hardline

-What exactly do they look at when determining if they'll accept you or not? (GPA, experience?) There is a whole process of application, interviews, references, etc, Get started first by contacting the healthcare recruiter. - is there a minimum graduating GPA required to be accepted? (all I've found was that they want you to be a US citizen, graduate from an accredited program and pass your boards.. but i feel like there's more to it then just that) I believe that the minimum recommended GPA was 3.0. Of course, the better your qualifications, the more competitive you will be for selection. - Should you apply before or after you take the NCLEX? You can apply for the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) upon being accepted to an accredited CCNE or NLNAC nursing school and any time during nursing school. You will incur an additional year of obligated service in the Navy for each year or part thereof that you are in NCP. - Will they accept new grads straight out of school? Yes, as direction accession, but then you are completing for a space against other experienced nurses as well as new grads. If accepted into NCP you basically have a slot reserved for you upon successfully graduation and NCLEX completion. - do you get to choose your specialty or do they throw you where they need you? You are able to voice your preferences and those will be taken into consideration, but the overwhelming drive will be the needs of the Navy. - if you get denied, can you reapply or is it a one time deal? Be positive, don't need a second chance. I went through NCP and graduated nursing school in May 2011. I have been working at a Naval Medical Center since August. hardline, ENS, NC, USN

Hello, I just graduated nursing school this past May. I received my orders in April which included my ODS class date and the assignment of my first permanent duty station. I was commissioned a few days after passing my NCLEX-RN which was 2 weeks after graduating nursing school. The Officer Development School is 5 weeks long and is training to accustom you to military (Navy) customs and courtesies, leadership, physical training, etc. While in ODS, you will be given the opportunity during "track day" to talk with some of the upper level officers of the nurse corps to discuss your education and career management issues. You will also submit letters and preferences to your gaining command indicating your previous experience. Also try to get in contact with your sponsor at your next command as soon as you can to ease your transition to reporting. I just completed my "nurse grad" residency program and will be attached to my ward for a few more weeks of further orientation. While in the nurse grad program you will need to demonstrate competency in skills such as med admin, IV/IVP therapy, venipuncture, etc along with pediatric, maternal/infant and medsurg competencies. I was assigned to a few different wards for orientation, such as pediatrics, ER, wound clinic and finally to the orthopedics floor that I am going to be working on. As far as furthering you education, you are your best advocate in knowing what you want to accomplish, but your leadership (DIVO) and hospital climate should be supportive in assisting you in achieving your goals and assisting with planning and career guidance advice. ENS, NC, USN

I am a new graduate that recently completed nursing school earlier this year. I have prior military service, however, and therefore was not as worried about that aspect as other new nursing students seem to be. I have provided some answers related to my specific situation. Many people seem to be most concerned for their family and have deployment-related concerns. The Navy requires that single parents with dependents have family care plans that ensure the care of children in the event that the servicemember is deployed. Also, you should plan on being deployed. It is part of what we in the military do. We are here to help, please ask whatever questions you have. ENS, NC, USN Yes I am away from the house about 12 hours or more per day while I am at work. While deployed, family support and communication is very important. Stresses may also present when getting back to your regular life when you return from deployment. The Navy has resources available to help members prepare for and adjust to this way of life. Not yet, but I expect to be. Deployments may be shipboard (hospital ships or larger combat vessels) or "boots on the ground" in any part of the world in support or combat or humanitarian operations. There are also regular overseas bases that you can be assigned to. The first tour is typically stateside for a 3 year tour. Depends on the program you sign up for (4 years for me). I was in the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP). It supports nursing students accepted into CCNE or NLNAC accredited Bachelor degree programs from acceptance through graduation and provides for monthly stipends and bonuses upon completion. I currently do regular RN work on an inpatient ward at a major military medical center. Collateral duties may also be assigned as in civilian nursing such as leadership positions.

You have to have it paid down to $700 to check out and receive last uniform (service dress blues).

Took me 3 hours for 75!

Support Plan: Step 1: Change your username (recommended usernames "ICanDoIt" "GonnaPass" IfAtFirstIdontsucceed...", etc) Step 2: Try again It is not the end of the world. I apparently passed and also felt horrible during parts of the test and even after. I remember thinking and feeling that I did not and would not want to take that test ever again, but I also knew that had that happened that I would have gotten myself back up to try it again. We have all worked too hard and come too far to give up!

You may also want to check out the Government/Military Nursing forum on this site for more information.

With all due respect, either way you will still start out "at the bottom," but as an RN you will be a junior grade officer versus enlisted. As Caliotter said you will not be able to serve as a nurse in the enlisted role, but there are somewhat similar options available such as medic or Corpsman. Continue your search to find out more and decide what is best for you and do it. :)

Review materials and resources used: ATI through school - their predictors rated me at 97% 3 Day ATI live review at school post graduation LWW NCLEX Review 4000 computer program Lippincott's Alternative-format questions book and website REA NCLEX Interactive Flashcards book I took combinations of practice tests and instant feedback questions, reviewed specific areas that I knew I needed, read rationales to all answers. I felt fairly well-prepared for the test going into it, but I am a believer that you have to go ahead and do it if you are fairly confident with your knowledge and critical thinking. I don't think it is possible to be totally ready for anything like this. There were quite a few questions that I was unsure of and it took quite a while for me to get through the test (3 hours for 75 questions!). I was ok with that as I was routinely among the last finished with tests throughout nursing school. I was very relieved that the test ended at 75 though, because at my rate I would have never have made it to 265!

Took my first (and hopefully only) NCLEX-RN today - 75 questions with good pop-up.

May 2011 here.

I just went with Navy due to service preference since I was previously in the USMC. I wanted to stay with the same military environment and knowledge base and did not even consider the Army or Air Force.

NCP Selectee as of August 2010; I will graduate this May.

Will all of my schooling be covered? See allowances. How much of an allowance would I receive? Basically $10,000 (2 payments of $5,000 at intervals) plus $1,000 for each month (max 24 months) once accepted into the nurse candidate program. In acceptance of this, you will incur a 3 yr minimum obligation plus 1 year for each corresponding year (or part) in the nurse candidate program. Do I have to join an ROTC program (I really do not want to)? No. Can I be deployed? Yes, this is part of being in the military. Can I be deployed while still in school? No. Will I be deployed internationally? Maybe. If I am married, what type of benefits will my husband recieve? What type of benefits will I receive? When I am finished with school, where will I be sent to, and how often will I move? Do I have to live on a military base when out of school? I want to further my degree to become a CRNA...will they fund it? If so, how much "in debt" will I be in towards the military? (will I have to serve for another x amount of years) What branch would be best for me? I really, really would rather not be deployed internationally. I DO NOT want to join an ROTC program, I have a fiance, and I really do not have an issue with moving around the United States multiple times. Please help! I do not have much time. Thank you everyone!! It does not really sound like the military is a good choice for you. Do some research.

ODS is 5 weeks. My experience with the interview was similar to the others posted, why the Navy, family, etc. I was also asked how I intended to act given a few ethical scenarios and my reasons for doing so. This was with a nurse corps LCdr. I also later had a phone interview with a Navy physician that was shorter and not as in depth with the questioning.