Corpsmen & Medics, Become an RN in 9 Months

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I was an army medic rather than an navy corpsman but I challenged the LVN boards in California and passed first time no problem.

For those who are interested in becoming an RN here is the way I became an RN and you former medics and corpsmen can do it too.

Challenge the LVN boards in Ca and after you have your LVN license come here to WIsconsin and enter one of our technical colleges. The Wi Technical college s (16 of them) offer LPN to RN in one year or less. I had zero college credit to my name, just my army training and my LPN lcense and I became an RN with an associates degree in nursing and a licensed RN in only two semesters. I CLEPT lot's of classes (with zero study time) and passed. I had a 16 credit course load for those two semesters and had no trouble.

I started school in Aug 2005 and graduated in May of 2006 with an ADN-RN. I now work in a level I surgical/trauma ICU and make $69K/year. You medics and corpsmen can do it too. If you have any questions feel free to ask or PM me.

Specializes in Psych/Travel.

Here is some additional input to get a Medic/RN ADN degree is to look at Excelsior College. They are a distance learning program, meaning no classes to attend, you study on your own and schedule your own test. Very Military/Veteran friendly, they accept most CLEP tests and very generous with military credits. If your GI Bill does not cover your test, the cost is usually under $300 for a 3 credit course.

The time frame it takes to complete the program depends on you, you decide when to study and when to test, I took a year to finish but there was 2 months waiting for the clinical exam or CPNE. As a medic/corpsman there should be no problem with the CPNE, you should have done most of the critical elements they require the only thing you'll have to deal with is how Excelsior want you to do it, but you get a study guide telling you exactly what they want.

I finished in May, took my NCLEX-RN aka state boards in Aug and was hired within two weeks starting at about 54000/yr (FL).

Just something else to consider

Steve

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Here is some additional input to get a Medic/RN ADN degree is to look at Excelsior College. They are a distance learning program, meaning no classes to attend, you study on your own and schedule your own test. Very Military/Veteran friendly, they accept most CLEP tests and very generous with military credits. If your GI Bill does not cover your test, the cost is usually under $300 for a 3 credit course.

The time frame it takes to complete the program depends on you, you decide when to study and when to test, I took a year to finish but there was 2 months waiting for the clinical exam or CPNE. As a medic/corpsman there should be no problem with the CPNE, you should have done most of the critical elements they require the only thing you'll have to deal with is how Excelsior want you to do it, but you get a study guide telling you exactly what they want.

I finished in May, took my NCLEX-RN aka state boards in Aug and was hired within two weeks starting at about 54000/yr (FL).

Just something else to consider

Steve

If you go this route make sure you are up on your clinical skills. I know a RN who was a LPN and took the CPNE and was going to be failed because she inflated the BP cuff more then 10mmhg above the last systalic BP which is againist policy. The only reason she did not fail was because she was able to explain that the BP cuff was in bad shape and the velcro was releasing.

The CPNE is hard for a reason and that is they only get to see you over the weekend. You have to prove to them (Excelsior) that you have the skills of a new RN. So depending on your skill leave this might or might not be a good program for you, but diffently worth looking into. Being a medic/HM will help you if you go this route.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
The CPNE is hard for a reason and that is they only get to see you over the weekend.

Yep, absolutely ... by the time I went to (and passed) my CPNE weekend, I respected the process. I didn't love it, but I respected it. :D It needs to be tough.

I'm trying to do exactly what you are discussing in your post and I am having an incredibly difficult time. I earned my LVN license in CA through the challenge option. I was a Corpsman. I started a LVN to BSN program online through Indiana State University. I moved to Madison, Wisconsin a week ago and not Wisconsin will not endorse my LVN license because I did not attend an accredited LPN program. My BSN program requires that I keep my LVN/LPN license current through the duration of the program, so I'm at risk of being dropped from my program = ( If you could give me any advice, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

I am in your boat except I haven't left CA. I would maintain the CA license no matter what or you won't have a license. I don't see how you can do your clinicals without a WI license. You need to look at ways to return to CA to do intensive clinical work. The school should assist you with this, as there are some distance programs that set their clinicals up this way. Hope things can be worked out.

I am in your boat except I haven't left CA. I would maintain the CA license no matter what or you won't have a license. I don't see how you can do your clinicals without a WI license. You need to look at ways to return to CA to do intensive clinical work. The school should assist you with this, as there are some distance programs that set their clinicals up this way. Hope things can be worked out.

Thanks for the input and advice! The thing that I don't get is why I have to even have a LVN license for clinicals? If I had no experience at all and joined a ADN or BSN program, you do clinicals as a nursing student with no kind of licensing. Right? Thanks again for your input!

I see it your way but they have their thought pattern on this. Probably has something to do with shared liability.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I'm trying to do exactly what you are discussing in your post and I am having an incredibly difficult time.%2

PMFB-RN,

For some reason I can't view your post. In my email it says, "*** Wow I am very sorry you are having such a difficult time. All I can tell you is that Wisconsin..... click here to view full message.' When I click it and come to the forum, all it says is:

I'm trying to do exactly what you are discussing in your post and I am having an incredibly difficult time.%2

Could you try reposting when you get a chance? I'm anxious to hear about your experience and what you recommend..... Thanks!

Hey Sir, do you mind if I pick your brain a little more about this? I am a Medic in the Army and the college I originally applied to, Rutgers University, didnt give me ANY credits for my military experience. I now have a BA but was trying to go back to school for a second BSN in Nursing. It just so happens today I was doing some research on LPN/LVN schools and how much of my medic training one of those schools would give me credit for. I am in the state of NJ. Can you give me some more insight?

Specialist M

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Hey Sir, do you mind if I pick your brain a little more about this? I am a Medic in the Army and the college I originally applied to, Rutgers University, didnt give me ANY credits for my military experience. I now have a BA but was trying to go back to school for a second BSN in Nursing. It just so happens today I was doing some research on LPN/LVN schools and how much of my medic training one of those schools would give me credit for. I am in the state of NJ. Can you give me some more insight?

Specialist M

*** It's ridiculous that Rutgers didn't give you any credit at all. However it has been my observation that community colleges are far more likely to give maximum credit for military service. Did you give them a copy of your ace transcripts?

In California army medics and navy corpsmen can challenge the LVN exam but it has been a long time since I did it. My suggestion is to look into community college programs. If you have any other questions I can try to answer them.

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Hey Sir, do you mind if I pick your brain a little more about this? I am a Medic in the Army and the college I originally applied to, Rutgers University, didnt give me ANY credits for my military experience. I now have a BA but was trying to go back to school for a second BSN in Nursing. It just so happens today I was doing some research on LPN/LVN schools and how much of my medic training one of those schools would give me credit for. I am in the state of NJ. Can you give me some more insight?

Specialist M

Being a private school not suprised.

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