Navy Nursing Experience at Walte Reed

Specialties Government

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Hi all!

I was recently accepted into the NCP program for the Navy and I am currently trying to decided what duty station I want. I have heard you only get three choices with Walter Reed being one of them. I went and toured Walter Reed and I thought it was absolutely amazing but I wanted to see if anyone on here could give me some insight into their experience as a nurse there. I currently live in San Diego and am trying to decide between the Naval Medical Center here or Walter Reed. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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If you just recently accepted for the FY16 NCP, you will have another year to think about your preferences. The big three that new grads typically get sent to are San Diego, Bethesda, and Portsmouth; however, that does not mean you can't be stationed something random like Camp Lejeune. If you put down Walter Reed as your first preference and SD as your second, it doesn't necessary mean you will get what you wish for; the needs of the Navy come first. Just throwing that out there, but hopefully some active duty nurses can drop by and drop some info.

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I understand that, thank you.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery/Postpartum.

There are more than just the big three to choose from now. They have developed CNTP (clinical nurse transition programs) for new grads at other bases including Fort Belvoir, VA now. Just something to keep in mind if you think you only get to choose from the big 3!

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There are more than just the big three to choose from now. They have developed CNTP (clinical nurse transition programs) for new grads at other bases including Fort Belvoir, VA now. Just something to keep in mind if you think you only get to choose from the big 3!

Lol I wished I known that before I send in my duty preference sheet a week ago. Our program coordinator stated that we would be placed at one of the big three as new grads, with that in mind, I only listed the big three.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery/Postpartum.

It's still a possibility. I had mine listed with the big 3 (although I was not a new nurse, just new to the navy) and the detailer called me and asked/told me that I should go to Belvoir! I am not sure what other bases have adapted the program now but there are other options!

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aricaroni, what did you learn from touring Walter Reed? Would you say there was mainly Navy personal? Also, did you meet the director of nursing? And if so, was he/she Navy or Army? I also am NCP and heading to Bethesda after graduation
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