AF Nursing Opinions

[Drexelgrad07]

Hello.

So I'm torn b/w choosing AF nursing or Army Nursing. I heard AF nursing gives you a lot more freedom. I would like to hear opinions from AF nurses, especially anyone that's ever worked at Andrews or Elmendorf. I'm guessing Elmendorf, you don't see a lot of trauma??

Thanks.

[richardjboro1]

I'll be interested in the responses here. It seems from my research, that AF tends to have nicer facilities, and in general takes a little better care of their members, while Army has higher technology and sees more combat/trauma, if that's what you are interested in.

Richard

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Hello.

So I'm torn b/w choosing AF nursing or Army Nursing. I heard AF nursing gives you a lot more freedom. I would like to hear opinions from AF nurses, especially anyone that's ever worked at Andrews or Elmendorf. I'm guessing Elmendorf, you don't see a lot of trauma??

Thanks.

I haven't been stationed at either Andrews or Elmendorf, but I know a little bit about each facility. I have actually been to Andrews AFB and technically they are the AF base I am attached to while going to school at USUHS.

Andrews is very small hospital, the base is decent size, and of course their is going to be a certain amount of politics d/t AF 1 being there etc.

Elmendorf is a medium size facility and every AF nurse, but oneI have met really enjoyed being stationed there.

I am not really sure what you mean by " a lot more freedom". Do you mean compared to the civilian side of nursing or the Army? The answer is somewhat more freedom compared to the civilian side if that is what you mean.

You are pretty much not going to see any major trauma at an AF facility except for Wilford Hall or when you are deployed.

[peddler]

I've never heard a bad word spoken about Alaska. Everyone i've known has enjoyed being stationed there and would go back if given the option. The problem with the USAF is that going overseas is actually difficult sometimes. Too many people and not enough slots. Top that with the nurse corps now moves at 4 to 5 year intervals and you might never get overseas if that was your true reason for joining.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

I've never heard a bad word spoken about Alaska. Everyone i've known has enjoyed being stationed there and would go back if given the option. The problem with the USAF is that going overseas is actually difficult sometimes. Too many people and not enough slots. Top that with the nurse corps now moves at 4 to 5 year intervals and you might never get overseas if that was your true reason for joining.

I agree it can sometimes be hard to get some of the overseas slots, but if that is what you truly want make it part of your orginal contract ie. "My first duty slot will be X or I will not be coming into the AF."

In general if you are not coming thru ROTC or the AF didn't pay your thru school you can generally get your first duty choice.

[peddler]

I did get my first choice when i came in. I paid my own way for everything and was an experienced ICU nurse when i offered my services to the USAF. However, my first choice was really dumb luck. I go the call from the recruiter saying that the USAF was going to hire me and that base x, y, and z were available with slots a and b. I was given the pick of the three, not necessarily the pick of anywhere i wanted to go in the world. Luck had it that my first choice was one of the 3 jobs i was offered. Your actual experiences may vary as I'm sure the Officer Acquisitions process has a waiver for everything.