How to Advance Your Healthcare Career During Military Service
Advice from a current post baccalaureate pre health (PBPH) student and National Guard active service member about how to advance your healthcare career during military service.
If you’re currently serving in the military and are interested in a health care career, you have options! As a Yellow Ribbon school, NWHSU has a long history of welcoming veterans and students who are currently serving in the military. In fact, veterans were a vital part of our early growth as a chiropractic school.
Now, our PBPH program has a fully online option, meaning active duty service members can prepare for their next step in healthcare. This can seriously fast track your path towards medical school, PA school, and other advanced healthcare programs. Plus, here you’ll find support to succeed.
What it’s Like to Serve in the National Guard and Take Classes at NWHSU
Just because a program is offered online, doesn’t mean it’s catered to active military students. Current PBPH student Mohamed Nabe serves full time in the National Guard while taking a full course load in school. This can lead to scheduling conflicts. “Being in the National guard working full time and studying full time, it can be a lot to handle,” shared Mohamed.
He noted that in his undergraduate experience, not all the professors seemed interested in his success. “Here [at NWHSU], my professors are amazing,” he said. “I remember last year around the fall time there were quite a few weekends when we had exams due, and I couldn’t be there because I had drill. They were significantly understanding.” Mohamed’s professors not only ensured he had time to take the exams, but they worked with him so that he wouldn’t fall behind in the material.
Competitive Coursework, Built for Non-Traditional Students
The coursework in NWHSU’s PBPH program is rigorous: it prepares students to score well on the MCAT and get into their dream medical schools. You can expect the curriculum to be challenging, and it will take motivation and drive to do well.
At NWHSU, our faculty members are here because they want to teach. They are accustomed to working with non-traditional students: whether that’s active military, successful professionals who want to pivot to pursue medicine, students who need GPA repair, parents, and more. Here, we see your unique story as an asset. We’ll also help you communicate that on your application materials.
Individualized Advising from (Before) Day One
Advising for PBPH students at NWHSU starts before you register for classes. We’ll work with you one-on-one to make a plan that fits your goals and situation. Throughout your time here, you can check in with your advisor to ensure you’re on-track.
Once it’s time to apply for medical school or another advanced program, we’ll help you with your application. This can include essay review and interview preparation. We have experience helping students of many diverse backgrounds tell their stories in a way that makes their unconventional path appealing. The experience you’ll bring to medical school will benefit patients, and if you’re willing to put in the work, we’ll ensure your application reflects that.
Plus, you’ll join a community of motivated students and can get engaged in student organizations that expand your leadership schools and help you prepare for the MCAT.
Mohamed’s Advice for Prospective Students
If you are motivated and want to succeed, the faculty in NWHSU’s PBPH program will support you. Mohamed shared:
“Know that at NWHSU, they care about you. They will ensure you succeed. Just communicate with them. Don’t think your issue—drill, life, whatever it may be—is something they may not care about. Because if you do reach out I promise they will make sure to help you and ensure that you succeed.”
Other Programs & The Yellow Ribbon Program
NWHSU offers a Military Scholarship to qualified students, giving you a 20% discount on tuition.
We are also a Yellow Ribbon school, meaning you will get a year of tuition covered if accepted into a degree granting program in the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Program, College of Chiropractic, Integrative Care Program, Nutrition Program, Massage Therapy Program, or Undergraduate Health Sciences.
Because PBPH is not a degree granting program, it does not qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. However, our financial aid team will work with you to help you make your healthcare dream a reality.
Ready to Advance Your Healthcare Career During Military Service?
Learn more about NWHSU’s PBPH program, which can be completed in person or fully online. If you’re ready to take the next step you can request information and our admissions team will reach out ASAP!