I enlisted in the Navy to get experience, trainging, and money for a career in nursing. Now i've heard that once i talk to the cc after boot camp i could drop out of my enlistment and go to school to pursue nursing for the navy.

is the transition simple? can it happen?

thanks

In my opinion I don't see this happening. However once you get to your first command you may be able to take college courses to help you pursue your dream of being a nurse.

if you went in to get experience why would you drop out without getting any?

I doubt it would happen that way. sounds kinda like when they tell you you can change your job after boot...you're not being given the whole story...

You might want to consider ROTC while you're in nursing school.

i don't think you guys are answering the OP's question. is it simple? no. nothing in the navy is 'simple' by the nature of it being a bureaucracy. is it possible? absolutely. it won't be as cut and dry as "dropping your enlistment" though. these are the steps that will need to occur: make it through boot and corps school - do well and stay out of trouble, go to your first command, make a good name for yourself, take your ACT/SATs, take some courses to get you ready for college. make sure your uniform is squared away, don't skate, be a hard-charger. why is this? because you will need your CO's approval to apply for the STA-21 nursing program, and if your chain of command is unimpressed with you, your chances of going to nursing school (or any enlisted to officer program) are slim.

as numbers said, if you can get into ROTC at a school with a nursing program right now, it might be better than going the enlisted route. if you want to learn a lot of the skills you would be doing and find out if medicine is what you want to do as a career, and don't really have the best grades and/or past, then enlisted may be the best way to go.

that being said, the navy is a good decision either way. you will see a lot of nay-sayers on here, but if you can handle the BS and take advantage of the opportunities the navy gives you, you'll be good to go.

P.S. check out the STA-21 website to find out about requirements for the nursing program.

Thanks hrolsen,

The STA-21 is what I was wondering about. I already work in healthcare, and decided to go Navy for oppurtunities and school. I have great SAT scores, and a few college credits. I want to be enlisted before I go to school, I was just wanting to know how to transfer from my enlisted status to go to schooling.

The STA-21 really helps me out.

Thanks.

https://www.sta-21.navy.mil

If you can get to the site this will provide you everything you need to know about STA-21.

These officer programs are very competitive. They want the best. So when you get to your first command you need to excel in everything you do. Your evals should then reflect that which in turn will help you when it is time to submit your package.

Best of luck to you. I spent 23 years on active duty as a Navy Nurse and can tell you it is worth any and all sacrifices. We always need outstanding Hospital Corpsmen and Nurse Corps Officers.

thanks guys

I used the Post Vietnam Educaton bill to pay for nursing school after I got out.
Smartest thing I did was to have $ deduted from my pay and turned over to the VA. They re-imbursed you at the rate of $2 : $1 for education. Not sure if they still do that.
The DUMBEST thing I did was NOT take advantage of the free college courses I was offered on base. I could have knock off all the basic like math, psych, soc, chem, English ect.
Not sure if this is univesal in nursing schools, but I was cautioned NOT to mention your medical experience. The instructors tended to ride you harder and be more critical.
Glad I listened
Good luck where ever the path leads you.

Ask your career counselor about MECP (prounounced MISEP). It's the primary way to do this.