I'm 31yrs old and I want to go back to school to become a nurse. I have been looking into various options and the Navy is one of them and I have some questions.
I have submitted a form on navy.com for a recruiter to contact me, but figure that will not be until next week some time and thought I would ask on this forum for now.
I have been looking into 2yr RN Associate degree programs. If I have a 2yr RN can I still join the Navy and work as a nurse?
One train of thought for the 2yr program is that would allow me to get into the work force sooner and there are lots of options (programs to pay for bachelor degree) available to 2yr RN's to complete their 4yr degree.
Doing some snooping on the 'net I ran across the Navy Nurse Corps and want to get more info on this.
Is this a program that will help a person obtain a 4yr degree in nursing? Or do you already have to have your 4yr RN to join this program?
I've done some reading on the NROTC programs and found a University that I would like to attend that even has it.
But everything I read sounds like you will only be joining the Reserves? Is that correct or am I reading it wrong? I would really be interested in going active duty if possible.
I guess the big question I should have asked first concerns age limits. As stated I am 31yrs old and will be 36/37 by the time I graduate with a bachelor's degree. Does my age automatically disqualify me from being able to join the Navy as a Navy nurse?
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Fine. Since you are making such an issue. I will clarify it even more. BSN is the MINIMUM degree. No need to be so snarky about it. Logically one would assume that any degree higher than a BSN would work as well. That is all I have to say. Again, no need to be so snarky.
*** I agree, there is no need to be so snarky. In the future if you refrain from snarky comments you are unlikely to receive them in return as you did in this case.
Alright, can we please keep this friendly? It's easy for miscommunication or misunderstandings to occur on message boards, let's not make this personal.
While we're on the subject of degrees, has anyone on here gotten their Masters or DNP through the Navy NC or any of the other NCs? I'm just wondering how easy or difficult it is to take advantage of their education funding.
each service typically will have a certain point of the officer's 'timeline' where they are eligible to apply for advanced schooling... in the Army (in a non-nursing branch) all of my peers that had applied were accepted and gained 2 years of civilian school... that being said for that particular path you were only eligible if you did not have a prior masters at that point...
I'm a Navy nurse and would be gald to answer you questions.
You have to have BSN to be in the Navy. You have the answer to your age limit. Don't believe everything your Recruiter tells you.
I will be happy to answer any other quesitons!
I know this answer was posted in 2006 but I NEED some answers to some questionsc I have. I am interested in going into the Navy to be a nurse.I have 3 more years til I become a nurse...I meet with the recruiter on monday and people are saying not to believe them...What do I do?Please help
From what I understand, if you join the Navy Nurse Corps after you graduate from your nursing program you won't necessarily have your tuition reimbursed. There is a hefty sign-on bonus depending on how many years you sign up for, but tuition reimbursement is not guaranteed as it is ultimately based on applying for the reimbursement and being chosen.
Totally different if you go through NROTC, though.
Seems as though many people are very wary of recruiters, but I suggest you contact one anyway. They ultimately have the right answers, my recruiter is a former staff RN and has not steered me wrong. Many Medical Officer recruiters are not necessarily the same discipline as you are or may be, but it is still worth a shot to get in touch with one. One of the first things my recruiter advised me on when he learned I was reading things online was to not believe everything I see on places like FB or here on this forum. Just food for thought...
People seem to paint the picture of recruiters as a shady car salesman - I suggest a little research before calling one if you're that concerned.
I've joined the military 3 times basically (Active AF to Guard to Active Navy) and have yet to encounter a recruiter that was trying to sell me a questionable deal. If you're concerned about specific things, ask about them at your meeting, if they aren't answered to the degree of your liking, rephrase or seek another recruiter.
Nowadays it's assumed a recruiter is so desperate for people that they'll do anything to get you in, but currently, it couldn't be more the polar opposite. The services are full of nurses, and realistically if you'd like a spot, that recruiter should be your best friend.
Specializes in ER, preop/pacu, clinical instructor, GI.
Hi! In regards to recruiters..... YES you definitely have to be aware!!!! I have been in the USNR for going on 8 years and just recently was selected for Nurse Corp Officer. For seven months my recruiter who I just found out has absolutely NO medical background and is recruiting for Nurses had told me I'd be receiving a 75K bonus and would be going in with a certain code. You are given a specific codes according to your experience as an RN. So when it comes down to actually signing my papers and taking my oath I again ask about my bonus. And his exact response the day of signing.... "Oh....well I wasn't able to get you that code, I found out about a month ago but it slipped my mind." I was like what?!?! And you couldn't have told me this sooner than now? I had it all planned I was taking my oath on my husbands sub right before they deployed, he'd at least be there. So at that point I told him that I was not going to sign anything until he got things straightened out. Long story short, I have now gone from a 75K bonus to a 10K bonus. Though he may not have medical experience (as I've been told there are not enough recruiters that do) I do know he definitely lacked the communication skills when it came down to informing me of the major change that I had banked on for several months. I had gone through a lot w/my package etc. nearly having to get a medical waiver etc. Plus as everyone who has become a Navy Nurse Officer knows how extensive the process is and the time it takes to actually hear back weather or not you were accepted.
Unfortunately recruiters are not all the same. I have had friends who've retired as recruiters and do admit that yes it is about meeting quotas. Even when recruiting for officers. They will bull crap you and feed you lines making things sound more appealing... why? Well for those types you are just a number! So as of right now I have been taking my "time" re-thinking things. I was not wanting to go in as an officer just for the bonus - however it was a nice addition. I will more than likely take my oath in the next couple of weeks, and am excited to do so. Though the extra money would have greatly helped w/my 100K+ student loans. I would just recomend that if looking to join you do your research and if what the recruiter is saying sounds "shady" then get another opinion. I had felt I had no reason to distrust this man, needless to say I have another recruiter at this time.
that being said almost everything can be found by the individual who is curious.
This info is readily available via google searches.. to include recruiter handbooks, ppts, etc... especially for those who are active / inactive duty and have access to their .mil info for their respective branches...
You should always be the most concerned person for your own future.
Specializes in ER, preop/pacu, clinical instructor, GI.
I definitely agree w/you just cause. There are many tools out there, but when it comes down to it and you're dealing with a live person (recruiter wise) you just have to be aware and error on the side of caution. It is your future! And some who join the military or who do inquire don't fully understand you do sign your life over - not necessarily in a negative way but you are at the needs of the military. There are many benefits to joining, I have always been very proud, my husband has served nearly 20 years - I couldn't be more proud of him. I had to go IRR and I'm looking forward to joining the elite group of Nurse Corp Officers. Applicant's just need to utilize the tools that are out there and never be afraid to ask questions. I suggest putting together a list when talking to a recruiter and make sure when they tell you "yes you can do that, or that's not a problem" you get it all in writing!
I'm a Navy nurse and would be gald to answer you questions.
You have to have BSN to be in the Navy. You have the answer to your age limit. Don't believe everything your Recruiter tells you.
I will be happy to answer any other quesitons!
I am interested in joining the navy reserve as a nurse. I am talking to a recruiter and it's to work part time as a nurse for three years. Do you know anything about this? I have my MSN.
I couldn't be more proud of him. I had to go IRR and I'm looking forward to joining the elite group of Nurse Corp Officers. Applicant's just need to utilize the tools that are out there and never be afraid to ask questions. I suggest putting together a list when talking to a recruiter and make sure when they tell you "yes you can do that, or that's not a problem" you get it all in writing!
PMFB-RN, RN
5,351 Posts
*** I agree, there is no need to be so snarky. In the future if you refrain from snarky comments you are unlikely to receive them in return as you did in this case.