[frogman77]

i'm interested in joining the air force for nursing. i'm currently working in the ER at a level II trauma center, hoping to try and work in a similar environment eventually working my way into flight nursing. i have heard stories from fellow nurses who have bad experiences with physicians in the airforce as far as competency goes (no offense intended to any md's). In anycase, i'm not much for going out to sea as far as the navy goes. Wondering if anyone has any input as to their experience as a RN in the air force. how hard is it to get leave? Is it hard to transfer to different airforce bases? how different Is working the ER in the in the air force compared to civillian hospitals? Any help would be great!
thanks!!

[jnette]

frogman...
I do believe there was a thread on just this topic here only a day or two ago... re flight nursing, air evac, etc. If you go back a few days in your search, you should be able to locate it !

[newbabycatcher]

I am currently an Active Duty Air Force nurse and I have to admit I am spoiled by military nursing. I came in straight out of nursing school and have only heard stories about civilian nursing from our contract and GS nurses. For the most part, our units are very well staffed, unless people are deployed. I have always been able to take the leave time that I request. I have found that many of the physicians I work with are highly competant. The facility I am at is the largest Air Force Medical center, it is a teaching facility. One of the drawbacks is that a lot of clinical experiences and procedures performed by nurses in the civilian world are reserved mainly for interns and med students. I feel I am missing out on some experiences that I will need if I should ever decide to work in civilian land. I am due for a new assignment now, as I have been at this base for 3 years. The typical assignment is usually 2 to 4 years at a base, depending on Air Force needs. Hope this answers some of your questions.

[BarbPick]

edited out inappropriate post not germane to original topic....

[frogman77]

i currently work at a trauma level II center and the experience is awesome, i'd like to be stationed at Lackand, TX. i'm kind of a control freak though when it comes to my patients, i don't like med students doin stuff to my patients without me knowing, more of a trust issue, i'd rather do it myself at least knowing my abilities and limits... dunno, that's me i guess... actually as of recently i'm also thinking bout doing CRO (combat rescue officer) not sure though, i wish i could do both, but not sure if thats going to be possible..

[Meco]

Can you pick your first assignment after OTS and have it placed in your contract when you sign up? Do to certain circumstances, it would be in my favor to go to Eglin AFB for my first assignment. Anyone have an input. I have yet to ask a recruiter for fear of being led on by false hopes, if that makes sense? Also the Army, not Air Force will pay a $5,000.00 sign on bonus and pay up to $26,000.00 of your school loans whereas the Air Force will only let you pick a $10,000.00 bonus or $26,000.00 in Nursing school loan repayment. I hope that changes by the time I am ready to join!

[Heatherb]

The Air Force has some of the best and most competent doctors I've ever worked with! And, they generally treat you better than they're civilian counterparts! The AF has better nurse;patient ratios generally. I don't feel as though I'm missing anything by being an AF nurse! I've also been a flight nurse--awesom assignment! in japan.

[Heatherb]

MECO,
The Air force also gives $5,000 sign on bonuses--you usually have to be an experienced nurse first. However,they also have an awesome student loan repayment program. Not all recruiters are bad, or feed false info.

[rpbear]

{Can you pick your first assignment after OTS and have it placed in your contract when you sign up? Do to certain circumstances, it would be in my favor to go to Eglin AFB for my first assignment. Anyone have an input. I have yet to ask a recruiter for fear of being led on by false hopes, if that makes sense? Also the Army, not Air Force will pay a $5,000.00 sign on bonus and pay up to $26,000.00 of your school loans whereas the Air Force will only let you pick a $10,000.00 bonus or $26,000.00 in Nursing school loan repayment. I hope that changes by the time I am ready to join!)

Meco,
You do have a say in your assignment selection. You have to remember that the USAF needs nurses. The Air Force wants to make and keep their people happy, so they will find you an assignment of choice, yet they must have openings there as well, like any civilian company, if they are fully staffed...look elsewhere. True about the 10K OR loan repayment. Unfortunate it is not both. Yet, think about this, you can get the 5K AND the loan repayment with the Army, but will you be happy in the Army? How intense do you want to get an how do you want to be treated? I have always heard that the Air Force has the best "quality of life"...now don't you deserve the best? I would go visit the local USAF Recruiter and let them know your fears, they will spell it out for you. By the way, you do not have to attend OTS, that is 16 weeks long. USAF nurses attend COT (Commissioned Officer Training) and it is 4 weeks. You attend with other nurses, docs, dentists, phars of all ages. The USAF is interested in putting your profession to use, not making you a war hero, so COT is just a course to teach you how to salute, what uniforms to wear, USAF History, leadership, customs and courtesies. It's not at all Basic Training. Get a hold of the local USAF Health Professions Recruiter and find the facts, you would be surprised how long the process takes. Just my two cents.

Also, check out these sites.
http://www.airforce.com/index_fr.htm -go to healthcare careers

and

http://ots.afoats.af.mil/23ts/index.html - COT site

[Meco]

Thanks for the reply. I have recently talked with a recruiter and he has answered all my questions. I would like to reaffirm his words with others who have been or are currently in the airforce. I have also found www.military.com to be very insightfull. They also have a discussion section. That has allowed me to talk directly to people in the service, especially the airforce. In fact yesterday I was conversing with a airforce personell who just got his BSN and now is going to COT. Thanks again, I love this great country of ours and would love to serve in this capacity.

PS My wife as a flight attendent and has been able to give some info. from the first officers and captains that have served in tha Airforce.