I'm thinking of joining the Navy and work as nurse?

Question

I'm a RN with bachelor degree and thinking of becoming a officer at the Navy, I lived very close to Annapolis.
My husband was in Navy when he was young, he told me I will have to go to the boot camp, and going to get abused, is this true or is it just one of his scare tacktics??

Also are they going to make me run everyday and want me to stay in shape?

Answer 1

I was in the Navy for 25 years.... but retired almost that long ago, so my information is dated.

I went through OCS in the mid 1960s. Then it was 13 weeks of immersion training. You learn to act, think, sleep and eat like an officer. And, if one wasn't in shape, one would not make it through.

But you will be Staff Corps (Nursing). I honestly don't know what you go through. I would guess it's somewhat milder because they're not so much interested in your ability to command a ship and keep a bunch of guys in line as your ability to perform within your field of expertise. It'll likely be more of an introduction.

You have several sources of reliable information.
=> The Navy's Web site... www.navy.mil
=> You can probably even find a link to BUMED (Bureau of Medicine for the Navy)... they're the folks who make up the rules regarding Nursing, training, and requirements for the Navy.
=> The district recruiting office... not the local offices you see in malls.... ask about a Staff Officer billet in Nursing. Try to talk with an officer. Then, when you call back, you can say, "I was speaking with LT Jones Tuesday about a Staff Nursing Officer program, and I have a couple of questions..." It will probably get a better response than, "Um... I have a couple questions about your Staff Officer program for Nurses..."
=> Last source is the local recruiting office. Don't let them get you to sign anything until YOU are ready. Tell them you're already sold on the Navy, and that all they can do is unsell you.

So... scare tactics. If you're husband is/was enlisted, he's probably afraid he'll have to salute you... ;-)

Answer 2

You will go to OCS, officers candidate school which is the officers version of enlisted boot camp IF you get accepted into the Navy. While in OCS you will probably run most days and you will need to meet minimum physical standards to get into the Navy and stay in the Navy. The Navy has a physical fitness test every six months that includes running a mile and a half in a stated minimum time, and push up's and sit up's. You are also required at all times to maintain below your maximum weight. Your husband is clueless when it comes to training. If you want to do this it is a great life and getting yelled at a little in OCS is not abuse not required to get thick headed people to work together. Sounds like he is a real winner that supports your dreams in life. Maybe you should look into the Nurse Corps with a Navy Officer Recruiter and leave your husband to his own demise.

Answer 3

To Answer your question about sexual harassment, yes sexual harassment exists in all branches of the military. With that being said, there are rules and guidelines in place to help protect service members,. regardless of their sex. Most of them can be found in the UCMJ or Uniform Code of Military Justice. (which is like the law in the civilian world.) There are also classes given on the subject and most branches have in place Equal Opportunity officers to help you out if you feel you have been a victim of Harassment. Im not sure what you mean about wanting to be a nurse in the Navy. This is why. To be an actual RN registered nurse you have to be an officer. This means that you must first go to college and get a Bachelor's degree. Then you must enter the Navy through their officer selection program. Are you are talking about a hospital-men or HM then you may enlist in the Navy right out of high school. HMs are like nurses but are not able to preform certain duties. They do work in Navel hospitals and battalion aid stations. They are also very highly trained and act in most capacities as nurses, in the roll of I guess what civilians would call paramedics or EMTS. hope this clears things up at bit.

Answer 4

Check with a Officer recruiter direct commission nurses usually get a Commissioned Officer training course, which is customs and courtesies, wear of the uniform some PT, a swimming test, small arms training, mass casualty, self aid and buddy care, Nuclear Biological, chemical and explosives training. No not much abuse for the nurses.
Everybody get some abuse, but most is saved for enlisted.
There were a lot of Navy at Landsthul Germany 2 months ago, many were Navy reservists.
We used to go on short weekend trips to Switzerland with a few Navy officers.
AF Tech Sgt

Answer 5

You won't go through the Navy's Boot Camp... you'll apply for acceptance into the Navy's Nurse Corps and then attend Officer Candidate School. Yes, you will be subject to the Navy's physical fitness standards... but they really aren't that stringent if you're in half-way decent shape. OCS will get you into good-enough shape anyway.

Take a look at the website below for more details on the program and how to apply. I'd say it'd be a great opportunity for you... my wife is a nurse and I've always said that she'd make a great Naval Officer. But of course, the decision lies with you. I'd say, call over to Bethesda Naval Hospital and see if you can get in touch with a Navy Nurse Corps Officer to get their opinion.

Good luck!

Answer 6

No boot camp for you. OCS. Then you will get commissioned. As for staying in shape, depends on where you go. The Navy is leaning towards a more fit military these days, so dont be suprised if you have a very progressive physical training program. Then again, some commands just dont care as much as others, then it will be on you to maintain your own physical fitness. Either way, good luck to ya!

Answer 7

Scare tactics. If you receive a commission in the Navy Nurse Corps you will go through an officer orientation course quite similar to those which the Navy's doctors and dentists attend.
That BSN degree is the key. It's the minimum requirement for seeking that commission. Good luck.

Answer 8

he's mostly wrong. Nurses are Officers. they do NOT enlist, so no boot camp. they go through OIS in Rhode Island. it is a shortened form of OCS. you will learn the basics.. how to wear the uniform, who to salute and when, how to fill out paperwork the Navy way, etc.

HOWEVER, you are required to maintain all physical standards as any other Officer in the Fleet, to include passing the PRT every six months.

Answer 9

Medical officers have a very brief orientation course to their branch of service. Basically, it exposes you to the military lifestyle, rules, protocol, etc....Sorta, who you salute...who you don't. That sort of thing. I'd hardly call it abuse. I think your husband is probably basing his comments on the non-medical military orientation...It's quite different.

Edit: Yes, you'll most certainly have to stay in shape. But whether you will be forced to run with a group every day will depend on where you are, the policies of the base, and your unit commander. Some units will leave it to you to keep fit, but regardless, you will be tested for fitness at least once a year. Failing the test could lead to a more monitored fitness program, and potentially some form of administrative punishment....up to and including discharge.

Answer 10

Yes, you will have to run, yes you will have to be in shape.

You will have to pass the navy's physical fitness standards just like everyone else.

No, you don't have to do boot camp.

There is a shortened version of OCS (officers candiate school ) for medicial professionals.

No you won't get yelled at, yes you will have to do alot of things you never expected to do.