Please Help Me Decide!!!! AirForce Nurse or Navy Nurse

rollyp80 · Nov 12, 2008

First and foremost, this is an awesome site for nurses and soon to be graduates.....! I've read a couple of threads regarding my concerns and found them to be quite useful. Thanks..but still I have plenty of questions.

Next, realizing that I will be graduating a year from now...I've made up my mind that I don't want to stay where I am. I'm currently 24 and residing in Oshkosh, WI. It's a small town....and I just feel the need to take the next chapter in my life....away from here.....from this state....I have nothing to hold me back nor tie me down........So, instead of following the more traditional route of graduating and working in a med surg unit...I want to take on something else......a career path that will enable me to travel around the world.

Initially, I looked at Navy Nursing....the sign on bonus, tuition repayment, and monthly 1,000 for 24 months sounds appealing....but after reading more about the two type of nursing......from the sound of it.....Air Force might be more suitable for me......but I am still not ruling out Navy Nurse all together.

My questions are for both NAVY nurse and AIR FORCE nurse (Now take into consideration that I know absolutely nothing about military terms, concepts, rules, regulations, etc- so I might sound clueless as to what I'm about to ask):

1. What is the minimum number of years you are required to commit to any of the branches if you enlist yourself in the program or is it for life.....every so number of years...(even after reading other threads...I am still confused)? It all depends on what sort of deal you can make with the recruiter.....usually the first enlistment will last from 3-6 years..I am exnavy of 6 years....enlisted....but I can only answer from what I know....

2. And what is this about deployment? Which branch (navy or air force) is more likely to be deployed? And if are you deployed....for a approximately how long each time?

If you are on a ship in the navy you can be deployed from 6 mths to approx 8mths.....I was on an aircraft carrier.....CVN69....they do not do 18mth tours....thats not possible....you can be deployed as often as they would like...but when you get orders to a ship....you are there for your time.....usually at least 2 yr assignment....(pcs orders)....the ship will go out about 1 every 2 yrs....depends tho....on who is needed....

3. And from what I've read....navy nurses are more likely to enter the "combat zone" vs. Air force nursing??? Yes you go out to combat zones more...but it depends on your specialty or division.....if you are land base....you are not going anywhere....if you are on a ship....you stay on the ship....if you are part of Fleet Marine Force...then you go land....but you have to consider that when you are on a ship and you go to a combat zone......you are usually not close to any danger.....what other country are we in war with that has a Navy comparable to ours.?????

4. As navy or air force nurse...do you have to go through physical training camps?

Yes....nothing crazy tho....really!

5. Any disadvantages or advantages of one over another?

not sure....I'm trying to figure it out as well....I think I would go AF.....

6. A big concern of mine....and rather silly question to ask.....As a female....is it safe to be working in these type of conditions......I mean....seeing how these branches are mostly male dominated??? Do female navy/air force nurses deal/come across a lot of sexual remarks/abuse?

There are many....many ....many females in the military...especially as nurses and etc...the military is really anti harrassment.....and anyone found guilty faces a lot of trouble......Plus there are many gay men in the nursing field in the military as well....so dont think that the military is all macho and hardcore...so not the case.....The military is just like the civilian world.....just a lot more structure.....

There's more questions I have....but I'm planning on talking to a navy nurse and air force nurse recruiter.....I was hoping to get more info before I talk to them about it so I won't sound like a complete idiot. LOL.

Thanks in advance.

NYnur2010 · Nov 12, 2008

just noticed i wrote 18 months on the previous post here w/ regards to the deployment time on a us navy Air craft carrier, definetely meant to write 8 months so sorry for any misunderstanding!

just_cause, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

My understanding is there is 1 slot per carrier for a nurse..and they are extremely competitive.. so unless you are actively trying to be that nurse you won't be.

Same with slots on the humanitarian ships - competitive.

I'd go navy - between the two.. my overall preference is army, easy question!

raebabelvn, LVN · Nov 23, 2008

Good thread! I'm currently looking into both Navy and AF nursing. I'm close to finishing my BSN. So I want to figure this out now!

