Single guy - What kind of life can I expect as a Navy Nurse?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm single, been nursing for several years, joining the Navy Nurse Corps (Active Duty). I'm early 30s, got my BSN already. Can anyone in my situation explain what a single guy like me can expect as a navy nurse? Most posts on here are from married couples with kids. I understand I'll have to move around alot - that is the part that appeals to me - but what about housing? Living on base seems like it would be cool. Are there many other navy nurses that are single or would I be the exception to the rule? Basically wondering if I would have opportunities to make friends that aren't soccer mom/dads that I might have something in common with during my time in the service. What are your thoughts?

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Wow. I got out of the Navy many, many years ago. Here is some very dated material. I'm sure active duty types could correct me.

Back in the day there was very little if any "on base housing" because Sailors are assigned to ships. So there was a housing allowance esp. for Commissioned Officers and Senior Enlisted.

If you're a guy in the Nurse Corps understand you are in a target rich environment.

Where are you stationed? Is there an Officer's Club? (You know about that remove your cover thing, right? The bar at the O-club gives "cover charge" a whole new meaning.) I think there are problems with picking up gals at bars, but the situation is a little more benign at the O-club.

If there is a decent BOQ where you are headed, that may be a place to hang for a while until you sort out the housing situation. A big base with a lot of short term training gigs usually has a great BOQ.

Have you done your OCS yet? I did mine at Newport RI and there were about 8 of us headed to Balboa, so I arrived there already knowing some folks.

Best of Luck to you! Take good care of our Marines. You'll probably be seeing a lot of them.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

My packet is submitted and now just awaiting final approval, my recruiter is hoping to get me into ODS (officer development school for us healthcare recruits, also in Newport, RI) no later than this fall. I'm very unfamiliar with the Officer's Club since I'm new to the military. I've read about BOQ's but do they exist anymore? Are they apartments or what?

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Granted I'm not a male and the couple single males who came to my station with me aren't on this site but we don't have an O-club as far as I've seen. The big hospital bases are pretty much just that..big hospitals surrounded by fencing. There's a NEX, some barracks, etc but no O-club...but this could be due to a little construction going on. Who knows. If you have any questions in specific you can message me and I can ask my friends.

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Specializes in Peds.

Single... Head to the west coast, San Diego or Camp Pendleton! I feel O-clubs are a bit outdated, and many choose to not hang back on base for such reason. No, on base housing for bachelors. Being single has it's advantages, you can really push forward with work and collaterals vice others who have other commitments to families, to make yourself shine. Plenty of opportunities to meet others who are not soccer moms/dads. Many of the junior officers are single Lieutenant and below, so you would fit right in.

Cheers

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