Pursuing nursing as a second career after military service is a rewarding option for many veterans since it allows you to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. While the military to BSN transition can be challenging at times, there are many resources available to smooth the transition.
Deciding on a second career after military service can be a challenge. What opportunities are available that allow for a fast transition to a meaningful career? One career you should consider is nursing, an expanding field with a lot of opportunity.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, Texas, offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track that can help you transition from the military to BSN quickly by earning your BSN degree in as few as 16 months.
We will walk you through the three steps needed to make the transition from the military to BSN.
1. Choose a Nursing Program that Supports Military Members
As you are deciding which nursing program to choose, focus on those that offer support for veterans. These programs are often situated in cities with a dense military population. For example, UIW is located in San Antonio, a vibrant and fast-growing city with the largest concentration of military bases in the U.S.
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Yellow Ribbon Program
Another factor to consider, when making the change from the military to BSN, is whether a nursing program participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to cover tuition, such as UIW.
The Yellow Ribbon Program allows private schools to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund the tuition and fee costs that exceed the yearly national cap. The Yellow Ribbon Program is used in conjunction with students’ Post 9-11 GI Bill® and funds are paid directly to the school when the enrollment certification is processed.
2. Talk to an Admissions Counselor
Once you find an ABSN track that offers support, as you begin your transition from veteran to BSN, you will want to take the next step and reach out to the admissions counselors. Your admissions counselor will serve as your main point of contact and will walk you through the admissions process, such as accessing financial aid and veterans’ resources.
Your admissions counselor will also help you formulate an admissions timeline. Depending on your educational history, you may have some remaining prerequisite courses to take or other admissions requirements to meet.
3. Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Before applying to the UIW ABSN track, passing the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is another piece of the puzzle. This test gauges your reading, math and science comprehension, along with your English and language usage to determine whether you’re prepared to enter the healthcare field.
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Take the Next Step: Military to BSN
Once you have your application in order, you are ready to submit and start your transition from the military to BSN.
Our staff and faculty in the ABSN track at UIW will do all that they can to make your transition from veteran to nursing student as seamless as possible. We are here to ensure you have the tools and benefits you need to become a successful nurse. Contact an admissions counselor at UIW to learn more.