More Information
Responsibilities
As an active duty Navy Nurse, you’ll provide high-quality nursing care, doing everything a typical nurse would do in a variety of settings:
- Military treatment facilities (in the U.S. and overseas)
- Austere environments (i.e. deployments, humanitarian aid missions)
- 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.
As a Navy Reserve Nurse, you’ll provide high-quality nursing care, doing everything a typical nurse would do in a variety of settings.
You also have the opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone by 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, while developing leadership skills that will set you apart.
Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.
Work Environment
Active 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, CA. 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.
Serving part-time as a Navy Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Nurses in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your nursing experience in the Navy, while continuing and enhancing your civilian career at home.
For annual training, nurses may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in hospitals stateside, or in bases and camps in other countries.
Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.
Training & Advancement
Upon commissioning, Navy Nurses are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. 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.
Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent.
Nurses in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.
For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET): Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement – so you will not need to go through Officer Training again.
For current or former Officers of military branches other than the Navy (OSVET), as well as for Officer candidates without prior military experience: Beginning October 1st, 2019, Officer Candidates will be required to attend the Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI, instead of the 12-day Direct Commission Officer School. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here you will learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette. There may be an option for attendees to request to split the five-week program into two sessions.
With flexible training options, Nurses in the Navy Reserve can comfortably balance civilian and military schedules. You can maintain your own life and your own practice – enriching both with the rewarding work you do for others.
The Navy Nurse Corps offers a truly diverse variety of academic, clinical and operational settings in which to practice. In some cases, you can even work in the same civilian setting you work in now. What’s more, you will enjoy an unrivaled sense of pride and fulfillment known only to those who serve.
Education Opportunities
High School Students
Through 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 Students
With 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.
Practicing Nurses
Professional nurses who choose to serve as Navy Reserve Sailors in the Navy Nurse Corps can potentially qualify for special offers. Depending on your specialty, you may qualify for one of the following:
- An accession bonus (Variable based on agreed service obligation)
- Specialty pay*
*Contact a Navy Reserve Officer Recruiter for complete offer details.
Note: Offers based on service commitment. Contact a Navy Reserve Officer Recruiter for complete offer details.
Qualifications & Requirements
To qualify for employment consideration in the Navy Nurse Corps, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
- 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)
- 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)
- Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
- Be between the ages of 18 and 41
- 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.
To qualify for employment consideration in the Navy Nurse Corps, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
- 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)
- 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 must obtain a license within one year of beginning Active Duty service)
- Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
- Be between the ages of 18 and 41
- 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.