Military Wife wanting to become a nurse!

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New Navy wife here! My husband will be attending bootcamp in about a month, so we will not know where we will be for a few months. But my question is what is the best route to becoming an RN as a military wife? I have no prior degree or college credits. I just don't know where to start! I want to know the best route when we will be moving all over. Please help!! Thanks :)

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Hello there! I think it would be quite difficult to start an RN program if you don't know where you'll be located! However, most programs have a list of prerequisite classes that you will need to take before being accepted into the nursing program, so maybe you could start there. Anatomy & Physiology I and II will most certainly be included in that list. As for the other required classes to get into the nursing program, you will need to research individual nursing programs in your area, but, as you stated, you do not know your final destination. You could start asking questions, such as what steps you should take, to get started on nursing from your current local schools, but this is subject to change if you move to another area. I know this isn't much, but I can't think of anything else you can do at this time without knowing where you'll permanently be located. Perhaps other members could offer their advice as well?

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Specializes in ER.

Well, this is tough one. I would consider waiting till you move to be honest. The worst thing you want to do is to find out that your credits will not transfer to where ever you move to. I would try to encourage him to get stationed somewhere other than California since California nurses complain of the difficulty of getting hired as new grads.

I really, really would wait if it was me. If you do take classes, make sure to take it from a public state school and not a private school. Since there are multiple level of classes, you do not want to accidentally take the wrong class. Like in my old school there was an anatomy class that was like Bio 120 but the correct nursing anatomy class was Bio 223. If you do want to take a few classes, I would focus on taking the basic classes like Composition I, whatever math that you test into (which once again, math requirements vary greatly!). Save the syllabi for the classes.

I really would wait till you knew where you would end up. It is unfortunate but since you may end up across the country depending on his options.

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Hello there! I think it would be quite difficult to start an RN program if you don't know where you'll be located! However, most programs have a list of prerequisite classes that you will need to take before being accepted into the nursing program, so maybe you could start there. Anatomy & Physiology I and II will most certainly be included in that list. As for the other required classes to get into the nursing program, you will need to research individual nursing programs in your area, but, as you stated, you do not know your final destination. You could start asking questions, such as what steps you should take, to get started on nursing from your current local schools, but this is subject to change if you move to another area. I know this isn't much, but I can't think of anything else you can do at this time without knowing where you'll permanently be located. Perhaps other members could offer their advice as well?

but what do you think the best route would be when we do move? Getting my prerequisites done at a community college and then doing an associates degree? Lvn-rn? Or maybe a school like kaplan with the shorter programs? That's what I'm so unsure of.

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Well, this is tough one. I would consider waiting till you move to be honest. The worst thing you want to do is to find out that your credits will not transfer to where ever you move to. I would try to encourage him to get stationed somewhere other than California since California nurses complain of the difficulty of getting hired as new grads.

I really, really would wait if it was me. If you do take classes, make sure to take it from a public state school and not a private school. Since there are multiple level of classes, you do not want to accidentally take the wrong class. Like in my old school there was an anatomy class that was like Bio 120 but the correct nursing anatomy class was Bio 223. If you do want to take a few classes, I would focus on taking the basic classes like Composition I, whatever math that you test into (which once again, math requirements vary greatly!). Save the syllabi for the classes.

I really would wait till you knew where you would end up. It is unfortunate but since you may end up across the country depending on his options.

but what do you think the best route would be when we do move? Getting my prerequisites done at a community college and then doing an associates degree? Lvn-rn? Or maybe a school like kaplan with the shorter programs? That's what I'm so unsure of.

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Specializes in ER.

My general advice is to research two to three traditional BSN schools and then two or three ADN schools once you find out where you will be. Figure out the requirements and cost of all of them. See which schools you can cover in the least amount of credits. Find out about the admission process as some schools accept only X amount of students each semester and you apply by a deadline beforehand whereas others may accept a waiting list. Try to find out approximately how many they accept each semester and if there is a waiting list, how long it is. Then find out the reputations of the school if possible. Then select three or four schools and find out how the credits may transfer between them if you were to take them at let's say a community college.

Some schools will accept credits easily whereas others may not. Like the nutrition class at my school would not have transferred over to a local university but the other credits would have been fine. The ADN is the degree from an associates, the BSN is the four or five year degree.

