Air Force Nursing

Specialties Government

Published

Considering joining the air force when I get my BSN. Just looking for some guidance in whether I should join or not. My husband is an officer and my big concern is I don't want to be separated from him for assignments. Any info about nursing experience and if you enjoyed being in the air force would help tremendously.

Thanks.

Heather

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Welcome

Moved to the Government and Military Nursing forum for better responses

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Considering joining the air force when I get my BSN. Just looking for some guidance in whether I should join or not. My husband is an officer and my big concern is I don't want to be separated from him for assignments. Any info about nursing experience and if you enjoyed being in the air force would help tremendously.

Thanks.

Heather

As I'm sure you know, when you are in the military you go where you are needed. Whether or not you would be stationed with your husband depends on a lot of factors - his job, your job, vacancies, etc. Your PCS times might not coincide either. I know a lot of dual military couples who struggle with this constantly and spend a lot of time apart. I left the Army Nurse Corps so that I could stay where I am where my husband is finishing his undergrad, and so I could move with him wherever he ends up for medical school.

Your best bet is to speak with a healthcare recruiter - not a regular enlisted recruiter, but specifically healthcare. They will give you a better idea of the current need for new nurses as well as provide you info on dual military challenges and programs.

Good luck in the rest of your BSN program!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

The military is often able to accommodate joint-spouse requests, but of course it often cannot. It is much easier if you are in the same branch of the military as your spouse. It is also easier if you are willing to let your career take a backseat to his. That sucks to hear I know, but if he is a line officer (especially a pilot), his assignment will always be made first.

By 'let your career take a backseat' I mean that you can't specialize (so no ICU, ER, OR, flight nursing, etc). Doing so would narrow the number of bases you could be assigned to. You'll likely be doing outpatient clinic nursing or inpatient med-surg for a sizeable portion of your career. Once you promote a bit, it would be difficult to get you a supervisory role at the same base as him (since there are fewer options at that level too).

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He is actually a hospital administrator. I would def follow his career. We have already agreed on that.

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