Physical requirements to be a Navy nurse

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 3, 2007

I just have a few small questions: what are some other small things that the military likes/dislikes in terms of physical features (as in how long can I keep my hair and I know the Navy won't like the four piercings I have on my ears...)? Oh, and a biggy for me is weight because I'd like to gain some more... what's the physical requirement for weight?

Hello,

From all I read about hair it merely needs to be in regulation. There is a military women site and a military.com site which has information on hair.

I suspect that three of your ear piercings may have to go unadorned while in uniform though.

The weight requirements can be found at:

Navy Weight Charts for New Recruits - Females

They list minimum shipping weight and also a minimum "waiverable" weight. You have two chances if you are on the low end.

Good luck! It took me a few years to gain but, managed to keep it.

Gen

NavyCheerGirl · Jan 4, 2007

What does "shipping weight" mean?

navynurse06 · Jan 4, 2007

I've never even seen that chart before. I've never seen a chart with min. wt standards on it.

This link has the wt standards on it! Navy PFA Standards I posted this earlier. This from the one the navy's sources.

Also, you don't not have to cut your hair it just has to be kept in a tight bun. And you can only wear one set of earrings while in uniform; and they must be gold balls. Then you can wear the pearl earrings with the main dress uniforms. Also, look at the OIS website b/c it has good charts on it for dress code.

MCHnurse · Jan 4, 2007

NavyCheerGirl,

Another physical thing that you didn't mention but I thought of when you mentioned piercings is tattoos. I have quite a few on my arms, some of which will be visible when in uniform. I had to take lots of pictures and will be applying with a waiver. Soooo, if you are even *thinking* about a tattoo, get it somewhere it can't be seen in uniform. The picture taking was time consuming and I'm still not sure if it will affect my application.

navynurse06 · Jan 4, 2007

I have a tatoo (covered while in uniform), and I have a few friends who had tatoos (some covered/some not). And the tats didn't affect us getting in the Navy. I think the only way they can keep you from getting in is if they are racial movitatied (sp just got off nights), gang related, or something along those lines. At least, that is what myself and my fellow inked buddies have been told.

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 5, 2007

I have a tatoo (covered while in uniform), and I have a few friends who had tatoos (some covered/some not). And the tats didn't affect us getting in the Navy. I think the only way they can keep you from getting in is if they are racial movitatied (sp just got off nights), gang related, or something along those lines. At least, that is what myself and my fellow inked buddies have been told.

I was told the same thing. I have two large ones and had to fill out a statement describing their location, size, content and motivation for getting them. Luckily they were waived.

I was worried, (like I said, they are large) but, thankfully they are pretty much fully covered in conservative clothing. Regulation Army skirts will not cover the one fully though, so maybe I will wear pants? Also the physical fitness uniforms, (with shorts) will definately not cover the one so, I don't know if I will be forced to wear sweatpants for pt. Hope not!

Gen

NavyCheerGirl · Jan 5, 2007

I think there's special "makeup" for tatoos. I dunno if it's sweat proof or whatnot, but I know there's a special coverup for tatoos that's like a foundation for the face.

MCHnurse · Jan 5, 2007

Wow, I wonder why they gave me such a hard time with them! I didn't have to write anything but they made me take tons of pictures. In the first set of pictures my face had to be showing and I had to clearly show all angles of the tattoos up close (except for in the pciture of the tattoo that covers my back). I then had to take a picture in my scrubs. I also had to take pictures in a dress shirt (short sleeve). I'm guessing they wanted to see how much the tattoos would show when I'm in uniform. In my civillian nursing job I *always* wear a long sleeve shirt under my scrubs so that my patients can't see any tattoos. Maybe they were concerned because I have so many? I'm certaily not affiliated with any gangs, but I'm sure they just have to be really careful. I have several friends who are fully sleeved and are in the military and they too had to jump through hoops.

Navynurse06, do they allow you to cover tattoos that show by wearing a long-sleeve t-shirt under scrubs? For that matter, do you even wear scrubs? I went to interview at Portsmouth and some nurses wore scrubs and some had on uniforms. I wasn't sure if those wearing scrubs were civilian nurses or not.

navynurse06 · Jan 6, 2007

I've never seen anyone have to cover up their tattoos after getting in...if you got a waiver for it than don't worry about it. There's plenty of women who have tats on their legs in the navy and I see them wearing the skirt. (Of course you have to wear hose with the skirt any way) And if you are in pt gear....please....you can't be made to wear pants if you got a waiver for these tats!

You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill! I didn't even have to have a waiver for mine. So just chill!

And as far as the scrubs thing....I wear scrubs in my area b/c I work in peds. At NMCSD we wear scrubs in peds, er, pacu, L/D, PICU, NICU, and OR of course. But everwhere else has to wear uniforms. You have to wear a tshirt under your scrubs; its your choice as far as if its long or short sleeve. But like I mentioned before...I can't imagine that they can make you wear long sleeves for something that you have recieved a waiver for! But it could be dependant on the area you work in and your DIVO, etc!

MCHnurse · Jan 6, 2007

You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill!

It's funny that you say that because that's what I thought when I was asked to submit over 15 pictures of myself in different poses wearing a t-shirt, a scrub top, and a dress shirt. If they had started asking for naked pictures I was totally out of there! Maybe my recruiter is just uptight. Then again, my friends had similar experiences.

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 6, 2007

I think there's special "makeup" for tatoos. I dunno if it's sweat proof or whatnot, but I know there's a special coverup for tatoos that's like a foundation for the face.

Hello,

That make-up is banned for tattoos in the military, (Army anyhow). I will try to find a direct link. and post.

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 6, 2007

....please....you can't be made to wear pants if you got a waiver for these tats!
You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill! I didn't even have to have a waiver for mine. So just chill!
!

Hello Navynurse,

I can appreciate that I will not be "made" to wear sweat pants yet, I have "large" tattoos and may choose to cover them so myself. When in a skirt I do not think my tattoo will fit the image of an officer so may decide to wear pants anyhow.

While I am surprised that you were not required to fill out a waiver I imagine that your recruiter filled out the request for you, (if he/she was aware of the tattoo, which Meps may or may not have mentioned). Yet, it is certainly NOT a mole hill. Tattoos are a potential reason for diqualifying.

Thanks for the realization that if they are waived, then they will not be required to cover.

Gen

edit to add links:

- Joining the Military - Military.com

Navy Tattoo, and Body Art Policy