As for ADN vs BSN, it can be tough to decide. It is very, very tough to say which route is better. For me, the ADN to RN to BSN route was the best for me because I was accepted quickly and it is a lot cheaper than going the university route. I also looked at what the requirements that the schools had partnered with my community college so I managed to knock out the general education credits. If your boyfriend is in the Navy, it may be better to go that route in case you have to move in a few years.

If you go the ADN route, look for a school that has ACEN or NLNAC accreditation. CCNE only accredits BSN or MSN programs so if a school has both an associate and a bachelors option but it just has CCNE accreditation, the associate program is technically not accredited by the national body and probably just the state. It may cause some issues if you want to do an RN to BSN or RN to MSN program down the line. I think the VA requires ACEN or CCNE accreditation.

I would do an RN program and not go for the LVN license simply for cost issues.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgial, Cardiac, Pediatrics.

I had to move a few times before I started school, and I second the suggestions of waiting until you know where you are. I waited until I was in an area where I knew I'd be for at least three years, and started at a local community college.

For me, cost was a big issue, as was flexibility and cohort. I'm a single mom, and being in a small community college with alternative students (i.e. second careers, parents, etc.), where I could feel accepted and have more flexible options for classes with fewer students was a plus.

My ADN program also offered an LPN option to qualify to sit for boards, which I did to get work for a year and get some income. I wouldn't have stopped there, because really, the ADN is a better, more flexible commitment for the future, but the option gave me income and freedom, and I really appreciated that.

Whatever you do, make sure they're accredited. Check their NCLEX pass rates, and make sure that those credits will be good of you decide to go on.

If cost wasn't an issue, I would have just gotten the BSN out of the way, honestly. I'm going to finish mine while working, which is fine, but if I weren't an alternative student, I would have preferred to do the BSN. ADN has served me well, and I passed my NCLEX just fine, and have my RN, so I won't knock community colleges or ADN programs. I attended a GREAT college, which had a better reputation than the four year in the city, so don't be afraid to ask around.

Good luck, whichever way you decide to go!

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but what do you think the best route would be when we do move? Getting my prerequisites done at a community college and then doing an associates degree? Lvn-rn? Or maybe a school like kaplan with the shorter programs? That's what I'm so unsure of.

It really depends on what best fits you and your current situation. First, make sure any program your looking into is accredited. You also want to look at the job market in the area you'll be in - are there employers looking for new grads, LPN or RN? You want to be sure you're in an area where there's not a million experienced RNs or LPNs applying for the same position that you will be applying for. Chances are, they'll get it. Also, determine where you'll be taking your prereqs at. I recommend community college, as it will help with costs, but make sure that your credits will transfer if you're going to apply for nursing programs at different schools. And are you going to go the LPN or RN route? If your ultimate goal is RN and you have the opportunity to be in an RN program, you may as well just go ahead and save yourself time and complete an RN program. And lastly, BSN or ADN? Of course, BSN will take a little longer, but it will also open up some more job opportunities. However, if you're looking to save on costs, again, ADN may be better. Then you could work as an RN and complete an ADN to BSN bridge program. Like I said, there's a lot of different ways to do this but I advise you speak with advisors at schools you're looking at and don't limit yourself. Check all the school requirements, look at their NCLEX pass rates, graduation rates, etc. Good luck!

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Make sure when you do find a program that you seek out financial aid that is available to you. Not sure about Navy, but I know for Air Force you can get a couple thousand dollars a semester for qualified programs. The education office on base can be a big help with finding a good program and financial aid. Even if you start a program and your husband gets moved somewhere else, you can always stay behind for a little while and finish up. Sometimes it's worth spending some time apart (and easier to focus on school) to meet your educational goals.

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Also, I know at my school, my pre-requisites transferred from other institutions, but once you start nursing courses they are much less likely to transfer.

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My advice (fellow military SO):

  • Wait until you move
  • Look at your job market & consider how long you may be at your duty station. Example, if your job market wants a BSN and you will be at that base for the next 4 years then get that BSN
  • Take pre reqs at the local community college to save money
  • Pursue LPN or ADN at a community college so you can bridge later on to the next highest degree
  • If it is doable, skip the LPN & ADN, just go for the BSN.

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