Navy Nurse Candidate Program

Lady "T" RN BSN · Mar 21, 2017

Hi there! Good for you for thinking ahead. I've been in the USN for 15+ years. and I've been a NCO (Nurse Corp Officer) for 6+ yrs. Emergency RN for over 10. I can tell you that you have to have your BSN or be currently in an accredited nursing program obtaining your BSN in order to become a Nurse Corp Officer. Either way you have to minimally have your BSN. You can either go active or reserves. I am currently reserves and have been most of my Navy career. To be picked up for the program is & can be very difficulty. Yes, it's best to maintain a high GPA because it is competative. It took nearly a year just for the interviewing process and that is having been prior service and some years as a nurse under my belt. My best advice is to talk to a recruiter who actively is involved in recruiting medical professionals and can give you the guidance you'll need. Just be prepared. It is not a quick or easy process.

As far as how many are accepted? The Navy can be selective and it's really at the "needs of the military." The only have so many "billets" aka "jobs" to fill. Keep in mind depending on the route you took if accepted you might 1st and foremost work for the Navy then attend school after. OR you might be able to get a stipend if you're already in a program then owe them time after.

katie1122 · Apr 8, 2017

I am in the NCP program and my recruiter said they ended up picking around 65ish people out of around 150. And that's after the recruiters weed out the bad people.

I heard they look at GPA strongly, but they also strongly look into your personal statement, interviews with naval officers, and what/any leadership activities you have.