Navy Officer Nurse Corp

jordaa · Jan 12, 2009

How is it going sassysailor and lubdubRN with the board dates? I'm curious to see when you are headed to ODS. I've been at my command at the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda for a month and a half, and it's going pretty well. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to answer, since I've gone through all that most recently. Good luck!

sassysoldier · Jan 12, 2009

hey, my packet was sent to the boards for the January meeting. There was some issue with my licence so the boards asked me to clear it up. (I sent my CEU's to my state licensure board back in october but it hasn't processed. ) I am approved pending that clears up which its a simple paperwork thing. If I can get it to them by the week of Jan 20th I can go in FEb if not I have to wait until the March ODS. So excited but I don't feel I can do my flips yet.

How did you do with the PT at ODS?

I guess thats the what I'm focused on now. I have been running and working out I just increased after the holidays to working out twice a day. I'm trying to pass it the first time.

How was the weather at ODS. I was thinking if its freezing I may wait for that March class if I have a choice. Its hard for me to run in 40 degree weather in Atlanta.

I'm glad to know Bethesda is going well. Are you on base or off base? How long did you have to get moved to Bethesda? And was it your first choice?

lubdubRN · Jan 12, 2009

hey, my packet was sent to the boards for the January meeting. There was some issue with my licence so the boards asked me to clear it up. (I sent my CEU's to my state licensure board back in october but it hasn't processed. ) I am approved pending that clears up which its a simple paperwork thing. If I can get it to them by the week of Jan 20th I can go in FEb if not I have to wait until the March ODS. So excited but I don't feel I can do my flips yet.
How did you do with the PT at ODS?
I guess thats the what I'm focused on now. I have been running and working out I just increased after the holidays to working out twice a day. I'm trying to pass it the first time.
How was the weather at ODS. I was thinking if its freezing I may wait for that March class if I have a choice. Its hard for me to run in 40 degree weather in Atlanta.
I'm glad to know Bethesda is going well. Are you on base or off base? How long did you have to get moved to Bethesda? And was it your first choice?

Hey Jordaa!!!

I am so happy to know that all is going well with you in Bethesda. I am currently waiting for the board date of Jan 28 or 29th. My packet was sent off on Friday and I hope to have it go to the board for the above date. It has to be there by this Thursday....I am hoping for a selection and then go to ODS in March. How long did it take to get your selection letter after the board? How was ODS. Did you get your first choice of Duty Station? and a biggee when did you get commisioned? before school? Thanks for answering my questions??? What area are you working in now, and how are you liking it so far?

lubdubRN · Jan 12, 2009

hey, my packet was sent to the boards for the January meeting. There was some issue with my licence so the boards asked me to clear it up. (I sent my CEU's to my state licensure board back in october but it hasn't processed. ) I am approved pending that clears up which its a simple paperwork thing. If I can get it to them by the week of Jan 20th I can go in FEb if not I have to wait until the March ODS. So excited but I don't feel I can do my flips yet.
How did you do with the PT at ODS?
I guess thats the what I'm focused on now. I have been running and working out I just increased after the holidays to working out twice a day. I'm trying to pass it the first time.
How was the weather at ODS. I was thinking if its freezing I may wait for that March class if I have a choice. Its hard for me to run in 40 degree weather in Atlanta.
I'm glad to know Bethesda is going well. Are you on base or off base? How long did you have to get moved to Bethesda? And was it your first choice?

I started running and working out in December. I will be taking a swim class in Feb. I am trying to prepare as much as possible. How long did it take YOU after the board meeting that you get your decision? What was your first choice? I hope that you get to go to ODS is February. I am a little antsy not knowing what to expect as far as selection....like what would prevent you from getting selected??

Waiting for Jan 29th!!!

RachieH · Jan 12, 2009

Hi everyone,

This has been a valuable read. I have a few questions.

