mom2three3

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess It would be one thing to go from one income to two. That wold be adding money. But... who knows if and when hubby will get a job in corporate management where I end up. That could be a big loss of income for us. I am pondering all of this now because I have BSN pre-req's lined up for summer that I won't take if I decide not to do AD. I have a limited amount of loan $ left so I have to be careful about the classes I take. I might look into the STRAP prog or maybe just look into reserves...

Well, I have run the numbers a million ways...soo, I have to use my loans to help pay for daycare for my little guy, so I need a less expensive per hour program...enter ADN. I would love to just go ahead and get my BSN, but the tuition is higher. I already have a BS, so I would lack like 30hours to get my BSN when I am done with my ADN. So...I am trying to decide if 30K in loan repayment is worth it to be a military nurse. Hubby was active army 10 years, so the lifestyle thing I am cool with. I throught STRAP was for reservists?? Hubby is behind me no matter what... it's just the thought of taking a huge paycut that makes me gulp. He got his masters a few years back and has worked in corporate america since and loves it. We move every three years or so with his job so...hmmm.. I just wish I knew what to do. Thanks for the info ladies... much appreciated...

So here is the situation. I start my ADN program in the fall and had always thought I would go on and do my BSN, then go into the AF or Army. My hubby is 4 years from AF guard retirement and works a corporate job where he makes between 70-80K per year. Here is my problem. He is the bread winner in our family. We have two boys and I have been home for years. I already have a BS in another area and have student loans. If I go through my ADN program, then BSN program, I am looking at adding another 20K to my loans. I always thought that I would try to get student loan repayment with the military... but now I am not sure if that's the best option. See, if I go military, hubby has to move with me and get a job wherever I am. We could possibly have to live on my Lt income for a while and that would be a BIG paycut. So... I either just get my ADN and follow his career moves as a civilian...save the money I would have spent on a BSN and live with it, or.... get the BSN, hope I can get loan repayment, go military, and pray that he gets a job equal to what he has now wherever I get stationed. I am 35 and have always wanted to be a military nurse.... What would you do? I have to decide soon as I need to spend the summer doing BSN pre-req's if I am going to go for it... HELP!~

I am thinking of getting into the Air Force or Army as a nurse and don't have good credit. Do they do a credit history when you join? Will it affect me? I had a job loss and some major medical bills from a sick baby and it just all piled up with some credit card debt and now.... terrible credit. Any ideas on how this would affect me would be great...I know with security clearances, it can be an issue. I just didn't know if it's an instant no go for a commission.

I took the Teas v twice. First time in Feb I got an 80% and in April I got an 80.7% and I find out in June if I got in. I am in the 94th percentile in my program and was told in my post TEAS advisement that I will most likely get in. We shall see!~

I take baby carrots, protein shakes, bananas, etc. I eat a ton of fruit and veggies. I am pre nursing though and have not actually started my nursing classes (AUGUST!!) so, I may not be going as much as some. I too have lost 20 pounds! I run 4 days a week and circuit train 2.

I am trying to decide if I should retake the TEAS version V test. I apply for nursing school in May for a fall start. My school takes your overall Teas V score and adds in points assigned the letter grade you got for A&P, Eng Comp, and Psych. For example: Earned grade point calculation (GPA): Class grade times the number of credit hours (A = 4 points; B = 3 points; C = 2 points) Anatomy and Physiology ( 5 hours) maximum points 20 English Comp I ( 3 hours) maximum points 12 General Psychology ( 3 hours) maximum points 12 Maximum Total Grade Points 44 Plus Admission Assessment Exam - Highest possible composite score 99 Highest possible applicant score for ranking 143 Here is how mine breaks down: I got an 80 on the TEAS, and 41 points for classes ( if I get an A in A&P...it will be 36 points if I get a B) for a total of 121 points. This number is what they use to rank you for the 56 slots in the program. There are usually about 250 apply. Around 130 have taken the TEAS and only 9 have gotten above an 80. So.... I have the option to take it once more and try to score higher to raise my overall ranking score... or I can take my chances. The dept says average TEAS V scores have been mid 60's to low 70's. Would you retake it??

