Hello all! Marc here....I've been browsing the site for a while and am impressed with the network here and that everyone is so helpful to help out and answer questions.
So...thought I would throw one out for ya. I'm 28 y/o and am going back to school for Nursing (I have a B.S. and M.S. already). My question is regarding the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program. I'm interested in this as my school offers an accelerated MSN program for students who have a degree in another field. Does anybody know if the AF HPSP will cover this and how the process works? I attempted to contact the USAF Nursing Recruiter for North Carolina and they seemed as if they did not want to speak with me or give me much information at all as soon as I told them I've not been accepted into the program as of yet as I'm still taking some pre-req courses. I'm looking at hopeful admission for Fall '09 Nursing program.
I'm considering Navy or the Air Force. I grew up in a Marine family (father did 30 years, Sgt. Maj.) and have always wanted to serve. Wife and I figured that if we're gonna do, we need to get the process going now while we are some what young and our son is as well (he's 2 y/o).
On another note, I contacted the Nursing recruiter for the Navy regarding the NCP and he was very helpful. What he told me seemed to line up with what I've read on here as far as the fiscal year starting in Oct. '08 and needing to begin the package then in order to lock in a slot for the NCP for the Fall '09. Also gave me information on the "Big 3" that we would most likely go afterwards.
Anyways, after the novel that I just wrote.....feel free to give any insight you may have to either the AF HPSP or the NCP.
All in all it has not been a fun trip... Little Greek is in; I am still waiting... and waiting..
Well, JD, if it makes you feel any better, like LG I am also 'in' yet also still waiting.....and waiting.....
I'll spare the details but suffice it to say I do believe the active side of the house is MUCH less likely to be affected by some issues that have held me up.
Hey guys, I had to reply since I've been talking with a Navy nurse recruiter. The Navy Nurse Candidate Program gives you a $10,000 bonus, $5,000 up front, and $5,000 six months later, and this is taxable. They also give you a $1000 a month stipend that is not taxable. They do not pay for your school in any way. They will give you the $1000 a month for up to 24 months, which would end up being $24,000. $24,000 for stipend + $10,000 bonus = $34,000 that Carolina Hurricane Fan was talking about earlier. Hope this helps a little.
Please note that they will only pay you the stipend for months in which you are enrolled in classes full time...so you will not get the stipend in the summer months unless you are taking a full load during those months as well.. At least that is the way the program is supposed to work for the Army.
I know I had some similiar dilema's regarding AF vs Navy due to the AF recruiter dragging around on information. My navy healthcare recruiter was very informative and everything she offered me she put in writting (which I always recommend). I look at it like this if the pay is the same just difference in the branch make sure you get the most for your time, education and career! :typing
Thanks for all the info everyone.....this site is awesome and full of you guys whom have "been there, done that." I wanted to put this out there for everyone. I received a phone call yesterday from the North Carolina Air Force Nurse Recruiter and was told by him that a Master's in Nursing would qualify for the AF HPSP. I've been trying to do some research on this but he said he was told by his superiors through Headquarter's that this would qualify. Here is a link to the brochure on the AF website ( http://www.airforce.com/assets/images/careers/pdfs/hpsp_scholarship.pdf )
Was also told that you need to have a min GPA of 3.0 and 1000 on GRE which are the basic requirements for grad school but I'm sure you want them as high as possible b/c I believe these slots are competitive. I'm still attempting to do further research on this but wanted to put this out there for you guys as well.
Miss Mab
414 Posts
Well, JD, if it makes you feel any better, like LG I am also 'in' yet also still waiting.....and waiting.....
I'll spare the details but suffice it to say I do believe the active side of the house is MUCH less likely to be affected by some issues that have held me up.
And that's all I have to say about that.....
Fingers crossed for you! :)