Active military transitioning to Nursing?

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I am currently in the US navy. I have served for 9 years, but due to certain circumstances, I will be forced out in the upcoming months. Just like everywhere else the military is overmanned and is looking for ways to process experienced members out for new members for less pay. Although I love being in and love the Country I fight for, i am excited at the new possibilities it will bring. I have thought about what i would do as a civilian for years and nursing was always at the top of my list. My job in the navy is more of a secrective, stare at a screen job, which in some ways can translate to nursing. But it was tedious and lacked alot of social interaction. So let me get to the point. I need help in a starting point. I have a family to think about and would like to start working as soon as possible. Is it a good idea to get a medical assisting degree to start off with and continue school to become a nurse? what would be the best starting point? I am lucky to have the GI Bill so schooling will not be a problem. I feel so lost so any advice would be appreciated. also any questions i have not asked myself yet that you think i should be considering will help too. thank you so much

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.

Sorry, but I'm still trying to figure out how a secretarial or as you said, "stare at a screen job" is anything like nursing.

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not meant as a insult by any means, but I guess if you think about staring at a screen with radars and analyzing it could be semi similar.... still not seeing it? haha sorry

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
not meant as a insult by any means, but I guess if you think about staring at a screen with radars and analyzing it could be semi similar.... still not seeing it? haha sorry

Im having a hard time because Im not sure if you really want to go into the field or just need stability. (in relation to screen staring, while there are many fields of nursing maybe youre thinking about radiology - LoL). The field is very diverse which is great. My husband will also be leaving the Navy, so I want to ask did you join after 9/11? If so I believe the GI BILL will also cover your BAH. If this is so and your spouse works then you may be able to go to school full time and get a Bachelors in the field of your choosing and if you feel obligated to work, maybe something part time? Just something to think about. Otherwise, if you want fast training I would say go for a LPN (instead of MA), and you can work as a LPN while you go toward your RN if you wish. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOURNEY.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

First I would start looking at where you are going to live when you get out and look at surrounding schools that offer Nursing as a degree. From there you can find out what requirements you need to fulfill in order to get started and complete a program. Since you have a family, price may be an issue and how difficult the program is and if you can work and go to school at the same time.

My personal opinion is to skip MA school. I have nothing against MA's, but if you already know your end result is to be a nurse then it would just be a waste of time and money. Remember the GI bill does max out and if you decide to use it for other programs such as MA, CNA, LPN, then you may eat up a nice chunk of that GI Bill that could come back to bite you if you decide to go for higher level education later on.

I think your best starting point is to shadow a nurse or talk to a nurse to decide if this is something you really want to do. If it is something you want to do than get out there are start researching the different programs around you and which one would be the best fit.

On a side note, don't be discouraged if people say you should be a MA, CNA, etc. first. I didn't work a day in health care before I became a nurse. I worked at a trucking company. Good luck!

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Specializes in 1st year Critical Care RN, not CCRN cert.

I was a Boiler Tech in the Navy. ST or RM or whatever you are has no bearing on becoming an RN. The schooling is unlike any school you will ever attend. I never expected the actual core nursing classes to be so difficult. Our class started 1 year ago with 29 and we start our 2nd year with 11.

If you don't already know, nurses work super hard! They are the catch all of the medical field. You will be wiping poop off butts, (regularly) you will be elbow deep in every body fluid out there all the time. )Yes you have gloves and gowns but its still gross!

What is it about nursing that makes you interested? Money? I have a year to go and I know there are less and less jobs opening weekly.

Medical assistants average $12.00/hr here in the Tampa area of FL. If that is good pay for 50k plus in student loans, that may be the way to go.

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Where are you planning on living when you are out? If you have family to think of and need to get it done ASAP I may have a suggestion for you. I was a fire controlman in the Navy. My husnad is still in and we are in the hampton roads area.

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I am also in the Hampton roads area, and plan to stay because my husband is still in

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
I am also in the Hampton roads area, and plan to stay because my husband is still in

If youre in the Hampton Roads area and youre serious about nursing look into Tidewater Community College's program. I really liked the school when I was there. Its where I started before moving to DC. (I also grew up in Hampton Roads and very familiar with the area if you have any questions.) :)

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Well, I know how it feels to go down to one income and want to finish school fast. I got out of the Navy in November. By making this suggestion I am not putting down any nursing program in the area. But for me personally MCI worked out the best. The pre-reqs are very few, only chemistry, computers, and college algebra and if you've taken any of those they will accept transfer credits for a lot of it. Even if you had to take all 3 though you could complete them in 10-15 weeks, depending on how much you want to be at school and then be ready to enter the program which will give you you associate of science in 16 months. This works beest for me because we never know if my husband will be transferred or forced out and this way I'll be done when he's up for orders. Just a thought because at some of the other schools you're looking at a year or more of pre-req time depending on any previous coursework. I want my bachelor's but I figure of I get the associate maybe my employer will pay for the bachelor's and the GI bill will be extra money in my pocket instead of my only income.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
Well, I know how it feels to go down to one income and want to finish school fast. I got out of the Navy in November. By making this suggestion I am not putting down any nursing program in the area. But for me personally MCI worked out the best. The pre-reqs are very few, only chemistry, computers, and college algebra and if you've taken any of those they will accept transfer credits for a lot of it. Even if you had to take all 3 though you could complete them in 10-15 weeks, depending on how much you want to be at school and then be ready to enter the program which will give you you associate of science in 16 months. This works beest for me because we never know if my husband will be transferred or forced out and this way I'll be done when he's up for orders. Just a thought because at some of the other schools you're looking at a year or more of pre-req time depending on any previous coursework. I want my bachelor's but I figure of I get the associate maybe my employer will pay for the bachelor's and the GI bill will be extra money in my pocket instead of my only income.

I got my LPN from MCI in 2003 they actually do have a RN program now. I think thats a good option for you because of your GI BILL (its like $38k to go). Also, keep in mind once you leave MCI if you decide to get a BSN you will most likely have to take all your pre-reqs again. But I must agree for a military person who wants fast track RN, MCI is the best way to go because it wont cost you like it would a civilian, you will achieve your RN fast. Good advice from CJMW3311.

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I am a Navy vet, an AT. I got out and got a degree I did not really want and stayed in electronics. I just started school for nursing and could not be happier with my decision. I did some volunteering at the VA Medical Center in Hampton which I highly recommend. I use my post 9/11 and pay zero dollars out of pocket. I attend MCI in NN which is very fast paced but pretty much just like A-school. Let me know if you need any specific question answered.

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