About The Navy Nurse Corps Association
The Navy Nurse Corps Association, or NNCA as it is sometimes called, is a professional organization of nurses that exists to serve the needs of nurses specifically employed in the navy. This is an association that has a long and impressive history that is well worth reading about if you are interested in a career in this division of the nursing profession. there is a very good book about nurses in the navy called In and Out of Harm’s Way by Doris M. Sterner which you can purchase on the Navy Nurses Corps website as well as from amazon.com.
The society’s mission is as follows:
“Established in 1987, the Navy Nurse Corps Association is a non-profit, national organization dedicated to bringing Navy Nurses together. We are an association for caring and sharing, where what matters most is not rank, but being, or having been, a Navy Nurse. Any Navy Nurse Corps Officer, whether Active Duty, Reserves, Retired, or Honorably Discharged, may join the NNCA”.
The NNCA strives to fulfill this mission by:
- Gathering and preserving the history of the Navy Nurse Corps: In order for future generations of nurses and other citizens to know about the important role that this branch of nursing has played in our history, it is important that historical accounts in this regard be maintained and preserved at all costs.
- Collecting and preserving memorabilia of the Corps: Memorabilia refers to important items that highlight some specific aspect of the navy nurse corps. This memorabilia is preserved as a way of informing future generations of nurses about the important part this group played in the past and indicates a continued dedication to service in the future.
- Assisting with the formation of, providing support to, and encouraging membership in area and regional chapters: In order to create change at a level that directly affects you, it is important to belong to a regional chapter of a nursing association. The Navy Nurse Corps Association is aware of this and aims to support the formation of these regional chapters. At the moment there are 14 different regional chapters affiliated with the Navy Nurse Corps Association and there will no doubt be more in the near future.
- Promoting and supporting social activities involving the membership: The professional aspect of your life is only one aspect. The social side cannot be ignored. If you do not make time to socialize you will run the risk of burnout. The Navy Nurse Corps Association supports activities that involve socialization between its members. Socializing with colleagues and other professionals in your area of nursing is one way to ensure that you do not neglect the social side of your life.
- Developing locator files and personnel information pertaining to persons who are or were members of the Navy Nurse Corps: BY creating a comprehensive directory of this kind the Navy Nurse Corps Association is making it easier for past and present members to network with each other and share their knowledge and expertise for the betterment of the navy nurses corps as well as for individual advancement.
- Identifying needs of members and eligible non-members of the association and bring them to the attention of the membership, as deemed appropriate: This refers to the continuing efforts that the Navy Nurse Corps Association makes to ensure that the needs and interests of its members are met.
- Transacting all lawful business of the association: the Navy Nurse Corps Association always functions within the boundaries of the laws by which it is governed.
Of all the nursing associations in existence, the Navy Nurse Corps Association is quite possibly one of the most organized, reflecting the ideals and procedures used in the navy. Membership with an organization such as this comes with several benefits. You will have access to information that will directly help you in your career as a navy nurse, and you will be eligible to engage in the educational opportunities that the association offers. In addition you will be made aware of job openings in the profession that you could apply for if you are in need of work, and you will be given the chance to interact with and learn from other experts in the profession. Above all you will be given the opportunity to serve your country honorably.
Chapters
The Navy Nurse Corps Association currently is affiliated with 14 different regional chapters:
- Bay Area Navy Nurse Corps Association located in the San Francisco Bay area
- Florida Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Florida, except Western Florida
- Great Lakes Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan
- Gulf Coast Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana
- Land Locked Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming
- Mid-South Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky
- Midwest Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Minnesota
- Navy Nurse Corps Association of Southern California located in Ventura County and south
- New England Navy Nurse Corps Association located in New England states
- Northwest Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana
- Palmetto Navy Nurse Corps Association located in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia
- South Central Navy Nurse Corps Association located in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas
- Southern Mid-Atlantic Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Southern Virginia and North Carolina
- Washington Metropolitan Area Navy Nurse Corps Association located in Washington DC area
Membership with a specific chapter can serve you well in a variety of ways. Firstly you will be able to advocate for change at a local level, which means that you will effectively have an opportunity to change the conditions of your situation. Secondly you will have the opportunity to build up a support network at a local level which will serve you well in the future as you will be able to call on the knowledge and expertise of other members of the navy nurse corps who are close at hand. Lastly you will significantly improve your chances of employment in that area.
Careers In The Navy Corps
AT the moment there are about 2,900 active-duty and 1,300 selected reserve nurses make up the Navy Nurse Corps. These individuals are charged with the very important task of caring for America’s warriors, both in the past and the present, as well as their families.
A career in the Navy Nurse Corps offers you the chance to serve honorably across the globe: In the US, overseas, on-board ships, and in forward-deployment. You can advance your education and focus on a career specialization:
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Educator
It is interesting to note that as a member of the navy nurse corps you will have the opportunity to travel far and wide while at the same time honorably serving your country in a variety of ways. This has a number of implications. For one thing it is implies that this is not a carer suited to all nurses. If you are willing to travel and uproot yourself on a regular basis, this may be the perfect job for you. However, if you have a family that you would rather not leave or if you prefer to serve in one set location, you may not be suitable for a career of this kind. There are domestic positions in the navy nurse corps which are well worth considering if you are still interested in joining the navy in this way, but you may not be given a choice of where you would like to serve when you sign up. The navy nurse’s corps is not the only way through which you can serve your country so it is important that you look into all of the available options and settle on a career in the nursing industry that is suitable for you.
By belonging to the Navy Nurse Corps Association you are declaring that you take your role as a navy nurse very seriously indeed and that you are willing to go the extra mile for the profession. This will boost your resume credentials and make you more marketable in the profession, but more importantly your membership will provide you with the tools that you need to serve your country in the best way possible. As a member of the navy nurse corps you also need to be a member of the Navy Nurse Corps Association.
The following contact information may be helpful if you wish to find out more about the Navy Nurse Corps Association:
Postal Address:
Navy Nurse Corps Association
PO Box 5983
Virginia Beach, VA 23471
President:
Barbara O’Brien
president@nnca.org
Vice-President:
Dennis Sullivan
Secretary:
Terri White
Treasurer:
Susan McCord
Board:
Carol Carney
Anne Gartner
Gerri Mukri
Don Phillips
Executive Director:
Carlos A. Torres
(757) 490-5738
(877) 662-2674
carlos@ nnca.org
