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

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.

I am an MCI NN RN student and Navy vet. It is now $41,000 and 16 months long. I love the program and it works well for most military vets since we are used to learning stuff in no time. MCI offers a BSN program. The only reason our credits are hard to transfer is because we are still in candidacy for the NLN, but we are regionally accredited. For more info on this topic please see the "VA Programs" board as I have answered these issues about a million times now and my hands hurt :D

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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.

I am a NN MCI RN student, do you attend here or the VA Beach campus? Also, I agree very much with your post! :yeah:

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
I am an MCI NN RN student and Navy vet. It is now $41,000 and 16 months long. I love the program and it works well for most military vets since we are used to learning stuff in no time. MCI offers a BSN program. The only reason our credits are hard to transfer is because we are still in candidacy for the NLN, but we are regionally accredited. For more info on this topic please see the "VA Programs" board as I have answered these issues about a million times now and my hands hurt :D

Im very familiar with MCI, as my best friends mom and a old co-worker both went when it was career development (waaaay before I went, LoL). It hasnt changed very much, just that RN is a newer program for them. I say its best for military vets I agree, im not sure if I would say the same for civilians due to the amt loans accumulate to.

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Im very familiar with MCI, as my best friends mom and a old co-worker both went when it was career development (waaaay before I went, LoL). It hasnt changed very much, just that RN is a newer program for them. I say its best for military vets I agree, im not sure if I would say the same for civilians due to the amt loans accumulate to.

I agree with you there, my civilian classmates will be way in the financial hole when they graduate with an ADN. Makes me very thankful I served my country as this is my second degree since I have been out and I have not paid anything, well a little with the old GI Bill! :D

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
I agree with you there, my civilian classmates will be way in the financial hole when they graduate with an ADN. Makes me very thankful I served my country as this is my second degree since I have been out and I have not paid anything, well a little with the old GI Bill! :D

LoL! I know someone who has done LPN and RN at MCI. she has $60k in loans!!! When I went for LPN it was a little less than $9k, the next semester it was $13k. and I had loans. but it was a very good school. i would just tell civilians umm.... you might wanna check out the finances 1st. LoL! Do you have pre or post 9/11 GI BILL. I think the post GI BILL is great (well theyre both great, as our military community sure deserves it!) im making sure to stay on the hub about going back to school when he gets out next year.

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I found my transition from USMC Infantry to Registered Nursing a rather easy one. Many military schools we attend have very strict standards with minimal room for failure, which will help you in your ability to do well in your nursing education. I started full time with my general ed classes and pre reqs using my GI Bill at my local community college in CA. With the Post 9/11 Gi Bill you do have the housing allowance and other perks that will make this easier for you financially. My wife was and still is active duty USAF set to retire next year, which allowed me to not have to work full time when I started my actual RN program. If you dont have to work during the program then dont, so you can really absorb every bit of knowledge you study, unless you are trying to pay off debt while going through school which is wise also. Strive from the start to do your very best in every class especially your core science courses. I was accepted to transfer to the local four year state school for my RN program after completing my prereqs, but due to life, I chose to apply and was accepted to a 2 year ADN program which gave me a faster path to my RN license. Even with the shorter two year program my wife had to PCS during my last three months of school which was not that big of a deal being a military family. I was able to graduate with Honors, and passed my NCLEX on my first attempt, which was due to putting in the effort with many late night study sessions alone after my family was asleep, and a great group of teachers. I have had no problem finding employment, but have had to leave nearly every job shortly after due to my wife being reassigned several times over the past several years, along with deployments leaving me to set my nursing career aside to care for our children. I am now homeschooling our children while finishing my BSN online through Liberty Universtiy which is very Veteran Friendly(decreased rates, and large book vouchers etc) for those in the RN to BSN program. They also have a traditional four year program as well I believe. I say all of this to ensure you take into consideration your spouses career obligations, and any other family factors that must be considered before you begin a program. Research well the schools in your area, then formulate a plan, then set the plan into motion, then watch plan change daily.... I am sure you will do great, just make sure the program is regionally accredited (wasc, sasc etc) and Nationally accredited as well if possible, esp if a BSN program (CCNE, NLN...). Congrats on your adventure into nursing, and I hope you remember to enjoy the journey....it is what you make of it. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to our nation. God bless.

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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.

Staring at a Radar screen and making an assessment of what you are observing leading you to take some type of action or to pass on that information to someone with a different skill set to make a decision as well is just like nursing. Our radar screen is the pt.....we observe everything on that screen and make assessments, formulate plans, and pass on information in a timely manner so we can put to use what our trained eye has observed allowing the best possible outcome for the pt.........:)

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LoL! I know someone who has done LPN and RN at MCI. she has $60k in loans!!! When I went for LPN it was a little less than $9k, the next semester it was $13k. and I had loans. but it was a very good school. i would just tell civilians umm.... you might wanna check out the finances 1st. LoL! Do you have pre or post 9/11 GI BILL. I think the post GI BILL is great (well theyre both great, as our military community sure deserves it!) im making sure to stay on the hub about going back to school when he gets out next year.

When I was going for my original bachelors I used up 2 years of my GI Bill and it was the old one. I am now using the Post 9/11 since I qualified for it. I only have 13 months of benefits left so I have to pay for 5 months. I am not gonna complain too much about that though ;-) Yes make sure your hubby uses it, he earned it!

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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.

I actually spoke with 2 different schools about going on for a BSN, ODU and UCF (Central Florida). Both told me that they award credit for your certification as an RN, and not for the individual classes you took, so they would have no problem taking me. Plus ECPI/MCI is now regionally accreddited, so more credits will transfer out.

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I actually spoke with 2 different schools about going on for a BSN, ODU and UCF (Central Florida). Both told me that they award credit for your certification as an RN, and not for the individual classes you took, so they would have no problem taking me. Plus ECPI/MCI is now regionally accreddited, so more credits will transfer out.

And UoP is accepting my degree for the MSN Bridge Program. Since I already have a BS, once I am finished with my ADN I will roll into that program. It is much easier now that they are regionally accredited and once they get their NLN we will be able to transfer almost anywhere!

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Hi, im planning on attending the NN MCI and was wondering if you could give me any input or

any pointers to help me along the way..i will be trying to get into the night program they offer.

please respond

thanks

Liz-

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