AF Nursing with some questions

[Christy72]

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?

[The Little Greek]

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

Amen to that!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Greek - that SUCKS...sorry to hear you're having so much trouble...

[The Little Greek]

It's just difficult because we are one of the two training sites for L&D. What it boils down to is that there are very few of us who are experienced so we do the brunt of the training, precepting, charge RN shifts, etc. This usually goes on for weeks at a time. Then we'll get new people in that are going to stay in L&D at LAFB and we have to get them trained. On a positive note, training keeps my mind sharp! I'm always learning new things and have even been teaching some of the didactic material to the PNC students. It's a good thing I love my job and the people I work with!

To the OP, I'm sure you've read a variety of answers here based on the perspectives of three different AD AF nurses. As you can see, we all work for one big organization, but still have very individual experiences, thoughts, and ideas. Not every thing about the AF is great, and not everything about the AF sucks. YOU will learn to make it what you need it to be. If you do decide to go AF, make sure you request bases that do approx 80 births per month. You'll get the best experience in those places and you will be set up to do well when you go into midwifery.