Civilian life AFTER Corpsman life

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I am currently a USN FMF Hospital Corpsman and I have a little over a year left on my active duty contract. After that I will continue to serve under SELRES. I am wanting to make the transition into civilian life as easy as possible. Any advice out there? I have found that with the state of NC I can come out automatically as a NA II, but can not challenge the NCLEX. My plans are to become a PA. I would appreciate any guidance, knowledge, or advice. Thanks in advance.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I know a doc who went from RN to PA to DO, and I shudder to think about the student loans! I think it makes more sense to just go to PA school if that's where you want to end up, but that's just me ... I didn't take the straight line into nursing, though. Paramedic first, then RN. Sometimes I wish I'd just gone straight into nursing in 2001 when I strated my medic program, but I think my experience as a medic enhances my nursing mojo, and vice-versa.

Best of luck to the OP, whatever you decide, and thanks for your service. :)

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OP, keep in mind with SOME PA programs the pre-reqs expire after some years...Today I met a fleet-marine corpsman gone PA at my gym who gave me a lowdown on the process..If you want I can explicate.

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Please do, but I want to put out there, I am a United States Navy Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman. I keep seeing "Army" used and I just wanted to clear that up. But yes, please give me the low down that would be awesome!

Thanks LunaRN and you are welcome for my service to our country!

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Maybe process wasn't the best word, rather experience...He told me that he really appreciated the skills he learned as a corpsman translate over to being in a sometimes hectic ER. Pretty much he went into detail describing how the hours are really odd and always changing but the pay is very very good. With this responsibility and increased pay he said the school was no joke. For about 2 years he said he pretty much had no contact with the outside world because the pace and difficulty was so high speed (admission he said was harder then some med schools apparently). However, he seemed to enjoy the job security as well as the synergy between him and others members of the health care team. Sorry I couldn't get more inf out of him we were lifting after all lol

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Please do, but I want to put out there, I am a United States Navy Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman. I keep seeing "Army" used and I just wanted to clear that up. But yes, please give me the low down that would be awesome!

Thanks LunaRN and you are welcome for my service to our country!

I think the Army's program was mentioned because in the military realm it "IS" the PA school as it runs an 'intraservice" PA program where navy, army, AF, and other gov agencies can send their students to become PAs.

Here is the link with all of the info.. you can still apply if you are affiliated with military to include IRR... that being said I would take a look at your geographic area.. the school density and competition varies widely by state.. with your GI bill and depending on the state you live in.. drives PA schools available, drives PA pre-reqs, drives your timeline.... Here is the link to the intraservice PA program: http://www.usarec.army.mil/armypa/

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I'm a Corpsman who got out a year ago after 7 years. My advice for school is to get as close to a 4.0GPA as possible. It is extremely competitive with these medical programs. I'm taking the nursing path and the school i applied for had an average applicant GPA of 3.77 and that was just to get you foot in the door for an interview. I would also recommend going to a school that is accredited and well known. Personally i don't like the sound of online nursing programs. Who the F* would want to be cared for by a nurse who learned everything online? that's just weird. Plus, i hear schools like excelsior (or whatever it is) is not accepted in some states and you won't be able to transfer over to some schools if you decide to get an even higher degree of education. Just food for though...if it's too easy then it will probably come back to hurt you in the end.

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