Navy Reserve Nursing

Specialties Government

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Hello to all out there in the all nurses community. As suggested by my login I am a Navy Nursing Program Manager. What that means is that I function at a HQ level - above the recruiters and below the board. I decided to get on here because I am noticing there are so many answers and discussions regarding military nursing, and they can tend to be very confusing when multiple people answer and confuse the branch, desired affiliation, and actual question. I am on here to try and help out both my recruiters and my potential peers. My goal is to try and check this at least one a week on Monday nights, and more often if I can. Ask anything you wish. What I ask in return is that you ask a specific question with as much detail as possible. My fellow recruiters do an amazing job given that I update information constantly and this changes their lives from day to day as it sometimes does yours. Give me a chance to explain what you are most confused on, but in the end it is the recruiter you will be working with and through if you choose this life as your path. Once I figure out how to blog I am going to try that also. Let me know if there is a specific topic or post you would like and I can try that too. Best wishes to all, and I hope this helps :-) Ciao, Ciao

LT, NC, USN

Specializes in CRITICAL CARE.

I'm a Navy reservist so I can weigh in on some of your questions.

I have my BSN, so where does that put me??

That's good because you need at least a BSN to commission.

I am married and have 4 children and really don't want to relocate. how does that really work.

In the reserves, you'll drill at a local Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC). This is to fulfill training requirements typical to what you would do on your yearly mandatory work training. You may also do clinic support for the other reservists in your NOSC. When you commission, you take up a billet or a specialty. You will be designated as Med/Surg, Pysch, Critical Care etc... That billet will belong to a "gaining" command. (i.e. Operational Health Support Unit (OSHU) or Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF). You'll do your 2 weeks/year training here hopefully a job within your specialty but...sometimes its always whatever their needs are.

How fast do you go to Rhode Island for officer training?

You have to go to RI for Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course within the first year of being commissioned.

When do you exactly get to practice as a nurse. Do you get deployed?

As a nurse, your likelihood of being deployed is high, dependent on your specialty as well. You may have heard, "It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when". You can get volun-told or you can volunteer. You get to practice nursing during your 2 weeks annual training or when your deployed. There are also other options to take 30-180day Individual augmentee missions to serve as an nurse where ever that opening is.

The Reserves offer a number of training opportunities that doesn't readily deal with your practice. You already know that part as you have said. The training is for making you deployment ready to perform military duties.

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Hello NavyNurseCorpsPM1,

I am currently a first semester nursing student in a three year BSN program in California. I contacted the Navy via chat a little over a week ago about becoming a Nurse in the Navy. They recommended that I apply for the NCP and a recruiter from Tennessee called me to get some of my basic information; address, GPA, medical questions, etc. They also informed me that I would be contacted by a local recruiter to start the application process but I have yet to hear back. Should I be concerned? Also, if my graduation date is Spring 2017, when can I start applying for the NCP?

Thank you,

Rebecca

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Hello. I am a senior in a BSN program currently. I am really interested in the Nurse Candidate Program but I have been getting more and more confused as I read through questions and answers all over the place.

1) When you participate in the NCP are you considered to be reserve or active duty Navy?

2) After the program do you choose a specialty or is it chosen for you? (I have a special place in my heart for pediatrics)

3) Is the Navy pet friendly? I have three cats and a dog.

4) If I wanted to make sure my (Very long term) boyfriend would go with me wherever I end up, would we need to be married first?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

1. You're probably too late to apply as a new grad in any branch. You generally need to start applying almost a year in advance. You might need to get some civilian experience and apply as an experienced nurse.

2. All new grads pretty much do med-surg regardless of the branch to start. A limited number of people do get to do OB though. It's a crap shoot. If you have to do NICU (for example) as a new grad, then go civilian for a few years first and commission with the specialty designator.

3. I have no pets so I don't know.

4. He can come but the military will only pay for him if he is your dependent.

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Hello! Firstly, thank you for your service in general and also the service you are providing here by answering questions for nurses who are interested in the Navy Nurse Reserves.

I am interested in joining the reserves, but I have to wonder if there is a place for me. I work in public health, not direct bedside nursing...which seems to be the focus of most posters here. I looked at the main website for the Navy Nurse Reserves and under the specialties public health is listed, but I can't seem to find any information about whether or not I would be useful to the Navy in that regard in the reserves.

Can the Navy Nurse Reserves use a public health nurse or would I just be better off looking into the USPHSC?

Thank you for your response.

