Life as an Ensign

1. Life as an Ensign Madeline Gillette ENS NC USN BSN RN

2. NCLEX • Relax! Focus on school first • Graduate, Commission, then take nursing boards • Kaplan NCLEX • Not strictly clinical questions • Strategy • Navy pays for exam, not course • 2 attempts to pass • 75-265?’s • Will NOT receive orders until pass • Take on computer= “unofficial” results 2 days later

3. Moving • PCS move • Weigh car before and after (if driving) • Beware—movers will take EVERYTHING!! • Only 1 home of record move • House hunting leave

4. Orientation • Assigned a sponsor • Letter to DNS • 2-3 days check-in, admin, basic in-processing • 4 weeks online training, Command Orientation, Nursing Orientation • NKO, HELM • Pre-op • MCRD • 12 weeks on floor • Precepter

5. What to Expect Staff nurse-inpatient ward Military and civilian nurses Rotating shifts 12 hrs 4-8 patients Work with and train 1 Corpsman Knowledge=Power→ share it! Collateral duty 3 year tour Transfer to another floor after 18 months May deploy

6. Work Environment Certifications Get as many as possible-up to YOU i.e. chemo certified, ACLS, PALS/NRP etc. Other opportunites C4, mountain med, cold weather medicine, NTTC…just to name a few! Brag sheets Brag about yourself Tell everything you’ve done (keep a notebook) Leadership and PT are biggest areas KEEP A PROFESSIONAL BINDER • Divison Officer • Clinical Nurse Specialist • Charge nurse • 1 year experience

7. Mountain medicine

20. Navy Trauma Training Center

23. Have fun☺

24. Questions??