Navy Nurse Candidate Program

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

1. the incentive is negotiable... as in take it or leave it If that is a concern I would also look at the option of pursing a direct commission as a nurse scheduled to occur at the time of your graduation. Run the numbers and see if the current lump sum bonus or loan repayment is that much more beneficial then doing the nurse candidate program... the downside to waiting is then you still need to apply, incentives may change, and the deal isn't 'done'. If your goal is to be in the Navy I would think the nurse candidate program would be a bit nicer - as it gives you the peace of mind and enables you to focus on school.. you then can build your loan repayment into your pay schedule as a future ensign. Also keep in mind all those incentives are taxed - you can get a good estimate by subtracting 28% and the rest would be what you actually receive.

2. Yes medical and dental is for you and all of your dependents.

3. Housing is available - it's pretty nice (general statement) there are many pro's to living on post... especially the housing, the community, the school system, etc.

4. I think most here are pro-military and find serving in it quire rewarding. I strongly recommend you continue to read older NCP threads here... there are plenty of personal experience that others have listed... stay abreast with that. Then look at the entrance requirements to ensure you are a likely candidate... and if still motivated - then I would contact a recruiter and schedule a date to go to a naval base, see the housing, see the job site, see the hospital, talk to some new company grader officers - and at the end of the day you will either be extremely motivated to join or not to join.... after that you can decide to do the nurse candidate program or hold off until you have your BSN (or a few months out...) and build a direcdt commission packet - that decision could be based off your personal desire to get locked in now.. as a way to ease the mind in combination with your financial situation and how those incentives pan out for you.

best of luck, keep us posted!

v/r

ps. out of curiosity - why the navy? if you are browsing for military service keep an open mind - many of the public stereotypes might just be stereotypes~.

That being said - go army.

lsvalliant · Jan 22, 2009

ps. out of curiosity - why the navy? if you are browsing for military service keep an open mind - many of the public stereotypes might just be stereotypes~.
That being said - go army.

I know the navy can send me wherever they like, but I figure their would be a better chance of me staying right here in Southern CA, since their is a huge base and hospital in San Diego.

Also, I kind of like the idea of being aboard a ship if all hell breaks out in the Middle East. In the army, I assume you would be nursing closer to enemy lines and the war zone, etc.

I dunno, I think I may be to much of a sissy for the military. My husband says I cant break down, or cry, or have an "I'm on the rag" or mental health day in the military. Also, I'm not used to people yelling in my face. I dont know how I would handle that. I really am on the fence about the whole thing.

Xdoc75 · Jul 26, 2009

I was a former Navy Hospital Corpsman and stationed in a Hospital and on a carrier. It was the best time of my life! The nurses were really knowledgeable and trained me like I was an RN.

These nurses had families, and were really very girlie...but when it came down to pt. care...they kicked but! No..they never were yelled at or broken down, never had an attitude problem. Why? b/c they were Naval Officers, and were not disrespected because they treated the corpsman with respect as we did them...

I would go back in a heart beat. I miss the travel, I miss my friends, and I miss the whole experience.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2009

ps. out of curiosity - why the navy? if you are browsing for military service keep an open mind - many of the public stereotypes might just be stereotypes~.
That being said - go army.

Never mind the Army of one and all that - CROSS INTO THE BLUE!!

(That being said, one of my brothers made a heck of a career jumping out of perfectly good airplanes with the 101st and lived to retire from it. . .mind you, I never said he was SANE. . .):wink2:

mellue8 · Aug 16, 2009

Does anyone know that if you do the Navy Nurse candidate program, when you actually start can you get any other sort of incentives? Like sign-on bonuses or specialty pay? Also can you also qualify for the loan repayment program for any school loans that aren't covered by the stipend? I too am thinking about becoming a nurse in the military but I am looking into all branches. The thought of having a couple excting years before I settle down and have a family, and still making really good money is appealing to me. What are the hours like?

RNkm84 · Aug 17, 2009

Does anyone know of a responsive nurse recruiter for the navy in the San Diego area? I've left a few messages on the 800 number and filled out the form on the website to be contacted early last week and nothing! Please PM me if you have any contact info that could help me out so I can try again this week. Thanks!

VentcSN · Sep 2, 2009

Im going for my MEPS next week in Shereveport, LA............wish me luck

huggiebear1979 · Jan 26, 2010

Hi Everyone, been considering the Navy for awhile, and I would like to get ahold of a medical recruiter for the Navy. Does anybody know of one around the Lawton, OK (Fort Sill) area/Wichita Falls, Tx? I would really like to have my packet ready by October 2010, thanks in advance.....

I don't know if it matters, but I was 6 years prior-enlisted in the army, and was honorably discharged....

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2010

Hi Everyone, been considering the Navy for awhile, and I would like to get ahold of a medical recruiter for the Navy. Does anybody know of one around the Lawton, OK (Fort Sill) area/Wichita Falls, Tx? I would really like to have my packet ready by October 2010, thanks in advance.....
I don't know if it matters, but I was 6 years prior-enlisted in the army, and was honorably discharged....

Have you tried Oklahoma City? (I used to be stationed in Altus, OK with the Air Force.)

For that matter, have you tried Altus? I'd guess every kid in that high school is trying to get out of that part of the world.

Also, there's a Joint Reserve NAS down in Carrollton, TX, just outside of Fort Worth (it's actually JRS Fort Worth, I believe). Try giving them a call as well; worse case you'd get hold of the Reserve liaison folks and they might be able to point you in the right direction.

ALSO - here's a link from the Navy website for a form to request more information:

https://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/nursing/requestinfo/

I filled out something like that when I was first considering returning to the military and I got a phone call within three days.

huggiebear1979 · Jan 26, 2010

Thanks Carolina, at least that is a start, appreciate it...by the way are you in the Navy now? If so likes? Dislikes?

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2010

Actually, I stuck with the evil I already knew (ha ha) and came back into the Air Force. Coming back in was the smartest decision I ever made and I really couldn't be happier right now. (I'm sure there's a crappy assignment lurking somewhere on the horizon, but really, an assignment is what you make it and I already survived four years in Altus, so hey - really, how bad could it be?) :)

Had the AF said no, my second choice was the Navy - the evil I know by association (my dad retired as a corpsman with time in the Korean and Vietnam wars) - ha ha...

Let us know if you find that recruiter.