AF Nursing with some questions

Published

I am thinking of trying to join the AF. I am in the middle of taking my pre-reqs to get my BSN. I already have a bachelors degree in Mathematics and so I am enrolling in an 2nd degree track BSN program. I should be done in a little over one year after I start (which will be Jan 2011). My ultimate goal is to get a MSN and become a CNM (midwife). I talked with a recruiter and he said there were a few options. Option one would be to go in after I get my BSN and then work towards getting my MSN once I am in. The 2nd option would be to get my MSN on my own and then join. He said the health professionals scholarship works for CNM, but that there are very few applicants taken. I am slightly concerned about option 1 because I don't want to get in and then not be able to get my masters in a reasonable amount of time. I am 38 already and so I don't want to wait to finish my degree. I should be fine either way with the age requirement. Thoughts....

Also I have Hashimotos which is a auto-immune thyroid condition. It is well controlled on synthroid. Would this keep me out?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

If you want to get your MSN in a reasonable amount of time, don't try to go active duty just yet. With your schedule (3-4 12s per week) and the always looming possibility of deployment, it would be very difficult to get your MSN in two years while also working full time.

Yes, there is an option of getting the AF to pay for you CNM, but the process isn't just as easy as that. Your recruiter is correct in that very few slots are open for CNM. If I recall correctly there was only one in 2009 and that's AF wide.

If you are willing to take it slow, come into the AF and wait it out, AFIT is a good way to go. Even if you never get to do AFIT, you could always come into the AF, serve your commitment, then separate and use the GI Bill to pay for your MSN.

I came in with my MSN as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in OB. Currently I work as a staff RN with the hope that one day the AF will utilize me as a CNS. Even if they never do (which I find hard to believe) I can still use my MSN in other aspects of the field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

Don't you need a couple of years of OB experience before you can goto midwifery school anyways?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And once she gets that can't she just use tuition assistance to get her CNM?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
And once she gets that can't she just use tuition assistance to get her CNM?

I really have no idea about CNMs. I have yet to work with any CNMs directly, and I have been too lazy to do any research on their educational background. I am not sure if you would be able to complete a CNM while AD using TA unless you were close to MW school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I really have no idea about CNMs. I have yet to work with any CNMs directly, and I have been too lazy to do any research on their educational background. I am not sure if you would be able to complete a CNM while AD using TA unless you were close to MW school.

I admit I was sort of assuming that - I know, though, that those schools are few and far between.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Actually there is an online MW school called Frontier. CNM is a masters or doctoral program the same as a Nurse Practioner. We have one about 45 min from where I live now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.
And once she gets that can't she just use tuition assistance to get her CNM?

TA can be a good deal in some cases, but not all schools are as good as others. I have a friend using TA now for her practitioner program and it doesn't cover all of her tuition. And then of course there is the time it adds to your commitment which many people don't want.

In general, I just don't see how it's possible to perform as a clinical nurse and meet all of the obligations of the military all while going to school and clinicals. Sounds like a set up for failure and/or disappointment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
TA can be a good deal in some cases, but not all schools are as good as others. I have a friend using TA now for her practitioner program and it doesn't cover all of her tuition. And then of course there is the time it adds to your commitment which many people don't want.

In general, I just don't see how it's possible to perform as a clinical nurse and meet all of the obligations of the military all while going to school and clinicals. Sounds like a set up for failure and/or disappointment.

There are quite a few AF nurses that do it, but you need to find clinicals during your off duty time in most cases ie weekends/nights etc. The trick to using TA is to use it early that way it doesn't add any time committment, and then use your MGIB later on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.
There are quite a few AF nurses that do it, but you need to find clinicals during your off duty time in most cases ie weekends/nights etc.

I guess I'm speaking from the L&D perspective at my current base. Our schedules are terribly erratic--24 hr on-call shifts, switches from day to night every couple months, PNC students and the need for preceptors, constant rearranging for training, and I could go on. Our schedule changes almost weekly. It's nearly impossible to plan your life more than a few weeks out. It's quite frustrating and requires a lot of juggling. It may not be like this for people at other bases, but for anyone who ends up at LAFB, going to school and working on L&D would be near impossible. Of the RNs that I know that are using TA, one is in management and one works in the clinic, both of whom are getting non-clinical degrees. Glad that I already have my MSN because I there would be no hope for me here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
I guess I'm speaking from the L&D perspective at my current base. Our schedules are terribly erratic--24 hr on-call shifts, switches from day to night every couple months, PNC students and the need for preceptors, constant rearranging for training, and I could go on. Our schedule changes almost weekly. It's nearly impossible to plan your life more than a few weeks out. It's quite frustrating and requires a lot of juggling. It may not be like this for people at other bases, but for anyone who ends up at LAFB, going to school and working on L&D would be near impossible. Of the RNs that I know that are using TA, one is in management and one works in the clinic, both of whom are getting non-clinical degrees. Glad that I already have my MSN because I there would be no hope for me here.

I am an AF ER and ICU identified nurse so schedules for us sucked there too. My suggestion is ask to stay on nights while in school (since this seems to be more readily accepted than asking to stay on days), and find two or three preceptor (or more) that work various shifts that don't mind if you just drop in to do clinicals. When I was working on my FNP I did a lot of clincals with preceptors that did rotating 12hr shifts. Some nurse managers just suck about making a decent schedule and sticking with it and can make it nearly impossible to goto school.

The only good news I can say is if you come to Elmendorf I think things will be more consistent on L&D.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all the advice info everyone. This is incredibly helpful!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion