Navy Nurse Corps Question

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Specializes in ER.

Hello,,,

Just a few questions...I am going to talk to a Navy Reserve Recruiter on Thursday. I am an RN with my ADN. I am wanting to serve in the Reserves for a few different reasons. I am prior service Enlisted. I am just wondering what questions I should ask. I have three years Med/Surg experience. I am wanting to get my BSN. I love the military and have always wanted to go back in, and the thought of going in the Navy Nurse Corps is amazing and is such an honor. I just want to make sure that I ask the appropriate questions, and know what my options are....any feedback is much appreciated :specs:

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

In the Navy you will need your BSN to obtain your commission as a nurse corp officer. If you want to do the reserves to help with tutition you would be able to go in as a HM. Also the Navy will not give you any constructive credit for your years as a ADN only for the time after you completed your BSN.

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Specializes in ER.

What is an HM? And if I do go in that way, will I then be able to go to school and after that how hard is it to obtain my comission?

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An HM in the Navy is a Hospital Corpsman, AKA Medic, and Enlisted. Granted the HM's do a lot of nurse like duties in the Navy- however they are not nurses. What Branch were you in previously?

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Specializes in Surgical.

The Navy Reserves has a program called "HM to BSN program", which is hospital corpsman to bachelor of science in nursing. This allows you to attend school without having to attend your monthly drill obligation for reserves. Under this program you only have to attend reserves twice a year to complete PRT (physical readiness testing) and your annual physical. You must complete your two week AT (annual tour). The reserves also helps pay for school. I think I received about $700 a month for full time school. The requirements for this program are that you have to have less than three years of school remaining to finish your BSN. AFter completion of your degree you can apply for a commission, but there is no future obligation to the Navy.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

sounds like a good program

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Specializes in ER.

Thanks for the feedback....MileHighBSN this program you are in...does the Navy also pay for tuition as well? Is it the same as the NCP that the Navy has? How competative was it to get into that sort of program with the Navy? Will it be hard to get your commission once you graduate? I was previously in the AF...a looong time ago lol. Love the AF, but where I live there are not any medical units for the AF.

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Specializes in Surgical.

Jamielynn,

I switched over to the Navy Reserve from the AF Reserve 3 1/2 years ago. There are many left over slots for the "HM to BSN program" every year. For some reason, not many people apply. The people that run the program try to encourage as many people as possible to apply. Nine months after joining the Navy Reserves, I applied to this program and started nursing school. I was accpeted immediately. I graduated in May and my ETS date was in August. I applied to go active duty AF and should hopefully hear the results any time soon. You can apply to any branch or choose not to apply for a commission. There are no obligations. Most of the Navy Reservists will complete approx. 100 hours of online hospital coprsman training. This is followed up with two weeks of hands on at Great Lakes Naval Base. The hands on portion was exactly the same as some of the labs in theBSN program, which in turn will help out with your civilian education. I think the money that you get for school is based on years of service and I was activated for OIF "Operation Iraqi Freedom".

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Specializes in ER.
Jamielynn,

I switched over to the Navy Reserve from the AF Reserve 3 1/2 years ago. There are many left over slots for the "HM to BSN program" every year. For some reason, not many people apply. The people that run the program try to encourage as many people as possible to apply. Nine months after joining the Navy Reserves, I applied to this program and started nursing school. I was accpeted immediately. I graduated in May and my ETS date was in August. I applied to go active duty AF and should hopefully hear the results any time soon. You can apply to any branch or choose not to apply for a commission. There are no obligations. Most of the Navy Reservists will complete approx. 100 hours of online hospital coprsman training. This is followed up with two weeks of hands on at Great Lakes Naval Base. The hands on portion was exactly the same as some of the labs in theBSN program, which in turn will help out with your civilian education. I think the money that you get for school is based on years of service and I was activated for OIF "Operation Iraqi Freedom".

So the "money" that you are referring to is a monthly check you get in addition to having your tuition paid for? I am just trying to be clear...sorry about my confusion. I do plan on taking a commission in the Navy Nurse Corps. I don't mind online training...as I will do this also to get my BSN, so do you do your BSN schooling as well as your online Hospital Corpsman training at the same time? As far as heading up to Great Lakes for two weeks that would be awesome! Why did you wait nine months to apply to the program? Can you apply for it right away? And who are the people that run the program? Who would I need to speak to? My main thing is...I want an education that will be paid for, commmission, and benifits that go along with being in the military, but I want to be in the Reserves to be able to have a normal family life, and eventually retire from the military with some benny's. Thank you for answering all of my questions.... Good Luck on your commission with the AF

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Specializes in Surgical.

The money that you receive every month is paid directly to you. This program does not cover your tuition. The money that I received, covered most of the tuition. I finished my prereqs right before I joined the Navy reserve. I completed the on-line portion prior to the start of the BSN program. When I received notification that I was accepted into the BSN program, I applied for the HM to BSN program. The program must be accredited and accepted by the Navy. Your unit commander will help you with the process. The application consists of school transcripts, letter of acceptance into a BSN program, letters of endorsements from you commander, evaluation letters and the letter you write about how you are the greatest person on the face of the earth.

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Specializes in ER.

Nice...lol....I hate writing about how great I am LOL...Is there a way that the Navy will pay for your BSN? I am only about one year from graduating with a BSN. For me cost is a huge factor right now...school is expensive:eek:

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