New Cohort Starts:

Donate

2905 Career Guide

Navy

2905: Nurse Corps Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Nurse Corps Officer (2905)

Translate Your 2905 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2905 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Registered Nurse (RN)

$82K
High matchVery high demand

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

$125K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensureNational NP certification in a specialty area

Healthcare Administrator

$95K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Healthcare Administration or related fieldHealthcare management experience

Medical and Health Services Manager

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Management experienceHealthcare administration knowledge

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

$85K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Sales experienceProduct knowledgeStrong communication skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2905 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

In emergency situations, Navy nurses must quickly assess patient conditions and determine the order of treatment to maximize survival chances and optimize resource use during mass casualty events.

The ability to rapidly assess situations, triage needs, and allocate resources effectively under pressure translates directly to managing competing priorities and making critical decisions in fast-paced civilian environments.

Situational Awareness

Navy nurses maintain constant awareness of their environment, including patient status, equipment functionality, and potential hazards, especially in deployed or shipboard settings where resources are limited and conditions can change rapidly.

Maintaining awareness of your environment and the ability to anticipate potential problems is crucial in dynamic environments, providing foresight to help mitigate risks and ensure smooth operations.

Procedural Compliance

Navy nurses adhere strictly to medical protocols, safety regulations, and administrative procedures to ensure patient safety, maintain standards of care, and comply with military requirements.

Your meticulous adherence to protocols and regulations showcases your commitment to quality and safety, making you a reliable asset in industries where compliance is paramount.

Resource Optimization

In resource-constrained environments like ships or forward operating bases, Navy nurses must efficiently manage medical supplies, equipment, and personnel to provide the best possible care with limited resources.

Your ability to effectively manage resources and adapt to changing conditions demonstrates resourcefulness, a valuable asset to businesses.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Healthcare Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been intimately involved with patient care within a large organization that requires strict procedures and protocols. This gives you first-hand insights into potential workflow improvements. You can analyze healthcare systems, identify inefficiencies, and recommend improvements to optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes.

Clinical Research Coordinator

SOC 19-1042

You've maintained meticulous records and have experience following complex protocols. You can oversee clinical trials, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing data, and coordinating patient care, leveraging your attention to detail and understanding of medical procedures.

Medical Device Trainer

SOC 25-3021

You've likely trained junior nurses in the usage of medical equipment. You can transition into training medical professionals on the use of new medical devices, drawing upon your clinical experience and communication skills.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Nurse Candidate Program, Officer Development School (ODS), Newport, RI

600 training hours16 weeksVaries based on prior education; generally 3-6 semester hours in leadership/management

Topics Covered

  • Naval Science
  • Leadership Development
  • Military Law
  • Naval History and Customs
  • Medical Administration
  • Emergency Response Procedures
  • Basic Seamanship

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Registered Nurse (RN)75% covered

May need to review specific state nursing regulations and potentially practice in a civilian setting to gain experience with different patient populations and healthcare systems.

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)60% covered

Focus on specific emergency nursing protocols, triage procedures in civilian hospitals, and documentation requirements that may differ from military settings.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)Advanced Nurse Executive, NEA-BCDoctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Electronic Health Record (EHR) - MHS GENESISEpic, Cerner, or other hospital EHR systems
Patient Movement Items Tracking System (PMITS)Hospital patient tracking and inventory management software
Naval Trauma Training Center Simulation EquipmentHigh-fidelity medical simulation mannequins and software (e.g., CAE Healthcare, Laerdal)
Pharmaceutical tracking system - CHCS (Composite Health Care System)Pharmacy inventory management systems (e.g., RxSafe, PioneerRx)
Oxygen Generating Plant (OGP)Medical-grade oxygen concentrators and distribution systems
Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Hospital supply chain management software (e.g., GHX, Premier)

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 2905 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free