Classes and NROTC

[Tia43]

I am a high school junior and I would like to become a navy nurse in the critcal care unit. I was wondering what kind of classes I would have to take to do that?

[teiladay]

Nothing really in particular, and that basically goes for all the branches of the military.

Just follow what I'm saying here for a sec and then I'll more specifically answer your question.

It's kind of like wanting to become a Tax Attorney. There isn't really any particular class that you need to take early on, because the biggest concern is simply getting into a good law school (4 year degree + great LSAT score + great GPA).. once you finish 3 years law school and pass the bar, THEN you go to get your Masters Degree in TAX (LLM). Law school (like med school teaches you general medicine) simply teaches you the general letter of the law. Nothing more. You don't go to law school to be a Environmental Law attorney (like many people think).. you just go to law school simply to be able to practice law... the rest of your training comes later.

Or becoming a brain surgeon- no particular class you need to take other than those typically *required* by med schools for entering students, and those classes that will help you do well on the MCAT. *AFTER* med school is when you branch into your specialty, and classes that are geared specifically for what area you want to practice (basic explanation).

Nursing... ok, you need to focus on classes that are required to get into whatever nursing schools you're going to apply for. Remember you have to have a BSN (4 year degree in nursing.. or a higher degree in nursing) to be accepted as an RN (which are officers in the military.) BSN programs typically require (with some variation of course), Introductory or General Chemistry, College Algebra (at a minimum), Anatomy/Physiology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I only listed courses that are the meat and potatoes of the prerequisites at many colleges and universities. So if you're in High School, the biggest thing you should be doing is eat, sleep, and drinking math and science (you should be doing that anyway because memorizing Poe or knowing history inside and out isn't generally going to get you a job worth squat later in life!!)

Once you get your BSN and take the NCLEX (nursing exam), you qualify (assuming your mentally, and physically fit) for the military. Once you're a nurse in the military, and after you've done the mandatory time in medical surgical- you'll have the opportunity to take an advanced school (e.g. OB/Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), etc..)

Here's the deal- Generally speaking, the military will stick new nurses in Med Surg for about 3 years before they can do anything else. Some savvy nurses get their advance degrees BEFORE going into the military and bypassing the whole med/surg thing.

Recap: What specifically do you need to take? Answer: Nothing other than what you need to take to get into nursing school.

What should you focus on: Math and Science, because it's going to be math and science that will be at the root of virtually all the "good jobs" in the medical field. Hmmm.. let me rephrase that.. math and science are at the root of all the higher paying jobs in the medical field. You might want to apply for CRNA school- A lot of Chemistry and math will help you out. You might want to apply to PA (physician assistant) school. You will be required to have general and sometimes organic chemistry under your belt, and at least precalc is required at some schools.

You might even get a wild hair and later want to apply to med school. Math and science will either make you or break you.

Engrave that in granite

Best of luck to you in all your pursuits!