Navy Nursing?

rndiver82 · Apr 17, 2012

I am finishing my BSN and have talked with a Navy recruiter. According to him you have to have at least 90 days experience with your BSN before you are even considered. And that is if you have experience as a nurse with your ASN. I have 7yrs and was told "great, but is that with your BSN?" When I said no, then he said "Well then it doesn't matter". He was just a peach to talk with. If you are a straight-up new grad, I am not sure what type of time frame you are looking at, but the impression I got was it's not too pretty because of budget tightening.

Now, as far as deploying. Not to sound like a Debbie-Downer, but if you're not wanting to go far from home, I hope you are already near a naval base with your specialty. Because once you are in the military, it's no longer about what YOU want, it's about what the Navy wants. I am applying to the Air Force, and I know I will be deployed at some time because I am an ER nurse with a Trauma specialty (I am a Trauma Nurse Specialist in Missouri/Illinois). It's going to happen. I have already made peace with it and understand I won't see my 2yr old son for a while when I do, nor will I see my husband or mom who is my dependant. But, it's not about how much it will suck for me, its what the AF will need and what the men and women overseas will need. Unless I get pregnant around the time of my deployment, I am going in understanding that the Air Force comes first, me and my family needs are second. Otherwise, if staying near home is what you want and are not wanting to deploy, you may want to consider the Reserves instead of Active duty. Because I can almost gaurantee you will deploy if you go Active. With the current draw down of troops, if you go reserves, you may not (though that is NEVER a guarantee either).

Going into the military is a massive decision, but I know this is the route I want to go. I wish you luck! Have you considered the possibility of trying to maybe do a job-shadow at a naval facility to see if you even like it? It may save you a lot of time and make the decision much easier for you.

pattyipp · Apr 17, 2012

Have you looked into the NCP program? I joined Dec 2010 was paid all through nursing school and have a guarunteed job with awesome benefits.

navyman7 · Apr 19, 2012

Danil133, please read some of the posts under Military Nursing Questions Answered. I answer many of these kinds of questions there. And I am actually in the Navy. Please make sure you get your info from someone who is IN the Navy now, not years ago ot someone who has talked to a recruiter because recruiters aren't always giving you all the info available. Good luck in your search.

austinr · May 5, 2012

Hey pattyipp,

I'm going to be transferring into nursing school as a junior this coming year to complete my BSN. I've been looking into the military and talked to a recruiter recently about the Navy NCP. I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit more about your decision to join the Navy and your experience thus far, and also what you're planning on after you graduate.

Thanks!

p.s. I would send a private message, but I can't because i'm too new.

Sw88tpea, BSN · May 26, 2012

Hi austinr,

Pattyipp is at ODS right now so she probably doesn't have access to a computer. I'm new to the Navy. I came in February and am now stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia. I applied for the Navy right after graduation and got in a year and a half later. I was a 'direct accession.' I joined because I value our armed forces and believe serving is important. I wanted to be part of something bigger. I have not been let down. I am proud to serve and wear the uniform. I graciously accept thanks from civilians who thank me when they see I'm in uniform. Training was fun and stereotypical but it's far behind me now. I'm working on the Progressive Care Unit (Cardiac). The nurses are half civilian half military. There are lots of corpsmen. It's a teaching hospital so a lot of people are new and there is a lot of teaching going on. You work shift work just like in civilian, 3-4 12 hour shifts per week-to make 80-84 hours in a pay period. My boss has been accommodating in the schedule and lets me leave work (when orienting) to take classes-ACLS, EKG, TNCC. I wear NWUs and combat boots every day and don't mind it (more acute units wear scrubs). I like wearing the same uniform as those sailors on a ship or in Afghanistan.

Even in my short 80 day career I feel like the Navy has been good to me. I moved 3000 miles just to see different things. I love living on the coast and look forward to hopefully taking an overseas assignment for my next tour: Japan, Guam, Spain. I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now. My two years of civilian nurses before I came in have really made me appreciate Navy medicine. Everyone is fully funded, there is less concern about affording that procedure, that imaging etc. There is always policy in any business you work with but I'm glad I don't have to defend my patient's care as much. I'm really enjoying it. I do realize that if I stay in I won't be near my family as they live in Oregon and there is no base there. So that is something I have to think about. I also have to realize that nurses from Portsmouth are often deployed to GITMO which, I would look forward to. It's usually just for 6 mo and sounds like just another adventure. I did not have expectations when I came in and have been open and flexible. This attitude has helped in my satisfaction with my decision. Best of luck!