Considering Nursing, Need Advice!!

Skeletor · Feb 7, 2009

If you can before discharge:

1) Pay the $600 extra into the G.I. Bill "Top-Up" program, you'll receive $1471 a month tax-free worth $52,956.

2) CLEP as many classes as you can to accelerate your degree requirements. Contact the schools of your intent prior to taking the exams to save time (not money since they are free). Classes such as: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html

Link for info for Veterans: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/veterans.html

Good luck Mike:cool:

palo526 · Feb 15, 2009

first thing is do you have any college classes behind you. second, i'm in oklahoma, i had a choice of a.a.s rn or b.s.n. i chose the 3 year aas, one year of pre-req's and two years of nursing school. so you need to check the state that you plan to go to school in. i took a simple compass test and started class two weeks later. good luck bro and thanks for the serving your country

Cindy_A · Feb 15, 2009

If you read some of the posts here, new grads are having a hard time finding jobs. Considering the economy, I'd stay in the Navy for a while. Read some of the posts on the so-called nursing shortage and some of the problems new grads are having finding jobs. I hate to sound so negative, but I think you should investigate a little further.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

If you can before discharge:
1) Pay the $600 extra into the G.I. Bill "Top-Up" program, you'll receive $1471 a month tax-free worth $52,956.
2) CLEP as many classes as you can to accelerate your degree requirements. Contact the schools of your intent prior to taking the exams to save time (not money since they are free). Classes such as: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html
Link for info for Veterans: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/veterans.html
Good luck Mike:cool:

FYI the top up program will not do anything for you beginning August 2009 as the CHP30 Gi bill is replaced by the CHP33 "new gi bill". I've contributed to my 'top-up' and basically the 600 I contributed would have benefited me in the past few months under the 'old' bill but I won't withdraw benefits until the new bill comes out next August... I'm not upset as the overall new bill works out better for me - but you do not want to contribute (probably don't have the opportunity to do so anymore based on it being outdated...) to a top-up. New benefits are based on the zip code of your school and a bah w/dep of an e5 of your school zip.. I'm sure you can get all this info from va.gov (they have an easy to read pdf overview of this..) and through your school counselor.

v/r

Skeletor · Feb 15, 2009

just_cause:

Have you received any benefits under Chapter 30? I considered the "Post-9/11 G.I.Bill" but I would have made out much better with the former plan.

I had the option to choose between either Chapter when I verified my enrollment with my V.A. liaison at school, I'm wondering the same for you? If I chose to enroll for benefits this semester, my payments would have been paid this coming August time-frame. I chose to remain under Chapter 30 since I receive Direct Deposit and pocket the money.

Taken from: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm#911amount

"The monetary issue is most likely a very important factor you will consider before selecting a benefit. While you may think you will receive more money under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, that will not always be the case."

Thanks:up:

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

My wife and I are both with GI Bill benefits. She is currently withdrawing CHP30 benefits and in August she will transition to the CHP33 benefits. In her situation she makes out a few $ better with new CHP33 as her CHP30 included the top-up program.... but that is obviously school and location dependent.

I will be starting CHP33 benefits in Sep09 and it will be quite a bit more based on my states in state tuition amount as well as the zip code of my school. I understood that you could always opt to have the CHP30 instead of the CHP33 if it was a disadvantage to you... I think it's 'typically' better - but if you have a tuition scholarship for example - then yeah the option to maintain CHP30 would be a clear benefit. (unless your BAH was high...)

v/r

Skeletor · Feb 15, 2009

just_cause:

Do they pay BAH Direct Deposit like with Chapter 30? I would have made out like a bandit if that is true .

I received grants that paid for my entire nursing school "tour" so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pocket that check each month. The new plan sounds nice though...either way one can't lose..

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

BAH is paid to you - via electronic deposit. You get a 1,000 a year paid to you for books and such... the 'tuition' portion is received by the school and is paid up to the highest state tuition of the state you are attending school in and then you would pick up the tab if there is a remainder and no overages would be paid to the school or you if there was an 'excess'.

Try this website - and punch in your zip code. This is the most user friendly 'online calculator' I've found for chp33 benefits and the site has some good info as well.

http://www.gibill2008.org/calculator.html

v/r

Skeletor · Feb 15, 2009

I used the calculator. The only branch to my knowledge that will commission as O1E is Army Reserves and Army National Guard with an ASN am I correct?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

The only branch that would commission a nurse with and ADN is the Army or reserves - I'm not 100% on the ANG side of things...

the 'E' is based on you having 4 years min time in service enlisted...

Skeletor · Feb 15, 2009

I have 5 yrs TIS. I'd like to join; however, the ANG just upped their requirement to BSN. That'll take a yr and :twocents: ..

Oh well, another pension at 60 y/o sounds like a necessity in these uncertain times.