SiwanRN

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Good evening

I'm currently deciding to join the Navy hopefully as a nurse or medical field. I have already spoken with my local recruiter and he seems a bit confused in what information I seek. I've completed an ASN but haven't yet obtained my RN license. My question is whether or not to apply for the license now before enlistment or after enlistment and whether or not I will have the proper credentials. I will be taking the ASVAB to see if I can get the passing score for the job and I understand that any medical job may not be available. I'm also curious as to what other options do I have with what I'm currently working with, is it better to apply for a bachelor's?

Any information will very appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in ED.
Good evening

I'm currently deciding to join the Navy hopefully as a nurse or medical field. I have already spoken with my local recruiter and he seems a bit confused in what information I seek. I've completed an ASN but haven't yet obtained my RN license. My question is whether or not to apply for the license now before enlistment or after enlistment and whether or not I will have the proper credentials. I will be taking the ASVAB to see if I can get the passing score for the job and I understand that any medical job may not be available. I'm also curious as to what other options do I have with what I'm currently working with, is it better to apply for a bachelor's?

Any information will very appreciated. Thank you in advance.

If you want to join the Navy you can not be a corpsman due to having completed your nursing school requirements. It's in the rules. If you want to join as a nurse you need to get your bsn and then apply. If the rn/officer route is for you then you need to see an officer recruiter. Good luck...

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As4Awesome,

The only recruiting at this time for NP is for the Reserve side, and is is specifically for PNP, MHNP, and Midwife. We are not recruiting outside of these areas in the Practitioner field at this time for the Nurse Corps. This may change in the future, but for FY15 this is absolute.

Hope this helps and have a wonderful day.

Ciao Ciao,

LT, USN, NC

Hello NavyNurseCorps,

I am a family nurse practitioner that works in a psychiatric clinic. What are the chances of me getting into the reserves? I applied and got in touch with a recruiter, he asked for my CV, info but has not gotten back to me yet IF there was an opening or if my credentials warrant consideration.

I also have more than 5 years of critical care nurse prior to being an NP, can I get into the reserves as that? Would ranking be based on highest educational level attained?

Thank you for your time.

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NavyNurseCorpsPM1,

Thank you for making yourself available to answer questions here!

Some backgroundon me: 26 years old and have my BSN, RN and two years of experience in Critical Care/ICU (specifically Trauma and Neurotrauma at a major hospital in Philadelphia). I am ACLS certified and am in the process of studying for, then completing, my CCRN exam. I am also in the process of applying to graduate school for my MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner (part-time program).

My questions:

1. What are my chances of successfully entering the Reserves in critical care?

2. How long does the process usually take if I start now?

3. How is my work experience taken into account when I present my packet? (ex. Will I be more strongly considered than a new to practice nurse? )

4. Are there any incentive differences for loan repayment/bonuses if I am already admitted to a Family Nurse Practitioner program vs. applying prior to admission to the program?

Thank you in advance for your help!!

Rachel

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Hello,

I am currently a RN in the Critical care field. I graduated with my diploma in 2007 and recently completed my BSN in Oct of 2014. I am speaking with a recruiter now to join AD. I am putting my package together for the 2015 FY. I have a few questions:

1) Will all my experience count towards rank or just my experience post BSN? And if it does what rank would I enter as?

2) I worked as a GS employee and navy contractor for approx. 2 yrs, does this count toward my rank?

3) Is there an accession bonus available currently?

Thank you!

Christina

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Specializes in ninja nursing.

Can someone tell me how long it took for their packet to get processed? My reserve recruiter said she can do it in three weeks. Is this doable? I'm going to be cutting it short for this fiscal year. I have to switch my field of expertise, get several months in that field, and then apply.

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I'm a new grad Pedi NP ... graduated May of 2014 with my BSN & MSN. I've been hired, working as an RN until my credentialing is complete (The job is basically set up like a preceptorship, where I will do an assessment & plan and the MD I'll be practicing with will finish out the appointment with me). I will soon be hired as an NP practicing developmental psych peds.

I'm interested in joining the Navy reserves and I'm waiting to connect with a recruiter. In the meantime, I'm hoping that you all may be able to answer some questions for me!

-With my limited practice experience, would I be eligible for the reserves?

-Is there a need for developmental/psych pedi np?

-Anyone able to give info about what drill weekends look like?

-Regarding deployments - how are pediatric NP's utilized during deployment? Do they stay primarily on base, or do they help support/treat the local population too?

-Should I wait to hear from the recruiter before completing the online application?

Any additional info would be much appreciated! Thanks!

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