Nurses are in high demand across the U.S. If you are transitioning from military to civilian life, an accelerated military medic to rn program can help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and launch your career sooner.
As a healthcare professional in the military, you likely provided medical care, humanitarian assistance, counseling, or other services to members of the military, on and offshore, even around the world. As you look to the future, the valuable skills you learned in the service can translate to nursing.
A military medic to RN program can help you make that transition, often on an accelerated timeline.
The pathway to becoming a registered nurse (RN) includes enrolling in an accredited nursing program, earning a degree, and passing the NCLEX licensing exam.
If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in New York City could enable you to earn a nursing degree in as few as 16 months.
Why Transitioning from Military to Nursing Is a Smart Career Move
Transitioning from the military into nursing is a smart career move because it can open a world of possibilities within healthcare. You would be able to use your existing skills, meet a great need for nurses, make a comfortable living, and have opportunities for career advancement.
Use Your Skills
As an active service member in the healthcare field, you likely gained skills and knowledge that would allow you to start nursing school with a solid foundation. Army combat medic specialists, for example, administer emergency medical care in the field. Meanwhile, U.S. Air Force Aerospace Medical Service technicians assist doctors and provide care to patients in a range of situations, from administering immunizations to assisting in aeromedical evacuations.
No matter the role you held, a corpsman to RN program could help you put that knowledge to practice on a wider scale.
Nurses Are in Demand
You would be able to use your skills in an in-demand role, as the need for nurses is great. The U.S. is experiencing a shortage of RNs that will continue into the future, and federal authorities expect a shortage of 63,720 full-time RNs by 2030.
In addition, you would be able to earn a comfortable living as a nurse. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of nursing jobs will increase 6% by 2033, faster than the national average for all occupations.
Higher Pay Levels
The average annual pay of $94,480 for nurses in the U.S. is also higher than that of many other occupations. The average annual wage for nurses is even higher in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area at $111,210.
Career Advancement
Once you hold a BS in Nursing, you have a number of pathways to career advancement. You might earn an advanced degree or take on a leadership role.
Advanced degree options:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Advanced roles:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): includes nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse anesthetists
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Director of Nursing
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Manager
Whether or not you decide to pursue an advanced degree or leadership role, you will be able to expand your professional experience by becoming skilled in any number of specialties like emergency room care, acute care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and more.
How does an accelerated nursing program work? Find out here.
How to Become a Nurse After the Military
Becoming a nurse after serving in the military involves enrolling in nursing school, obtaining a nursing degree, and passing the NCLEX.
Most accelerated nursing programs, like Mount Saint Vincent’s, contain three main components, including nursing coursework, skills and simulation labs, and clinicals.
Coursework
The Mount offers its courses at several convenient sites throughout the NYC area, including Riverdale, Long Island City, Brooklyn, and Yonkers. It also offers hybrid classes held at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers.
At the Mount, nursing courses lay the groundwork for students to excel in nursing labs and clinicals. They cover the fundamental and advanced nursing and science concepts students need to deliver care in the real world. They include courses in:
- Pathophysiology
- Health Promotion
- Nursing Research and Evidenced Based Practice
- Pharmacology
Simulation Labs
You can put the concepts you learn to practice in guided nursing skills and simulation labs. The Mount operates several ABSN program sites throughout NYC. These mock clinical settings contain hospital-grade medical equipment and high-tech medical manikins that can simulate patient responses and symptoms. The labs will help prepare you to provide care to real patients through various scenarios, for which you will receive feedback from instructors.
Clinicals
Nursing clinicals are a crucial part of any nursing degree program as they provide opportunities for you to practice your skills in a variety of healthcare fields and settings. These can include:
- Adult health
- Obstetrics and pediatrics
- Acute and long-term care
- Mental and behavioral health
- Intensive care
Most state licensing boards require a minimum number of clinical hours. The University of Mount Saint Vincent ABSN program partners with several NYC-area healthcare facilities including:
- Memorial Sloan Kettering
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- NYU Langone Health
- NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center
- NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Clinicals enable you to work alongside and learn from practicing nurses and provide care to patients from all walks of life. This will not only help build your skills but also increase your confidence.
Licensure
Each state has its own licensing board and education requirements, but all aspiring nurses must sit for the NCLEX. This rigorous exam uses real-world case studies to measure your ability to think critically and make the right decisions regarding a patient’s care. Questions challenge you to select the best answer out of several possibilities.
The key to passing this exam is to start preparing early. Recommended strategy:
- Begin studying shortly after you begin your nursing classes
- Schedule study sessions
- Join a study group
- Use test prep resources
Passing the NCLEX is required to be a licensed nurse. Learn how to prepare for the exam here.
Your nursing instructors and cohort likely will provide plenty of support throughout your program.
Benefits of Accelerated Nursing Programs
There are several benefits of an accelerated nursing program compared to a traditional four-year program. They include:
- They leverage your existing bachelor’s degree or earned credits, so that you can complete your BS in Nursing sooner.
- They typically offer several start dates per year.
- Some offer hybrid learning options.
- The Mount offers several learning sites.
- It is an immersive experience where you can focus on nursing and begin practicing your skills almost right away.
- You will meet a diverse group of fellow students who are like-minded.
Studies have shown that BS in Nursing-prepared nurses have a positive impact on patient outcomes and that employers prefer them.
Launch Your Nursing Journey at The Mount
The University of Mount Saint Vincent has a history of launching more than 90% of its BS in Nursing students into careers within a year of graduation. With three start dates a year, in January, May, and September, you can start your journey on your timeline.
If you hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you could be eligible to complete your BS in Nursing in as few as 16 months. Contact an admission counselor today to learn how to move from corpsman to RN.