AF: What counts as experience for Med-Surg?

Specialties Government

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I know it sounds silly, bear with me. I just graduated from an ADN program and am currently enrolled into a BSN program, projected to graduate in 14 mos. My dream is to get hired on an ICU floor to gain experience so I can be commissioned as an ICU nurse. I'm not having much luck finding a floor job right now and it's depressing. Anywho...I'm thinking if that doesn't work out then I'll have to go in as Med-Surg. I don't want to go in as a new nurse because that's an extra 10-11 weeks of training (and time away from hub and kids). I'm contemplating accepting a position at a skilled nursing facility (although it's my last resort, I want to work asap). A recruiter once told me that any experience in fields other than ICU, ER, L&D, and OR would be considered Med-Surg experience, meaning LTC and clinic nursing. I posted this same question on Facebook and someone said that anything not considered impatient acute nursing doesn't count. Don't understand why a skilled nursing home wouldn't be considered acute impatient nursing. There are assessments, wound/ostomy care, insulin, IV's on occasion, meds, etc.

Can someone please clear this up for me?

I know it sounds silly, bear with me. I just graduated from an ADN program and am currently enrolled into a BSN program, projected to graduate in 14 mos. My dream is to get hired on an ICU floor to gain experience so I can be commissioned as an ICU nurse. I'm not having much luck finding a floor job right now and it's depressing. Anywho...I'm thinking if that doesn't work out then I'll have to go in as Med-Surg. I don't want to go in as a new nurse because that's an extra 10-11 weeks of training (and time away from hub and kids). I'm contemplating accepting a position at a skilled nursing facility (although it's my last resort, I want to work asap). A recruiter once told me that any experience in fields other than ICU, ER, L&D, and OR would be considered Med-Surg experience, meaning LTC and clinic nursing. I posted this same question on Facebook and someone said that anything not considered impatient acute nursing doesn't count. Don't understand why a skilled nursing home wouldn't be considered acute impatient nursing. There are assessments, wound/ostomy care, insulin, IV's on occasion, meds, etc.

Can someone please clear this up for me?

JerseyGirl13: I just found this packet created by a recruiter. It gives really good information about what the AF is looking for in experience for each nurse AFSC (ie. ICU, ER, Med-Surg). If you scroll down the document it shows you the jobs each specialty will accept for qualification to that AFSC. I hope this helps you out. The document also has the recruiters information on it so if I were you I would give them a call. I am sure you don't have to just speak with your local recruiter to find out more helpful information. Good Luck and best wishes in your job hunting :)

Link to the packet: http://www.atu.edu/nursing/docs/usaf_nurse_corps-infobooklet-21march2012.pdf

This is of great help and THANK YOU so much!

This is of great help and THANK YOU so much!

You're welcome, just wondering of this gives you a good idea of what kind of jobs the AF boards are looking for?

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