USAF Flight nurse school and survival school??

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Specializes in ICU.

Would like to hear from the USAF flight nurses out there regarding their experiences at the Flight Nurse school at Brooks AFB. (good, bad, etc)

Also, how is the survival school that flight nurses and medics must attend? Its not the same one that other flight crews goto in Washington state. Where in Texas is it?

Thanks!

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Would like to hear from the USAF flight nurses out there regarding their experiences at the Flight Nurse school at Brooks AFB. (good, bad, etc)

Also, how is the survival school that flight nurses and medics must attend? Its not the same one that other flight crews goto in Washington state. Where in Texas is it?

Thanks!

I went through the Flight School and Survival training with the AF Reserves to become a Flight Nurse. It was fun and hard work. The Survival School is only a three day watered down "Survival School" experience. I actually met my husband at the Water Survival part of the Survival Training. He was the Survival Instructor that went TDY to Brooks to help the instructors who were stationed there. We met, fell in love, and got married 6 months later. That is how I ended up in Washington State. He was a Survival Instructor for 25 years here at FAFB.

No, it is not the Survival School training that the AF flight crews go to in Washington. PM me for any more quesions.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Specializes in mostly in the basement.

Hey Linda,

Can you check w/your husband or any contacts up there if that info is still current?

At my last UTA, the NCO's running the orientation section stated that starting this year all FN's and med-techs would be going to WA for the full SERE course. That sounded a little much(especially as we are viewed by some as simply"med-surg in the sky' as another member put it) and I figured they were just messing w/the new LT. but then I asked the OIC and she confirmed the info. Full 18 day course!

True? I actually think it would be great---of course I will also be 90 years old before I ever get scheduled for my FN course but that's a whole 'nother thing :)

Thanks for checking!

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Specializes in ICU.
Hey Linda,

Can you check w/your husband or any contacts up there if that info is still current?

At my last UTA, the NCO's running the orientation section stated that starting this year all FN's and med-techs would be going to WA for the full SERE course. That sounded a little much(especially as we are viewed by some as simply"med-surg in the sky' as another member put it) and I figured they were just messing w/the new LT. but then I asked the OIC and she confirmed the info. Full 18 day course!

True? I actually think it would be great---of course I will also be 90 years old before I ever get scheduled for my FN course but that's a whole 'nother thing :)

Thanks for checking!

Oh lovely. Yes, if you could confirm or deny that this is true that would be great. With my civilian job I am hoping to limit the amount of time I am away for training schools. Thanks.

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Oh lovely. Yes, if you could confirm or deny that this is true that would be great. With my civilian job I am hoping to limit the amount of time I am away for training schools. Thanks.

After Flight School, you also have to do 2 weeks of Ground Training. Its like a "hands on" for flight nursing. I believe that we practiced opening emergency hatches, and egressing out of them, things like that.

I will ask my husband about the full Survival Training for Flight Nurses.

What base is your reserve squadron at?

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Specializes in ICU.

Ok I got the straight scoop. I called USAFSAM at Brooks AFB and spoke directly with the registrar (Andrew). He informed me that yes ,the flight nurses will be going to the full 18 day SERE course at Fairchild AFB beginning after September 2009. Yes, 2009. Should be able to get in before the transition. :w00t:

My reserve squadron will be at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs. Its a brand spankin new unit set to stand up on 4 April 2008.

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Specializes in Peds Neuro/Neurosurgery/General.

Hey guys! I know this an older post but thought I could post on here rather than making a new one.

I am currently a Pediatric nurse in Atl, GA (work on a neuro, neurosurgery floor although planning on going to go ICU soon if I dont go into the AF) I have a BSN and a prev degree as well. I have almost a year experience so not too much...I have been more interested recently in the reserve rather than AF nursing - had a few questions if someone can answer.

I am really interested in becoming a flight nurse and have heard that you can go straight into in the reserve rather than just reg branch, is this true?

1) Do you think I would be accepted as a ped nurse?

2) what are the commitments like?

3) I know it is part time but what is the normal schedule like, as well as the pay?

4) I want to keep my civilian job, is this possible with training as well later commitments?

5) what is the normal training and later, job, like?

6) Does anyone know if the AF reserve base in GA (Dobbins AFB) any "good"?

ANY input/opinions are GREATLY apprceciated. I am serious about the decisions I am wanting to make in the next 2 months and really am interested.

Thanks so much in advance. Have a great day....

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Hey guys! I know this an older post but thought I could post on here rather than making a new one.

I am currently a Pediatric nurse in Atl, GA (work on a neuro, neurosurgery floor although planning on going to go ICU soon if I dont go into the AF) I have a BSN and a prev degree as well. I have almost a year experience so not too much...I have been more interested recently in the reserve rather than AF nursing - had a few questions if someone can answer.

I am really interested in becoming a flight nurse and have heard that you can go straight into in the reserve rather than just reg branch, is this true?

1) Do you think I would be accepted as a ped nurse?

2) what are the commitments like?

3) I know it is part time but what is the normal schedule like, as well as the pay?

4) I want to keep my civilian job, is this possible with training as well later commitments?

5) what is the normal training and later, job, like?

6) Does anyone know if the AF reserve base in GA (Dobbins AFB) any "good"?

ANY input/opinions are GREATLY apprceciated. I am serious about the decisions I am wanting to make in the next 2 months and really am interested.

Thanks so much in advance. Have a great day....

