Should I join before or after BSN?

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Hi! So I already have my BS, but I'm looking to get an accelerated BSN. Unfortunately I graduated with a 2.8 GPA but that was mainly due to lack of interest in my major and personal issues. Now I know without a doubt that I want to do nursing and humanitarian aid and preferably through the navy. I live near Coronado and am considering talking to a Naval Officer Recruiter but I want some info before I go in.

1) should I get my accelerated BSN before or after I sign up? what are the pros and cons of each?

2) how likely is it that the navy will allow me to do humanitarian aid work during my active duty/time in the navy?

3) will my already having a BS automatically allow me to in to OCS? or will I have to enlist first and then fight my way to OCS?

4) What are the programs that would allow me to get my BSN while in the navy?

Any other information you think I might need before I go to talk to the recruiter would be really appreciated! Thanks! :)

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Hi! So I already have my BS, but I'm looking to get an accelerated BSN. Unfortunately I graduated with a 2.8 GPA but that was mainly due to lack of interest in my major and personal issues. Now I know without a doubt that I want to do nursing and humanitarian aid and preferably through the navy. I live near Coronado and am considering talking to a Naval Officer Recruiter but I want some info before I go in.

1) should I get my accelerated BSN before or after I sign up? what are the pros and cons of each?

2) how likely is it that the navy will allow me to do humanitarian aid work during my active duty/time in the navy?

3) will my already having a BS automatically allow me to in to OCS? or will I have to enlist first and then fight my way to OCS?

4) What are the programs that would allow me to get my BSN while in the navy?

Any other information you think I might need before I go to talk to the recruiter would be really appreciated! Thanks! :)

There is nothing wrong being enlisted, I was at one time but being an officer is better than enlisted.

Doing humanitarian work while in the Navy will depend on if there is a mission and if your unit is sent. If it's local humanitarian work you can volunteer in or out of the service.

Just because you have a B.S. degree does not automatically equal officer. The degree has to be one which the Navy needs, there has to be a opening and you have to meet the requirements. Your GPA of 2.8 is under the minimum I would bet. If you enlisted you would come in at an advance rate. I am not sure what a BS degree would be but it would be at least E-4.

There are programs which allow you to get your BSN while on active but your GPA will make it hard to get accepted in one of the programs. It would be almost impossible to get your BSN on your dime while on active duty because of the clinical requirements.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I'm going to be blunt. You don't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting OCS with a 2.8; it'll be even harder once you're competing against NCOs for OCS slots after you enlist.

Your best option is doing a BSN on your own dime and getting the loans reimbursed later. I know that the Air Force still has Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (ADHPLRP) for direct commission officers.

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Navy Nurses are commissioned officers that make up the Nurse Corps. To be a Navy Nurse Corps Officer you need to have earned an approved BSN. If you know you want to be a nurse then you should complete your BSN before joining. You can always come in as a Hospital Corpsman, which is the enlisted medical staff. Corpsman work in such varied jobs that you may not be stationed at a Hospital or work on a ward initially e.g. you could be attached to the Marines or be stationed aboard a Navy vessel.

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The above poster is right... with a 2.8, sadly you dont have a chance for OCS. Sorry hun, but I hope something else finds your way.

What I did was finish my BSN and then enlisted. Didn't do nurse corps or regular officer/OCS.

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This is coming from someone who recently applied for the Nurse Candidate Program scholarship. I had a 3.1 GPA and I was rejected. I don't think 2.8 even meets the requirement.

Just get your BSN first, grab some civilian experience at a level 1 trauma center and get some extra letters/certifications on your resume (i.e. CCRN, ACLS, PALS, etc..) then apply for a direct commission.

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This is coming from someone who recently applied for the Nurse Candidate Program scholarship. I had a 3.1 GPA and I was rejected. I don't think 2.8 even meets the requirement.

Just get your BSN first, grab some civilian experience at a level 1 trauma center and get some extra letters/certifications on your resume (i.e. CCRN, ACLS, PALS, etc..) then apply for a direct commission.

I agree. Sometimes it's better to come in with a specialty and experience. You may qualify for a sign-on bonus and periodic Incentive Special Pay. The Navy is not hurting for nurses right now, so they can be selective.

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