adn student- many questions... help!

[urmysunshine0604]

I will be graduating with my adn spring 2013, but the more I become interested in nursing in the military the more depressed I become that I didn't pursue my bsn to begin with.

However, I will not let that stop me. I would love to go into the army or AF. I would love to hear some pros and cons of each. Right now the AF is more attractive to me, as that is the branch that I had wanted to go into throughout my high school days.

I'm not even sure what my first step should be. The goal right now is the graduate then immediately start working on my bsn. Can I apply once I have begun to work on my bsn or do I need to wait until I have it completed?

Family life... not sure what to even ask so I'll give some background. I am a single mother, but the children's fathers are very involved, as are the grandparents. Will this make me unable to join? I understand there will be deployments, I would be proud to serve my country in such a way and I think that my children would be proud of me also. I see it as a sacrifice to improve our lives.

Any and all info is welcome! I've been scouring the board soaking up as much info as possible! :)

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Focus on getting that RN, and getting the best grades you can -- GPA is a bigger deal these days than it used to be. I would recommend starting to work on that BSN as you plan -- make sure it is CCNE or NLNAC accredited, whichever school you choose -- and getting experience while you do the RN-BSN. The Army won't even consider anyone without two years of experience right now, but the experience you'll get as an ADN/RN will count toward your experience time for Army purposes -- the clock doesn't just start when you get the BSN. Not sure if AF is the same (I kind of thought they didn't give constructive credit for life before the BSN, but I could be wrong. I didn't look too much into the AF, I knew I had too many tattoos for them. )

Being a single parent does not eliminate you -- you just have to have a plan in place.

Good luck in your ADN program, and don't give up on serving if that's really what you want to do. It might take you a while to get there, but it'll be worth it.

[urmysunshine0604]

Thank you for your insight! This is going to be a long journey.

[ATLRN0828]

hi urmysunshine0604,

i'm trying to complete my paperwork now for the af jan 2012 selection board. i think it wouldn't hurt to speak with a recruiter for whichever branch you want to join as well. that way you can at least know what you need to do and get an idea of the requirements.

also, i had a post asking for advice on my family situation (i am a single parent as well). i received some really good comments and advice, if you want to read it to get an idea (af applicant wanting feedback...need advice) of how the military would be for a single parent.