MURunner86

I am a critical care (CCRN certified) nurse.

If you guys have any questions about ODS, feel free. I just went in September.

A lot of this has to do with timing. Theoretically, your recruiter should have put your name on the scroll at the beginning of your application process, because scroll and security clearance take the longest to do. I think my scroll took about 6 months, but it was done as the very first step in my app process which totaled 8 months.

Don't do it. Certain commands have a zero tolerance policy for this....even if you're not attached to the same command/ship/workspace.

It isn't a physical at all. All you will have done is prenancy test if female, titers drawn, you may get some immunizations, drug test and height/weight.

I can only speak from my experience. My packet went to board around 20 July. I didn't hear back for almost 10 days, then I waited another 2 weeks for orders, and then 3 more weeks until I went to ODS.

ACTUALLY...this can happen, and is what almost happened to me. I had a 3.5 year ROTC scholarship and my MS3 year (Junior) they told me that the only position they had open for me was in the national guard. (Keep in mind, this wasn't due to my GPA, I graduated with a 3.91) nor my PT tests, anything military related. My school didn't have what they call a "nurse mission" (a requirement imposed upon the school by the Army to produce a certain quota of nurses. I basically said no way Jose, didn't sign up to be guard, and got out. Now I am AD Navy.

What is this requirement, just out of curiosity....? Are you a US citizen? Your english isn't so great.

Honestly, working in the civilian side before coming in can only benefit you. All the new grads I started have to deal with so much, not only learning how to be in the military but also how to be a nurse too... Thanks!

I meant 8 months from the first call I made to my recruiter until the time I went to ODS. I first called my recruiter in January to start the application process and went to ODS in September. I went to board July 21 and had orders Aug 18, commissioned Aug 25.

Perhaps. Because it is the beginning of the fiscal year, money is available and they pick people up. However don't get too anxious. I would say the median time from initial contact with recruiter to ODS is generally 6 months to a year. Mine was 8 months.

If you really want to join the military and gain life experience, go Active. The Reserves isn't going to do anything for you except keep you near your family and some extra cash in your pocket. Just my two cents.

My board met in late July, and I think I heard back the first week of August. They can't officially tell you until your commission is signed off on, which takes about 7 working days to go up to BUPERS, etc. I did my household goods move before I left for ODS, and was so glad I did. In my situation, I was moving from east coast to San Diego. I had 9 days to get from RI to CA. Anything beyond that is charged leave. It behooves you to move beforehand unless it's a short distance move. I wished someone had accurately portrayed ODS to me. They paint it as a cakewalk, and it isn't. I wouldn't say more harshly. I am prior service myself, and you are pegged for leadership positions and more is expected of you, and perhaps rightfully so. We did get liberty, but tell your family it is earned, not given. We had in barracks liberty the first weekend, on base liberty the second weekend, Newport liberty the third, and Boston the fourth weekend. Newport and Boston weekends would be the only times you'd be able to see your family on or off base.

I did one, on the phone, with a LCDR and a CAPT.

I do think it would make a difference. It would put you head and shoulders above your peers. The Navy is trying to bring in experienced, certified nurses now due to the downsizing taking place. That, and Critical Care and ER nurses are the most highly deployed. I would imagine the waiting list would work somewhat dependent upon whether a slot was available for you somewhere. They can't commission you until you have a job somewhere. I would tell the detailer that you are open to any location, shows you want to be a Navy nurse and are open to the needs of the Navy.

Do you have your PCCN? (the pediatric equivalent to CCRN) When I applied to the Navy, I had about 8 months of ICU experience, was working on my MSN, and graduated with a 3.91 GPA. I obtained my CCRN and really feel that it was the key factor that pushed me over the edge in the board's eyes. Certification shows initiative, and is looked at highly by the military and the civilian sector. I will tell you I was the only RN selected at my board last July.

Hehe, what would you like to know? I just graduated 14 OCT. Ask away :)

I will tell you I based my motivational statement (as a direct commission nurse corps officer) on HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT and how I exemplify the Navy's core values. I think you could organize your statement pretty easily based on those.

deftonez...do not do this. PLEASE. I had prior service Navy corpsmen (who knew how to wear the uniform!!!) in my ODS class who ended up buying duplicates of things they had brought. ODS is a training environment. The ladies at the uniform shop will fit and tailor things for you. The chiefs want the uniforms to fit a certain way (and you will have uniform inspections), so if the stuff you bring isn't right, you're screwed.

Okay, so I am a Navy nurse too, I'll try to give you the nitty gritty. Nursing in the Navy right now is very very competitive. The Navy is supposed to downsize 30% in the next year. So in turn, they're only taking the best and brightest. I had a year and a half of civilian nursing under my belt, and I think that, my GPA and my nursing certification, put me ahead of some. What is this setback you had? Was it grade related? They look at your transcripts. Withdrawals and incompletes aren't a good thing. As far as I know, the only areas that are short right now are Emergency and Critical care nursing. Pediatric and Psych nurse practitioners are also in high demand. With that being said, you probably won't get into either ED or CC as a new grad. They're picking up CC nurses with a CCRN and 5+ years of experience. Any other questions?

I was not a typical applicant. I worked for nearly a year and a half as an ICU nurse before getting my commission. However, it was about 8 months from the time I contacted recruiter until the day I was commissioned. As far as ODS goes, it has changed a lot. While the Chiefs there realize you are staff corps officers (and hence already commissioned and that you can't really "fail" ODS, they still try as hard as they can to push you mentally, physically and emotionally. Expect your first week to week and a half to not do anything correctly. You will get screamed at and do lots of pushups. The boot camp atmosphere quickly dies off though as you and your shipmates finally "get it" and start doing what the chiefs want. As far as specific questions, please ask, I'd be happy to help!

I will tell you that probably within the first 24 hours of your class convening your class officer will weigh everyone in the class. If you are out of standards you will be on remedial PT until you meet standards. It's better to just PT once a day, trust me you'll be tired enough as it is. Yes, you do need a good low or again, you will be placed on remedial PT until the next PRT.

Well, I just graduated from ODS 14 OCT so I can tell you what it's like to be a NEW Nurse Corps officer. ODS has changed a lot, so if your recruiter fed you some crap about it being a cakewalk, don't believe it. As far as the lifestyle, your first couple weeks at your first command will be checking in and beginning your nurse residency program. You do a lot of NKO and submit a dream sheet and then you're assigned to your ward/unit. If I can give you any advice, get all the partying out of your system now. ODS or once you're out there in the fleet is not the time to be a party girl. And first DUI..you're DONE.

Izzy, Do you pay for that all at once or is it broken up?? Gina

I was told it was around 1400. The list on the OTCN website says it's around 14-1600. I'm just going to have it in my account, because I'm a recent college grad, I have no credit, I'm sure I'll get declined! :)