I am 37 and will complete my BSN this August. Am I eligible for loan repayment and sign-on bonus? What is the maximum age the Navy will take nurses? Also, and this may be the kicker here - I am a single mother. Does the Navy make you sign over custody of your child when you go in? I read something like this on an Army enlisted board...but here we are talking about the Navy commissioning an Officer. If I were to become a Navy nurse, my mother would more than likely come live with me to help me with my son. Does the Navy even allow single parents to join?

Thanks in advance

jordaa · Jan 12, 2009

Hey!

Glad that you wrote.

Let me try to answer your questions. After the board met, my recruiter called me two or three days later telling me that I had been selected. Getting my letter was a little bit of a fiasco. I was waiting to get my commissioning until after the fiscal year in Oct. I was selected in August and just waiting for the new fiscal year. I figured when October rolled around, it would be easy. Well, at the same time, the economy went down and the budged for FY09 wasn't settled yet, so my selection letter which "gives" you your bonus hadn't been sent. And without the letter, you can't get orders and without orders you can't get commissioned and without being commissioned you can't go to ODS. So, it came down to the wire, but my recruiter and detailer were amazing and I was able to get orders and commissioned all within 48 hours of receiving my letter.

Commissioning wasn't that big of a deal, mostly because it was such a last minute deal. It was at the recruiter's office, and basically just held my hand up, said the oath and then signed my papers. And took a picture. That's it really. I guess some people will have family come and then all go out to lunch. But it wasn't huge. My family ended up coming to ODS graduation, which is a bigger deal, with an explanation of the customs and marching, and a color guard and all. It was fun to have them come up to Rhode Island and do some area sight seeing as well. Plus for graduation you wear dress blues and the pictures are way more fun!

ODS isn't really a big deal. I was really worried before I went, since I had no military background at all. The first week was the "hardest", and was what I like to say a watered down version of what bootcamp would be. They woke us up early one morning, made us do pushups, situps, jumping jacks and the like. We had to stand at attention and march and all. There are several different rules that you will think are kind of dumb or silly, but the whole point is to follow instruction and learn military bearing. After the first week or so, you get the hang of it and some things become second nature. Like stepping off with your right foot or squaring corners when you walk. If you want you (and anyone else) can PM me and I can send a link to my webpage. I had weekly updates for when I was there. I'd say the one thing you should do now is work on situps and pushups. The run times aren't that fast, and doable if you are in decent shape, but I had to work a little on my situps and pushups. And they are old school, like you did in elementary school for the fitness tests.

Also, I was worried about the swim test, because the 5minute prone float intimidated me. The most important thing is to just stay calm. When I was floating I would take a big breath and then put my head in the water and slowly count to ten while I was blowing out air and then lift my head and take another one. It took me about 2 minutes to figure that out and I had to talk myself out of dropping out at that point. But I made it, and ended up taking the 2nd class swim test, which meant I had to do it again! But I survived both times! No big deal if you do have to drop out, because they will just put you in the remedial swim and the instructors there are great and will work with you until you pass. Only 3 in our company were in remedial swim and they all passed after a few sessions.

Bethesda was my first choice. It wasn't hard since it's a big hospital and they can always use more nurses. I wanted to work in DC, so it was perfect for me. I am currently in the nurse internship program, which as been a good introduction for me to the military way of nursing and how the hospital works. It is a great program for new nurses as well. Although I have experience, it's been nice to take the opportunity to see multiple units of the hospital and to network with other wards as well. I'm done next week with the internship and will be working on cardiac telemetry. I'm excited about it and am ready to get to the floor!

Well, I think that's about it. Let me know if you have any more questions and I will try to answer them! I know I had tons before I went to ODS and couldn't find all of them!

