docbkh

I CLEPed out of Soc, Psych, and a couple others by cramming for a couple weeks before testing. It's not the best plan if you want to retain any of the info, but it's doable. You might also want to search Flashcardexchange.com and studystack.com for previously created study cards... saved a lot of time for me.

Semper Gumby ... Always flexible. Learn it, live it, love it. I wouldn't spend too much time/energy trying to figure out what you may be walking into... the military likes to keep things "interesting". Your most reliable information will come from your unit leadership, all of which may change at any moment in time (your assignment, your leadership, and/or the information). Plan on not making plans until your leadership give you their approval. The US government now owns you. They can tell you where to live, when to work, and if/when you get any time off. This is reality... I have experienced it first hand. I'm not saying that the military is bad, I actually miss a great deal about it. Until it is realized that you need to have permission to eat, sleep, and sh*t... it could be very stressful. Good luck with your adventure!

LOL @ SummitAP!! ... and in the midst of humor, you provided education... Well done.

I used to sit on an ambulance for 12+ hours... I packed about three full meals and a few healthy snacks into a good size lunch bag/cooler. If I had something that needed/preferred to have heated, I'd swing in to a convenience shop and use their microwave. Most of them don't mind, particularly if you're in uniform. Be careful, though, many of those microwaves run at a higher power, so start with about half the time you think you need and repeat appropriately. I also had the opportunity to experience working 16+ hours a day between a couple jobs for a short while. I planned ahead and made multiple meals and kept them in a small cooler in my car. I also loaded it up with various fruits and healthy snacks that I could replenish my small lunch bag between shifts. Adapt and overcome!

Sounds like two reasonable courses of action. A few things for you to consider as YOU decide what's best for YOU... - how well do you learn while you are overworked and underpaid? or simply, do you consider yourself a strong student? (many of the "strong" ones struggle while only going to school FT, no side jobs) - do you plan on using your P after you get your RN job? - how well do you adapt? (I agree with the thought that Ps do better advancing to RNs than RNs do advancing to Ps... I believe it's about the confidence developed from autonomy.) I imagine that other folks have different thoughts... Good luck, mate!

I concur with the previous posters... I've been a Paramedic and Navy Corpsman over the years, and now a new RN. Most hospitals just wanted to know how much experience I've had as an RN. I was recently hired by a great facility and NM that respected my diverse (non-RN) experience and saw it as a noteworthy foundation to build nursing experience on. Have faith... at least in yourself! Good luck!

I agree with the previous suspicions... ... from someone who's assessed more than a few individuals found possibly dead.

Have you considered posing your questions to a counselor at Excelsior?

^ what she said! *continues pacing while waiting for NCLEX results*

salary.com is a reasonable place to start. Good luck!

Thanks for all of the incredible info you've been sharing, indigo girl!

I completely agree... ... I usually provide the instructional/reference material that should help them though their troubles. Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day... Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime.

I would DEFINITELY spend time on the following site... DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations ... don't delay, go today!

Thanks for the great info folks! I'm a prior Navy Hospital Corpsman (E-4) and have considered returning as a nurse. You guys definitely opened my eyes to the possibilities that I thought were out of my (current) reach.

Could be... I don't remember anything about ADN, but the O-3 sounds familiar. Hmmm... *wheels start turning* This has gone from sounding familiar to sounding inviting. Time to do some research. Anyone know of any branches that will still commission an ADN? The last I read, everyone requires a BSN... even the reserves. I can't say I'm ready to go back to school (just finished... still a GN)!