Veteran to BSN programs

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Has anyone out there applied to a VBSN program yet? Has anyone started one? Did you see a difference between your program and the normal ABSN at the school you are attending?

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I've never heard of this, personally. I just know some programs have a vet preference (which varies as to what the preference is). What is this, exactly? Is it 100% vets in the program?

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Hi! Yes! HHS gave funding to several universities to turn veterans with a medical specialty such as medic into BSN-RN. You get credit for some of your military education and work. Then they have a special advisor for the VBSN cohort. I think they still do all their classroom work with ABSN students.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Wow! That's very interesting! I'd have loved to have had a program dedicated to that sort of thing, where I could have drawn more upon my HM experience. Luckily, my instructors were great about drawing upon experience some of us had, but it would have been interesting being in a class of other military medics! I imagine this is happening mostly in places like VA or NC where there's a large military presence?

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Specializes in Critical Care Transport.

I am also a veteran and previous medic. I have never heard of these programs, but it sounds like a great idea. I completed my nursing education via an ABSN program as well and found a lot of my previous knowledge and experience to be priceless. I think having a class full of veterans is a great idea, but at the same time, I also found great value in having classmates who had literally no healthcare experience other than visits to see their provider/emergency rooms. It sounds like they are in classes with other ABSN students so they would get the benefits of both worlds.

Based on my experiences as a nursing student, I would strongly suggest any veterans with medic experience to research these programs. I have yet to do so, but will be very soon. If they are a reputable program and will not break the bank then I encourage people to visit the schools and apply. You always have the option to refuse if you decide on a different program.

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Just to get the word out-- here are the schools...

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/09/20130919c.html

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Interesting to see the list of schools. Probably aligns with whatever politicians felt it necessary to back the program.

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I believe the schools had to compete for the funding- it's a "funding opportunity" through HRSA.... From what I have seen from my research, each one is a bit different...

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Hopefully the program thrives and expands so that others who would qualify are provided the opportunity.

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I just stumbled upon VBSN programs at fsu when I was looking at different schools in Florida. I'm a veteran but not a combat medic (13b) and I saw they have accelerated VBSN for those with medical MOS background and traditional VBSN for veterans without direct medical experience. I will probably call the advising office there soon for more info. I was thinking about doing ASN at my local community college but I will have all the prerequisites for the BSN at the same time since I was just doing general classes when I first started. I figured the time to get bsn is actually not significantly different at this point from the adn compared to if i went ADN-BSN route I'd waste substantial time.

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