Navy med-surg process

Published

Specializes in Cardiovascular.

Hello, This is my first time posting on this thread. I am in the process of getting my packet together for the Navy's med-surg board in October. I have completed both interviews, MEPS, and started the security clearance process. I am 39 so I need a few extra physical assessments for MEPS to clear me, which will be completed by the end of the week. I originally was trying to get in with critical care, however since I work in cardiovascular unit they do not consider it critical care. I'm flexible and do not mind going med-surg first, I feel it's my foot in the door.

I keep hearing it is very hard to get in med-surg. I am attempting to do direct commission. My question is:

Is it very difficult to be accepted for Med-Surg in the Navy? I am hoping my packet will be done by the end of July for my recruiter to submit as soon as possible August 1st.

A little background information: I have been a nurse for 8 years and obtained my BSN last July. I have worked in the CVU for 7 years. My recruiter and I already put together my wish list Virginia, Maryland, and Jax.

Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide :thankya:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is difficult to be accepted right now, period. The Navy (from what I was told at work today) has a 2-year wait list for less-than-qualified nurses. What comprises "less-than-qualified" varies by the rumors, but the bottom line is that recruitment of new nurses is down. Logically following, the more experience you have, the more likely you are to get in, and typically, the longer one has been a nurse, the better the chances that they've specialized. It's also more cost-effective for the military to recruit experienced nurses right now because it means less cost to them to train new nurses. It isn't that the military in general doesn't need nurses. However, it is true that new nurses tend to be put on med-surg floors as their initial assignment and it's more common to see experienced nurses entering with a specialty and hence assigned to a specialty ward.

...so, with all that said, specialty nurses are more likely to be recruited (ER, ICU, critical care, etc), but your experience does make you competitive for selection. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular.

Thank you for your response! I'm very neevous. I wanted to enlist a few years ago but my children were too little. My recruiter doesn't seem worried but she did say it was competitive. Is there a waiting list for the new FY already? Or do they start fresh each year just get your packet in on time?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in home health- pediatrics.

As a Navy veteran (and new nurse), please heed this advice:

Don't settle for anything. If they say no for now, and you are not in desperate need to join (and have your heat set on Navy nursing), tell them you will wait for it to become available, if there are no spots open now.

Ironically, the Navy takes "super qualified" nurses, but also has a quota they have to fill for "minority" candidates, whether it be race or gender. I was told that there were no current positions for females when I tried to enter enlisted nursing a few years ago. When at MEPS completing your enlistment packet they will tell you that you have to pick something then, but it is not true.

Navy nursing is competitive. At this time the military is hiring civilians to fill many positions (including nursing), which has taken many enlistment spots away. You can join a delayed entry program, which will keep you on a waiting list for a position to open.

Good luck, and thanks for your interest in serving! I had a great time when I was in. Would probably still be, had I been a corpsman!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular.

Do you think my age is a hindrance? I am a single mom but have a solid family plan. I really want to become an officer and with my age I do not have too long before I no longer qualify.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your age isn't a problem :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular.

Now almost 2 months since MEPS I find out I need a guaic stool done since I'll be 40 next week. Still waiting tad bit impatiently for approval from Meps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular.

Yeah, MEPS approved my physical. Now my recruiter needs to finalize outing my kit together for review then send to the board. I hope it gets done and sent so it can be considered in October boards. Does anyone know what the board looks at to select someone? Do they have to take a certain number of new nurses and experience nurses?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just to be really honest, the Navy is extremely hard to get into. First of all the branches are starting to cut back on the amount of nurses they are taking in. Second the branches have taken so many nurses over the past couple of years that that they don't have room to bring in as many nurses as previous years. The Army for example used to take nurses with two year degrees, now they require a BSN and two years exp for active duty and 1 year exp for reserves. Also the navy has a great in house pipeline for nurses. A lot of navy corpsman or other active duty navy do the MECP program, which pays for theses service members to be a nurse. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion