Navy Reserve Nurse Corps Openings?

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For the last month or so the local paper down here in NOLA has been running this ad weekly for the Navy: http://jobs.nola.com/careers/jobsearch/detail?jobId=37781258&viewType=main&networkView=main

Was wondering what scuttlebutt any of you current or former Navy nurses out there might have on this. I read in another thread that the Navy isn't granting too many waivers as their need isn't that great right now. So, what's the story with the Reserve Nurse Corps openings?

I ask because, even though I'm going to be just starting nursing school in the Fall, I'm seriously considering joining the Navy again (I have 6 years prior enlisted, and, yes, I know - Never Again Volunteer Yourself :), ) once I finish school.

Specializes in ED, NICU, OB, PEDS.

Navynursecorps: is it true that foreign bsn grads who are RNs here in the u.s cannot join as officers or commissioned officers? Coz im planning to join the military....

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

I spoke with a health professions recruiter today. Something I see that conflicts with this thread is that he mentioned applying now as a "general nurse" but when I finish my MSN next may and become credentialed as a psych mental health nurse practitioner I could immediately request a change in designator. Above, the LT refers to having to wait three years.

I realize monthly weekend commitments don't really require a lot of in depth nursing, but med-surg kinds of stuff is, for me, awful. I couldn't stand my (civilian) med-surg year. However, I have always wanted to be a military officer, and I am committed to psychiatry/mental health.

For that reason I have been investigating mental health APRN roles off and on for a couple of years since finishing my BSN and passing NCLEX. I'm guessing I should wait until next year to apply. He said a PMHNP hasn't applied in two years.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Granted, I'm active duty Air Force and this is from that perspective. We take fractions when it comes to experience. My pin on date for O-2 is 10 months sooner than someone fresh out of ROTC, because of my ~20 months of civilian experience.

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TalarossaRN...sorry for the delay. You must have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited institution. If your school is not on those lists then you would not be eligible. Does this answer your question?

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I spoke with a health professions recruiter today. Something I see that conflicts with this thread is that he mentioned applying now as a "general nurse" but when I finish my MSN next may and become credentialed as a psych mental health nurse practitioner I could immediately request a change in designator. Above, the LT refers to having to wait three years.

You will not be able to convert until you fulfil your original commitment.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.
You will not be able to convert until you fulfil your original commitment.

I missed this originally. this is huge. I'd hate getting stuck in med-surg or something. I realize I could be detailed out to those duties in perhaps a deployment-type setting, but med-surg is really not a fun area of nursing...at all.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I don't know how the Navy does things, but I would try to get some follow-up info from Navy nurses currently providing direct patient care. Like the Navy, the AF prohibits nurses from re-training until they complete their first assignment (1st base= 2-3 years).

However, that doesn't mean you necessarily have to do med-surg for that entire time. This is because not all specialties require a TDY-type-12-week training school. For example, PACU nurses are trained on the job. A lot of people go there after their first year to get a change of pace. Other nurses opt to move to outpatient clinics after they do their 1 year in med-surg.

Like I said, I don't know the Navy. However, I bet you don't have to stay in Med-Surg for much more than a year if you really want something else that exists at the base you are stationed at.

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I am currently applying to nursing programs. My recruiter said that if I get accepted, I would be able to fulfill my navy reserve requirements anywhere as long as the school has a reserve location. I really want to be a nurse, and I'm already 30 so I want to keep my job comprehensive and specific. My recruiter suggested I take a job in engineering, but this doesn't make sense to me if I plan to go for nursing. He said it would help me get my foot in the door. How difficult would it be to switch?

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

It's pretty tough to switch specialties within the military; it's even harder in the reserves. Heck, it takes a lot of leg work to even switch specialties within the Nurse Corps (Med Surg to ICU). If Nursing is what you want to do, then I wouldn't accept anything less.

Make sure you're talking to a healthcare recruiter and are commissioning (not enlisting). In my experience, healthcare recruiters would never be recruiting for engineering too.

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Okay, thank you. That is really helpful. That was my gut feeling, but he made it sound like if I enlisted I could switch no problem. I would prefer reserves, because I feel like it gives me more options to apply to nursing schools as a civilian as well. the recruiter suggested I go full active duty. I don't think this office has a healthcare recruiter, though, is one problem. Thank you!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You're looking in the wrong place. Healthcare recruiters typically have their own offices; google 'navy healthcare recruiter.' Don't enlist in engineering. You could be paving roads on a construction crew.

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Thanks so much. Yeah, that doesn't match my future goals or past work experience. Wouldn't make much sense.

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