What are my options?

[kingdave]

Hello everyone,

I have a few questions in regards to the Air Force and or any branch of the military regarding the nursing field. First off I'm a late bloomer 27 with an A.A. in criminal justice and interested in nursing now. I was chatting with my local community college counselor and she told me based on the the classes I've already taken I just need 6 more classes to complete the pre-nursing prereq (anatomy and or physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and 2 course in psychology). I figure I could take anatomy and physiology as one course in the fall, chemistry and 1 psychology course in the winter, and finish up with microbiology and 1 psychology course in the winter. Then I could apply to the nursing progam and if im accepted into the program I could begin nursing school next fall. After I complete nursing school and hopefully pass the state board RN certification test I could work on my BSN at a local university (the local university only accept nursing students who have an RN license ).

However, its been a long goal of mine to join the Air Force for the overall experiance. One thing I was told about the Air Force and or any branch of the military is that I don't want to be stuck with a job I dislike for my term in service. Also, make sure the job I select have a civilian counter part in case I decide not to make a career of the military. Im guessing since my focus is on nursing (one specific job) I'll be open to any branch of the military but I would really perfer Air Force. I really would appriciate any additional information and or suggestion that is provided along the answers to these questions. (I really don't know what questions to ask)

Do the Air Force or any other branch of the military have a nursing program for enlisted personnel?

If not what is the nearest match job wise to being a nurse?

Would I be better off completing nursing school in a community college or in the military?

Do the military offer some type of program for non personnel to become a nurse?

Any other advise or suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks

[kingdave]

AP runs very fast. Apx. 1 chapter every week since each term is usually 18 chapters.. I took online for AP2. although I scored an 89 in the class I would much rather do a face to face class. I noticed my teachers took questions from the review from each chapter. also go to the book website. They will often have practice tests and review that I noticed my teachers also used.

YaY made a B on my first lab exam. Tomorrow another lab exam, Monday lecture exam, follow up with a lap/practicum on Tuesday and Thursday. I'm still a bit overwhelmed but at the same time that quiz took a whole lot of stress off of me. I took your adivse about studying the chapter review and the book website and wow I feel so ready for that lab quiz tomorrow and the test on Monday. Thanks so much .

P.S. A bit more than half of the class failed the first lab. Grrrrrrr makes me nervious about the future.

[kingdave]

I'd first make your priorities RN 1st priority or military 1st priority.

If RN then BSN is top priority, your progress and time will then enable you to enter the military in the future.

The pre-reqs for nursing are difficult. Depending on where you live and how the schools you plan on applying to objectify their applicants you need a good grade... my region you need 3.8-4.0'ish in all those hard science pre-reqs to be competitive. A&P is tough for everyone - make sure you are competitive and can be compeitive to schools you plan on applying to .. otherwise change your plan because your attempt will be futile Lots of sub forums within allnurses discuss the individual courses and what not while this one focuses on mil aspect of it. best of luck, study hard.. be realistic, arrange your life to enable you to work hard and succeed.

Gotcha ya RN and BSN is top priority. A few days ago upper management and my direct supervisor made it so that I can work 2 ten hours shifts on the weekend and a few hours during the week if needed. Also my parents said if I want I could move back in and they would help as much as they could. Thanks for the heads up about the gpa I've heard simiar today that in the science pre-reqs a grade of c is considered not passing in the eyes of most nursing schools. My back up plan if this don't work out is to get my bacholors degree (two years left) in criminal justice while doing ROTC.