NavyCheerGirl

I'm studying to be a nurse who recently in June got into an LPN program (I want my BSN so I can work in the Navy, eventually get my doctorite to teach). However, I'm more of a language person. I felt very compelled that it's my destiny to be a nurse (I never liked the doctor- it's like you come in with one problem and the next thing you leave with another), and I know I have a lot to overcome. Is there anyone like me who has struggled to become a nurse, who wasn't a science person, but is now a nurse? Thank you!

Is the ASVAB important to take after receiving and passing the NCLEX-RN? Speaking of RN, someone told me I could go into the Navy as an RN.... I thought I had to get my BSN. Is it true? I'm hoping cause my goal to become a Navy nurse kinda got pushed back a few years and I wanna go in within three years... For anyone who has taken the ASVAB, how is it? Would taking that help getting into the OIS? What's an example of a question that is on the test? Looking at this stuff on military.com makes me think back to the SATs... oy!

After thinking about it, I think it would be in my best interest to learn Persian and Arabic... would I be better off trying to teach myself or going to school to learn it?

I was wondering for a while why is it that there are no nursing schools at the major military academies (Navy, Air Force, and Army)? If there were nursing schools there wouldn't it be easier for people interested in nursing and go there rather than going to a different school and then applying?

Any other languages that may be helpful in the Middle East?

I was thinking about learning Arabic because there could be times where nurses need to help Iraqi people who have serious injuries and they might not be able to speak English. Although there may be a translator, I'd say I'd find it quicker to know Arabic myself and help the patient one-on-one. I know French but that's not a language the military uses (although there are a lot of French terms and words that the military does use and no one thinks about it!). I'm willing to learn Arabic if I need it, which makes me wonder if nurses need to know Arabic.

Just out of curiosity since there's a lot of questions about the OIS, how much is the OIS like the naval academy or an NROTC program (considering that the OIS is 5 weeks and NROTC or the Naval academy is 4 years of training)?

I've been thinking about vaccinations lately (since I just went to the doctor and thankfully I don't need blood drawn for the fifth time nor do I need to have a shot... needles aren't my thing)... What kind of vaccinations are necessary to enter the Navy?

I had a thought about hair... I like getting high lights once in a while (nothing radical, of course). Is that allowed?

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.

I'm looking into scholarships from the Navy. It turns out now I WON'T be graduating in 2009 since I'm transfering from my former college to a small community college in my town... and of course there would be loans to pay back but I'd rather have the Naval scholarships and have more time in the Navy to pay back with. I was wondering who I would talk to around here since my former college is near the university I onced planned on getting my BSN and the university has an NROTC program. I would have talked to the lieutenant there for help but since I'm not going back, I need to find someone else. Do I talk to a recruiter to find out which scholarship is the best for me? Would the Nursing Option scholarship work for me, even though I'm not in an NROTC program?

What does "shipping weight" mean?

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?

Raskolnikov, if you have any more questions about the military, I recommend reading Married to the Military by Meredith Leyva. Even though I don't have a boyfriend in the military, I read the book anyway because the book's "subtitle" implies even women in uniform can find this book helpful. The book talks about different things from how to talk/interact with different ranks to what you'll need to depend on when you're in the military. For example, I read that (and I quote): "Occupational licenses, such as nursing, obtained in one state may not be valid in another state. This is particularly true in the People's Republic of California. Check with the career counselor or state occupational safety board website to find out if your occupational license is accepted at your new duty station," something I wouldn't have thought about. Thank goodness I read this book or I wouldn't have known that important piece, considering I'm making military nursing my life!

OO so I need to take my NCLEX after I get my RN? I'm glad I read that because I wouldn't have known. I heard the NCLEX is wicked difficult... I'm struggling in the sciences as it is (I'm more of a language person but I want to be a nurse in order to help others and do something else with my life because I feel Navy nursing is my calling)! I just hope I can do this because being able to help the soldiers would mean a lot to me- I'm really looking forward to it!

