Help me please!!!!

With the nursing shortage....2-yr or 4-yr...doesn't make a difference getting a job. Only difference it makes is life-long plans for yourself/career. Also, at most schools, you are eligible for CNA certification after a certain amt of time in nursing school. I think that the best option for you would be to talk to admissions counselor at the local community college and a university once you get home from Iraq.

:offtopic: but.............Thanks so much for defending me, my children, my grandchildren - our country. I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you and everyone else in the middle east are doing for us.

I am 26yrs old and currently stationed in Iraq. When my deployment is over I am interested in going to college to become a nurse. I'm noticing there are a lot of options or routes that I could take. I could do a 2 yr degree or a 4 yr degree. I would prefer to do the 2 yr degree considering that I am already 26 yrs old and would like to get my career started as soon as possible. But will hospitals hire a nurse with a 2 yr degree or do they lean towards a 4 yr one. Also, I was thinking of getting CNA certified and working as a CNA part-time while going to college full time. Can someone please advise me on what would be a good option for me? Thank you very much!!!!

I would like to be able to give you lots of sound advice, but just want to welcome you and let you know that this is definately the place to get all the answers!!! Thanks for all that you do in Iraq and know that we appreciate it!!!!!! Make it back home safe!!

You don't say for certain that you are in the military but since you use the term deployed and since Iraq is hardly a tourist destination, I'll make that assumption.

Yes, hospitals definitely do hire ADNs (two-year grads). Depending on how much schooling your GI bill will cover, you have a number of options. My son got 30 months of schooling and that comes out to three years. What you might want to do is pay for an ADN degree out of pocket and save the GI bill for the BSN completion. I earned enough working part time to pay for my ADN in one summer. If you pursue the ADN first, you can get some exposure during clinicals to different areas of nursing AND get some work experience under your belt more quickly. Then, you can go for your BSN with your government benefits and have the option of slanting your education toward the areas you're most interested in (by way of research projects, term papers, and internships). You'll have your education expenses covered and you should get a stipend that is not luxurious but may well reduce the number of hours you need to work while in school.

Talk to your CO about how you can get more info about how this all works.

In the meantime, all the best to you. I am so grateful for the job all of you are doing over there and so proud of you guys. What kind of unit are you attached to? Do keep us posted on anything you'd care to share.

Take care and God bless you every day,

Miranda F.

Jessica- I went back to school to get my RN when I was 29- I already had a degree and chose the 2 year route- I had absolutely no problem getting a job after I graduated with a 2 year degree. I'm now working in a large teaching hospital that really stresses education and still I don't feel as though my degree held me back at all. I am thinking about going back to school for my BSN and eventually my masters, but there are many RN to MSN programs- some even online or part time. Several of the programs I've looked into I'll be able to work full time and go back to school.

My younger brother is also stationed in Iraq now- near Fallujah- you are all in our thoughts and prayers- take care and stay safe- Good luck-

The ADN program is the best bang for your buck and there is no difference in either hiring or pay (or if there is a difference in pay, it's normally like a buck).

But, dont think it's a 2 vs 4 yr deal. The 4 yr programs start from scratch while the 2 yr programs require about a yr or more of pre-reqs. SOOOOOOOOOO, if you are interested in ADN, start on your pre-reqs now.

When I was deployed overseas, we had access to classes. Start taking basic pre-reqs. I'd look at community colleges near where you live for list of pre-reqs, or you can try "Blinn College Bryan Texas" in your web browser (the local ADN program to me) and go to nursing program just to get a general idea of pre-reqs.

The other thing is that there is normally a waiting list to get into most programs. You have to consider getting in to be a process and not a direct transition from the military. You will probably need at least a year AFTER YOU FULFILL YOUR PREREQS just to get into a program. Hint: grades are important!

Then start taking them out. You should be able to take sociology and psychology overseas. ENROLL.

I learned about the ADN program while I was still on active duty from my Career Counselor's office. Check with them! They may have a wealth of info for you. Also, stay on this site - just don't get discouraged --- this is a site where nurses can and do freely vent. It's a high stress job that requries some heavy venting, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it. There's nothing like going home KNOWING that it was your knowledge and skill that saved somebody today (kind of what you do know, eh, so might be a perfect fit for you).

Also, if you don't mind working for VA, there is a pretty good VA scholarship that you should have a leg up on cause you're a vet.

Thanks for serving, this website exists because everyday, people like you stand up for our right to have a voice.

~keep the faith; I'll keep your safety in my prayers.