Where Do I Go From Here

[Principessa22]

Hello, everyone!

So, long story very short, I am a military wife with one child and another on the way. Since 2009, I have followed my husband all over the country. We have lived in Fort Benning, GA, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and most recently, Fort Leavenworth, KS.

For that reason, I have bounced from school to school to school. I have attended four different colleges since 2010. It is a complete pain in the butt! I have to worry about credits transferring, what requirements vary by school, etc. Then, my husband gets stationed at other places and we up and leave.

My dream is to become a nurse one day, even if I am old and gray.

My husband was hurt while serving and is being med-boarded from the military. It is a long process that we were told would take up to a year. But any way, I have two more classes to take, which I can do so online this summer semester, to earn my Associate of Science (AS)/Liberal Arts & Sciences degree. The classes that I need are College Algebra and a Humanities elective.

As of now, these are the courses that I have taken and received credit for...

Microbiology

Human Anatomy and Lab

Nutrition

Physiology

Physiology Lab

Child Development

General Biology

Intermediated College Algebra

Ethics

Interpersonal Communications

Computer Science

Sociology

English 101

English 102

Nursing Elective

Psychology

General Chemistry

So, should I finish the last two courses and get my associates degree in what I stated above, then transfer to an ASN/ADN program at a local community college? Or should I transfer to a four year BSN program?

Any input is helpful! Thank you all so much!

[L8RRN]

Are you going to stay where you are located now once his med board is completed? A lot depends on where you want to settle down and if moving will still be an issue later on down the road. You will have to look at requirements for schools in the area where you plan to go to school. If both the BSN and ADN would take 2 years since you will already have an Associates, go BSN if you get your pick. If BSN takes longer, go ADN, start working and do BSN online after you are licensed. Just my two cents. Moving all the time is rough and I would opt for the fastest route to make sure I was able to finish. Of course, his med board may let you settle down in one place if he is medically discharged, so it might not be an issue.

[Principessa22]

Thank you! I also agree with the fastest route possible. I just wasn't sure what would be faster, but I guess that depends on the requirements. Once he is med-boarded, we will be back to our home area of NJ/PA. My family is on one side, his is on the other of the bridge. So, we haven't decided where exactly, but in the Philly or Trenton suburbs.

[pittnurse24, BSN, RN]

My husband is in the military as well and could potentially be med boarded too. He is currently recovering from a recent surgery which we're thinking has greatly helped his issue, but if not he could be medically discharged. I finished nursing school (four year BSN program) before I moved with him which was awesome but finding a job after moving has been hard. My husband and I are also from PA/NJ!! I would definitely go the BSN route especially if you plan on working in NJ since it's very competitive due to such great hospitals. Plus keep in mind that most hospitals now a days prefer a BSN prepared RN and if they aren't, they require them to obtain their BSN within a certain time after getting hired. Might as well get your BSN even if it takes a little longer, and not have to worry about going back to school later on!