Napiertj

There is a LPN bridge course available through University of Phoenix. My co worker just graduated last week and got his RN. He was previously a LPN and talked to me about the program. That's the only reason I thought of getting into the community college LPN program to then bridge to University of Phoenix to complete my BSN. The reasoning behind it was how quickly I can get into the LPN vs waiting for RN programs at other schools. After finishing the LPN program that takes 18 months then I could move forward with the bridge course from U of Phoenix which takes 2 years to complete. I have thought of different ways to accomplish this, but all in all I still have to work through my prereqs first. I will definitely follow up with the University of Arizona though. I am transferring to the community college out here to start classes in June. I'll get together with the U of A advisor and see what they say about wait time.

I am in Tucson.

Thanks midinphx! I really appreciate your advise :)

Hi all, I'd like to get some advise from anyone who might have come across this situation or any experience themselves with this. At this time I am going to school for my prereqs to enter a nursing program. I know I have a while to go, but I have a timeline for myself. My husband retires in 5 years. My goal is by the time he retires I will have my BSN for nursing or shortly there after. I have looked into community college for the RN program which takes about a year to a year and a half to get in. Then transferring to the University of Phoenix or Grand Canyon to complete my BSN. The University of Arizona takes a bit longer to be accepted for nursing from what I researched. I have also thought about going into the LPN program and bridge courses through Grand Canyon or U of P to get my BSN that way. I guess I'm thinking of so many plans. I just want to get back in the military as a nurse. I was previously in the AF as a Public Health technician, but got out after our two kids,. Since my husband is retiring at 37 I think I'm still young enough to finish school and get back in. I'm determined and ready to do what needs to be done. It's just this time crunch I feel. As a military wife there's a chance of us moving again in a few years. Which is another reason I want to complete this and have different avenues to get to my goal. Any advise from other nurses or someone who has been through this themselves would be much appreciated. I really want to become a nurse and return to service! Best of luck to you all and hope to hear any ideas. Napiertj

Quiskeya, have you contacted a recruiter and asked about how the mental health history would effect your entry into the military? Couldn't hurt to ask them. I know there is history, but maybe you can get a waiver because you are stable. Good luck to you. Napiertj

NurseJessi, are you currently in community college or are you already transferred to a University? I was told to contact the Health Recruiter for the AF the last year of nursing. Right now I'm still waiting on Community College to accept me. My plans are to transfer to University of Phoenix for my BSN. I need to check if the AF would accept that. You all have given great information.

Hi all, I have been reviewing this site over and over for any information I could obtain about becoming a Nurse in the Air Force or Army. At this time I think my dilemma is which school to go into and if the military would accept it. In Tucson there is Pima Community College and Pima Medical Institute. I've heard great things about both. I work in the VA Hospital here and many nurses there highly recommend goind to Pima Community College for two reasons. One they are cheaper and two they seem to like a lot of nursing students that they have met. I guess my worry is if the Air Force would take me with a BSN from University of Phoenix. If I went to either of the two school above I would still choose to attend University of Phoenix to complete my BSN. The only draw back I see to Pima Medical is the amount for college. $40,000 for an associate's degree is a lot! I guess the waiting would be less, but still $40,000! I think Pima Community College would be around $12-18,000. Not sure on that one so don't hold me to it! If there are any Air Force or Army Nurses out there reading this I would love to hear from you and get your advice. My husband retires in 5 years (at age 37 lucky man!) and I would like to go back in around that time. I'll be 35. I previously did 4 years in Public Health as Enlisted, but after having the kids I wanted to get out to be with them. Now my goals are to get back in and finish out 16 years. Since working at the VA I have really been interested in the Nurse Practitioners as well. I have big goals, but I have to break them down little by little. Right now is finding the right school path so that I don't get turned away from going back in. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Napiertj