Any older nurses joining up?

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Specializes in Peds OB.

Hello. I'm thinking of joining up in a couple years and will be roughly 40. I have almost 8 years enlisted AD Air Force under my belt already but got out to complete my degree. Anyone else join up at such a ripe ole age? Or am i crazy?

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Well, I'm just shy of 37 - and I'm certainly not at a ripe old age... :)

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Switched from reserves to AD at age 46. Since you have the 8 years of AD already your age limit should be 50. I have seen a few nurses in the Army who joined later in life. I recently completed a class where 3 of us out of 8 where over 40 and recieved our commission within the last 2-3 years.

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Specializes in Peds OB.

Thanks Ladies...just wondered if I would be the odd person out so far as age! Wow JeckRN you are an inspiration. Thanks for much for the replies.:heartbeat

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I'll be 38 when I graduate with my BSN in June, and I'll probably be closer to 39 than 38 once I'm actually in. :D Age is truly only a number!

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I'm older than too. You aren't crazy. Just well educated and aware of your options. And your prior service is just a plus. Go for it.

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Specializes in ED.

Agree the prior service helps. Its not too late

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Specializes in Peds OB.

Thanks everyone for the kind words of encouragement! You're right about age only being a number...I will be contacting an AF recruiter soon with a list of questions....hope it goes well. Anyone know of a Healthcare Professional Recruiter in Montana?

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Mickey - here's another plus - your inactive Reserve commitment counts for pay (but not retirement) - so you'll not only be an O1E, you'll be an O1E with a WHOLE LOT OF YEARS...and while it doesn't make a huge difference right now, it makes a big difference at Captain, and a STUPID difference at Major (which means a mountain of difference at retirement)!

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Specializes in Peds OB.

Thanks carolinapooh! I remembered the O1E pay but didn't know about my inactive time counting for pay....thanks! I also have 3+ years of Active Reserve time too...but all as a traditional reservist...(one weekend a month, 2 weeks a year). I wonder how that all fits into my TIS credit for retirement...I'm sure the recruiter can probably answer that for me. Did you enter with any nursing experience under your belt? I will have about three years of experience by the time I want to go in....do you know how that works so far as if I enter as a 2Lt or 1Lt? Lots of questions! Thanks for all the information everyone!:yeah:

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As it stands right now, you'll likely go in as a second Lt with 1.5 years TIG or close to 1.5 years (you get 1/2 credit for your time; I had two years experience so I came in as a 2nd Lt with 1 year's TIG, so I'll make 1st Lt this December). You'd make 1st Lt within six months of entering (24 months as 2nd Lt to 1st Lt, then 24 months 1st Lt to Captain). They may use some sort of multiplier for your Reserve time; I'm guessing it will only translate to a few months toward retirement (but better a few months in your pocket then theirs!).

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

40 is not old by today's standards...:twocents:

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