A couple of simple AF questions

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Specializes in NTICU, Transplant Services.

I have a couple of random questions about the AF, or any other branch member that may be able to answer.

Has anyone had experience being stationed overseas and taking animals with you? My husband and I have a cat and a dog that we would want to find a way to take with us if we transferred to Germany. How would we go about that?

Also, how easy is it to get the shift you want? Days vs nights? I didn't know if it was like civilian nursing that its pretty much if you are new you get nights and work to your day shift or if you can request days and have a good chance or not of getting it.

Thanks, I hope everyone is doing well in their endeavors.

Julia

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In general you can bring dogs/cats to germany while in the military... it will ultimately depend on the specifics - where you are living (does your apt/home allow it...) and ensuring you don't have a 'fighting breed of a dog'.

Here is an example page for someone in processing at a station.

http://www.wiesbaden.army.mil/sites/newcomers/pets.asp

Shift work depends on the type of nurse you are... in a hospital type environment I have read to expect 12 hour shifts about 4 days a week and that days and nights are generally established as a rotation every couple of months. That is just in general terms from what I've read.

But yes it's more like civilian nursing - then it is like being in the 'military'.

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What is the day to day like above and beyond 40 hours a week? I'm curious what to expect as a newly enlisted BSN grad and am specifically curious about the Air Force.

Also, I'm curious about student opportunities. Is ROTC the only option for nursing students or is there another route? What kind of financial assistance is generally available for students, particularly above and beyond tuition assistance? I will be scrambling to support us while finishing school. Any information is appreciated.

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

On my unit we work 3 months of days and 3 months of nights. The only exception are the civilian nurses who are hired for a specific shift. In a 31 day period we work approximately 14-15 shifts and our scheduler can divvy the shifts as needed. For instance, this month I work 3 12s one week, 5 12s the next, four 12s the third week, and the last week 3 12s. I also have 3 24 hour on-call shifts in which I could be called in as needed. I work on a very busy L&D unit so I'm sure schedules on other units and in different hospitals vary greatly. On average I work about 46 hours per week.

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Specializes in Family.

Little Greek-

Im sure I know the answer to this, but with working the overtime and extra on call, do you get any form of reimbursement or extra time off? and if you don't mind me asking, what base are you at? Do you feel the work is the same as in the civillian world or do you feel that you are doing way more work? Im not afraid of the work, but I will already be taking quite a pay loss and my husband will have to find a new job when we relocate, so Im wondering if it is really worth it financially.

Thanks!

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.
Little Greek-

Im sure I know the answer to this, but with working the overtime and extra on call, do you get any form of reimbursement or extra time off? and if you don't mind me asking, what base are you at? Do you feel the work is the same as in the civillian world or do you feel that you are doing way more work? Im not afraid of the work, but I will already be taking quite a pay loss and my husband will have to find a new job when we relocate, so Im wondering if it is really worth it financially.

Thanks!

Can you receive PMs yet on this site? If so, I can PM you some specifics!

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