apugay

Thanks so much, guys! This is helping a lot. I was literally clueless this morning about where to start or where to go, and what I find the most insightful is that nursing is not actually in demand with the military right now. My potential school does have an ROTC! So perhaps for now, the plan seems to be to talk to a healthcare recruiter, apply to the school's ROTC program when the time comes, and also join (hopefully) the military as soon as I get my bachelor's? Understanding from the getgo that financial coverage or a ticket into active duty isn't guaranteed, of course. I am actually extremely attracted to the idea of travel, actually. Just the thought of helping someone who really needs it - on the battlefield, in a third-world country, etc. - is extremely exciting to me. My ultimate dream is to volunteer with the Peace Corps overseas, whether I'm part of the military or not. Speaking of volunteering, I'd like to know, if I really did want to join the army as a nurse, what kinds of people will I be competing against? High GPA's, must hold MSN's (from prestigious schools at that?), endless volunteer hours? Do older applicants take priority? How do I make myself stand out? Also, is it possible after graduation to join the military specifically as part of the reserve? How does that work? Even if nursing isn't a demand, is this reserve route still fairly possible?

Hey allnurses, So I am currently enrolled in a community college and am taking prerequisites for bigger four-year institutions' nursing programs. I grew up as something of a military brat, but there's still a lot I don't know about the military, and what I'd especially like to know is what will joining do for me. To be specific, I would like to go to an out-of-state school for my remaining two years of nursing school to get my bachelor's. And I was wondering, will joining a branch of the military help to pay for some of that out-of-state tuition? Do I have to be part of an ROTC program? Does it depend on the school I apply to or the branch I join? Do I have to serve on active duty for a minimum amount of time before the military will pay me back for service, or is there a way to complete my bachelor's first and then have the military help pay off some or all of the loans? Currently, it sounds perfect to be an army nurse and be part of the reserve, but I'm wondering how I'd get there and how finances will work. I know it's a brave, bold, and admirable thing to serve my country, but before I decide I want to swear in, I want to make sure that financially, this is the best thing to do. Sorry for the lengthy post, but all tips, stories and links will be appreciated! :)

Thanks guys! I really do appreciate all of the help and support. and ixchel, I would PM you, but there's something about this site requiring a minimum of 15 posts before PM-ing is allowed, so I'll just settle with public comments. I think I really would like to transfer to a nursing program somewhere else, and I think I'll follow a majority of the advice given and stay at my current institution longer, to boost my gpa. Thanks guys!

oh yeah, and i've also already completed a biology class, and passed with a B-.

thanks ixchel, no i'm not a student in Salisbury University right now. but if i do raise my gpa within the next year and perform well within both required anatomy / physiology classes, i take it it'll be easy to transfer in? there's no way i can transfer to some other institution as "pre-nursing," could i?

I live on the East Coast, in the State of Maryland. How does this affect any answers I'll get?

So here's the story: I have just finished my freshman year at a four-year university, enrolled as a biology major. I came in not really knowing what I wanted to do. I bombed two classes, one of which I retook & passed with a B, but a D in a math class brought my gpa down to a 2.7. Realizing a year later that I'd be happiest in the healthcare field, either as a nurse or a cardiac sonographer, I feel the need to transfer to an institution with more healthcare related programs. Except spending the year as a biology major, I haven't taken Anatomy & Physiology I or II, or any physics. I have taken the first of 2 chemistry classes required at my institution, and a bunch of other liberal arts classes. My current school is large and there are little to no openings left for the coming semester for A&P or the math class that I bombed, and I'm not sure which physics class to take, or even if I should take it. What I need help deciding on: what are some good institutions to look into transferring into, based on my grades? Should I just stay at my current school longer? If so, what classes should I definitely try and get into? Although my gpa is pretty sad, I do have an extensive history of volunteering: at my church and at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Will this be taken into consideration?