Education Opportunities

[bferd16]

I have been recently looking into the Navy and becoming a corpsman. I am currently pursuing a degree in nursingbut wouldlike to finish off as much schooling as possible while being a corpsman in the Navy. I have received different answers regarding the following question:

Is it possible for me to receive a degree in nursing while in the Navy? If so how likely is this possibility?

Thanks,

Bferd16

[puckmedic]

A degree is possible in any field. There is off duty education where the Navy pays 75% you pay 25% and books. Ashore or afloat, with the help of a good Navy Campus counsler, you can get that degree.

There also is the MECP program. I have a friend in Memphis who isa Torpedoman first class, who is currently in that program. Its highly competitve but basically you're assigned to a college unit like ROTC. You report to the unit and they have administrative contreol over you for pay and stuff.

You recieve your navy paycheck, have to maintain PRT scores, stand inspections and maintain a high GPA. Meanwhile, if you do all that, the Navy pays your school 100% including books. Prior service basically get the summer off or can take courses. I know Rob had all of June off. The other "kids" actually in ROTC have summer cruises they go on.

If you're real close, I would reccomend finishing then coming in as an officer (Nurse Corp). However, if you want great experiences and great teaching arenas, come HM, finish it up with off duty education and then apply to be commisioned as a nurse later.

[bferd16]

Thanks that helps a lot. Unfortunately, I have only finishedmy prereq's to go into the nursing program at my local community college to receive my associates. So even after I finish that I would still have two more years. One of the biggest things that I have heard is how much experience you receive as an HM in a variety of fields. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I would like to be able to find out what exactly type of nursingI would like to specialize in.

Thanks again,

Bferd16

Also I heard you should expect to do random jobs before you go into "A" school. About how long does this last?

[bferd16]

Thanks that helps a lot. Unfortunately, I have only finishedmy prereq's to go into the nursing program at my local community college to receive my associates. So even after I finish that I would still have two more years. One of the biggest things that I have heard is how much experience you receive as an HM in a variety of fields. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I would like to be able to find out what exactly type of nursingI would like to specialize in.

Thanks again,

Bferd16

Also I heard you should expect to do random jobs before you go into "A" school. About how long does this last?

[Doc_Konkle]

Bfrerd,

Still checking back? Sorry we missed your question...

In general now, the students "class-up" very quickly. There isn't alot of time for odd jobs. It used to be that while students were waiting for the class to assemble, they would utilize the waiting students for jobs around the school. But as I said, it doesn't happen much anymore. Classes are forming very quickly. So, as long as you keep your nose clean and retain the priviledge of staying on as a Corps School Student, there won't be many heads (toilets, to you civies) for you to scrub.

Want to encourage you in your quest for skills acquisition before you start nursing. You will learn so much as a corpsman, it is the way I did it and so I am a little partial to it. Whatever you decide, you get bare bones training in nursing school. Anything helps.Experience as a corpsman would be a FANTASTIC complement to your nursing agency. But should you decide it isn't your path, look for other avenues... as a nurses aid or patient care tech in a hospital, etc.

Just a quick caveat: Corpsman are NOT nurses aids!!! When the recruiter learned my dream was to become a nurse, he kind of sold it to me that way. Like it was the path to Navy Nursing. It is so much more than that. You have to have a lot of everything to be a corpsman. You will be a jack of all health care trades. Plus, you will be a Unites States Sailor. A U.S. fighting person. That first, always.

I appreciate how difficult recruiters' jobs are. They have to find a way to appeal to prospective recruits. Have to get butts in the seats, as we say... But there is a danger in making the job sound entirely self-serving, like your personal career track. Military duty, in any service, in any rate, is first and foremost about self-sacrifice. The country before you, the unit before you, and, especially if you are a corpsman, your shipmate, your Marine, before you. What you dream of for yourself comes after...

I never became a nurse while I was in the Navy. It didn't happen that way. Could have,sure. But didn't. If you do it, do it for the right reason.

Honor, Courage, Commitment, Baby!

[crazycajun]

puckmedic....times have changed now TA 100% upto 16 credits per year though you still have to pay for books.

Doc_K....agree with you 100%...

Semper Fi

crazycajun