Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

Feb 07, 2009 07:57 AM

by AZ3Mike

Hello everyone, much like the guy that posted before me, I'm a 22 yr old who has 2 years left in the USN and I am looking for advice. I have recently decided to that I will not stay in the navy due to the lack of intrest in it. In return I have decided to choose nursing as my next step in life. Multiple reasons why I have chosen this career.
But honestly I do not have the first idea in getting started. Considering the fact I am currently out to sea it makes it near impossible to talk with anyone who has experience. As far as internet research goes I've googled every word and acronym that i would believe to have anything to do with nursing, which brought me here. So if anyone can tell me the requirements that would be great. Things such as, "Is a required SAT score required?" and things of that matter. Any help would be greatful. Thanks!!!

Mike

DIC Harwould · Feb 07, 2009, 04:57 PM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

If you can before discharge:

1) Pay the $600 extra into the G.I. Bill "Top-Up" program, you'll receive $1471 a month tax-free worth $52,956.

2) CLEP as many classes as you can to accelerate your degree requirements. Contact the schools of your intent prior to taking the exams to save time (not money since they are free). Classes such as: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/...lep/exams.html

Link for info for Veterans: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/.../veterans.html

Good luck Mike

palo526 · Feb 15, 2009, 07:21 AM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

First thing is do you have any college classes behind you. Second, I'm in Oklahoma, I had a choice of A.A.S RN or B.S.N. I chose the 3 year AAS, one year of pre-req's and two years of nursing school. So you need to check the state that you plan to go to school in. I took a simple Compass test and started class two weeks later. Good Luck Bro and thanks for the serving your country

Cindy_A · Feb 15, 2009, 08:42 AM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

If you read some of the posts here, new grads are having a hard time finding jobs. Considering the economy, I'd stay in the Navy for a while. Read some of the posts on the so-called nursing shortage and some of the problems new grads are having finding jobs. I hate to sound so negative, but I think you should investigate a little further.

just_cause · Feb 15, 2009, 11:29 AM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

Originally Posted by DIC Harwould

If you can before discharge:

1) Pay the $600 extra into the G.I. Bill "Top-Up" program, you'll receive $1471 a month tax-free worth $52,956.

2) CLEP as many classes as you can to accelerate your degree requirements. Contact the schools of your intent prior to taking the exams to save time (not money since they are free). Classes such as: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/...lep/exams.html

Link for info for Veterans: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/.../veterans.html

Good luck Mike

FYI the top up program will not do anything for you beginning August 2009 as the CHP30 Gi bill is replaced by the CHP33 "new gi bill". I've contributed to my 'top-up' and basically the 600 I contributed would have benefited me in the past few months under the 'old' bill but I won't withdraw benefits until the new bill comes out next August... I'm not upset as the overall new bill works out better for me - but you do not want to contribute (probably don't have the opportunity to do so anymore based on it being outdated...) to a top-up. New benefits are based on the zip code of your school and a bah w/dep of an e5 of your school zip.. I'm sure you can get all this info from va.gov (they have an easy to read pdf overview of this..) and through your school counselor.
v/r

DIC Harwould · Feb 15, 2009, 11:57 AM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

just_cause:
Have you received any benefits under Chapter 30? I considered the "Post-9/11 G.I.Bill" but I would have made out much better with the former plan.

I had the option to choose between either Chapter when I verified my enrollment with my V.A. liaison at school, I'm wondering the same for you? If I chose to enroll for benefits this semester, my payments would have been paid this coming August time-frame. I chose to remain under Chapter 30 since I receive Direct Deposit and pocket the money.

Taken from: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Inf....htm#911amount

"The monetary issue is most likely a very important factor you will consider before selecting a benefit. While you may think you will receive more money under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, that will not always be the case."
Thanks

just_cause · Feb 15, 2009, 12:09 PM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

My wife and I are both with GI Bill benefits. She is currently withdrawing CHP30 benefits and in August she will transition to the CHP33 benefits. In her situation she makes out a few $ better with new CHP33 as her CHP30 included the top-up program.... but that is obviously school and location dependent.
I will be starting CHP33 benefits in Sep09 and it will be quite a bit more based on my states in state tuition amount as well as the zip code of my school. I understood that you could always opt to have the CHP30 instead of the CHP33 if it was a disadvantage to you... I think it's 'typically' better - but if you have a tuition scholarship for example - then yeah the option to maintain CHP30 would be a clear benefit. (unless your BAH was high...)
v/r

DIC Harwould · Feb 15, 2009, 12:13 PM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

just_cause:
Do they pay BAH Direct Deposit like with Chapter 30? I would have made out like a bandit if that is true

.
I received grants that paid for my entire nursing school "tour" so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pocket that check each month. The new plan sounds nice though...either way one can't lose..

just_cause · Feb 15, 2009, 12:26 PM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

BAH is paid to you - via electronic deposit. You get a 1,000 a year paid to you for books and such... the 'tuition' portion is received by the school and is paid up to the highest state tuition of the state you are attending school in and then you would pick up the tab if there is a remainder and no overages would be paid to the school or you if there was an 'excess'.

Try this website - and punch in your zip code. This is the most user friendly 'online calculator' I've found for chp33 benefits and the site has some good info as well.
http://www.gibill2008.org/calculator.html

v/r

DIC Harwould · Feb 15, 2009, 12:55 PM

Re: Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

I used the calculator. The only branch to my knowledge that will commission as O1E is Army Reserves and Army National Guard with an ASN am I correct?

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Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

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