I'm not too sure about all the things you were asking. I also have no idea about all these things. But, I do know that the Navy does a lot for Marines. I've done a little research on Navy Nursing (well over a year ago for a school project, which I never got back!). I know that if you go the NN route, you can write down and request where you want to be stationed. But that you are moved every 2-3 years based on the need of the Navy. I'm sure its similar for the AF too. I think there's a chance of deployment with any military branch.

Even through I'm looking into the AF, I'm still leaning towards the Navy. I just want all options laid in front of me so I know whats out there. I have a special place in my heart for Marines, and thats what draws me to the Navy.

I'm hoping to hear from enlisted recruiters next week, and get in touch with nurse recruiters soon after. I can let you know what I find out :)

just_cause, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2008

Officer Programs Main Office

Main Phone: 650-603-9634

Main Fax: 650-603-9643

Officer Programs Dept Head

NRD San Francisco Headquarters

Mountain View, CA

650-603-9622

General Officer/Engineering Recruiter

Mountain View, CA

650-603-9637 or 925-382-4905

Sacramento, CA

916-631-7596

Medical Officer Recruiters

Mountain View, CA

650-603-9639

Lemoore, CA

925-382-4905

Alameda, CA

510-748-5380 or 707-643-1005

Sandman RN · Dec 3, 2008

I have many years in the US Army, US Navy, some coast guard, and some US Public Health Service. If you want the benefits, uniforms, and prestige of the military (and yes, even some of the adventure...but you have to volunteer for it), then I highly suggest you consider a career with the US Public Health Service (http://www.usphs.gov).

You receive the same pay and benefits / retirement, wear a uniform (similar to the US Navy), and you actually start out with a higher rank than you would with the Army or Navy or Air Force.

As a new graduate nurse, you would be promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade instead of Ensign (Navy) or Second Lieutenant (Army / Air Force). As an added benefit, you are not required to move every three to five years. Some officers have spent their entire career at one duty station. However, if you want to move to another duty station you certainly have that opportunity available, and you choose your own duty station.

v/r

Sandman

sailornurse · Dec 5, 2008

if you are on a ship in the navy you can be deployed from 6 mths to approx 8mths.....i was on an aircraft carrier.....cvn69....they do not do 18mth tours....thats not possible....you can be deployed as often as they would like...but when you get orders to a ship....you are there for your time.....usually at least 2 yr assignment....(pcs orders)....the ship will go out about 1 every 2 yrs....depends tho....on who is needed....

3. and from what i've read....navy nurses are more likely to enter the "combat zone" vs. air force nursing??? yes you go out to combat zones more...but it depends on your specialty or division.....if you are land base....you are not going anywhere....if you are on a ship....you stay on the ship....if you are part of fleet marine force...then you go land....but you have to consider that when you are on a ship and you go to a combat zone......you are usually not close to any danger....

fyi-the navy has 2 hospital ships, the usns mercy (t-ah-19) and the comfort (t-ah-20). each ship can hold 1,000 patients, has 12 or's, 80 icu beds. i was on the comfort during persian gulf war. i disagree with you about not being in "any danger". we trailed a mine sweeper for 3 days because an lph (a grey hull that is landingplatformhelo-meaning marines on board) had hit a mine. it is also documented that a scud was directed at the ship but was intercepted. we also were at risk for chemical warfare, carried gasmasks, injector pens with atropine & pyridostigmine bromide, and had mopp gear. the navy also has "fleet hospitals" the equivalent of a mash unit/hospital in a box/tent for setting up anywhere. during gulf war-portsmouth hospital was fleet hospital 5. and c-4 combat casualty training is standard for anyone that is scheduled to deploy. the danger was different from ground troops that are closer to the action but there is still a risk. comfort is docked in baltimore harbor and anyone stationed at bethesday can plan on deploying. comfort was sent out after 9-11 to nyc andafter katrina. and when the iraq conflict begin, comfort was deployed. mercy is based in san diego. :twocents:

here are some stats on each ship. they are identical.

patient capacity:

intensive care wards: 80 beds

recovery wards: 20 beds

intermediate care wards: 280 beds

light care wards: 120 beds

limited care wards: 500 beds

total patient capacity: 1000 beds

operating rooms: 12

departments and facilities:

casualty reception

radiological services

main laboratory plus satellite lab

central sterile receiving

medical supply/pharmacy

physical therapy and burn care

dental services

optometry/lens lab

morgue

laundry

oxygen producing plants (two)

medical photography

four distilling plants to make drinking water from sea water (300,000 gallons per day)

flight deck can handle world's largest military helicopters ( ch-53d, ch-53e, mh-53e, mi-17)

here is a link to the hospital ships;

http://www.comfort.navy.mil/

just_cause, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2008

sailor nurse,

Ok and how many nurses are on an aircraft carrier...? 1? How many carriers are there?

