Should I apply to Navy Nursing as a New Grad RN?

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Hello readers! I want to add some background first in order to clarify my question. I recently graduated and passed my NCLEX. I actually applied to one military branch during Nursing School. Unfortunately, I did not get in. Now I want to see if I can apply to Navy Nursing but I am not so sure. Should I apply to Navy Nursing as a New Grad RN, or should I give up for now and apply to civilian nursing hospitals? I just want to add that I have no direct military background (I have family in the military but not in the Navy). If someone could at least provide me on the options available, anything at all.

I just want to know if it is possible.

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I am not a recruiter, but from what I have been reading on the forum, the military is downsizing and there are a surplus of nurses in the military. With that being said, all of the branches are becoming VERY selective in who they choose to become officers; however, I would still apply and see where it gets you. But if you do get denied, I would go into the civilian sector and get some experience in a specialty and reapply (make yourself more competitive with experience/certification).

I am sure there will be more knowledgeable individuals, like recruiters and other nurses, that will give you some more valuable information than I can give you.

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You are going to need experience before any branch of the service will direct commission you at this time. Speak with a recruiter in the branch that you want to join for specifics on how much experience you'll need, but going to all the trouble of submitting a packet as a new grad probably won't be worth the headache.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

It's not impossible to join the military as a new grad in the Air Force or Navy; both branches are still taking small numbers of direct commission nurses. However, you definitely missed the boat by a long-shot. You generally need to start the process a year before graduation.

You need to get some civilian experience under your belt, and start the application process about 6 months from now (so you'd have a year when you joined).

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Thank you all for the replies. I am going to speak to a recruiter today. I think for now I will focus on finding experience within a civilian hospital. However, I heard it can be more competitive, do any of you have any advice on how my experiences can stand out?

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And by this I mean, certifications I should obtain once I have a job etc.?

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Critical care certification, intensive care unit experience, etc.

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Thank you!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Yeah, obtain a few years of ICU, ED, or OR experience. Get a board certification in your specialty (CCRN, CNE, or CNOR). Get ACLS, PALS, ENPC, and TNCC; teach a class or two if you can. Mentor/precept students and new grads.

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@jfratian thank you so much for the detailed information! It is gonna be hard finding a job I understand that, but maybe doing these certifications before I get a job can impress a civilian hospital and after a year or two I will apply to the Navy

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