Don't Tread On Me 61 Posts Aug 7, 2014 Lol I didn't know that. When I walked in with my recruiter, I was stared at by all of the enlisted personnel, mainly because I was in civilian clothes at the clinic. They are going to process you at MEPS, so paperwork and a whole lot of medical check ups. So hearing test, optical check (full exam if your eyes are really bad), dental, and a physical by a physician. If you are healthy and never had any past medical problems you shouldn't expect much. I remember being in the clinic from 7 to like 12, so it can take awhile.
inspiredbynavy 221 Posts Aug 7, 2014 Your recruiter went with you?? o.OMine is having me go by myself and I wasn't offered a shuttle pass either. but whatever. lol.
Don't Tread On Me 61 Posts Aug 7, 2014 Yes my recruiter was with me the whole time, but yet again I did everything at Great Lakes Naval Base. I think you are going to the typical MEPS that they have all recruits go to.
kickstunt 70 Posts Aug 7, 2014 Your recruiter went with you?? o.OMine is having me go by myself and I wasn't offered a shuttle pass either. but whatever. lol.I went by myself too. I did not get priority on anything. We also did not do any dental.
inspiredbynavy 221 Posts Aug 7, 2014 Hey guys! So I'm at the hotel right now. I'm already getting special treatment. I was able to get my own room for being an officer candidate. It's pretty nice since I needed to work on my packet some more anyway. I will update you all tomorrow after MEPS. my interviews are tomorrow as well and they're having me wake up at 0330. Wish me luck!
inspiredbynavy 221 Posts Aug 9, 2014 Back from MEPS. I'm running on 1 hour of sleep. MEPS wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and it definitely ended way sooner than I thought it would as well. Checked in at 0530 sharp and ended around 1000-1030. I had my interviews at 1400 today as well, and I think it went great. It really was pretty laid back like people have said and the nurses that interviewed me were extremely helpful in giving me tips as a future sailor/nurse.
edvaz90 64 Posts Aug 9, 2014 Hey guys, did your recruiter go over with you on how your training will be after ODS??
inspiredbynavy 221 Posts Aug 9, 2014 I haven't asked. I've done most of my research online and I know a majority of new grads will start out in med/surg, but it's not a for sure rule. You can get sent to a different unit as a new grad depending on the Navy's needs.
edvaz90 64 Posts Aug 9, 2014 my recruiter was telling me that new grads get sent to either virginia, bethesda, or san diego for new training thats 18months, and within that 18 month you are on a floor but also rotating throughout the hospital. I just wanted to concur with that. I know how nursing training is on the civilian side but my recruiter wasn't able to really give me much insight on how the training on the military side is. She was encouraging me to start a kit with her, but since I'm still indecisive as to which branch to go into I haven't yet.
inspiredbynavy 221 Posts Aug 9, 2014 Yeah, you are right. I wasn't sure what you were asking. Nursing is nursing--military or civilian. The training is going to be similar. I assume it will be like any resident/internship you do in the civilian sector. BUT, you will have a lot more responsibilities being a leader.
edvaz90 64 Posts Aug 9, 2014 I won't lie, at first I was kinda sold on the idea that med/surg is the best place for nurses to start, but working on all different floors for 18 months, that's kinda amazing. It's like med/surg x 10. You'll get to see so much within that time before hopefully able to specialize somewhere if the navy has it available.
inspiredbynavy 221 Posts Aug 9, 2014 I haven't heard/read if Navy nurses (or military nurses in general) get to float during their first year in. Did your recruiter tell you that? I mean, you can start off in any unit you want even as a new grad in the civilian sector. You just have to get the job first.
