US Navy Nursing Scholarships: Requirements and Opportunities

A career as a nurse in the United States Navy offers a unique blend of professional fulfillment and service to the nation. Several scholarship programs are available to help aspiring nurses achieve their educational and career goals. These programs, such as the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Nurse Program and the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP), provide financial assistance and valuable training opportunities.

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Nurse Program

The NROTC Nurse Program offers a path to becoming a commissioned officer in the Navy while earning a nursing degree. Participants in this program, designated as Nurse-Option Midshipmen, are required to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and complete the necessary Naval Science coursework.

Requirements for NROTC Nurse Program

To be eligible for the NROTC Nurse Program, candidates must:

Be an undergraduate student in the College of Nursing.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Complete the required Naval Science coursework.
Meet the academic, physical, and moral standards expected of all future officers.

Required NROTC Courses

Nurse-Option Midshipmen must complete the following NROTC courses:

Introduction to Naval Science
Seapower and Maritime Affairs
Leadership and Management I and II

Pipeline

Following graduation and commissioning, Navy Nurses are required to take the National Council Licensure Exam-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam.

Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Navy HPSP

Nurse Candidate Program (NCP)

The Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) is another avenue for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to receive financial assistance while preparing for a career as a Navy Nurse Corps officer.

Benefits of the NCP

The NCP offers significant financial benefits, including:

An initial grant of \$10,000.
A monthly stipend of \$1,000 for up to 24 months, totaling up to \$34,000.

Participants in the NCP also enjoy comprehensive military health-care benefits.

Requirements for the NCP

To be eligible for the NCP, candidates must:

Be enrolled full-time in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc (NLNAC).
Maintain a 3.0 GPA while in the NCP.

NCP Enrollment and Responsibilities

Once accepted into the NCP, candidates are assigned to the Navy Medicine (NM) Accessions Department. The NM Accessions staff manages all aspects of the candidate's career within the NCP and their transition to active duty. As members of the NCP, candidates are part of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and hold the rank of Officer Candidate Under Instruction Second Class (OCUI2).

Read also: Naval Community College

Financial Incentives in NCP

The NCP provides several financial incentives to its participants:

Signing Bonus: Participants receive a taxable signing bonus of \$16,000 for a 1-year service agreement or \$20,000 for a 2-year service agreement.
Stipend: A monthly stipend of \$1,000 (taxable) is paid in \$500 increments on the 1st and 15th of each month. The stipend ceases upon graduation.

Additional Benefits and Obligations

NCP participants receive a Reserve Identification Card, granting them unlimited access to military commissaries, exchanges, and recreational facilities. Participants incur an obligation to serve on active duty commensurate with the length of the benefit received. Up to 12 months of NCP benefits results in a 4-year active duty obligation.

Important Considerations for NCP Participants

Information and Status Changes: Any changes in academic status, physical condition, or contact information must be reported immediately to the NAVMED Accessions Department.
Academic Changes: Prior approval from the Program Manager at NAVMED Accessions Department is required before making any changes to the nursing program, school, duration of study, or graduation date.
Physical Readiness: Participants must meet the Navy's height/weight and physical readiness standards. Failure to do so may result in placement on the Navy's Physical Enhancement Program or separation from the Navy.
Annual Verification: Participants are required to submit their transcripts after each semester/term.

Active Duty Assignment Process for NCP Graduates

The process for active duty assignment involves several steps:

Duty Preference Sheet: Participants complete a Duty Preference Sheet, indicating their preferences for their first active duty assignment.
Duty Assignment: Duty assignments are made based on the preferences indicated on the Duty Preference Sheet and the needs of the Navy.
School Graduation: Successful graduation with a 3.0 GPA or higher is mandatory for all NCP participants.
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX): All NCP participants must pass the NCLEX before they can be commissioned and receive orders to their first duty assignment. It is expected that the NCLEX will be taken and passed within 45 days of graduation.
Orders to Active Duty: Orders are typically received within 1-2 weeks following graduation and successful completion of the NCLEX.
Commissioning: NCP graduates are commissioned as an Ensign (ENS) in the USN. The commissioning involves taking an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Officer Development School (ODS): ODS is a 5-week course in Newport, Rhode Island, designed to provide newly commissioned officers with foundational knowledge of Navy culture and leadership principles. Attendance to ODS occurs after passing the NCLEX and obtaining a state nursing license.

Navy Nursing Career Paths

Navy nurses work in diverse healthcare settings, including:

Education
Medical-Surgical units
Nurse Midwifery
Critical Care
Emergency Trauma
Public Health
Pediatrics

The Navy Nurse Corps offers opportunities for further training, career advancement, and a rewarding clinical practice.

Air Force ROTC Nursing Scholarships

While the focus of this article is on Navy nursing scholarships, it is worth noting that the Air Force also offers ROTC scholarships for nursing students. These scholarships, known as Type 2 scholarships, are available to qualified students who are interested in becoming Air Force nurses.

Requirements for Air Force ROTC Nursing Scholarships

To qualify for an Air Force ROTC nursing scholarship, candidates must:

Be a U.S. citizen.
Pass the Air Force Office Qualifying Test.
Pass the Air Force ROTC Physical Fitness Test.
Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Be a sophomore or junior majoring in Nursing at a CCNE or NLN accredited university or college.

Benefits of Air Force ROTC Nursing Scholarships

Air Force ROTC nursing scholarships provide:

College tuition and most fees up to \$18,000.
\$900 annually for books.

Application Information

The deadline to apply for Navy nursing scholarships is January of each year for an award of 2 or 4 years. High school ROTC applications open on June 15 with a final submission date of December 1.

For more information about Navy nursing scholarships, contact:

NSTC OD2250 Dallas Street, Suite APensacola, FL 32508-5268Phone: (850) 452-4941 x 29388Fax: (850) 452-2486Website: navy.com/navy/careers/healthcare/nurse.html

To locate a recruiter, visit the Navy website and use the "Find a Recruiter" tool.

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