Any other Returned Peace Corps Volunteers out there?

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Hi,

Just wondering if there were any other current or returned Peace Corps Volunteers lurking on this forum. I'm about to finish up my service in Guatemala in late October, and am planning on starting pre-requisite courses in Spring '12 to eventually enter a ABSN program.

Would love to hear from anyone that's been through this/planning on doing the same thing - the transition from Peace Corps into school/classes, getting hand-on patient experience through volunteering or working (I've worked in preventative health education during my service, but am looking to get more direct experience before I start nursing school), thoughts about ABSN programs, etc.

Thanks, hoping to hear from folks!

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Hi fellow almost RPCV! I'm so glad to see another person with the same questions....I'm due to finish up my service at the end of October too but in Peru!

I've got 2 challenges in front of me right now re:nursing-first being that I studied International Relations in undergrad so I have to hack it in the prereqs which I'm planning to take at a local community college. I'm trying to decide if I want to get an RN for a much more reasonable price at a reputable community college program and then do a bridge program to MSN (I'm hoping to eventually be a certified nurse midwife) or focus my prereqs on a direct entry MSN program. I feel like there are many options for getting into nursing but it can be dizzying.

It sounds like maybe you were a community health volunteer? Do you have prereqs to do?

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Hi Katie!

I do have pre-reqs to do, quite a few actually, at least 2 semesters worth if I study full-time. I was a history major, and I took very few science courses, none actually other than psychology if you count that. I´m planning on moving back home for a bit after I leave Guatemala and taking courses at a community college as well.

I´m finding it´s hard to plan out a schedule for pre-reqs, because they vary so much from program to program. I´m mostly basing mine off of the requirements of some in-state programs, and also Johns Hopkins, because they have an awesome Peace Corps Fellow program (partial scholarship, community outreach opportunities, preferred admission for RPCVs). Probably a stretch, but I might as well dream!

Are you starting pre-reqs spring semester ´12? I´m trying to decide if I want to take a full load, and live at home so I wouldn´t have to work necessarily (and live off my PC readjustment allowance!) or take it slower and only take a couple of courses a semester. I haven´t been in school in over 4 years so I´m not sure what my academic capacity is at this point, especially after almost 3 years in PC.

As far as deciding between a direct entry MSN or going first for the BSN, most people that I have talked to have advised me to start off with the BSN and then work for a year or two before starting a master´s program. Also, I've heard that there are going to be new requirements for nurse practitioners starting soon, in 2015 I think, so I'm not sure how that would affect starting a direct entry MSN now.

Hope you enjoy your last month in PC as well! Saludos desde Guatemala :)

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Specializes in Community Health Promotion.

Hey Guat RPCV!

I'm here with Katie and Peru and we are both in your same boat. Finishing up PC and heading back into the "real world." :-) I'm looking at a ABSN program as well--UW, OHSU, UPenn, Hopkins. That's all I've gotten so far, as I have had limited time and internet access to do adequate research. I majored in Nutrition, so don't have too many pre reqs ahead of me, so hopefully going to apply to a ABSN program next year.

What schools are you looking at? Are you thinking of doing a CNA course? I've heard that it's recommended across the board, and honestly, it would be nice to see what's it like to be a nurse in the states.

What PC program are you in? Main projects?

Good luck with your last month. We are on the downhill as well, so say hello to the land of amazing for us! We will be joining you soon!

-Annie

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Specializes in Community Health Promotion.

Hey Guat RPCV!

I'm here with Katie and Peru and we are both in your same boat. Finishing up PC and heading back into the "real world." :-) I'm looking at a ABSN program as well--UW, OHSU, UPenn, Hopkins. That's all I've gotten so far, as I have had limited time and internet access to do adequate research. I majored in Nutrition, so don't have too many pre reqs ahead of me, so hopefully going to apply to a ABSN program next year.

What schools are you looking at? Are you thinking of doing a CNA course? I've heard that it's recommended across the board, and honestly, it would be nice to see what's it like to be a nurse in the states.

What PC program are you in? Main projects?

Good luck with your last month. We are on the downhill as well, so say hello to the land of amazing for us! We will be joining you soon!

