Navy Nurse Candidate Program

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I was wondering if there was anyone on here who could give me some info on the Navy's nurse candidate program? I am 34, a nursing student, and married to a career Marine. I think it would be an awesome opportunity to serve our country and also maintain a career through all our PCS moves.

Specifically, I'm curious about what the requirements are to get into the program. I know I'm young enough, am healthy, and have nothing adverse in terms of obtaining a security clearance. Is there anything else that might be disqualifying? What steps are involved in obtaining a seat in the program? Am I also correct in understanding that after graduation, the nurse receives a direct commission and doesn't go to boot camp...just the officer indoctrination school?

I'm going to talk to a recruiter in a few weeks. I just want to make sure I meet at least the basic requirements for getting in before I waste anyone's time. Thanks so much for any info you can share! :)

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I'm thinking about it in a year...I think you have to fall within their height/weight guidelines (not strict at all) and be able to run a mile.

That is all I can remember.

It sounds like a good opportunity!

Good luck :)

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Specializes in med surge.

Did you talk to the recruiter? I am also interested in this program. I also think that it is a great opportunity to serve our country and help ourselves as well.

My_purpose

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Specializes in Emergency.

Can anyone tell me if you can work as a Navy Nurse with your RN as an ADN Nurse, if you have a Bachelor's in another field? I have my BS in Management, and am in an ADN program now. Wondering if I could work as a Navy Nurse because I would fulfill the 4 year degree requirement with my Management Degree and the licensing requirement when I get my RN license once I take the NCLEX after graduation.

Just wondering if it's possible. My husband is also a career Marine and I was considering this option for that reason.

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Specializes in med surge.

I was under the impression that you had to have a four year nursing degree because the Navy does not accept an ADN. However, there is a page on Facebook that is called Navy Nurses where you can post questions to find out information. People on the page are really good at responding to your questions. Good Luck!!

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It has to be a BSN...but if you go back to school, you would most likely be eligible for the NCP.

Good luck to you! My hubby is an AD Marine also. :)

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not to burst anyone's bubble, but my BF who is BSN educated nurse really wanted to apply to be a navy nurse and we contacted the recruiter and he said that they are soooo IMPACTED that the application process to be an active duty navy nurse is closed. He stated that there were only 66 spots and already 87 applicants in line. I would still contact a recruiter bc this recruiter that we talked too is a reserve recruiter, so who knows if what he says is really how it is....

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Slowrunner...if your BF is still interested, tell him to check back in the fall. There are a limited number of slots available in the program, but new slots are available at the beginning of each fiscal year (October).

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Slowrunner...if your BF is still interested, tell him to check back in the fall. There are a limited number of slots available in the program, but new slots are available at the beginning of each fiscal year (October).

rocky-thanks :) it's just so weird bc when he talked to the reserve recruiter, he basically said that he couldn't apply and he would have to wait till 2012?! that just doesn't sound right to me...bc i understand their fiscal year and I figured, wouldn't you be able to apply in October anyways? so he is going to talk to that reserve recruiter soon and he's been keeping contact with the active duty recruiter as well. Hopefully we can get the facts straight! and good luck to you :)

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Specializes in Emergency.
It has to be a BSN...but if you go back to school, you would most likely be eligible for the NCP.

Good luck to you! My hubby is an AD Marine also. :)

Thank You! I talked to someone at the Navy and this is correct! Bummer. Oh well, we will have to see about this then. I wasn't planning to go BSN right away. I was gonna try and work a bit before I actually went on for that one. They also told me that they won't accept any BSN that has been done on line, it has to be done in person. In case anyone was wondering.

The AD program is impacted, but they still need RNs for the Reserve Navy Nurse Corps. This info is current as of today.

Thanks for the info everyone.

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Specializes in Emergency.
rocky-thanks :) it's just so weird bc when he talked to the reserve recruiter, he basically said that he couldn't apply and he would have to wait till 2012?! that just doesn't sound right to me...bc i understand their fiscal year and I figured, wouldn't you be able to apply in October anyways? so he is going to talk to that reserve recruiter soon and he's been keeping contact with the active duty recruiter as well. Hopefully we can get the facts straight! and good luck to you :)

The Army and the Air Force also have Nurse programs as well, if that would work for you or your BF.

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They also told me that they won't accept any BSN that has been done on line, it has to be done in person. In case anyone was wondering.

I'm curious about that. I've heard both yes and no on the online programs. Personally, the nurse recruiter I spoke with said any program that was NLN or CCNE accredited was acceptable, and the fact it was online didn't make any difference. But I know someone else on these boards was told no also.

BTW...you mention that the AD program is impacted as of today...do you mean the NCP program, or the entire MOS field? Because if it's just the NCP they were talking about, you could still finish the BSN and direct commission as a Navy nurse. NCP is just one route of getting there, but not the only one. But if it's the entire MOS field, that's a different story...

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