jdmitchell

Thanks for your responses! As I continue researching, I've realized how competitive the military is. Lunah, that's something I was thinking about, too. I've read several of the the threads here about current nurses trying to become military nurses and I wondered if the Army is even interested in sending enlisted soldiers to nursing school if they have so many nurses applying anyway. Interesting. I'm a little disappointed; I would really like to be a military nurse, but this makes it a little less feasible for me. Maybe somewhere down the line.

I'm currently a teacher, but I'm looking to become a nurse and I'm particularly interested in military nursing, all the more so if there's a way the military can fund my education. Quick info: I graduated in 2011 with a B.A. in English. I did the Peace Corps for two years. I've talked to an AMEDD recruiter, but he's new to the position and doesn't have all the info yet. He's going to an info session on Thursday and then he's going to get back to me. Questions I have: From what I understand, I could go into the army as an enlisted soldier (officer?) and then apply to the program for active military to go to nursing school, however, from what I've read I would need to be in the active military for 3 years before doing this. If I apply and get accepted through the military, then it's paid for by the military. No loans. No debt. If I get my BSN on my own and then join the military, I need two years of nursing experience. And then I apply. And then there's a loan repayment program -- which doesn't seem entirely reliable to me. I've only talked to an Army AMEDD recruiter so far, because it's difficult for me to call them during business hours. Does that sound about right for the Navy and Air Force too? Or are their programs a little different? My ideal scenario is to commit X amount of years to the military as a nurse, then go straight into nursing school (which the military would pay for). That way I become a nurse right away and I could work as a nurse in the military, rather than becoming a military specialist and then applying to become a nurse and then becoming a military nurse. My concern with enlisting and then applying to the military program is that I wouldn't be accepted and then I've "wasted" three years. Does that make sense? Is that just a fantasy? Or is there a program/branch with something similar to that?

Best of luck to all the applicants. I'm planning to apply to the accelerated BSN program at IUPUI in Fall 2014 and I have a few questions about the application process. When do your prerequisites need to be completed in relation to when you submit your application and when you wish to begin the program? I've heard different things and I tried emailing the IUPUI office to confirm one way or another but I haven't heard back from them. Also, how soon did you meet with someone from the SON to go through your transcript and identify which prerequisites you would need? Anything else stick out about the application process?

Thanks for the ideas! zoe92: Planning/hoping to get some hospital experience when I get back and that should lead to a thoughtful essay: at least, one with more anecdotes. UVA Grad Nursing: I've thought about the Master's Entry programs, but it's not a good fit for me right now. I haven't had enough exposure to the nursing field to really know what specialty I would want to pursue; I'm hoping that will become clearer as I get my BSN. Plus, I haven't taken the GRE and what with taking prereqs, working/getting hospital experience and readjusting to American life (i.e. eating, eating, eating) I think I'd feel overwhelmed by studying for the GRE. I appreciate the ideas. Good thoughts for the future.

Hey Destiny'skid: I'm not an expert and I don't have any links to share but I'm in a similar position: there are several schools I want to apply to and though there's a basic set of prereqs, some schools require something special. Here's what I've found in my experience: Definitely required: Anatomy (lab recommended, if not required) Physiology (lab recommended, if not required) Microbiology (lab recommended, if not required) Lifespan Development Statistics Usually required: Nutrition Sometimes required: Intro to Biology (lab recommended, if not required) Intro to Chemistry (lab recommended, if not required) Intro to Psych Intro to Sociology Ethics I'd appreciate hearing from someone with more experience. Or if anyone has any online resources, lovely. (Though I think your best bet is to look up each school you want to apply to and make a list of all the prereqs each school requires. Some schools -- i.e. U Colorado Denver -- are specific about when you can take certain prereqs as well. Tricky, tricky.)

Hello! I've been lurking these threads for a couple months now, nodding my head when members asked the same questions I had and hmmm-ing my way through the thoughtful responses. And now - ta da! - here I am. I would be grateful for any ideas on how to improve my nursing school application and any methods by which to become more competitive. Any general advice is greatly appreciated. Anything more specific would also be helpful. Here are a few stats about me: Male, 24, White First bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from a state school Graduated with multiple honors and a 3.8 GPA Currently a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia (education sector) Planning to take necessary prereqs in the coming fall at a local university Intending to seek employment in the healthcare field upon my return to the U.S. in five months (!) I will be seeking admittance into accelerated programs at several highly competitive universities. Any ideas? Thanks!