Old Medic looking at new career

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I am 50 years old and have been a medic for over 30 years. I am looking at entering an RN program but having problems finding sources of funding this change in careers. Any advice?

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just turned 46 and am in my 3rd scheduled to graduate with my BSN 12/2015.. Been a medic since 1992... I'm lucky that I live in a state that offers 2000$/semester to help fund BSN education (only for the actual nursing program not for the prereqs)... and have taken some minimal student loans.. also receiving some local academic scholarships.... took prereqs mostly online from a community college to keep costs as low as possible..

I work PRN some weekends,, and FT hours during breaks {semester, Christmas, summer, spring break, etc} at sock away as much money as possible to pay living expenses.. This is my 2nd degree so I don't qualify for grants,, but it may be an option in your case.

It's not easy, but it can be done and fully worth it IMO. Best of luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I am assuming that you are coming from a military background due to use of the term "medic". If so, many states have nursing education programs that are specially geared to veterans with healthcare experience. Take a Google tour and you may be surprised at what you'll find.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Do you have any courses completed? Are you a veteran? If so, I can give you some info on the vet route (former Navy corpsman here).

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I'm a former Corpsman and just got my acceptance letter to El Centro college in Dallas last week for the spring. I haven't been able to find any info on a vet route around here...would love to hear your thoughts...

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I'm a former Corpsman and just got my acceptance letter to El Centro college in Dallas last week for the spring. I haven't been able to find any info on a vet route around here...would love to hear your thoughts...

Did you invest in your GI Bill? Get in touch with the vet's office at El Centro asap. Do you have a disability rating? If so, what percentage? If more than 10% is for a psych issue (depression, PTSD, etc.), you may not be able to pursue nursing with vocational rehab. You need to have a disability rating of 30% or higher to qualify for vocational rehab. It extends the benefits for a year, and is paid out like the Post-9/11 GIB, except that it also pays for more, so it's a great program (though it comes with its share of VA PITA hoops through which to jump).

Once you have 20 posts on here, you can shoot me a PM if you'd like.

Also, a friendly heads up- you may wish to change your screen name to something more anonymous. With this being such a public site, anonymity is highly valued around here. :)

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