Military to college advice.

chare · Nov 7, 2016

First, thank you for your service.

Unfortunately i can't answer any questions pertaining to the program your considering, however, have you separated from the Navy yet? If not, review the prerequisites for the program that you plan on attending, then visit your command's education office and CLEP as many of these as you can. The school may or may not allow you to use them, but you won't know until you submit them.

Wishing you the best as you leave transition from the Navy to school.

Semper Fidelis

ETA: Also, if the program(s) you are considering require an admissions test (ACT, HESI, etc.) you might be able to take some through your command's education office as well.

WaterDog, CNA, LPN · Nov 7, 2016

Thank you very much for the fast response! I will print out OHSU's requirements and take them to work tomorrow for my research on which I can CLEP.

chare · Nov 8, 2016

I realize it's been years since I retired, but I assume your command's education office still provides an opportunity to take multiple CLEP examinations at no charge. If so, after you CLEP prerequisites, CLEP anything that you can; you don't know what you might be able to use.

MotoMonkey, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2016

I think a lot of it will depend on what classes you can transfer to WOU and how they transfer. Just be aware that sometimes classes don't transfer in the way you would expect.

Being able to complete your prerequisites in a year can often be difficult due in part to the fact that there may be course prerequsites. For instance, in order to take anatomy and physiology at WOU, a three term series, you need to have completed biology 102 or biology 211. That means it would take four terms (a year and a term) to complete the A&P series. Sometimes instructors will allow you to skip these prerequisite courses, however, that is on a case by case basis and can not be counted on. Another thing you have to consider is where you place in writing and math, if you place lower you will have to take extra classes.

As far as entry level jobs you will need a CNA2. Some hospitals are willing to hire CNA1's and train them to CNA2 but this is not always the case.

WaterDog, CNA, LPN · Nov 8, 2016

A lot of great information! Thank you very much. I think that looking into completing the biology class online before starting school in the fall would be beneficial. Do you know of a online school that WOU would recognize the bio credits from? I have spent a lot of time researching the CNA route, unfortunately it does not seem very practical for me at this time. Not only am I in Virginia until next fall, my military schedule keeps me from attending the CNA courses in town. Perhaps once I am back in Oregon I can take the course while working an IT job, what I do now, or registration at the hospital.

MotoMonkey, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2016

Sounds like youre on the right track. From the sounds of it WOU is pretty good about taking in credits from other Oregon schools. In the navy do you have a medical rating? Hospital Corpsman ...ect? If so that may help with some of the courses youll have to take and may help you to land a part time job. Most jobs in hospitals do require some kind of CNA training, skilled nursing facilities also require you to be a CNA. It is less glamorous but you may look into finding a job working at an assisted living facility, alzheimers and dementia care facility, or care home for adults with developmental disabilities. These types of facilities do not generally require employees to have their CNA and generally do not require much experience. They also look good on the OHSU application.

WaterDog, CNA, LPN · Nov 9, 2016

I do not have a medical rating, I am an information systems technician. Thank you for the information on jobs!

WaterDog, CNA, LPN · Nov 9, 2016

Small update, got my acceptance letter from WOU today!

gere7404, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2016

Your military service is going to count for very little in the way of credits. I got my PE courses covered and that was about it, and I was a medic. Does the Navy offer tuition assistance while you're in still? Try to take some of the less intensive prerequisites now online like your social sciences and humanities requirements.

WOU might be a bigger institution than the community college in southern Oregon where I took my prereqs -- one of the big problems I had was certain classes like microbiology were only offered once or twice a year. But, if you take online courses now for the classes you can and then take BI211 in winter, 231 in spring, 232 in summer, and 233 in fall with microbio somewhere in there you might be able to knock it out in a year.

Also, do you anticipate you'll be getting a service connected disability rating through the VA? If so, check in on Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation. It's like the GI Bill but you get an additional year of schooling plus all expenses for the program are covered if you get approved for it.