I Think I Messed Up =(

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Hello. I have been attending community college for 2 years now trying to do pre-reqs. I am a former military medic for the U.S. Navy (5 years). I earned an associate's degree in science. I have completed all the prerequisites but I did not do communication because my DD214 marked it off. I only took a general chem course not organic. I also never took developmental psychology course or nutrition. Due to life circumstances, I cannot keep spending much of my time doing school anymore unless I use my GI bill but I need it for higher education [if I get in at this point]. So, it looks like I might be missing 3 courses. Some schools do not require it all but I am still missing 1 or 2 here and there. Do you think it is okay if I apply to nursing programs but leave these requirements blank? This is my biggest obstacle right now because there nursing supplementary forms are staring me in the face with their "list your communication course" or "list your biochemistry course" requirements. I don't know what to do anymore.

No, my veterans counselor was bad. She could not answer basic questions of "what should I do with my military transcripts?" They ended up telling me that none of would be accepted and would not even take the paperwork. Someone took the paperwork, browsed it for 30 seconds, and told me it was bad. It took several months for me to get it looked at and when they finally did, it amounted to 55 general ed credits which is of little use to me.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

I'm not sure what state you're out of but a quick search of state universities in California showed many that are willing to allow military course/non-collegiate experience as credit but in a GE or elective sense. I know this is incredibly irritating because you're likely to be far and ahead skills-wise of many people you find yourself in nursing school with but, since you want to get a traditional BSN, you will find the educational portion easier when you're not rushing to finish last-minute electives or GEs and have more time to focus on class. And while I know that you feel like time is slipping away and you don't want to use up your GI Bill for additional community college courses, it would be in your best interest to hedge your bets and fulfill the courses you're deficient in then trying to keep applying to places that may or may not take you with those courses being "in progress."

I'm sure it's overwhelming now because a lot of this is so unfamiliar and you've been given bad information but you've already done some amazing things in your life that most people could never bring themselves to do. Take heart and keep your eyes on the prize (and, most of all, thank you for your service). :up:

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Specializes in Med Surg/ Pedi, OR.

Find a counselor at the college you are interested in attending.

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Like people have said before I would shop around to see if there are any programs available without those requirements. If not I would hope you'd use a few months of your G.I. bill as opposed to being homeless.

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I found that my prior experience meant nothing outside of being "allowed" to take advanced placement exams because of actual prior course completions. Surprised the school provided advanced placement at all.

Also your real life experience may cloud things for you when in the program, because they teach theory and textbook, not real world. Make sure you keep that in mind as your test answer might be best in the real world but be wrong in school!

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Some state, including Illinois, have a few medic2LPN programs. Some may even to RN programs. Perhaps one of those programs could be of help.

Also, you said 55 hours of general education credits were useless, but they may help with electives towards your BSN.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

You have 55 units of GE from the military. That's not useless. Keep those in your back pocket because you never know when you might be able to apply those GE units toward some graduation requirement. Something you must absolutely remember is that all programs do NOT have the same prerequisite requirements. Not only that, but they also (really do) keep close tabs on the performance of their students relative to previous coursework and try to determine what coursework should be added or removed from the prerequisite list (aside from whatever may be statutorily required). Since I first started looking at nursing programs some 10 years ago now, my program has changed some of their prerequisites 2 or 3 times. You just have to pay attention, see what you can CLEP out of, get credit for, and the like.

You *do* know how to do this. It's like anything in the military. If it was easy, you wouldn't have needed to learn to: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

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Are there schools in your area that have nursing programs? Before you make anymore decisions on your own, I would make an appointment with a school advisor, specifically one associated with the nursing program. Bring all of your academic records, have the advisor look them over, and then see what will transfer and what you still need to take to apply to the program. Trying to figure this out on your own will only confuse and frustrate you (as you've already found out!). I understand completely saving your GI bill for actual nursing school. I'm going on my husband's GI bill and that's exactly what I did. Also, you could take the required pre-reqs at a community college (usually cheaper) and then transfer them but first, find out what will transfer so you don't waste your time. Good luck! It sounds like you're almost there, don't give up!

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There are multiple bsn programs for medics. Google medic to bsn and the will come up. That's how I found the current program I am in at the University of South Florida.

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Specializes in Psych, CCU.

Not sure where you are located or if you can move, however, my school (Northeast Florida) is changing their Associates in Nursing program starting in January '17. Applicants are not required to take one pre req, but have to pass the HESI test with a 90 or higher. The applicants that are chosen have to then take the normal pre reqs while also doing nursing classes, however, you probably already have most of those classes. Also, chemistry is NOT a requirement at all. On a side note, the upside to getting your Associates first, is making that money first, while also going for your BSN. Don't forget to look into CLEPing your pre reqs as well. Saves $ and time.

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Thank you for you service!

I don't have any practical advice that you haven't already heard, but I do have some mindset advice.

Don't make nursing the end-all and be-all of your existence, or you will burn out early. I have seen some burn out while still in school.

If there is something else you can do for work, do that and go to school at the same time. This will give your military trained brain enough stimulation. However, if you start getting too stressed, you can go to part time with either your job or school.

Nursing will always be there when you finish school. You have to get there intact! Take as much time as you need. Build a network of friends and family to help you get through. Nursing school and nursing are both very stressful. It's probably nothing compared to what you have already experienced, but watch out for yourself and make sure you aren't doing too much, too fast.

The tone of your original post sounds like you aren't transitioning well to civilian life. If it all possible, find a counselor who is familiar with veteran's issues. We don't want you to join the ranks of the homeless or suicidal.

Once more, thank you for your service!!

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There is a CLEP test for Developmental Psychology. I am not familiar with veteran benefits, however I thought the fee was covered for active duty, so maybe it is for veterans. I CLEP'd out of Biology, as Nursing is my second degree. If you have to pay, it is only $120 for the test. There is one for Chemistry, which is awarded as General chem at most colleges. Communications, to be honest I am not sure. Another thing to look into is DSST tests (also usually covered by military benefits). The catch with those is they are really not widely accepted. I do know Old Dominion University accepts them, to be fair I am not sure of where else. Before you take any tests though, get in contact with the schools you are interested in and make sure they are accepted not only for the college, but for the nursing program. I do not know where you are located, or if you are willing to move but check this out: Veterans Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) Program | jchs They do not give much detail on the website, but it seems like you may be able to enter an Accelerated BSN off of you previous medical experience. If this exists with one school, it may exist with others, too. You've got this, don't give up-you will find a way. Thank you for your service, and if you have any CLEP questions let me know

****amendment: I did just google VBSN and there are plenty of schools offering this! :yes:

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