So, I'm graduating in May as an ADN and will immediately transfer into a BSN program after passing boards (God-willing!). I am prior service AF (4 yrs active, non-medical) and my hub has 4 years left til retirement. We are transferring to Langley AFB in the near future which I am excited about, been at Offutt (Nebraska) WAY TOO LONG. Anywho...I've been bit by the ICU bug big time, but have always had a love for OB/GYN (Women's health overall). I've heard Langley is a great place to go for OB (L&D/NICU) (I prefer to stay on East Coast).
I know how competitive it is right now, so which field would help my chances for acceptance? Also, what advancement opps does the AF offer for OB identifier and if I choose OB, how the H can I be effective in deployments without OB type situations? :thankya:
I know it's up to me to decide on my future...but I could REALLY use some advise (Air Force related). Would like to start gaining experience in the field of choice ASAP to help with my application.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I'm ICU in the AF stationed in San Antonio - where AF and army combined at SAMMC. There are multiple different ICU's - from medICU, cardiac, neuro, and army runs an amazing burn unit. The ICU fellowship is here at SAMMC and is a year long. There is didactic lessons then clinical rotations where you work with an ICU nurse to care for a patient. They rotate through all the ICU's. The fellows have homework and really learn theory in-depth.
Depending on where one is stationed in ICU and the level of care, we do have real ICU patients. But not all hospitals have ICU's and sadly, some of the ICU's have very low acuity patients. At SAMMC, we have "real" ICU patients. Honestly, though, I have had more critical patients as a civilian nurse - until deployments happen at least. In deployment, skills are needed.
Some stations don't have the quantity of ICU patients and don't have ICU's, so yes they get transferred. The downside of being a very specialized nurse is that the places you can be stationed narrows a bit.
Congrats on graduating! ROTC is a great way to have gotten in and gone through school!! Good job.
midinphx, BSN
855 Posts
I'm ICU in the AF stationed in San Antonio - where AF and army combined at SAMMC. There are multiple different ICU's - from medICU, cardiac, neuro, and army runs an amazing burn unit. The ICU fellowship is here at SAMMC and is a year long. There is didactic lessons then clinical rotations where you work with an ICU nurse to care for a patient. They rotate through all the ICU's. The fellows have homework and really learn theory in-depth.
Depending on where one is stationed in ICU and the level of care, we do have real ICU patients. But not all hospitals have ICU's and sadly, some of the ICU's have very low acuity patients. At SAMMC, we have "real" ICU patients. Honestly, though, I have had more critical patients as a civilian nurse - until deployments happen at least. In deployment, skills are needed.
Some stations don't have the quantity of ICU patients and don't have ICU's, so yes they get transferred. The downside of being a very specialized nurse is that the places you can be stationed narrows a bit.
Congrats on graduating! ROTC is a great way to have gotten in and gone through school!! Good job.