Advice for Active Duty Airmen looking to pursue a nursing education while serving

[USAFLoadmaster]

Hi all. I stumbled across this site while looking for information about getting into nursing. I am serving in the US Air Force. I really want to be a nurse. I was inspired when I saw them working during Aero-Medical Evacuation missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am a Loadmaster on C-130s and was lucky to spend some time with these amazing people. I have a "plan" and wanted to run it by a group of people with experience in this world. Here goes. I know that time will be factor as I go because I will be doing while on Active Duty. I was thinking I could start by taking a CNA course while on leave (I have found a couple that are only a few weeks long) and start to gain knowledge and spend some time in the clinical enviroment. Then progress through to LPN (or straight to ASN if time permits). Pretty much gaining education off the prior step. I have a long time left in the military and am looking to get experience now so that when I retire I will be marketable. I figure that with a my management experience (17ish years of leadership, at time of retirement, and a BS of Management-Health Care) should be a pretty strong resume. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and look forward to your insight. Brutal honesty is always welcome.

[USAFLoadmaster]

Bump up to the top...shouldny have posted at midnight.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

taking a cna course will allow you to see what personal care support is all about. however, nursing is much more than personal care.

if you already have a bachelor's degree, i would not go the route of lpn then rn but consider going to an accelerated programs: the fast track to a nursing career

these intensive 12-18 month programs meant for second degree students who already have developed computer, study and time mangement skills---- skills a loadmaster should have. :)

i just re-read your post:

"i have a long time left in the military and am looking to get experience now so that when i retire i will be marketable."

since all nuring programs require active attendance at clinical sites, i don't see how this will work for you except to for taking prerequisite courses.

our government and military nursing forum is quite active and they may be able to help you best position yourself for a nursing career. good luck with your future endeavers.