Navy Nurse

ABOUTBy the very nature of their duties, Navy Nurses quickly rise to the top of their profession. They provide care, not only for military servicemembers and their families, but also for people in need around the globe.Working with a team of talented colleagues united by a common mission, Navy Nurses have the opportunity to educate, lead and shape policy within Navy Health Care. They also:

1. Apply leading-edge medical advances at world-class hospitals
2. Utilize some of the most advanced technology on the planet, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which can lead to less paperwork and more meaningful patient care
3. Work at the best military nursing facilities on shore, at sea and in the field

RESPONSIBILITIESAs an active duty Navy Nurse, you’ll provide high-quality nursing care, doing everything a typical nurse would do in a variety of settings:

1. Military treatment facilities (in the U.S. and overseas)
2. Austere environments (i.e. deployments, humanitarian aid missions)
3. Onboard ships (aircraft carriers, hospital ships)

Nursing in an austere environment could mean taking part in humanitarian relief efforts, such as administering infant vaccinations in developing countries, or providing emergency care to victims of a natural disaster. Navy Nurses collaborate with physicians, surgeons, cardiologists and fellow nurses as colleagues and equals. Navy Nursing provides opportunities to develop leadership skills that will set you apart.WORK ENVIRONMENTActive Duty Navy Nurses may serve at any one of more than 250 Navy and medical facilities around the globe, from Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington state.As a Navy Nurse, you could work at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, Md.; Portsmouth, Va.; and San Diego, Calif. Or you could provide medical support aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.More opportunities are available stateside and abroad – aboard a surface ship, working closely with a nearby aircraft squadron, or even with the Fleet Marine Force.TRAINING & ADVANCEMENTUpon commissioning, Navy Nurses are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, R.I. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. They will learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.Promotion opportunities are regularly available, but are competitive and based on performance.EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIESHigh School StudentsThrough a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Nurse Option scholarship, the Navy can cover the full cost – up to $180,000 – of your nursing education at some of the best colleges and universities in the country.As a student, you can concentrate on your education or training with no military/training obligation until after your program is completed.Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Recruiter contact you.Nursing StudentsWith the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP), you can get an initial grant of $10,000, plus a stipend of $1,000 per month for up to 24 months. That’s up to $34,000 to help pay your way through nursing school.Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Recruiter contact you.QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTSTo qualify for employment consideration in the Navy Nurse Corps, you must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
2. Be a student or graduate in good standing of a U.S. education program granting a bachelor of science degree and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
3. Be licensed to practice in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a U.S. territory (new graduates from NROTC or NCP must obtain a license within one year of beginning Active Duty service)
4. Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
5. Be between the ages of 18 and 41
6. Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you intend to serve Active Duty or Reserve Duty, and whether you are currently serving, have served before or have never served before.