NavyCheerGirl

I'm studying to be a nurse who recently in June got into an LPN program (I want my BSN so I can work in the Navy, eventually get my doctorite to teach). However, I'm more of a language person. I felt very compelled that it's my destiny to be a nurse (I never liked the doctor- it's like you come in with one problem and the next thing you leave with another), and I know I have a lot to overcome. Is there anyone like me who has struggled to become a nurse, who wasn't a science person, but is now a nurse? Thank you!

Is the ASVAB important to take after receiving and passing the NCLEX-RN? Speaking of RN, someone told me I could go into the Navy as an RN.... I thought I had to get my BSN. Is it true? I'm hoping cause my goal to become a Navy nurse kinda got pushed back a few years and I wanna go in within three years... For anyone who has taken the ASVAB, how is it? Would taking that help getting into the OIS? What's an example of a question that is on the test? Looking at this stuff on military.com makes me think back to the SATs... oy!

After thinking about it, I think it would be in my best interest to learn Persian and Arabic... would I be better off trying to teach myself or going to school to learn it?

I was wondering for a while why is it that there are no nursing schools at the major military academies (Navy, Air Force, and Army)? If there were nursing schools there wouldn't it be easier for people interested in nursing and go there rather than going to a different school and then applying?

Any other languages that may be helpful in the Middle East?

I was thinking about learning Arabic because there could be times where nurses need to help Iraqi people who have serious injuries and they might not be able to speak English. Although there may be a translator, I'd say I'd find it quicker to know Arabic myself and help the patient one-on-one. I know French but that's not a language the military uses (although there are a lot of French terms and words that the military does use and no one thinks about it!). I'm willing to learn Arabic if I need it, which makes me wonder if nurses need to know Arabic.

Just out of curiosity since there's a lot of questions about the OIS, how much is the OIS like the naval academy or an NROTC program (considering that the OIS is 5 weeks and NROTC or the Naval academy is 4 years of training)?

I've been thinking about vaccinations lately (since I just went to the doctor and thankfully I don't need blood drawn for the fifth time nor do I need to have a shot... needles aren't my thing)... What kind of vaccinations are necessary to enter the Navy?

I had a thought about hair... I like getting high lights once in a while (nothing radical, of course). Is that allowed?

I think there's special "makeup" for tatoos. I dunno if it's sweat proof or whatnot, but I know there's a special coverup for tatoos that's like a foundation for the face.

I'm looking into scholarships from the Navy. It turns out now I WON'T be graduating in 2009 since I'm transfering from my former college to a small community college in my town... and of course there would be loans to pay back but I'd rather have the Naval scholarships and have more time in the Navy to pay back with. I was wondering who I would talk to around here since my former college is near the university I onced planned on getting my BSN and the university has an NROTC program. I would have talked to the lieutenant there for help but since I'm not going back, I need to find someone else. Do I talk to a recruiter to find out which scholarship is the best for me? Would the Nursing Option scholarship work for me, even though I'm not in an NROTC program?

What does "shipping weight" mean?

I just have a few small questions: what are some other small things that the military likes/dislikes in terms of physical features (as in how long can I keep my hair and I know the Navy won't like the four piercings I have on my ears...)? Oh, and a biggy for me is weight because I'd like to gain some more... what's the physical requirement for weight?

Raskolnikov, if you have any more questions about the military, I recommend reading Married to the Military by Meredith Leyva. Even though I don't have a boyfriend in the military, I read the book anyway because the book's "subtitle" implies even women in uniform can find this book helpful. The book talks about different things from how to talk/interact with different ranks to what you'll need to depend on when you're in the military. For example, I read that (and I quote): "Occupational licenses, such as nursing, obtained in one state may not be valid in another state. This is particularly true in the People's Republic of California. Check with the career counselor or state occupational safety board website to find out if your occupational license is accepted at your new duty station," something I wouldn't have thought about. Thank goodness I read this book or I wouldn't have known that important piece, considering I'm making military nursing my life!

OO so I need to take my NCLEX after I get my RN? I'm glad I read that because I wouldn't have known. I heard the NCLEX is wicked difficult... I'm struggling in the sciences as it is (I'm more of a language person but I want to be a nurse in order to help others and do something else with my life because I feel Navy nursing is my calling)! I just hope I can do this because being able to help the soldiers would mean a lot to me- I'm really looking forward to it!