Most CRNA programs let you take a 1 year leave of absence for military service if necessary. I got lucky and didn't need to do that.
CRNA school is a continuous 9-full semesters over 3 years. You need flexible military leadership that will let you do things like waive annual tour and reschedule drill weekends. CRNA clinical rotations and classes are generally Monday-Friday. If you're willing to forgoe your weekend off to drill, then you can make it work. It was very challenging and I actually missed my first look at O-4 due to the workload. All's well that ends well I guess.
As for deployments, that is always a risk. Most CRNA programs let you take a 1 year leave of absence for military service if necessary. I got lucky and didn't need to do that.
That really cool and now your CRNA. Anyways what about going IRR for school and go back to reserves when you graduate would that work too?
Of course you can always go IRR. You need to be careful about any bonuses you take. Most of then require active drilling. There is also the problem of your health situation. If you are IRR for more than a year I belive you have to go through MEPS again. Health issues that pop up during school may render disqualify you.
Drilling has benefits like healthcare during school. That was key for my family and the main reason I continued drilling.
Hello everyone. I am a new nurse in the Navy reserve. If you are interested in Navy nursing or have any question about application process, testing, medical exam, background verification, selection board, accession process, Package preparation, MEPS, quota, credentialing, interviews, drills or units, just ask and I will do my best to answer them. I am not recruiter and my posts are based on my personal experience and may or may not reflect those of the Navy. Thx.
First off, thank you so much for answering our questions and congrats @daniel4navy!!
How long does it take to go from signing the pre-commission documents for the Navy Reserve to actually getting sworn in and starting ODS? I have been waiting for 5 months and I have been putting my life on hold as I wait. Any insight on the timeline of events after signing the pre-commission paperwork would be helpful.
I have a phone meeting with a recruiter letter this week so some of these questions may or may not be in your realm.
I am interested in active duty, I have my BSN, and am a current FNP student. I specialize in emergency and trauma nursing am also married with a family.
I am curious if there is an option to choose where you're stationed (mainland vs ship) and how often I may be reassigned. If I am a current student am I able to complete my program? What is the actual work/life structure? What competencies will I need to achieve during the application process? What determines whether you qualify for a sign-on bonus or student loan forgiveness and how is your rate determined?
jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA
1,665 Posts
In general job changes in the guard/reserves of any military branch are totally a matter of luck, timing, and your willingness to move/travel. If you graduate NP school (and attain 1 year of full-time experience) and there happens to be an empty NP slot in your unit, then you're good to go. If not, you're going to have to either wait until someone leaves/retires or move to another unit.
That's really how promotions work too. You can't promote if there are no empty spots in the unit for your new rank. You have to either move units or wait.