Hi, Raskolnikov, I'm a nursing major (sort of...) who is very very interested in joining the Navy Nurse Corps! My parents were surprised when I said I wanted to join the Navy and nurse there. They weren't happy with the idea but then they grew to see it's what I want and I intend to persue that goal to the fullest. My mom also thought for a while I wanted to be a Navy nurse because I fell into the romance of Pearl Harbor, which isn't true, although I know I'd like to marry into the military! I really want to help the soldiers who are protecting my country- they're dying for us and I can't help but feel sad when I hear about another soldier dead while I'm living in a very comfortable environment! I'm related to a patriot from the Revolutionary War (from my home state!) and I think if he were here today he'd ask what the heck is going on. So not only do I feel it's my patriotic duty, but also like I inherited the military bloodline with it. I don't just plan on doing medical duties- I even want to start my own relief fund for soldiers (I have the ideas down I would just like some recognition for the idea to be set in motion). It must be a great honor to be a nurse or Hospital Corpsman in the military because sacrificing what someone has in order to serve someone else is not only bold but also makes that person a wonderful role model. For me, someone in the military, especially in the medical field, is a good role model. If you're interested in both the Navy and Army, you can make military nursing your life by doing one branch first. I'm thinking of Navy then Army, and possibly Air Force after that. It's great you want to join! The soldiers will really appreciate one more nurse. That way, one more soldier might be saved and come home in good shape as possible. My suggestions to you are to listen very carefully to your ROTC advisor and any other officers you talk to. If you have any family members or friends currently enlisted or officers in the Navy (not necessarily nurses, either), talk to them because you can gain important information. You may hear many different things, but it's important for your understanding. As for seeing if the ROTC is right for you, if you find that it isn't, I plan to do this (maybe it'll help): first I'm getting my BSN (actually, first my RN then an RN-BSN program). After I get my BSN I'll take the nursing liscence exam. Finally going to the OIS (Officer Indoctrination School--> Navy), and then it's onto the Navy! However, the good side to an ROTC option is you'll get the indepth training you'll need. It won't just be physical training, but other important military aspects such as ethics and labs. I know of one school that has its nursing school "incorperated" with its (N)ROTC program. That way, nurses get their important sciences (anatomy and physiology, chemistry, pathology, etc) in as well as focus on the military part. Good luck in your quest to join the military nurses!

Wow, that's amazing time, smattles1of2! I think women actually have more time than men, but the less time the better! I get aches on my left side of my rib cage and it can prevent me from running well (although I played soccer since I was in kindergarden until I was a junior in high school). Before it got too cold to run outside, I would do a light jog and stop/walk. A couple of times I have been able to jog a full mile without stopping. What stretches do you recommend before running?

Congrats Gennaver!! Here's a big hooah to you! :)

Hi Navynurse06! Thanks for the info. What does PRT mean? Also, I looked at my age range at the exercises and stuff... everything is timed, right? I understand what it's meant by "outstanding"- after all, we need to be fit!- but what does it mean to achieve an "outstanding low"?

I'm guessing I need to start working out before I go in from the looks of the exercise list on the OIS web site... but it's ALWAYS good to be fit just the same! As far as any eye problems, as long as I only need my glasses for driving and reading there shouldn't be a problem.

Is lazer sugery acceptable before I go in? I was told I could get it done (I don't think my astigmatism is that bad). The funniest thing though is, my youngest brother had an astigmatism in his right eye and had glasses. He never wore them but his eye got better. I hope that goes the same for me, because glasses actually weaken vision...

Over the summer I found out that I have an astigmatism in my left eye and that I'm also nearsighted in my left eye (I wear glasses to drive and read when font is too small and for driving). Is that going to be a problem? I was told I can get these problems corrected by having lazer surgery (although, wouldn't that depend on my eye's condition to get lazer surgery?).

Gennaver, what's it like to be an Army nurse? How many nurses are at the fronts and how many nurses are in hospitals within the US and outside the US?

I'm actually going to reply to this because I want some opinions... my first idea to help out with wounded soldiers is to start my own relief fund (I already chose the name too!). I would like my relief fund to be able to pay up to half of a soldier's medical bills. The "financial aid" goes to anyone in any rank, no discrimination. I'm thinking of ways to raise money for my relief fund, but of course how to get it off the ground. What do you think?

I decided to start this thread because as a future Navy nurse, I want to know how I can improve a patient's well-being besides using medicine. I think this threat will be beneficial in that we can all learn from each other and try to be active in our patients' recovery. I'd like to hear everyone's ideas, no matter how silly they are! I have my own ideas... let's hear yours! Hooah!