Navy MECP FY13

I am in the process of trying to get into the Navy Nurse Candidate Program and it is competitive as well. I attend the University of South Florida and they have a very active veteran/military population. We also have Navy ROTC. I would suggest looking at schools that have Navy ROTC and check out their Veterans Services Office. Some schools even offer classes specifically for veterans/military that help us integrate into university life. I'm not sure about private universities but public universities usually like to have military bound students. I would talk to a medical officer recruiter to see which schools in your area have been military friendly. They would be the best source if you do not know someone personally that is in the program.

Talk to your leadership. They will be able to help you alot. If your not in the medical field and they are not much help. Try finding someone in the nurse corps to help you at the hospital. We get emails constantly about sailors looking for mentors. I'd offer but I used NCP.

For those accepted to the program, what do reviewers look for in your packages? Is there anything above and beyond that someone could do to improve a package? I'm having the hardest time finding schools that will actually work with the program other than ODU in Virginia. Any suggestions?!

Check out University of North Florida. I bet you can find MECP participants at plenty of state universities.

What's the difference between NCP & MECP? Can you participate in NCP while enlisted. I'm trying to weigh all my options and decide the best route to take to become a nurse officer.

I believe that you have to not currently be in the military to be accepted into NCP. It is the Nurse Candidate Program. Once a college student is accepted into an accredited BSN program, they may apply. The program is highly competitive. Once accepted, the current offer is two $5000 payments, one once accepted and another 6 months later and and additional $1000 a month stipend until they graduate. For that, you are obligated to either 4 or 5 years of service. You can be commissioned the day of graduation but do not start active service until the NCLEX is passed. Then off to Officer Candidate School (ODS) in Rhode Island for I believe 5 weeks. Then off to a hospital. To be eligible, a person needs to be a junior in college.

If you are having difficulty getting a program to work with you because you are on active duty, that is a challenge. My university's clinicals are long and they do not offer alternative times for clinicals, labs or classes. I am in school 5 days a week, sometimes as long as 12 hours a day. My big suggestion is that you are POSITIVE that whatever school you go to is accredited by either CCNE or NLNAC or both. The Navy requires it to be considered for commissioning.

The MECP seems to be a great program. They do not pay for classes BUT you are able to use your GI Bill and receive your normal pay while going to school. It looks like the boards already met in October. You may have better luck finding out if they meet more than once a year.

Here is a link to the Navy Medicine Professional Development Center. Considering this is a public website, you may have access to more up to date info. There is info about what they are package requirements and interview appraisal info; which may be helpful.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/Pages/MedicalEnlistedCommissioningProgram.aspx

Good luck being admitted to the program!

What's the difference between NCP & MECP? Can you participate in NCP while enlisted. I'm trying to weigh all my options and decide the best route to take to become a nurse officer.

NCP is for civilians with the benefit being a bonus and monthly stipend for up to 24 months.

MECP allows qualified enlisted service members to attend nursing school while retaining full pay and benefits plus paid tuition up to a certain amount.

NCP is for civilians with the benefit being a bonus and monthly stipend for up to 24 months.

MECP allows qualified enlisted service members to attend nursing school while retaining full pay and benefits plus paid tuition up to a certain amount.

Thank you for explaining the subtle differences that I didn't know off.

Hello Everyone!

I' will be applying this year for the MECP FY14. I'm really excited about it because I've been debating whether or not it's the right time to apply. I will be applying for Accelerated BSN program and hoping to get accepted for it. It's 15 months program and I really hope that the board would considered that. The only thing I need to do is to take my SAT, go for my board and hoping to get my recoomendation from the CO. I was wondeiring if you have any experiences to this type of things? I know it's too early but I want to start preparing for this year. I'd love to hear your stories!

Thanks

v/R

Navy0621

Hello Navy0621! I plan on applying fir the program this year as well. The biggest issue I'm having is just finding schools that will give you a provisional acceptance or will allow you to even apply to a nursing program without having a whole lot of prerequisites done already. I also have to retake the SAT/ACT. It's driving me crazy!

I got selected this year.

You need to have an awesome background both military & academic. You also need to have a supportive command that will work with you.

Congratulations! What school are you attending? Every school I've looked at doesn't offer provisional acceptance or early acceptance.

Hello! I will be applying for FY 16. I am a Chief in the Navy (not HM) and unfortunately, due to my line of duty, I don't interact with many Navy nurses. I am hoping to find a couple Navy nurses (LT) and above to interview me. If you or anyone you know is willing to do a Skype interview, I would most certainly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!