We have a post testing counseling session where they go over your score with you. That was when they told us that ATI had informed them that the version 5 was a little more difficult and to expect lower average scores. My school then conferenced with other schools in my area and the general experience thus far was that the scores are 8-10 points lower. I was in the first group to take the version 5 at my school and have been checking back periodically to see how the scores look. As expected, they are about 10 points lower than last years. My school knows this and it taking it into account for admissions. They are ONLY accepting Teas 5 scores and no other version to make it fair. I am worried only having made an 80%... I am registered to retake in April but might not since average scores are 65-75% in my program. Let me know if I can help in any way... mom2three3

Keep in mind that the score all depends on the version of the TEAS that was taken. The newest TEAS V is a much harder test and has an overall average score that is 8-10 points lower than the older 3 and 4 Teas versions. This is relatively new information as most schools are still using the version 3&4. My school started using the version 5 in January and said that categorically across the country as well as within our program, average scores are lower. I have a 3.7GPA, a BS in Psych, and studied the TEAS 5 study guide from ATI and got an 80% overall. I spoke with my nursing counselor yesterday to see where I stood and she said that at my school 63 people had taken it and of those 63, only 12 had scored above 80%. Average scores were 65-75%. My school uses a points method for nursing school entry. They assign points for A,B,or C in each pre req class then add your total TEAS % to come up with a number, this number is used to rank you and the top 50-53 get in. Usually 200-250 apply for fall entry and less for spring. My counselor thinks I have a strong app and will get in but I am considering retaking the TEAS to score higher. The science is TOUGH... Anyway, sorry to write a book...I'll let you know in June if I got in... -Mom2three3

reading wasn't bad... just read and take your time. the language was a lot of spelling words correctly and meanings of words as used in a sentence. You will be fine... don't freak. Just get the ATI guide and go through the sections and brush up...

I took the TEAS V recently and it's a lot harder than older versions. My school is anticipating a 10 point lower average score... so far that is accurate. I got the ATI book and went through it for weeks. Math is a little algebra, a lot of long division, addition, subtraction, multiplication of large numbers... tedious. The science has NO GEOLOGY like the old version, some genetics (punnitt squares), a lot of chemistry such as periodic table type questions. Simple balancing of equations, a lot of stuff where they give you the table and ask you what this number or symbol means and a lot about types of bonds (ionic, covalent,etc). The math was a little pressured b/c you only have 30 minutes to do it and it's a lot of tedious long calculations. Know your order of operations in algebra... there are a lot of those. Also, know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide mixed numbers 3 1/2 *6 4/5 and stuff. If I can help, let me know. I got an 80% and wasn't thilled until my department told me that was one of only 6 scores out of 50 that was above 80. So... don't freak if you score low...

oh... wow.. I keep learning new things! Thanks for the info...

Hopeful Army NP - I assume your are a nurse pract. correct? That is a masters right? I am looking at that path as well...I have a BS in another area, will finish nursing school in a couple years and then looked at doing NP, THEN going in. So Captain as initial rank in army huh? That's a plus b/c I don't think AF does that... I think your a LT even if you have a masters... Would love to go in as a CPT since I am not young...35....and would like to make it on up the ladder before retirement. 9 weeks isn't bad... and you get weekends off huh? Thanks for the info.. I have no idea how to PM someone... I would love the blogs you mentioned though...

Oh no, it's not like that. I should have clarified. My husband has 10 years AD Army and 6 AD and guard AF so I am really not partial to either. Actually I am having a hard time deciding between the two to be honest with you! The length of initial training is just one of the criteria I am using to decide which branch I want to look at....Also looking at total average deployment length, advanced career training opportunities, etc.

I am a nursing student looking to go AD in either AF or Army. I know AF has COT but what is the time line for initial army training? If I can do 8 weeks AF, I would prefer that to 12 Army...It's been a while since I looked at it so I was trying to see what the training times were now... Thanks!