Until later,

ENS Jordan

jordaa · Jan 12, 2009

I am not sure about the age limit for the navy, or what they do about commissioning single moms. I think the biggest thing is that you have a family care plan in place, which is a document that shows that you have a plan for your child if you are deployed, because being a single parent is not a reason to not go on a deployment. If your mom is moving in to help, then you should be good in that area. I don't believe that you have to sign over custody, but I do think you have to do a power of attorney if/when you go on deployment. I know there are lots of single parents in the navy now, but not sure if the children came before or after enlisting/commissioning. I would call an Officer Program Recruiter and talk about your options.

Good luck! ENS Jordan

sassysoldier · Jan 13, 2009

I started running and working out in December. I will be taking a swim class in Feb. I am trying to prepare as much as possible. How long did it take YOU after the board meeting that you get your decision? What was your first choice? I hope that you get to go to ODS is February. I am a little antsy not knowing what to expect as far as selection....like what would prevent you from getting selected??
Waiting for Jan 29th!!!

Keep us updated on what you hear from the board. The more I talk to my family about ODS I think I am leaning toward March once all my paperwork is in. Let me know we may be in class together. :up:

sassysoldier · Jan 13, 2009

Hi everyone,
This has been a valuable read. I have a few questions.
I am 37 and will complete my BSN this August. Am I eligible for loan repayment and sign-on bonus? What is the maximum age the Navy will take nurses? Also, and this may be the kicker here - I am a single mother. Does the Navy make you sign over custody of your child when you go in? I read something like this on an Army enlisted board...but here we are talking about the Navy commissioning an Officer. If I were to become a Navy nurse, my mother would more than likely come live with me to help me with my son. Does the Navy even allow single parents to join?
Thanks in advance

umm, I don't think you age is a problem. Isen't it 42 or something anyone else?? You can also get an age waiver. I do know the answer to your single mom question. I am married now but I wasn't when I was considering the military before now. I was a single mom too also my recruiter currently is a single mom of two.

THERE IS NO SERVICE THAT WILL MAKE YOU SIGN OVER CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD!!!!

If you are a single parent or dual marriage (which was me either way) then you have to make a family care plan which is a form listing a short-term person who can take care of your child if emergency occus than a long-term person who can take care of you child if a emergent long term deployment etc would occur. That is it. Now personally I just completed a limited power of attorney on my son for my mother who is currently taking care of my son so I can go to ODS in March. I did that because If I'm at ODS and my son needs to go to the doctor, etc my mother has the power to make decisions and there is not confusion since I won't be easily accessible. My mother does not have custody or anything. I wrote it myself and got it notarized on what I wanted in the limited poa.

lubdubRN · Jan 15, 2009

Sassysailor,

AAGGGGHHHHH!!!!:scrm: I got a call from my recruiter today telling me is missing some paperwork. We just went over everything last week and she told me we had all we needed. Now, since the board meets on the 28th, I am not in the two week window for having all my paperwork in AND the her chain of command has not signed it.....therefore my packet is missing boards on the 28th AND she does not know when the next one meets... I was really hoping for the March ODS....but now I just don't know!!! :banghead:

jordaa · Jan 15, 2009

Welcome to the military. Hurry up and wait. Don't be discouraged. It will all work out when it is supposed to. At least if March is what happens, it should be WARMER! I went October-Nov, and it was cold toward the end. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you!

sassysoldier · Jan 15, 2009

Sassysailor,
AAGGGGHHHHH!!!!:scrm: I got a call from my recruiter today telling me is missing some paperwork. We just went over everything last week and she told me we had all we needed. Now, since the board meets on the 28th, I am not in the two week window for having all my paperwork in AND the her chain of command has not signed it.....therefore my packet is missing boards on the 28th AND she does not know when the next one meets... I was really hoping for the March ODS....but now I just don't know!!!

I know you are frustrated!!! :banghead:. That is what happend to me. I wish I could go through my own packet and check it. My recruiter told me the next board meeting is the 2nd week of feb. Your packet has to be up there by the first week. That is what I am shooting for. Lets pray our packets get approved that date and we make that March ODS class. The more i am coming off my frustration I'm glad it might be march because of the weather. :zzzzz:zzzzz