Arod07

yep... it sucks though, i have so much experience... and i feel it's just a waste now... LPN salaries in South fl are horrible i might as well just do something else while i finish school... Did you end up joinng the military? i saw your other posts...

hello all i have a few questions long story but will try to keep short... thanks in advance for your replys..- i'm not sure if im posting this on the right area but here's my dilema... i'm a former USAF medic, and considering moving to miami...i'm a little dissapointed at the fact that with all the training and experience that i have, nothing really translates into the "civilian world" but my NREMT... even when it is clearly stated on my military job description that i perform duties as an LPN... i guess working in the ER, ICU, and the clinics don't count for anything... sorry to sound so neg folks but it is really disappointing, what's worst is that i can't even challenge the board... so i have read in other posts... except in CA and NY... but anyhow i'm a little confused as to how the civilian sector works but should i suck it up and go straight for an ADN? or settle for LPN course for now??? I'm considering working for the VA since posts around here seem to praise them so much... anybody know anygood jobs for former miliary medics?any info would help....how about a quicker way to become an RN? any good FL programs u may recommend? Challenge lpn board in FL a no-go? or does anyone else seem to know a way around this? Are there any waivers? What type of job would i be able to qualify for at the VA considering i'm a former USAF medic and most of the things i know how to do would be out of my scope of practice? (sigh)

as a former medic un the US military, what this guys says is your best bet, if you're really interested in the military. I had fun as an enlisted medic i learned a lot of neat things, you work closely with docs, but if i had the chance to do it all over again i would have finished school first and then join... going to school and being in the military is possible but takes longer...

you're absolutely right, i left the service for a better opportunity in the "civilian world"; however, i'm on the same boat as the original poster... i'm a former usaf medic, anyways here's some info that may be helpful... it's dissapointing to find out that the civilian sector doesn't recognize all the training/experience we have... this is an e-mail i received from a friend who's still in the service... i'm assuming this will only work if you live in the northeast... upon achieving a 5-level, all 4n's(medics) are eligible to register/test for lpn with new york state. the process break down is as follows. 1. register with nys health department (http://www.op.nysed.gov/nursing.htm) 2. apply using "form 1" ( http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurse1.pdf ) 3. pay fee when submitting application $135 4. register with pearson test centers (test's only avail at pearson) (http://www.vue.com/nclex/ ) 5. sign up for exam location (newport news, city center area) and date. breakdown of costs: study guide's cost between $15 & $40. (www.visitborders.com http://www.visitborders.com/> for a 20% discount at border's books) registration (with 1 year) with nys (residency not required) costs: $135 exam fee: $200.00 total cost: $350-375