New Guy,Military,Career Change

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Hello everyone,

Am new on here, am glad to have found this website. I am currently in the US Air Force but I will but separating soon after I return from my deployment at the end of this year. I will be 30 years old. My current job is aircraft maintenance but I want a career change and will be pursuing a career in nursing. I am currently Stationed in California but I am a New Jersey resident so I plan on returning back to the east coast. With my Montgomery GI-Bill, I want to attend a community college for a year and then use my 911 GI-Bill for the next 3 years to attend a major university. So with money not being an issue for school I was wondering what you guys think about the nursing programs at Upenn, Rutgers or NYU for a then 31 yr old. Any input would greatly be appreciated. I would also like to add that I have no obligations as far as a wife or children.

Thanks in Advance

Kam

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

just wanted to say good luck to you! I used the GI bill to pay for my RN, BSN, and now for most of my MSN myself! =)

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Be aware that the two GIBs aren't back to back. You can use one or the other. When you get out, talk to the VA rep at your school. You need to figure out which plan is more beneficial, because your stipend for the post-9/11 varies by geographic location, whereas MGIB is the same, no matter where you are. There are also stipulations when going from one to the other. How much of your general ed and prereqs are completed? Do you think you can get them all done in one year?

I have found that the stipend isn't enough to pay bills and rent and other living expenses, at least for where I live (even with the COL adjustment for post-9/11). I always had to work while I was doing my prereqs when I was single.

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I was told that I can use the Montgomery for up to 11 months. So going to a Community college full time 12 credits I will get $1600/month and the school will cost $1600 for 12 credits. So I plan on getting 24 credits then transfer.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Do you know what you specifically need in order to transfer? Would you be transferring to attend the BSN program?

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I was reading the pre-reqs for Upenn and it was mentioned that I needed 8 classes for transfer.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I did USCG and was avionics prior. I went back in 2006 and got my BSN. It also helps when you apply to nursing schools to list that you are a vet. Good luck

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Specializes in ICU.

I think that Upenn has a good program from what I understand. I have also heard good things about Rutgers. But I think Upenn is better.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I graduated from Rutgers (the first time), then changed my career several years later and went to UMDNJ's ABSN which is bought by Rutgers. If you want to know what people are saying about either UPenn, Rutgers, or NYU, go to the "U.S." tab ---> choose New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Nursing forums. You'll find a lot of info there from current and former students.

By the way, many people are returning to school for nursing and 30 was the average age when I was attending my program. Good luck.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I did USCG and was avionics prior. I went back in 2006 and got my BSN. It also helps when you apply to nursing schools to list that you are a vet. Good luck

YES, call the schools and ask if they have any kind of vet preference. That definitely helps!

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I would prefer to just go straight to a major university fulltime and I am leaning towards Upenn. I will give the school a call. Are there any active students here on this board that attend Upenn?

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Your GI Bill isn't carte blanche...an expensive school like NYU is going to leave you with a ton of debt. It's designed to fully cover most in-state tuitions, so take that into account when you start researching schools. As was mentioned earlier, talking to a separation counselor will be your best bet. And if you can get your HOR changed to a state where you want to go to school before you go, you're DD214 will get you that state resident status, regardless of how long you've been there. Your Vet status will get you lots of additional educational assistance, tutoring, discounts, etc...use every bit of it. There is a Government/Military section on this forum, incase you want to entertain letting your Uncle pay you to go to school. ;)

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