-Annie

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Hi Annie,

Not QUITE RPCV, one more month to go! When do you all finish up?

I don't know exactly what schools I'm looking at, I won't be applying until next year at this time because I've got lots of pre-reqs to do. I'm mostly looking at schools in NC, where I'm from, Johns Hopkins because of the PC Fellow program, and trying to start research on other places. Are you going to be applying to start a program in 2012, or 2013?

I'm thinking about the CNA course, I've talked to several people who have recommended it to me, including a graduate of my college/fellow RPCV who's now in nursing school. It seems like a good way to get a taste of nursing before jumping into nursing school. One of the things that I'm most nervous about thinking about nursing is that I have no experience with patients/direct care, so the CNA course would be a good introduction.

My original PC program was called Healthy Schools, I worked in rural elementary schools with a health education program, mostly working with students and teachers, a bit with parents, giving trainings about nutrition, hygiene, etc. I extended six months past my original COS date as a Peace Corps Response volunteer, working with an NGO based out of a nearby city in sexual/reproductive health education in middle schools/high schools. What program have you been in?

Good luck with your last month as well, keep in touch with your plans, it's nice to have someone else to talk with about all this. Cuidate!

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Specializes in Community Health Promotion.

Hey again!

Sorry about the RPCV--you prob don't want to be reminded. ha. It's been on my mind a lot. Are you freaking out about going back or excited or both!? I'm not sure where I'm at. Every day I feel different.

I have a job lined up for the first 6 months when I get back, so I plan on doing some hardcore researching. ha. It's so hard here without steady internet and so many other things on my plate. I've heard JH is a great program, just not sure I can afford it. But it's good to apply at least--especially with that pc fellows. I had a friend of a friend get it, so it's possible. ha.

I haven't decided about the CNA program, but am going to talk to some nurses when I get home and get their opinion. From what I've heard from other people, is that it certainly can't hurt, but since we are soon to be rcpv, have worked extensively in health, and speak pretty good spanish--we are already in a good place. But I don't know. I've heard it's grueling work--but I guess I will just have to keep on reminding myself, that this isn't forever.

Your program sound very similar to mine. I'm a "Rural Community Health" volunteer and we focus on "healthy homes" with moms working on hygiene, trash management, nutrition, establish gardens, letrines, and cocinas mejoradas, and then sexual health education with teens. I spent most of my time working in schools doing "healthy schools", planting gardens and teaching nutrition/cooking classes, and working with youth in sex ed.

Have fun and good luck saying goodbye this month. The tears have already started...Keep in touch!

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Hi! I'm a PCV in senegal about 6 months away from COS. I was so excited to see other PCVs on here in the same position as I am. I studied International Development in college and then decided in my last year I wanted to go into nursing. Before I joined the PC, I was a CNA in both a hospital and nursing homes. I also worked at a women's health clinic as an OR tech/Patient Advocate.

I spent a long time debating between ABSN and masters entry programs but I eventually settled on masters entry pograms since I'm hoping to become a Nurse Practitioner. I, too will be taking the pre-reqs at a local community college for at least two semesters. It's hard to figure out the order in which to take them since the requirements for all the programs are so different. Hopefully, I'll be able to go back to work as a CNA to keep my feet wet!

Good luck with COSing and enjoy the last little bit of your service! Its nice to know there are other PCVs out there in the world of nursing!

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Specializes in Community Health Promotion.

Hey PCV in Senegal!

Looks like you are in the same boat as us. That's great you already have your CNA. How was it? Did you like it? What was your basic job duties?? I'm still deciding whether it's worth it to get my cna before applying to nursing school--at the very least, I'll get my feet wet.

What programs are you looking at for masters? I recently starting thinking I should look into those programs. I would like to become a nurse practitioner some day, but not sure if I should do the direct entry or work a bit and then go into the program. When do you plan on applying?

Good luck with your last 6 months. I have one more month left in Peru with so much to do--it's crazy. What has life been like for you over there? What program are you in? Main projects??? After doing pc in Latin America, I would love to do it again in Africa!

Mucha suerte!

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