Although their training is not represented with a degree, programs like the Veteran to Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program (VCARE) at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing allow medic and corpsman Veterans to apply their education, training, and experience to earn a degree through an accelerated BSN program.

The VCARE Program at USF is designed for service members and Veterans who have completed training as medics or corpsmen in the Army, Air Force, or Navy. This student-centered program acknowledges and recognizes the education, training, and experience each student brings. Veterans can enroll in an accelerated four-semester nursing program, receive support to successfully pass the NCLEX exam, and earn their Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN).

With this, highly qualified and trained individuals can begin working in the field sooner than a traditional BSN program would allow. This program has brought meaningful work to many Veterans, including Amanda Klawinski, BSN, RN, who currently works at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in Lakeland, Fla. Read on to learn about her story and how this program allowed her to find a new career in midwifery and women’s health nursing.