AF Reserve Flight Nurse

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Hello,

I am sorta interested in becoming a flight nurse in the AF Reserve. Are there any flight nurses here? How do you like it? How long was training?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I too am interested in AF Reserve Flight nursing. I am a TR now and trying to get my commission to become a Flight Nurse. I have been in contact with the squadron I plan on joining and from what I was told the officer training and schools aren't that long, a few months altogether, what takes time is when all that is done and you need to do check rides to be fully qualified. If there is anyone else who could give me some insight on the process of going enlisted TR to Commissioned officer TR by all means please comment. I would like to pick your brains.

Also, you need minimum 1 yr experience as a primary nurse. I don't remember if they said they require critical care experience but during my interview they did say my ER experience would help.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You need 1 year as either an ICU or ER BSN/RN to direct commission as a flight nurse right out of the gate. I'm not sure what a TR is, but EMT or CNA ER/ICU experience doesn't cut it. Are you a civilian right now?

Don't enlist. It literally adds years to your road.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

TR is traditional reservist, the whole one weekend a month 2 weeks a year. I did 5 years active duty in the Marine Corps, got out to do school and decided to keep the clock running on my retirement time in the AF. I got 12 years toward retirement. Just trying to get my commission now.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Ok, so I have no idea what the process is for going from reserve enlisted to reserve officer. I've only done active duty. I would imagine your current career field functional leader (chief nurse or chief medic) must know the process. Seek that person out.

Anyway, if you have the 1 year of full time RN ER or ICU experience you're good. You just have to make sure there is an air evac mission at the AF base near you. The flight physical is the biggest hurdle. Most people require waivers for some stupid thing: reach, height, any med that you take.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I'm aware of the process and have spoken with many people and got the process started but I'm wondering if anyone is having or had the troubles I've had. I've been going through this for the past year.

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You need 1 year as either an ICU or ER BSN/RN to direct commission as a flight nurse right out of the gate. I'm not sure what a TR is, but EMT or CNA ER/ICU experience doesn't cut it. Are you a civilian right now?

Don't enlist. It literally adds years to your road.

Not true. Flight nursing does not involve emergency nursing. It's bedside in the air. You are not an ICU nurse - you're a regular floor nurse.

I know plenty of people who went straight to flight school right out of the gate in the Reserves (most nurses in the Reserves ARE flight nurses). CCAT requires ICU experience, but not flight nursing. Anyone with a year's experience can apply to flight school.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Commissioning is no big deal, but I believe you need a BSN (or Bachelor in something and RN). The best way is find an Air Evac unit and apply directly to them. If they have an opening they can help you commission. Schools are a few months.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

MINIMUM EDUCATION

  • Bachelor's degree in nursing from a school accredited by the BSN program
  • Possess a valid U.S. or U.S. territory registered nurse license

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum of one-year clinical experience in acute care nursing
  • Successfully complete a flying class medical examination Understand the principles of drug therapy and the effects of altitude
  • Be accepted by the medical unit commander and Air Force Reserve Surgeon General
  • Completion of five-week Commissioned Officer training course
  • Must be between the ages of 18 and 47

The definition of acute care is at the discretion of your chief nurse, but I've definitely seen it be interpreted as ICU or ER. I don't go around asking for everyone's life story, but I haven't encountered too many med-surg direct commission flight nurses. I think you should be aware that not everyone will agree that med-surg is acute.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I have 1 year on a cardiac stepdown at a very well known hospital so Im sure that counts as acute experience. I know I will probably need a waiver on my weight as I am only 5'9" but well built (i.e. thicj thighs, broad shoulders).

How long is training? How hard is it? What do you enjoy about being an AF Reserve flight nurse?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Like someone above mentioned, find an AES near you and talk with them. An Air Force health professions recruiter will be able to help you with whether you need a waiver or not. You would still need to meet the minimum fitness requirements, which includes push ups, sit ups, 1.5 mile run, and waist measurement.

http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2905/afi36-2905.pdf

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Specializes in Cardiology Nurse Practitioner.

I'm currently in the USAFR as a flight nurse. Took me a year and two months from paperwork to being commissioned. I go to COT next month and just found out that I will have about 6 months of training starting January 2017 (COT-SERE + Water-Flight School-AEIQ than PROG)...let me know if you have any question. I did have to get a waiver for my lasik eye surgery.

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