quick questing for those with some experience

[hn8404]

I am a corpsman of 2.5 years, joined the usn at 18 summer after highschool. I have just started my first semester of cc, 9 credits a semester plan to go summers and working 50+ hours a week. I am in the associates of science bracket since I don't have the time or credentials to go to a university. I want to become a nurse but I'm unsure of how to get there. I have approx. 2.5 years left in the military, afterwards I will get 4 years at the most expensive university from my home state paid for using the post 911 g.i. bill. I want to get the associates done before I get out because that is also paid for. However, looking at the UD page they offer the traditional program intended for transfers, highschool students, and so on but the course plan has freshman and sophmore year layed out as

Freshman Experience: Introduction to the profession and clinical skills with essential science and liberal arts courses.

Sophomore Experience : Development of clinical skills and decision making in nursing through simulation and laboratory experiences.

So what im unsure about is am I going to be able to transfer into this half way through and be able to do well without the first two years or am I not going to be able to transfer in at all because I'm not transfering from an RN program.

So main question should I continue with the associates in science, and will I be able to apply it somewhere without getting my bach and having to do a 17 month bsn, or should I just stop delay everything for another 2.5 yrs and just go straight into an RN program at 23yo?

[Shaggyb2000]

Go straight into an RN program. If you don't have to work full time then go into a Bachelors of Science in Nursing program and get all 4 years out of the way. I'm not sure I understand what kind of courses you are talking about that they are offering. The only programs I've seen have an RN(ADN) program that have pre-requisites.(A and P1,2-Microbiology-psychology etc..). I worked for the post office for 8 years before applying to nursing school. The key thing is to apply to as many RN programs as u can and then choose from the ones you get accepted in. Until then take only courses that are required as prerequisites for RN programs or bachelor degrees. Trust me. It will save u a lot of headache later. When u get in a program they will teach u and give u the classes you need for an ADN or BSN so I would double check on what the courses you are describing(intro to clinical experience,etc..) are for and if they would apply to your nursing program. Lastly, try to put yourself in a situation where you are not working 50 plus hours a week while you are in school. Nursing will take up all of your time and it is worthless to even attempt it if you have to be distracted with fatigue from working so much. I left a job working 60 hours a week making 60,000 a year in NC, which is great money, to start a 2 year program working part time with no loans or assistance. Had to scrape by but the payoff is worth it and the money I'm making now dwarfs what I gave up. More satisfying too. I apologize if this message rambled or was a bit incoherent so let me know if I can help you or need to clear anything up.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

moved to Pre Nursing Student forum :)

You might also browse the Military Nursing forum threads and posts... for helpful information from others who might have gone this route.

Wish you the best!

[hn8404]

So to be more clear and try to clarify what your saying shaggy; I am currenty locked into working 50+ hrs a week and I'm desperate to move in the direction I want to go once I get out in 2.5 yrs so I started at a local community college 3 classes per semester in the associates in science field. My benefits when I get out will allow me to go to college for 4 yrs at the most expensive public school in my state while paying me for housing. So what your saying is to call the univeristy I wish to attend once I get out and see exactly what pre-req I need to take and possibly get a course list and just start crossing those off as I do them?

[Shaggyb2000]

Yeah, thats pretty much what I think but I would call the universities now and start taking whatever classes are on their pre-req list there at CC so you'll have as many out of the way as possible. Whatever you can do to lighten your load while your in the nursing program will be extremely beneficial.