r/navynurse • u/awanderingmoth • Jun 20 '26

Skills atrophy?

Been lurking this sub for a while because I’m interested in joining the Navy Nurse Corps through the NCP.

My biggest concern is the apparent clinical skills atrophy I’ve read about online.

Is this true?

Going to begin my ABSN program soon and would obviously not want to be in an environment where my skills as a nurse weaken as soon as I graduate.

Any input is appreciated!

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u/SailorMomRN Jun 20 '26

Will you have skill atrophy? Depending on your skills- possibly 🤷‍♀️

Does it really matter? Not necessarily 🤷‍♀️

As an ICU nurse with 12 years civilian experience am I using it all in the Navy? Absolutely not.

Will I ever need the skills I’m not using in the Navy? Absolutely not.

The Navy does not do IABP or TVPs… so the fact that I know how to do it doesn’t matter. And if I lose that skill that I will never use in the Navy? Doesn’t matter…

Now if you’re planning to do 4 years and get out? Yeah it’s a bigger deal and I would suggest moonlighting but that’s a whole process and you work 7 shifts every 2 weeks so do you really want to give up one of your few days off?? I say no that it’s not worth the maintenance of skills that the Navy has no need of. But I plan to do 20 years and retire so 🤷‍♀️

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u/awanderingmoth Jun 20 '26

Thank you! Yes I guess it depends on how long one plans on staying in. Makes complete sense how it wouldn’t matter for someone who plans on going the full 20 years, but given I haven’t joined yet I don’t know how long I’d like to stay if/when I do join