So this is a small overall amount - and a competitive billet in the nursing community.. same with the mercy/comfort ships.

How many mines have been detonated recently? So it is still relatively safe in recent history....

v/r

sassysoldier · Dec 5, 2008

wow Mercy and Comfort is a mega hospital on water. I do want to deploy one day. My personal opinion I'm joining the military so if I get deployed I do have a young child and husband who I wouldn't want to leave however I can get hurt walking from the parking lot to my car because I work at a downtown hospital and its the holidays and people are out of jobs.

I can get hit by a car in the terrible traffic around this city. I am up for the chance and challenge. When it is time for me to go if I do get to deploy that is an experience that you can't pay for. just my :twocents:

Sandman RN · Dec 5, 2008

Food for thought on deployments: The US Public Health Service also deploys on these ships! On my most recent deployment on the USS Peleliu for Pacific Partnership 2007 I had the pleasure of working with a large group of USPHS officers from several disciplines.

As far as a Navy nurse deploying on a ship you are more likely to be accepted if you have a year of critical care experience with the skill identifier or you are a peri-op / OR nurse and of course if you are a nurse anesthetist.

If you join the Navy after graduation, you will most likely end up on a med-surg ward for a protracted period of time. The Navy tends to "eat their young" much more so than the other services.

My advice for what it's worth: First consider the US Public Health Service, then the US Army. The Air Force and Navy need nurses too but are reducing their overall size. The Army and PHS are increasing their size.

v/r

Sandman

Jams95 · Dec 5, 2008

Sandman,

I too have been back and forth regarding Navy vs Army nursing, even the PHS. I would have a Critical Care identifier, but I was wondering about your comment:

'The Navy tends to "eat their young" much more so than the other services'

How so??

Jams95

sailornurse · Dec 6, 2008

:saint:

sailor nurse,
ok and how many nurses are on an aircraft carrier...? 1? how many carriers are there?
so this is a small overall amount - and a competitive billet in the nursing community.. same with the mercy/comfort ships.
how many mines have been detonated recently? so it is still relatively safe in recent history....
v/r

hi,

i do not know how many nurses are assigned to a carrier. since 1994, females can be assigned to combatant ships such as a carrier. i will ask the navy recruiter and get back to you, but ships complement is about 5,000 people on a carrier, so i do not think it would only be one nurse. it probably includes physician and corpsmen also but i do not know, how many. i just can not imagine that one nurse would be able to be responsible for 5,000 people. i also do not know how many carriers the navy currently has, i will try to research. one thing i do know is that when a carrier goes out, it is accompanied by a "battle group" which is a variety of ships (cruisers, destroyers, battlehsips, submarine etc). usually the carrier does not go alone. each ship requires medical personnel. some may have only a highly trained, highly experienced corpsmen, idc, independent duty corpsmen, no physician, no nurse just the one idcv.

the comfort and mercy (gulf war), there were approximately 400 nurses (more arrived later-reservists), so if 400+ nurses sounds like a small number to you??? plus physicians, plus about 300-400 corpsmen per ship. remember each ship is capable of 1000 patients, including 80 icu beds which requires many nruses. during gulf war, bethesda was left with a skeleton crew until reservists could arrive. also, during gulf war, comfort had australian physician,s, nurses,corpsment, while mercy had the canadians. as to any detonations in recent history, well there is the uss cole.

ok the navy has 9 carriers (all are nuclear powered, that's what the n in cv stands for), with the 10th (george w. bush) in pre-commision status.

john f. kennedy cvn67

nimitz cvn68

dwight d. eisenhower cvn69

carl vinson cvn70

theodore roosevelt cvn71

abraham lincoln cvn72

george washington cvn73

john c. stennis cvn74

harry s. truman cvn75

ronald reagan cvn76

george w. bush cvn77

i am researching the number of nurses assigned to each carrier and will post when i have that information.