MonTif

Wow...I have to say I am very surprised how many prior Security Forces decided to become a nurse. Prior Security Law Enforcement (K-9) USAF 7 years myself. Got out, received my RN diploma (last graduating class for that diploma program), worked for a few years, and then went back to school for my BSN and the MSN as a FNP. I am commissioned in the USPHS (US Public Health Service) at this time as a FNP. The only military branch that does not carry a weapon. RN - BSN or RN - MSN; you can qualify for COSTEP and be commissioned in your last year of school receiving full military benefits and pay as a O1 (or O1-E in your case). Or you can receive your commission as a RN after graduating. Both are VERY competitive. Depending where you work you may qualify for student loan reimbursement as well. Really good deal. Let me know if your interested and I will tell you more about the PHS. usphs(dot)gov

Unless you have your heart set on USAF, you may want to consider the USPHS. A US uniformed service with the same benefits as the military, but with humanitarian mission goals with natural disasters and a mission to serve the under-privileged of this nation. I transferred from the USAF with 8 years of active duty enlisted and 4 years as a flight nurse officer in the Air Guard. You wear the same uniform as the Navy

In the Columbia, SC area Palmetto Health really helped me out. Ask for the Director of Ambulatory Patient Care Services. You will need to still find your own preceptors but they will give you resources. If you are with South University they already have an affiliation agreement with them. Eau Claire is another organization that may be able to help you out in this area, but you would need to contact them early. They will actually find the preceptor for you, but you may need to travel a bit. Finding an OB/GYN and Pediatric preceptor was my hardest challenge. Good luck!

I can't remember...but I recomend that you purchase the Kindle version. It makes doing your research homework so much easier

The pharmacology course was a combination of research papers, case studies, and discussion questions. It is labor intensive, but doable. I am in the FNP program. Do I feel the are preparing me for my exam? All the information is there for studying, but there is no direction "this is going to be on the exam". Per the recomendation od one of my instructors I have purchased Fitgeralds audio CD's and listen to them whenever I am in the truck. I heard there is direction during the last quarter to help with studying for the exam, but I really don't know. I am not sure if I am the first graduating class or not. If not, I am close to being the first.

So far there is only one class that has exams. There is 1 advanced physical assessment practicum and 4 clinical practicums. I have finished the advanced physical assessment practicum and the adult/geriatric practicum, and am starting women's health tomorrow. After this practicum I only have 2 practicum's left to graduate (July 7th, 2014). So far the only class that has had exams (a mid-term and final exam) was the advanced physical assessment practicum. The tests are taken online and are timed. All other classes require various written papers and projects weekly for grading. The first year all of my books were digital. The second year this was not offered from the school. I purchased every book I can via Kindle from Amazon (Kindle program downloaded onto my computer and I-Pad). The search function is awesome when you are writing papers and are researching for specific information. It has saved me a ton of time.

I am in their FNP program. I graduate on July 7th, 2014. It is a new program and has had some bugs they needed to iron out, but overall I have found it a positive experience. You do need to find your own preceptors and you need to be self motivated to succeed. What questions do you have?

The first week of October the PHS will be announcing what new applications (for a limited number of professions) will be coming avialable. I am not sure if nursing will be one of the professions though... They will announce it on their Facebook page

They have a facebook page where they often give updates. There has been mention of possible nursing opportunities opening up sometime in the fall. No exact date...

Found them. :)

Hello everyone. I had to have called at least 50 different physicians offices looking for a physician or NP that would be my preceptor. I have found a preceptor for 2 of my adult rotations, but need 3 more. If anyone can help me out in locating a preceptor for my clinical rotations I sure would appreciate it. I am close to Columbia, SC but am willing to travel to my clinical site as needed. I still need 1 precptor for a adult/geriatrics, 1 for pediatrics, and 1 for OBGYN. Thank you for your help

Not yet...

Looks like decisions will be released on May 9th. Good luck everyone.

i have both my applications submitted. graduate from an rn to bsn online program next month. my gpa is such that i didn't have to take the gre for either of them, which is really cool. now i am just waiting to hear back. i am not letting the cost of tuition influence my decision because i plan on taking advantage of what nhsc has to offer. i was able to find a grant paying 100% tuition with stipend (or 100% reimbursement post graduation for 3- 4 years of service) for working in a 2012 nhsc loan repayment program. of course, i can't apply until i am accepted. :) i have heard great things about both programs and will feel privileged to be accepted into either university.

very helpful. thank you for your comments. i haven't visited the campuses, but i won't be spending much time there anyway with both being online.