Navy Nurse Candidate Program (NCP)

After graduation, participants join the Navy Nurse Corps as an Officer, with the opportunity to earn a competitive salary, regular promotions, comprehensive medical and dental coverage, low-cost travel opportunities, excellent retirement and educational benefits, further training, and rewarding clinical practice. Additional benefits include 30 days of paid vacation a year, the use of military recreational facilities around the world, the opportunity to serve around the world in a variety of facilities, and being a part of a supportive team of highly trained professionals.

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I. Recruitment and Application

1. Requirements for selection:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.

• Cannot have reached your 42nd birthday by the time you are commissioned and on active duty.

• You must be able to meet the Navy’s physical fitness standards.

• You must be enrolled in an accredited educational program resulting in a BSN within 24 months of starting the program.

2. Active Duty Service Obligation:

• One to 12 months of NCP scholarship results in an Active Duty Service Obligation of 4 years.

• Thirteen to 24 months of NCP scholarship results in an Active Duty Service Obligation of 5 years.

3. To apply for the NCP Program:

To find a medical programs recruiter near you, please go to the Navy Recruiting website located at www.navy.com. There you will find a link to "Find a Recruiter" located on the right side of the page under the heading “Request Information.” Click on that, and once you get to that page, enter your zip code under the heading “Locate a Recruiter.” provide the zip code where you will be located at the time you would like to speak and work with a recruiter, then hit “Find.” The site will give you two possibilities for a recruiter. Call the number listed for OFFICER PROGRAMS.

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II. Accession to the NCP

Once enlisted into the NCP Program, you are assigned to Navy Medicine (NM) Accessions Department. The NM Accessions staff are responsible for all aspects of your career in the NCP and transition to active duty. As a member of NCP, you are a member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) at the rank of Officer Candidate Under Instruction Second Class (OCUI2). Time in this program does not count for retirement or pay purposes (longevity).

Please note: Once enlisted in the NCP, your recruiter has no responsibility for you or your career. Please do not send transcripts or other documents to your recruiter. All correspondence and discussion regarding your career in the Navy is conducted with the NM Accessions Department.

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III. Program Information and Benefits

Signing Bonus. Each NCP participant receives a $10,000 (taxable) signing bonus. Your first $5000 is paid within 2-4 weeks of your benefits start date if we have received your NCP enlistment documents, and the second $5000 is paid after 6 months in the program.

Stipend. NCP participants receive $1000 a month (taxable) paid in $500 increments on the 1st and the 15th of the month. Your stipend stops on your graduation date. You will receive no further money until you report for active duty.

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Tuition, Reimbursement, Annual Training. NCP participants are NOT ENTITLED to tuition payments, reimbursement for books, fees, equipment, etc., or annual training.

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ID Card. As a participant in the IRR, you are eligible for a Reserve Identification Card (Reserve ID Card). As a member of the IRR, you are permitted unlimited use of military commissaries, exchanges, and recreational facilities (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard). Your ID card is your key to using these facilities. There are many exchanges and commissaries scattered around the country which provide significant savings. For information on how to obtain an ID card while in the NCP, please click here.

Obligation to Serve on Active Duty. NCP participants sign a contract to serve on active duty commensurate with the length of the benefit received. Up to 12 months of the NCP benefit results in a 4-year obligation. Any benefit over 12 months results in a 5-year obligation to serve on active duty.