San Diego is one of the biggest military towns in the United States. While commonly noted for its significant naval presence, the military population here goes beyond just the navy and consists of more than just active service members. About one in every ten adults in San Diego County is a veteran of military service making it home to the nation's largest concentration of military personnel, both current and former. San Diego is also the number one destination in the nation for newly returning veterans.
As a nurse, there are a lot of paths that you can take after leaving the service, with many veterans choosing careers that leverage the skills they learned in the military to continue serving others. Our Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers veterans the opportunity to develop advanced nursing skills while pursuing a career path they are passionate about. Getting a graduate degree in nursing is perfect for military veterans who are looking for a way to serve others and positively impact the world.
Nursing programs are a perfect fit for veterans.
Former service members interested in the medical field can put their military-learned skills to good use. Responsibility, accountability, hands-on experience, and work ethic are just a few of the qualities that make veterans stand out in today’s job market.
With such a wide array of specialties in the field of nursing, there’s a fit for everyone. By pursuing your DNP degree you can specialize in the area of nursing that inspires you most. What you chose to focus on doesn’t have to relate to your specialty in the military— the medical field greatly values the widely applicable skills gained through military service, so your credentials can launch you in any direction. Now is the perfect time to explore what drives your passion and to focus on the area where you can make the greatest difference.
University of San Diego's Hahn School of Nursing Celebrates Military Nurses
Why should you pursue your DNP Degree at USD?
At USD, our DNP program prepares nurses at the highest level of proficiency as they learn to translate science into clinical practice. Students develop the skills to lead collaboratively, integrate research into care, and design better healthcare delivery systems. Clinical experiences are also tailored to meet the learning objectives of the program and the individual student.
Our BSN to DNP program is designed for nurses with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing seeking careers as nurse practitioners, nursing informaticists, and health system leaders with clinical practice leadership expertise. There are so many options within the program; for example, the nurse practitioner tracks offered include Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nursing Practitioner in Emergency Care, and more.
We also offer a Post-Master's to DNP program for master’s prepared nurses to gain additional knowledge and clinical expertise in a defined area of advanced nursing practice. This program has four tracks, including DNP Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, DNP Nursing Informatics and Data Science, DNP in Health Systems Leadership, and DNP in Emergency Care for Family Nurse Practitioners.
Getting your DNP can be more affordable than you might think.
As a veteran, there are a lot of funding options available to you. Military service offers a tremendous array of educational benefits that can be used while you are on active duty or after you leave the service. The Department of Defense offers college tuition assistance to soldiers up to a maximum of $4,500 a year, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible service members and veterans for college, business technical courses, and job training. USD also offers the Yellow Ribbon Program, which ensures veterans receive the full potential VA match without reducing their total USD scholarship.
There are also privately funded scholarships and grants available for veterans, along with forgivable loan programs for those pursuing nursing careers. USD’s Office of Financial Aid can help you navigate available resources, answer questions, and provide information about university scholarships.
Join our community at the University of San Diego!
By joining our community of progressive scholars, you’ll be diving into an intellectually rigorous, research-intensive environment that is characterized by compassion and respect for the individual. Whichever path you chose, our dedicated faculty are committed to your success. As scholars and clinicians, we value your talents and experiences. We’re here to mentor, nurture, and uplift you as you become all you’re meant to be.
