midwesternboy

MiltM, I stayed at King Hall, the ODS housing, until the course started. There was a whole bunch of us who arrived early. It wasn't bad and my room was really warm. recent BSN

I graduated from the Nov 08 ODS class. Our orders told us to check in on Friday, but when we got to the quarterdeck, the Marine said we didn't need to be there until Sunday afternoon! That wasn't any fun! If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer any ODS ones... -recent BSN and ODS graduate

Good luck with your decision. I would take a look at all services, unless you are set on the Army. Every service differs just a bit (i.e. base location, incentives, lifestyle). I wish you the best of luck with your decision. -recent BSN

Thanks, the transportation office lady said the same thing. She said you had to be a "hawk" so everything got done right. Did you get a sponsor before you left for ODS? after? during? I'm going to San Diego and I already called the command there to try to get a sponsor, but haven't had much luck. Enjoy your weekend -recent BSN

My household goods are being picked up this next week. Any advice besides making sure everything gets on the inventory list? Thanks in advance. -recent BSN

I'm headed to the Nov ODS and then to San Diego, I will probably have many questions once I figure out how to read these orders. recent BSN

smattles1of2, Thank you so much, All you info was so very helpful!!! Hey wanttobeanavynurse, we will probably be at ODS together, that is if they get my paperwork done. We are suppose to leave in two weeks and still no orders, etc. Kind of a little worried... -recent BSN

Congratulation!! I am suppose to go in November, but who knows. I do have some questions. 1. Any helpful hints, things to bring/not to bring, any advice on ODS? 2. How much time were you given between ODS and getting settled in at Portsmouth? 3. How much did you bring to cover costs until you got paid? How much were the uniforms? 4. How was the physical training at ODS? Again, congratulations and I wish you the best of luck on the East coast. I'm scheduled to go to the west coast, but still haven't received anything official yet. -recent BSN

I have a friend in the Navy Nurse Candidate Program and she got 5K up front (plus she'll get 5K when she commissions) plus she gets 1K every month. Remember all of this money is taxed! Also the application process is long, so she won't get the full 2 years of benefits, because it took so long to get the application sent and approved. The navy also offers a 30,000 bonus for 4 years or a 20,000 bonus for 3 years (again this is also taxed) for current RNs. I would talk with a healthcare recruiter to get all the current details, they seem to make small changes every now and then. Good luck with what ever you decide. recent BSN

This was the address I found online for the facility http://navymedicine.med.navy.mil//rota/index.cfm I hope this link still works. Good luck in your job search. -recent BSN

Sorry, I can't help answer your questions, but any particular reason why you don't want to be a FNP?? I just graduated and am looking into both FNP and PA programs. recent BSN

I was told by my recruiter that the Navy has a 38K loan repayment and a 20k bonus for a 5 year commitment. The health prof. loan payback is for doctors, PAs, pharmacist, etc. The army does pay back up to 114,000 but remember all of this money is taxed!!! But remember, the military currently is at the end of their fiscal year and does not have any money. Everyone has to wait until Oct and the current Congress to pass some budget. Then and only then will the military be able to really offer you any kind of financial package. -recent BSN

I had a classmate who wanted to go the USPHS route. It is a dual process, which was previously mentioned. She went to work on an Indian Reservation somewhere down in Arizona, New Mexico. She actually went down as a GS employee (since the process was much easier and quicker). Then the nurse manager down there told her they would work together to process her USPHS application. The USPHS application and process can take forever, so it was easier to go down there as a GS employee and transition to the USPHS. Plus she already had her job lined up. If you look into the Indian health services (www.ihs.gov)--I think this is correct, you will see that most of the Nurse recruiters for the Indian health services are USPHS employees. Good luck -recent BSN

brothre200, I'm in the final stages of my nursing corps application. However, I have read through many of these threads over the past year, while I was attending nursing school. Plus I've spoken with various healthcare recruiters and nurses in the military. Your best bet is to speak with a medical health care recruiter from both the active and reserve sides (since they are separate). That way you can get all of the up-to-date info. Sorry I can't be of more assistance. Good luck! -recent BSN

If you want to enter med school, you will need a 4 year degree. However, some programs have 2+4, which is 2 years of college and then you transfer directly into 4 yrs of med school. I know tulane univ. and one of the KC universities offer this kind of program. If you are going the hospital corpsman route, look into the Navy PA (physician assistant) program. PA's can do many of the same things as doctors. The Navy will pay for your schooling, plus your salary, plus you enter in as an officer when you are done. Good luck with whatever you decide. -recent BSN