Air Force Nursing Corps

Specialties Government

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Hello,

I'm Sergeant Josh Hopper and I work with the Air Force Nursing Corps for Ohio and Indiana. If any of you have ever had any questions feel free to post them. One question I get alot is about our MSN scholarships. We pay 100% of school for you to become an CRNA, Mid Wife, or most Practitioners. You continue to recieve your full time pay check while going to school. If you have more questions about this or any other Air Force Nurse Corps Questions feel free to ask.

Thanks,

Josh

I understand what you are saying, I knew nurses- RNs are commissioned officers since I'm an ADN I was told years ago if the program was NLN accredited I would possibly be Accepted for service. I was young and didn't really get it. I have a story behind my ADN and my military service. My father interfered with my enlistment and manipulated my recruiter. I wound up in the army reserves for my 8 year enlistment I hated it. It wasted my time , I did it. I wanted to be a 91C LVN on active Duty thanks to Dad I was a 92 B in the army reserve not what I wanted. I was 18 and had buried my first husband I needed structure to focus. I was so mad at my dad for doing that. I would have had benefits with active duty and I was robbed of it. I'm hoping I can get a chance. I love nursing and would like the opportunity to serve. I'm doing the RN to BSN Program at UTA and hope to transition into the FNP program I'd love to do it in the military. I'm hoping someone will give me the chance.

I would go ahead make contact with a recruiter. There are certain ones that specialize in commissioned healthcare.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

So you've been a nurse for 24 years total (2017-1993)? I'm guessing that you're at least in your late 40s? And you're not currently eligible until you get the BSN done. Last I checked, the max age for nurses to join the AF on active duty was 47. I'm pretty sure that you've missed the boat.

I sent a message through army and Air Force Nurse corps sites, filled out the info. I'm not sure if I'll get a call due to my age. I'm not looking to retire from the military but maybe when I'm an FNP. I'm an intensive care nurse have my CCRN 24 years nursing 19 years Critical Care. I've had my CCRN since 97 taken the exame 3 times. Worked at level 1 trauma center with a burn unit over ten years now the hospital I'm working for wants to be a level 2. I work Neuro Trauma. I really hope I can talk to a recruiter. I'd like a chance Age is just a number.

I'm prior service it's a different story with me. I haven't missed the boat 😡

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I really hope I can talk to a recruiter. I'd like a chance Age is just a number.

Age is just a number - the older I get, the more I agree. Haha! But you have to realize that for the military, it's all about physical fitness and readiness as a fighting force. Maybe that "fighting force" aspect is emphasized a little less in the Air Force, I can't say - I was an Army nurse. But it was made very clear to us that we were soldiers first, and were expected to be in top physical condition. We do reach a point where our age can be an issue.

Be aware that if you join the military, you are likely to see a drop in the acuity of patients that you care for - unless you are at a larger medical center, the truly sick are typically transferred out. And as a very capable and experienced nurse, you might be more likely to go to a smaller hospital that would sorely need your skillset but that also would transfer out the sickest. I used to moonlight at a trauma center when I was active duty just to keep my skills up!

Best of luck! Let us know if you hear back from a recruiter.

To the military it's more the a number. I should have done the military earlier but life got in the way. I don't regret putting my career and life first I'm still a veteran and can say going through Army Basic was the best thing I did. It gave me the discipline I needed at that time to move on. I was a young widow sad but very true. Wouldn't be were I am today had I not done that. So I have a lot to be proud of. I'm going on to college for my FNP MSN and it's thier loss. I'm in good physical shape and can pass a PT test at my age. I don't think they would take me due to my medical history anyway I had a ADR in my neck C4-C5. At least I can say I tried. I talked to someone this morning from The Army and was told I was too old lol. It's their loss I think I'm a great nurse with lots of critical care experience and would have loved the opportunity.

Specializes in Anesthesia.

There are lots of USAF nurses that came in later in life and several that were prior enlisted many year ago and then decided to come back in.

FYI: There isn't a clear path for critical nurses in the USAF to get their FNP through the AF. Once your ICU Nurse you usually stay in that career path or go onto become CRNA or ACNP.

Specializes in Anesthesia.

There are lots of USAF nurses that came in later in life and several that were prior enlisted many year ago and then decided to come back in.

FYI: There isn't a clear path for critical nurses in the USAF to get their FNP through the AF. Once your ICU Nurse you usually stay in that career path or go onto become CRNA or ACNP.

Can Air Force Reserve/Guard apply to AF Nursing Corps? Or would we be ineligible based on our Reserve/Guard status?

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You can apply as a general clinical nurse up front (which includes outpatient clinics and med-surg) and avoid taking the ICU identifier altogether. Then, you would be able to apply for FNP later on.

Hello,

I am considering applying to join the USAF Nurse Corps as a masters-prepared AGACNP. I am prior service enlisted (non-medical field). I haven't spoken with a recruiter yet, but I noticed that ACNP is no longer listed on the USAF website.

1) Are ACNP's still being utilized in the USAF?

2) In what capacity are ACNP's typically utilized?

3) What is the typical starting grade?

4) What is the typical time-frame (start to finish) from start of application to leaving for COTS?

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