want to be an L&D nurse

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 10, 2003

Hi!

IMO it would be better for you to choose a school and then ask the Nursing department this question. I know that it is hard because you might not know where the AF will send you, but you might be able to transfer the credits to another school. Also, check with the AF, they may be able to at least point you in the right direction, if not help you get started.

rpbear · Sep 10, 2003

Hi student2be,

My husband is also USAF! We fortunately got stationed in one spot for three years (just long enough for me to finish my ADN, we literally leave three days after my last final!)

I can't speak for all nusing schools but mine required 2 english courses (basic freshman english like 110 and 111, but they may be numbered differently), Anatomy and physiology I and II, psychology, child psychology, sociology, and a few other electives that could be in anything. These are the courses that you need to graduate, in addition to your nursing courses, but can be taken at any time.

I know that it is hard to take classes overseas because they don't offer all the classes you will need, but maybe they offer some of them. Do you know where you will be moving to next? If you do maybe you can contact a school there and have a better idea of what you will need.

Good luck!

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 10, 2003

USAF family here, too!!!! My dh is about 2.5 years from retirement; it's so hard to believe. I did 10 years myself and the GI BILL paid for my nursing education 100%. Anyhow, I strongly recommend you take a core of classes that most baccalaureate degrees would require---you know:

English 101 and 102

College mathematics or Algebra ( I took algebra, required for my BSN)

Speech

US history

Biology

Chemistry

Humanities/Art Appreciation/Foreign Languages, etc.

Psychology

Electives (your choice)

Anatomy and Physiology (some are A/P 1 and 2 some are Anatomy then Physiology, depends on school).

Some specific nursing pre-req's are:

Microbiology

Developmental Psychology

Statistics

Clinical/general nutrition

Sociology

Organic/Inorganic chem......

And others----each school may be differ. You want to know if you are pursuing a BSN or ADN to build up to it.

I built a basic associate's degree til I was sure where I was going to nursing school and THEN asked for specific pre-requisites needed for THAT program. You really need to know *where* you will be going to school to be sure what they need/require and will ACCEPT as transfer classes/credits.

Sooooo----- I recommend you get your general education classes knocked out over there if you can and AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE ORDERS BACK TO THE STATES, you figure out WHAT school/university(s) you will apply to and then go from there.

They also may require ACT testing (mine did). But that is individual to the school, too. You will want to know all the pre-req classes, required GPA to get in, and get an application ASAP. Be prepared to possibly write a mini essay as to WHY you wish to become a nurse ( I had to, and no, they did not want to hear "cause I want to help people"-------they want more than that.) Or, they may wish to interview you before accepting you into the program. Some colleges/universities do that, also.

From one USAF wife to another, I wish you the best of luck. Does not seem that long ago I was where you were, wanting to go to school to be an OB nurse. WORK HARD and YOU WILL DO IT!!!! I graduated school in 1997 and got right into OB out of school--no regrets.

Take care and if you have questions, please feel free to PM me!!!