What to expect with Navy NCP program??

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Specializes in CVICU.

Hello!

I was recently given the go ahead about my tattoos for the Navy NCP program and was told that there is definitely room for me because of the year I would be graduating. I am waiting to hear back from nursing school whether I was accepted at the end of this month.

I was wondering about the order of things. After I fill out paperwork for the navy when would I need to take the physical fitness test and have an interview? I am more concerned about the physical fitness test and I am wondering how much time I have to lose the required weight. I currently started crossfit training and switched my diet to Paleo (its great!). I was wondering when I could expect to be tested on my fitness??

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Specializes in CNOR.

What year are you graduating? I am applying for the NCP as well. I filled out my paperwork starting in June of this year. I didn't get my acceptance letter until the second week of November, but by that time I had already done my interviews and physical at the clinic at Great Lakes. I don't know of any fitness tests we have to do before we graduate from nursing school. I am pretty sure you will just have to be within standards at the physical. I hope that helps. Good luck with everything! I know how time consuming this whole process is.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I won't be graduating until 2014. I haven't got my acceptance letter for nursing school yet so I have to wait until I get it which will be the end of January or beginning of February. I heard that there is a fitness test we must pass but if you say you haven't done it yet then thats great.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing (CEN).

I am currently a student in the Navy NCP and I graduate May 2012. You do not have to do any fitness test, however, before your packet can go to boards you must be within weight specs. You have to go to MEPS to get a physical and if you are over your weight, you leave right then and there and are not allowed to continue with the process. They did this at the beginning of the day to make sure everyone was within the requirements.

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Specializes in CVICU.

When do you go to MEPS? Sorry I am very confused with everything. Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing (CEN).

No problem! I was confused about it too. You have to go to MEPS to get your physical exam before your packet is submitted to the boards. I started talking with a recruiter last October, filled out all my paperwork, went to MEPS in December, packet was submitted to the February boards and got my acceptance in March. I then took the oath of office in May and started getting paid. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

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Specializes in CVICU.

That was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

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I just submitted my kit at the end of February and will hopefully find out if I was selected by the end of this month or the start of April. Excited!

Everyone is correct when they say that there is not physical test as part of the application process. The physical test (running, push-ups, sit-ups, height & weight) doesn't come until after you join and get to officer development school. Although, they will check your weight during your physical screening to make sure you are not "out of standards." If you are too heavy at that point then you will have to loose it and then come back again. After you join the military your weight will ALWAYS have to be withing standards (except for after having a baby, of course), so that's something to consider because if it is an issue it will cause you to get passed over for promotion and even kicked out of the military.

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What year are you graduating? I am applying for the NCP as well. I filled out my paperwork starting in June of this year. I didn't get my acceptance letter until the second week of November, but by that time I had already done my interviews and physical at the clinic at Great Lakes. I don't know of any fitness tests we have to do before we graduate from nursing school. I am pretty sure you will just have to be within standards at the physical. I hope that helps. Good luck with everything! I know how time consuming this whole process is.

I know this is a really old post, but I'm going in for my physical and interview at Great Lakes on Wednesday....what all did they do? What kinds of things do they ask?

Thanks!

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Specializes in CNOR.

Physical-wise, they did the routine checks like you would get at the doctor. They also make you do the duck walk. It's not too difficult. I think I even knocked out dental that day. The interviews were really low key. They really wanted you to ask questions to gauge your interest in the nurse corps. Just be yourself and make sure you talk about what you hope to gain from the military. Don't focus as much on what you want the military to give you. They know the benefits. Good luck! I am hoping to get my packet ready for the DA board this fall. NCP didn't work out for me, but I'm still young. :-)

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Here's what I had to do in regards to the physical: Height and weight, EKG, vitals, head to toe exam, general ROM (no duck walk), a legit hearing test (the one in the booth), visual test, blood work (electrolytes, CBC, cholesterol, BG, HIV, etc), and a dental exam. They'll look for anything that is abnormal....ANYTHING. If it's abnormal you have may have to go back and have it evaluated and possible get a waiver. I had two knee surgeries while I was on active duty as an enlisted person and I had to get that scrutinized (even though they already said it was fine while I was still in the military the first time!). That took about a month.

As for the interview, it was pretty casual. I interviewed with two retired Captains (O-6). They asked me why I wanted to be a Navy Nurse Corps officer, if I knew what to expect in the military and could I handle the possibility of getting deployed (love being deployed), where do I see myself in 5 years as a NC officer, how I was doing in nursing school (including my GPA)......and....that's all I remember. It was probably the easiest part of the whole application process to be honest. Mainly because I'm prior service.

Just present yourself professionally. Sit up straight, be polite and respectful, speak like you have a college education.....you know, the typical interview protocol. Oh yeah, do a bit of research about the Nurse Corps and the military before you go....it may not look that great if you have no idea what a NC officer or service member does in the military. And don't make it sound like you are just joining for the benefits. I'm not saying that is why you are joining, but some people may mention how much they enjoy the benefits provided to service members (BAH, travel, free schooling, medical/dental coverage, etc.). It's fine to mention some of that; it's to be expected. But definitely work into the interview what YOU can provide the military.

Good luck.

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Can I ask why it didn't work out? If it was a "you weren't accepted thing-"I have looked alot for the admission rate for NCP and haven't gotten much of an answer. My recruiter hasn't said one way or the other...

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