I was an AFR Flight Nurse for five years. I would have adult ICU experience in addition to peds. The time commitment is for not only maintaining crew currency, but also currency in a crew postion. When I was a flight nurse, we had to fly every 60 days for flying currency and every 90 days in a crew position. This is in ADDITION to your commitment of one weekend a month. Flight school is six weeks at Brooks AFB in San Antonio. You come back for two weeks of ground training at your squadron. You then have to qualify on you assigned aircraft. If you go non current, it is a no no.

It is possible to keep your civilian job, but it is a BIG TIME COMMITMENT! It gets old after a couple of years. I did get activated for Desert Storm, and left an 8 month old baby to go to war.

I don't know about the base in Georgia. The probably fly the 130's, not the C-17's that replaced the 141's that I flew on. You really need to talk to a medical AF recruiter.

Just remembe that your civilian job has to let you go to flight school and ground training. Don't let them bully you. When I was in Flight School, there was an ER nurse there from Boston. She said that her boss was making her make up ALL OF THE WEEKENDS THAT SHE MISSED WHEN SHE WAS AT FLIGHT SCHOOL AND GROUND TRAINING. THAT IS ILLEGAL TO MAKE A RESERVIST DO THAT.

If you decide to join the reserves, PM me and I will give you the Federal Statutes that govern reservists that an employer must abide by. Good Luck!

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Specializes in Peds Neuro/Neurosurgery/General.

Thank you so much for your response....yes, they fly the c130's here in GA....I would either go to Dobbins here in GA or Maxwell in AL (ony 2.5-3 hr drive from home)

What do you mean by non-current? Sorry, I have no prev military experience nor does anyone in my immediate family so I am a little naive when it comes to some stuff....hence why I want to make sure I get all the facts.

That was a big concern of mine was if my current job had to let me "go" go training or if it was just for deployment...thanks for that.

Did you work FT or PT at your civilian job?

That would be hard to leave a baby - right now I am 25, single, and unattached so I fig now is the time.....

Do you know anything about the current pay/month or bonuses by any chance - just fig I would ask but am awaiting return call from recruiter. ;)

Lastly, do you know anything about them paying for me to return to school at all for a Masters?

Again, thanks so much! Overall, did you enjoy what you did as flight nurse? It is something that I am really interested in and keep revisiting over and over again in the past 6 months so it is not something I am rushing into. It really does excite me when I think about it. I just hope that I have not limited myself in following my path into Pediatrics - something that I do love.

Have a great weeknd and Happy Mothers Day (I guess your lil' baby is not so young anymore huh) ;)

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I am seeking information about becoming a USAF Reserve Flight Nurse. This is something that I have wanted to do for many years. I have always placed the needs of my family first and did not join earlier in my life. Now my children are grown and I am free and flexible enough to fulfill the requirements needed to be a successful flight nurse. My biggest question is would the USAF take me. I am 50 years old but I can keep up with anyone. I have a MSN and I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist. I have actively worked over the last 25+ years in med/surg, oncology, hemodialysis (chronic and in ICU) peritoneal dialysis, transplant nephrology/organ procurement, and education. I am anticipating working prn (in addition to my current job) at a major medical center in either ER or telemetry to keep current. I just wanted an opinion from current USAF flight nurses before I contact a recruiter. Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC.
I actually met my husband at the Water Survival part of the Survival Training. He was the Survival Instructor that went TDY to Brooks to help the instructors who were stationed there. We met, fell in love, and got married 6 months later. That is how I ended up in Washington State. He was a Survival Instructor for 25 years here at FAFB.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Awww, Linda! You're gonna make a grown man cry! :cry: That's so sweet.

Parallelling a bit, my Mother (British Embassy) met my father (USAF pilot - C130's, C5's, etc.) and married 6-months later as well. They will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary soon.

Good Luck!

Michael

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Specializes in mostly in the basement.
I am seeking information about becoming a USAF Reserve Flight Nurse. This is something that I have wanted to do for many years. I have always placed the needs of my family first and did not join earlier in my life. Now my children are grown and I am free and flexible enough to fulfill the requirements needed to be a successful flight nurse. My biggest question is would the USAF take me. I am 50 years old but I can keep up with anyone. I have a MSN and I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist. I have actively worked over the last 25+ years in med/surg, oncology, hemodialysis (chronic and in ICU) peritoneal dialysis, transplant nephrology/organ procurement, and education. I am anticipating working prn (in addition to my current job) at a major medical center in either ER or telemetry to keep current. I just wanted an opinion from current USAF flight nurses before I contact a recruiter. Thanks!

Hi KS,

I am a current USAF reserve flight nurse and I recently wrote a fairly looooong(and kinda boring perhaps) post on how the training process for new flight nurse accessions goes on the reserve side. It should be below on a thread titled "Reserve Nurse" I don't know how to hyperlink it, sorry. Check it out if you'd like a bit more detail on that and the time commitment that being in a flying squadron requires.

The first thing I would tell you is that as far as nursing experience goes you would most likely be very well qualified. In addition, with your MSN and years of working experience you would also probably enter at a higher rank.

The only issue I can see right now is the age. I believe the current call for nurses is up to age 48, HOWEVER, waivers are granted for a multitude of things and age is one I've seen granted a fair amount. The only way to find out, though, is to contact a HEALTHCARE recruiter and get the process started. (The reason I capitalized that is often folks will go to an enlisted recruiter and they just have a whole different focus and may often give unintentionally misleading info). My process took a long time and I see from this board that other AF folks' did as well so I would get started soon. You won't find an answer unless you try. You're not committing to anything by just running things by a recruiter. Come back w/questions after you initiate that step.

Best of luck and keep reading this forum, there is lots of good info here!

Mab

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