hello everyone! i am moving to okinawa japan next month with my husband. I was wondering if anyone knew if there are any LPN or RN programs that are available on or near Kadena AB because I don't want to have to wait until we come back into the states in 3 years. I have tried to research on the internet, but so far I am having no luck. If anyone coul help that would be very much appreciated.

none of the on base colleges offer a Nursing program. any of the off base ones are subject to Japanese rules and regs and are most likely NOT accredited in the US.

If you don't have all your prerequisite courses yet, you could take them and at least be that far along- if those classes aren't available there then I don't see why you couldn't enroll in a college here that offers them online. I have taken online classes that had students in other countries in the class. All you would need is reliable internet to take online courses. You could probably only find a couple courses a semester that would work- but at least you would have those out of the way. Most of the basic classes will transfer if you take them at a fully acredited school- the issue is usually with courses that are not the basic Math, Science, and English that are offered at most colleges.

One good online college to check out is Nova Southeastern University. I did a masters with them and it was so worth it!! Much tougher than the same masters my friend took in a "traditional" university and I learned a lot more too! They offer a bunch of degrees, I highly recommend it. web site is nova dot org
Good luck!

UMUC Asia is the main univeristy here. If you just google that, it should be able to take you to their website. Others are correct with the long distance learning. My husband is taking a 2 year long distance learning Lineworker Certification "class" at home. He just has to go up to the school to take the tests and that's it. Once he is done they will mail him his certification.

quote:

Originally posted by kekarobinson:
One good online college to check out is Nova Southeastern University. I did a masters with them and it was so worth it!! Much tougher than the same masters my friend took in a "traditional" university and I learned a lot more too! They offer a bunch of degrees, I highly recommend it. web site is nova dot org
Good luck!

What did you do your Masters in? I just graduated in May with my BSN. I am looking for MSN programs to start in the next year or so. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Mrsjvb:
none of the on base colleges offer a Nursing program. any of the off base ones are subject to Japanese rules and regs and are most likely NOT accredited in the US.

As of today (Oct 16, 2008) I agree. Even if you finished your classes finding a nursing job out here is hard. I know 2 nurses and my husband knows a few doctors here that couldn't get jobs within the field. The locals (Japanese) have hiring priority and sadly the nurses that I know change diapers for a living here in Okinawa.

Someone is singing my song!!

By now you have settled into your new home in Okinawa. Spring classes will more than likely start the first week of January. Are you ready??
Tnich made some excellent suggestions and graveys_wife made a nice point as well.

I graduated from LPN school in 1986 and left within months for Germany. I found it extremely difficult to find employment as a nurse, because as Graveys_wife pointed out, the local nationals (Germans) held hiring priority. They decided who would get hired--and at what pay rate. Base housing was all full back in those days...so they even knew how much to ask my husband for in rent--based on his BAQ/BAS. (they took it all). After FIVE YEARS, I was lucky enough to find employment at Landstuhl Army Medical Center. I knew RN's who worked in the Base Library and one who sold shoes at the Base Exhachange. My job was in a "Boo-Boo and Band Aid Clinic". I lived in Germany for 7 years...and my nursing career all but died while I was there.

When I returned stateside, I decided to retrain in the upward position--as a RN. I entered the ONLY nursing program available in my military community. Thirteen years after recieving my ADN, this school finally recieved it's accredidation--last month. It is EXTREMELY important that you find out what a school's NCLEX pass rate is. Graduating from a school with a nursing diploma is just that---if you are not adequately prepared to pass the state board exam--you WILL NOT work as a LPN or RN.

Accredidation is important--although some will argue this point. Some schools will say they have accredidation--but the question to ask is by whom?? The one to look for is the Comission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). You may not think so if you are very young--but one day you may wish to continue on, or even join the military or the reserves. In this case, accredidation is a must. You may be as old as 42 years in age to now join active service as an RN.

While overseas, I would suggest you do as tnich advised. Take all pre-requisite courses now. There are enough to keep you busy for at least a couple of years. English, Literature, College Algebra, Human Anatomy and physiology, Chemistry, Sociology, Psychology, Microbiology...some programs want you to take statistics and most require a "multicultural course" of some type...my school wanted a foreign language credit. Nursing school is HARD enough without having to take all of these general education courses at the same time. You will be thankful to have them out of the way (you can trust me on that one).

Laboratory spaces will make courses such as chemistry, Micro, and A & P probably non-existent. This is why you will not find nursing programs overseas. ALL nursing programs require licensed nurses (instructors) to accompany students into clinical settings--pediatrics, maternity, medical surgical, psyche..on and on...it's more than just studying out of a texbook. I would imagine that overseas hospitals are not fully able to handle the requirements of students....because when the instructor "turns you loose"--the other nurses must be in agreement to mentor a group of students. Working in a military facility CAN happen, however, as I did past training at Eglin Air Force Base in North West Florida.

Even taking online nursing courses has its drawbacks. I am now in a 100% online RN to BSN nursing program with the University of West Florida. and am schedule to graduate this May with a BSN. It's hard at times not having an instructor. It' even harder to arrange my own clinical preceptorships.

Enjoy your experience in Okinawa. My experience in Germany was life changing.

Best of luck to you.
~~Debbie

I am prior service and I have been in Okinawa with my husband for five years (most of the time I was still in the service).

I work on base at a college in which I know there are no health care degrees (unless Business Health Care Administration) currently at this time.

It sucks, I know believe me as soon as I get back to the states I want to get my Master's in Nursing.

However, the college I work at is trying to get something started and they are investigating on how they can offer an AS in Nursing. e-mail me through my profile for more information

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mrsjvb,

are you still here in okinawa? i am currently enrolled at UMUC for political science. do you know how i go about applying for the STAP program?

quote:

Originally posted by AFwife2013:
are you still here in okinawa? i am currently enrolled at UMUC for political science. do you know how i go about applying for the STAP program?

STAP for Marines & Navy is at Navy Relief by the Commissary, I believe STAP for the Airforce you would go to the education center.