Navy Nurse Questions

Published

Hi!

I am finishing up my freshman year in college. I am planning on becoming a humanitarian aid nurse. I am thinking about joining the navy sometime in my career. Should I join the navy as soon as next year? Or should I wait until I earn my BSN so that way I can do more while I am in the navy? Can undergraduates apply for the Nurse Candidate program? If so, how does that work?

Thanks so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Your best bet is to contact a Navy recruiter. Way back when I looked into it the Navy would pay for school, but those programs went away with budget cuts and more nurses than they needed applying, who already had degrees.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You need to speak with a healthcare recruiter not a regular enlisted recruiter to find out the appropriate details. Know that the military is overstaffed right now in most areas and there is little need for inexperienced new grad nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do not enlist in the Navy if you are still in school. You would have to join the Reserves and while chances are slim, you could get called to full-time active duty. Not to mention weekend drills and two weeks a year of active duty for training (ACTDUTRA). If you want to join the Navy, get your BSN, and then see if you can join. You'll be a commissioned officer and life will be better.

As my bona fides, I am a retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer with 31 years of service.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion