Military

[DJello]

RN joining military as combat medic?

currently an RN with 2 years or ER experience at a level 2 trauma facility as well as a general pediatric floor nurse. 26 y/o a husband and a father who has always had a passion for the military and serving my country, I am tired of hospital work and wanting to work in the field in combat so that others may live. Is entering the guard or reserves as a combat medic a smart choice? What opportunities are out there that would allow me to enter as a nurse but in combat. Thanks!!

[DJello]

Great info everyone! thanks! so jfratian it seems like there is no guarantee where you would be placed within flight nursing.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

So there are separate specialty codes that lock you into each specialty. Flight nurses are 46N3F's. CCATT and TCCET are either 46N3E's (ICU nurse) or 46N3J's (ER nurse).

Flight nurses are kinda locked into transporting the med surg patients. They have their own 3ish month training program. They do focus and learn a lot more on the safety of the plane and air crew. They also deal with patient transport mission plans. To me flight nursing in the Air Force seems to be more managerial in nature and less patient focused.

ICU and ER either enter with at least a year of civilian experience or go to a 1 year training program focused on critical care nursing. These nurses may sometimes work in ICUs or ERs or they may do many other roles, including CCATT, TCCET, and special operations surgical team (SOST). It isn't uncommon for an ICU or ER nurse to do several of these jobs throughout their careers. These jobs are more patient care focused.