Navy nurse - should i get bsn first or join as a reserve?

[studentnurse_]

Hi everyone!

Being a Navy Nurse is my dream. I'm 22 and I recently took my NCLEX LVN (currently waiting for the results, CA takes awhile) I'm planning to go back to school for my BSN this spring and also I'm planning to join the Navy but I'm not sure if I should wait till I finish school (about 3 years later) or if I should join now as a reserve while still in school to get some experience? and once Im done with school as a reserve, can I go active? Ive also heard about the NCP, but I want to know if I can work as an LVN while going to NCP? like how I would be able to if I go as a reserve? Also, do I have to go to bootcamp if I join as a reserve? and if I should wait till I get my BSN before I join, what are some things I can do to get experience in the navy? and lastly, the bsn program I'm trying to get into is really expensive, so I really have to earn somehow as an LVN or as a reserve.

Please please please fill me in as much information as you can and thank you so much in advance. I would appreciate any input.

[sailornurse]

There have been multiple similar posts in the past few months,which is why probably no one else has responded. Here is a recent one. Navy requires BSN for Nurse Corps Officer, if you join now you will be enlisted & no guarantee that you will be trained as a corpsman. Navy may not recognize your LPN training. The NCP is for those already in a BSN program. Working as LVN while in school is a great idea. Yes you will have to go to bootcamp for the reserves. My cousins son just completed boot plus was sent to A school.

Look for less expensive school. Good luck, but do a search under government/military, look at yellow tool bar, under specialties. Do a search for NCP.

Here is an older thread but should answer most of your questions.

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/military-nursing-questions-664467-page14.html

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/active-duty-navy-1002474.html

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/navy-corps-reserve-1003467.html

https://allnurses.com/men-in-nursing/navy-nursing-anyone-674846.html