Navy Nursing

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Hey everyone. I'll try to make this brief, but basically I'm a pre-nursing student (one more year of gen. eds. to go!) and I'm already trying to research career options just to get ahead of the game. For some reason or another, being a nurse in the US Navy is rather appealing to me. But here's the thing; the state of Maryland (where I'm currently studying) is offering me in-state tuition (I live in PA) if I get into the nursing program, graduate, and agree to work for four years after in Maryland. You can understand how appealing this is to me, being out of state and with student loans ALREADY even though I'm not in the nursing program (yet!!!). However, when I did a bit of research, I came across Navy Reserves...I took it to mean I didn't have to leave the state, could still work in Maryland for four years, but could still be in the Navy with reserve duty over the weekends. I know my father is in the Army and when he has "Reserves" he only has to commit to weekends now. Could I really start off with that, because that would be extremely convenient and would mean I wouldn't have to wait until my four years are up to join the Navy?

I understand I will have to talk to a recruiter for more specifics and options, but I'd like someone to share their experience, whether similar to mine or just as a nurse in the Navy. Thanks!

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The Navy would pay for your nursing education as well...being in the reserves does NOT mean you would not get called up for duty..it happens all the time..that being said, Nursing in the military is an excellent way for a nurse to get started and spend her life..I know those who have done it and if I had thought more about the future I would definitely have joined up. I hope to read back on here you decided to go for it. Rarely do we regret the chances we take - mostly those we don't.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to Government and Military Nursing Forum.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You should speak with a healthcare recruiter to get the current information. There are fewer slots in both active and reserve components in all branches of the military right now, and some are trending toward BSN for both active and reserves. Are you going to be doing a BSN program?

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If you even think you might want to go Active in the future, DO THAT FIRST. Active to Reserves=EASY. Reserves to Active= very hard.

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