What's the best way to join the Navy nursing program????

[nkslats79]

I am 30 year old married, mother of three. I have been working as a CNA for a year now, and would like to go to school to get into ob/gyn nursing. I am thinking of the Navy because the retirement benefits are great, housing/healthcare is good, and I'd have a career path. Also, I live near Great Lakes and would like to one day be stationed there one day. But I have some questions as to the route to take.

#1- Do I have to get my BSN first (I haven't attended college before) or get a 2 year Rn license or is there another option?

#2- If I have to wait until I graduate at 35, would that be too late to join as an officer?

#3- Is there any option now for me so I can get help with costs? Tuition is expensive and having three kids is kind of impossible to pay for college (I was denied fafsa because of my credit)?

Thank you for all your help. I have called recruiters, but have not heard anything back yet, and the information they sent me in the mail is going enlisted which I don't want to do.

:icon_roll

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

hotchocolate, right - an allowance as a periodic payment to the individual.

Either way it is definitely good that it is a known factor prior to realizing the taxation will occur!~ v/r

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

continuation from previous post (couldn't edit...)

I only mention that as a lot of posters have the same surprise on lump sum payments, loan repayments as well as the monthly school stipend. I agree it is good to present to everyone and many recruiters advise this to applicants.. but some people are surprised/angry that income would be taxed.

Best for everyone if all are informed.

[forchunet, BSN]

I figured I would be taxed. I was more surprised about being taxed at 28%, however. This scholarship is my only form of income.

[hot chocolate]

hotchocolate, right - an allowance as a periodic payment to the individual.

Either way it is definitely good that it is a known factor prior to realizing the taxation will occur!~ v/r

yah.. i was in the navy for 8 years... and as the program states, you get a monthly allowance of 1k... just like bah or bas. that's why it SEEMS like it wouldn't be taxed, because of the way they present it.

[huggiebear1979]

Hi Everyone,

I just had a few questions. This Fall 2010, I will have 2 years left on BSN, and I really want to go back into the military, I was prior service Army-6 years in, and I was all about going back into the army and starting my Army Nurse Candidate Program, but since the army has filled their quota until October 2010, I've had a heck of a time, getting any responses back, and yes they are a Health Care Recruiter. I'm not really sure I want to go back into the army when I'm just being ignored. This had led me to possibly consider the Air Force, but I don't like the fact that you basically don't have funding while in school, and then no guarantee you will be granted commission, upon graduation. After reading some of the threads on here, the navy seems like they really take care of the people and now I'm considering going Navy. I don't have alot of knowledge about the Navy especially as an officer, so I was curious if anyone knows what is involved far as putting in the Nurse Candidate Program Packet? Is this program pretty competitive? I'll be 32 upon receiving my BSN, and currently have no kids, however I do intend to start a family around Age 35-37...my other question is my end goal is to be a CRNA, does the navy offer great acute care experience and which stations offer the best experience for that? I understand intially the bases would be Maryland, San Diego, Washington, or Virginia. Also is it hard to gain promotions as a female in the Navy..thanks, if there are any other things I should be aware of, please share....