michaeleo

I know the rating for the army and VA is different. I have 1 med board condition that is 30% minimum from the army (I expect the cheap skates to give me the minimum). I do however have 3 other service connected disabilities... between the 4 conditions, 3 are a minimum of 50% so I will get 100% from the VA one way or another, and have completely all the testing requirements for said conditions. I can use voc rehab because of the arguement that infantryman with sniper training is not valid work experience and training for the civilian sector since I cannot work in security or for a police force due to disabilities... I don't know if I plan to use voc rehab because of the "pain in the ass" factor.... I have 36 months of benefits under the post 9/11 GI bill, which my BAH or Stipend will be over 1300 per month for my home area... I also have access to other education benefits, and state tuition for decorated combat veterans. One way or the other, my college is payed for, and what isn't covered I'll take out in a very small studen loan... shouldn't need one, but preparing myself to need one... I also have a fair amount of cash (4 deployments worth) put away for a rainy day.... As far as bridge programs, they sound interesting. My issues is that RN's generally working a couple years pick up alot of knowledge and experience that helps in various areas, especially diagnostics. I don't want to lose out on that knowledge and end up being some idiot who THINKS he can care for patients individually. I want to know I'm offering my patients the best extended medical care that I can possibly offer.... ADN to MSN programs? I havn't seen a single one in my research. That's interesting. I also thought PA programs were master's level programs only. I have never heard of an associate's in PA. I'd also be interested in seeing the sources for this information please.... I'll google around, thanks ALOT for all the useful information that all of you have given so far. I'm very impressed by the prompt replies!!

I closely examined PA and NP. I do have a bachelor's degree but completed it on a military based advanced studies program in collaboration with Hawaii Pacific University back in my first enlistment as a mere child.... I don't want to jump right into an accelerated program. I havn't been to school in nearly a decade. I'd prefer starting from the base, and getting the full education including basic maths and sciences as a refresher. I didn't like the PA model as much. I have experience with PA's due to the fact that they are usually the PCP for soldiers. PA are common in the army, a dime a dozen. It's been my experience that the medics are more reliable. I would prefer working in a partnership in collaboration with a physician and having more free reign. A friend of mine is a physician, and he is dying to get out of the hospital in 5-6 years, he is the one who advised me to check out NP. We have been best friends since 5th grade and he is very trusting of my abilities on a professional level, and will give me alot more freedom in practice, which is what I want. He'll do the 20% approval of my charts required by our state, and won't be breathing down my neck while I try to work. He said he prefers working along side an NP over a PA, due to certain logistical issues on our states regulations. NP require less attention from him.

I'm a 30yr old male, about to be medically retired from the army... I was interested in the FNP route, because it sounds like something that really interests me, working more on the diagnostic and long term care end of nursing. I don't have much desire to be an RN, but I know it's a means to the end, and a requirement. I was wondering if this might possible work...... Instead of going BSN, another year or two of clinical experience, THEN getting in a 2 year FNP program, which would take 7-8 years..... Would it be feasible to go associates... working as an RN while completing a RN-BSN which would allow me to pick up my 1-2 years of clinical experience during my first 4 years... then apply to an FNP program??? I could cut the 7-8 yr spread down to 6 years?? The difference I see, is that I can knock out my clinical experience needed while I finish my BSN in nursing, effectively eliminating 1-2 years between schooling, also allowing myself not to break from school for an extended period of time. Is that at all feasible? I don't care how much time per day I have to invest, or if it makes the last 2 years of BSN stressful timewise. Does part time count as clinical experience??? Most NP programs say atleast a year... the ones I am looking at anyways... Working part time as an RN during an RN-BSN will be fine for me. A few things to consider: Money is not an issue, I will be receiving 100% disability from VA and free medical insurance for life. School costs are not an issue. I have up to 6 years of absolutely free schooling from VA Voc Rehab, all expenses paid in full, and a monthly stipend on top of my retirement/disability. Thanks, Mike