Critical Care Air Force nursing

Paulieg69 · Nov 15, 2009

Yes, I thought about doing part-time ICU work in the civilian sector, but Uncle Sam has me going to Landstuhl, Germany, where it might be challening to work off-base in a German hospital. But I do appreciate the advice. In my situation, becoming a CRNA would be a bit more difficult than taking the NP route, since the NP doesn't require one year acute care like CRNA does. NP only requires direct-patient care. These are the admission criteria for USUHS in Bethesda, where I'd most likely go.

allnurses Guide · Nov 15, 2009

Yes, I thought about doing part-time ICU work in the civilian sector, but Uncle Sam has me going to Landstuhl, Germany, where it might be challening to work off-base in a German hospital. But I do appreciate the advice. In my situation, becoming a CRNA would be a bit more difficult than taking the NP route, since the NP doesn't require one year acute care like CRNA does. NP only requires direct-patient care. These are the admission criteria for USUHS in Bethesda, where I'd most likely go.

lol....I am well aware of the criteria for the CRNA program at USU/USUHS. I graduate from the program on the 4th of next month. Landstuhl will put a kink in things, but you never know you maybe allowed to transfer into ICU or ER there after a year or so on med-surg.

Good Luck! Let me know if you need help with your application in the future.

zombie · Nov 15, 2009

A route that some may take is to go directly into an ICU in the civilian world. Work 1-2 years. Then Direct Commission into the service into the CRNA program or go into the military and start directly in the ICU. Then put in your packet for CRNA school after your first duty station.

allnurses Guide · Nov 15, 2009

A route that some may take is to go directly into an ICU in the civilian world. Work 1-2 years. Then Direct Commission into the service into the CRNA program or go into the military and start directly in the ICU. Then put in your packet for CRNA school after your first duty station.

The only branch that allows you to do a direct accession into CRNA school is the Army. For the AF in general you have to have 2yrs TOS by June of the year before school starts. At least in the AF it is hard to get a slot right at your 2-3yr mark if you come into the AF as a seasoned civilian ICU nurse. It isn't impossible, but I don't think any of my AF classmates had less than 5-6yrs time in the AF before gettng into school.

zombie · Nov 15, 2009

Or work 2 years civ icu get into crna school go into debt, then let the af or army pay all of that off for time. Army vs air force it's blurred now a days . I work with every branch + civ except coast guard. What I would do is do your first year or two in civ icy as a new grad then direct commission into icu or army crna school. This way you don't have to be .... Around to get into icu coorifice.

aglages · Nov 15, 2009

I am a 30 y/o male graduating with my BSN in December and am considering the Air Force. I want to work in critical care (just finishing a six week ICU internship and loved it). I'm willing to work a med-surg type floor for a year or two before ICU. I'd like to hear about options for working critical care in the Air Force. Is it tough to get in to? Is there an extensive critical care training program? Does the Air Force require me to re-enlist if they put me through a training program? Where are some of the better ICU units located within the Air Force? Overseas? So many questions. ANY experience-based advice would a great help. Thank you

At 30 years of age I'd go into the AF as soon as you graduate, spend your first two years getting some Med/Surg experience, apply for ICU training, and then use the rest of your four years working in ICU and then decide if a career in the AF is for you. If it is, apply for the CRNA program at USU/USUHS. If not, you have some ICU experience (hopefully no debt), and you should be able to find civilian employment and gain admittance to a CRNA graduate program.