U.S. Navy Nurse Specialties

Every year, Navy Medicine delivers world-class care to Sailors, Marines, and military families—at cutting-edge military hospitals, clinics, research units, and on humanitarian missions worldwide. At the center of that mission is the Navy Nurse Corps: a talented team of RNs and APRNs who lead clinical teams, advance practice, and shape patient outcomes across more than 20 specialties.

Learn more about the Navy Nurse Corps here:

RESPONSIBILITIES

As part of the Navy Nurse Corps, you’ll gain unrivaled hands-on experience and funded training across inpatient, outpatient, operational, and academic settings. You’ll quickly find yourself leading high-impact care and initiatives, where you might:

• Deliver and coordinate evidence-based care in medical-surgical, critical care, perioperative, maternal-infant (L&D), NICU, and primary/advanced practice settings

• Lead multidisciplinary teams; precept and mentor junior clinicians; drive quality/safety projects

• Provide perioperative nursing for complex procedures; manage post-op recovery and ICU transitions

• Stabilize and manage high-acuity patients in Critical Care (ICU/ED), including rapid response and transport

• Support operational and humanitarian missions; deploy aboard ships or to field environments when required

• Pursue fully funded graduate education and specialty training through Navy Medicine programs (e.g., CRNA/USUHS pathways, NPs, CNM), with service obligation per policy.

SPECIALTIES WE’RE HIRING FOR--

• Medical-Surgical
• Perioperative
• Critical Care
• Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

PAY AND BENEFITS

From the day you start, you’ll receive:

• Competitive officer salary (base pay)

• Non-taxable Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) tied to duty-station cost of living, plus Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)

• Military retirement plan (blended)

• 30 days paid vacation per year

• Specialty pays/bonuses per current fiscal-year guidance (see below).

* Note:

The minimum starting salary for a New Nurse listed in this job post is calculated on the BAH rate for St Louis at the dependent rate, BAS, base pay for an O-1, and accounting for a year worth of accession bonus for “any specialty” at the 4-year obligation rate.

ACCESSION BONUSES (Active Duty)

• Any Specialty: $30,000 lump sum (3-year obligation) or $50,000 (4-year obligation)
• Critical Care Nursing: $100,000 for a 4-year obligation (paid $25,000 annually), eligibility considerations include two+ years of full-time clinical exp as a critical care registered nurse in the preceding two years before accession
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: $120,000 for a 4-year obligation (paid $30,000 annually)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): $250,000 for a 4-year obligation (paid $62,500 annually)

* Bonuses are subject to program authorization, funding, and specialty needs at time of accession.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Deliver inpatient and outpatient care in military treatment facilities (U.S. & overseas)
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior clinicians
• Deploy in support of humanitarian assistance and operational missions
• Pursue funded graduate education and specialty training through Navy Medicine programs

BASIC ELIGIBILITY SNAPSHOT

• Citizenship & Age: U.S. citizen; commissioned before 42nd birthday (age waivers considered case-by-case).
• Education: BSN or higher from ACEN or CCNE-accredited program; advanced practice (CRNA/NP/CNM) requires master’s or doctorate and national certification.
• License: Unrestricted RN license (NCLEX required).
• Experience (Active Component):
• Critical Care & Labor & Delivery: 1 year full-time (or 2 years part-time) direct patient care
• All other specialties: minimum 1 year direct patient care.

Service Obligation: Most accessions carry a minimum 3-year active duty obligation (obligations may extend with special pays/education).

Helpful videos (learn what Navy nursing looks like)

• Nurse Candidate Program (for BSN students) — stipend info for students on the path to commissioning — Navy Medicine

Contact Info:

LT DIAZ MED OFF O:  C: