Accelerated nursing program while in the reserves?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2010

So I'm doing some future planning and I want to do an accelerated nursing program in 2 1/2 years after my contract with active duty service is up. This way I'll have money set aside so I can go back to school. In college I was previously a nursing student but had to drop out due to a number of issues. Here's the link for more detail.
Want to 'rejoin' Army Nurse Corps - Nursing for Nurses
Anyways I was wondering if anyone has details on how accelerated nursing programs work. My main question is in regards to if this is possible or not. Once I leave active duty I will be in the reserves NOT the IRR so I will still have to drill once a month and do AT two weeks every year with the possibility of deployments... Does anyone know if I will be able to do the program and maybe work out some type of schedule with my commander? Any info is appreciated.

A few questions / thoughts.

So when active duty contract is up - are you electing to do reserves because of finances or ? If choosing reserve have you actually checked to see if your job is available? Have you looked into their scheduled rotation schedule for deployment?

Are you eligible for GI Bill Chp33?

Is your living location, reserve unit and an accelerated program near you? If so is it an ADN or BSN accel program? Do you have pre-reqs done? Are you confident in your admission to this program? Transferring to reserves are you changing MOS and need to attend schooling or smooth transition?

What is your intent after getting nursing degree - military (active or reserve) or civilian?

MyBlueSky · Nov 22, 2010

A few questions / thoughts.
So when active duty contract is up - are you electing to do reserves because of finances or ? If choosing reserve have you actually checked to see if your job is available? Have you looked into their scheduled rotation schedule for deployment?
Are you eligible for GI Bill Chp33?
Is your living location, reserve unit and an accelerated program near you? If so is it an ADN or BSN accel program? Do you have pre-reqs done? Are you confident in your admission to this program? Transferring to reserves are you changing MOS and need to attend schooling or smooth transition?
What is your intent after getting nursing degree - military (active or reserve) or civilian?

Well my active duty time is up July 2013 but I'm still obligated my 8 years of service so I'm going to finish off my time in the reserves which is what a lot of people end up doing. My MOS in the military is 92A logistical (quartermaster) and I'm not interested in re classing to become an Army Nurse at least not as of right now.

I'm not sure about the GI Bill Chp 33 I'll have to research that more. Is that offered to all service members or just Soldiers? I'm currently a 2LT so I'm not sure if there are any stipulations as to whether it's any different or will incur additional service time.

My location is near a reserve unit and I already have a slot there but I can switch units at any time and yes there are a few accelerated nursing schools around my area. It is an accelerated BSN program. This is the description for courses and ones similar to it.

The interested candidates must have completed their Bachelor degree in any field if they wish to apply for the accelerated nursing program. The advanced degrees are suitable for nurses who have an Associate's Degree and there are options to earn both bachelors and Master's Degree simultaneously. The candidates with impressively high number of credit hours can also apply for these registered nursing programs.
But there are cases where some of the accelerated nursing programs accept only applicants holding credits in science or Biology courses. Some of the other pre-requisite courses are Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Psychology, Statistics, Human Growth and Development, Nutrition, or Ethics. You have to remember that these eligibility criteria will vary from one nursing school/university to another.

I have all the pre-reqs done because I've done all the sciences (and most of the nursing classes up to 300 level for that matter...) in my undergraduate degree. Matter of fact I have 2 med surg rotations, psych rotation, and OB rotation completed. I have a BS but it's in Liberal Studies, not nursing. the only thing that concerns me is the validation of the completion of the pre-reqs if it's serveral years after I've taken them.

My intent is to go civilian in the nursing career and maybe stay in the reserves after my service time has been completed.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2010

K, 8 years service does NOT require any army reserves. You can finish your active duty obligation and then enter into the IRR and that is that... you don't need to join the reserves. Yes look into the GI Bill... I don't know why you don't consider yourself a Soldier - that is every member of the Army. anyhow all of that is possible I think you are still learning the ropes - look into the GI Bill and soon you'll find out you dont' need to be in the reserves. Best of luck. Post any new updates - best of luck.

MyBlueSky · Nov 22, 2010

K, 8 years service does NOT require any army reserves. You can finish your active duty obligation and then enter into the IRR and that is that... you don't need to join the reserves. Yes look into the GI Bill... I don't know why you don't consider yourself a Soldier - that is every member of the Army. anyhow all of that is possible I think you are still learning the ropes - look into the GI Bill and soon you'll find out you dont' need to be in the reserves. Best of luck. Post any new updates - best of luck.

Haha my situation is slightly more complicated. I was assessed reserves and went active through a program called ADOS (active duty operational support) Gave me the opportunity to go active for three years and after that three years I have to return to my reserve unit so the track I took isn't the same as people who were assessed active duty and do their initial 4 years and go into the IRR. I realize that we're all Soldiers (or Warriors as they say now) but as officers we don't receive all the same benefits as the Soldiers do. For example the old Montgomery GI bill was only open to enlisted members not commissioned officers. I'll research the GI bill to get a better grasp of it. Thanks for your input.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2010

yup look into the new bill. i have plenty of friends using it now who were commissioned. everything isn't black and white - i was commissioned and had the old gi bill (chp31) and then converted it to the new bill (chp33)...

accel programs IMHO are hit or miss depending on your personal preferences.. I don't see how a 2.5 year program is accelerated. many bsn programs are two normal academic years after standard prereqs are completed. some might feel advantages of standard program or a program that is conducive to gaining experience while working part time as a nurse tech or CNA while in school - as in some geographic areas that jobs are tight it provides that needed foothold to a job.

MyBlueSky · Nov 22, 2010

yup look into the new bill. i have plenty of friends using it now who were commissioned. everything isn't black and white - i was commissioned and had the old gi bill (chp31) and then converted it to the new bill (chp33)...
accel programs IMHO are hit or miss depending on your personal preferences.. I don't see how a 2.5 year program is accelerated. many bsn programs are two normal academic years after standard prereqs are completed. some might feel advantages of standard program or a program that is conducive to gaining experience while working part time as a nurse tech or CNA while in school - as in some geographic areas that jobs are tight it provides that needed foothold to a job.

From what I understand the accel program is 12-14 months but I can see what you're saying... To be honest I'm just looking to complete this degree and start working while I'm still young, ambitious and capable. I hear learning gets considerably harder the more you age so I feel like I'm working against an hourglass. Thanks again for the input and if anyone else has anything to offer; please do.

coconutzz · Nov 22, 2010

I am currently at a school where both traditional and accelerated programs are offered. While I am in the traditional track, both tracks typically overlap for OB/Peds. From talking with those students, they attend classes 5 days a week, but when they start they have to agree to be available on weekends if needed. They had said that more than a few times they had to take exams on the weekends when they ran out of class time during the week. I am sure that if you explained it to the instructors, they may provide you some flexibility, but you would want to know this before you signed up for the program.

In my traditional class, there are several reservists. They rarely have schedule conflicts and are able to complete their 2 weeks during one of the breaks between semesters. The program I am in is 5 semesters, a little under 2 years. As a student whose first degree is fine arts, I have found the extra time helpful in understanding concepts and our lecture material. I have also been able to work as a patient care assistant in a hospital while going to school, which lets me have some experience working in a hospital. The accelerated program does not allow any time to work a job like that.

Good luck with what you decide. And don't worry about the age thing, seriously. What is important is how much you want to succeed in school. The more you want to do well, the more you will find ways to learn and advance, regardless of your age.

MyBlueSky · Nov 22, 2010

Thanks! The army is always promoting education but nursing is a different beast with clinicals. I'm curious as to how your peers who are in the reserves are doing nursing school with the possibility of deployment. That is I'm assuming they're in drilling units and not the IRR. Might be a but much but if you get a chance could you ask one of them? If not no biggie... =]