Air Force or Army for Nursing?

MongoSmash · Jul 1, 2015

I wasn't in the medical field while I was in the Army, but from what I have seen the Air Force has better equipment. Tends to be more of a traditional hospital setup while the Army focuses more on taking care of soldiers in the field.

But take that with a grain of salt. Other folks that served in other areas may have a completely different experience.

I would go talk to recruiters and see who gives you the better deal. Not sure what programs are currently in place but you may qualify for some sort of tuition reimbursement and likely even what the Army calls the green to gold program. This allows you to come in as an officer depending on what all classes you've taken. Not to sure on all the details. I'm sure the Air Force has something similar.

dingus · Jul 1, 2015

You sound like a fine young thing, check out your campus for specific branch ROTC opportunities, if they don't have it, find the crosstown university that correlates with it. It's worth looking into if you're only a freshman and you want to be a military nurse officer in the future. Wish I knew about it earlier, but I'm a dinosaur now. Good luck. Sorry it's not too relevant to the tattoo question.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jul 1, 2015

Contact Us: Find a Recruiter - airforce.com

Just ask a healthcare recruiter via the following link. As to the differences, there really aren't many. Often nurses from various branches work alongside each other on the same unit. Some of the opportunities are different: flight nursing only exists as a stand alone specialty in the Air Force and Navy. The Army Brigade nurse role is pretty cool if you like macho stuff (if you are assigned to an airborne unit, then you jump with them).

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 1, 2015

(AF requires no tattoos show beyond a crew neck shirt OR open collar uniforms while Army requires no tattoos extend beyond Class A uniforms only.)

This is incorrect. The Army prohibits tattoos on the neck - "anything above the t-shirt neckline" as of the latest standards published on 10 April 2015. You can search online for AR 670-1, and the policy is on page 10.

The Army will not currently consider new grads outside of the ROTC framework.

Camo-angel · Jul 1, 2015

As Pixie stated, the Army currently is not accepting new grad nurses. You would have to be involved with the ROTC program or else hope in 3-4 years they need new nurses again. The Air Force is currently accepting a limited number of new grad nurses, but that could also change in 4 years. Either way, your best bet would probably be to talk with the recruiters about your tattoos, then see about an ROTC program. Best of luck!

shonara · Jul 6, 2015

Definitely Airforce if you are able to get in. Army and Air force nursing is so very different. As others have stated, your best option is to discuss with a healthcare recruiter and see what they suggest.

from what I ahve seen working for Airforce and army nursing they are so very different, yet not really anything I could write about. Airforce nursing is very comparable to the civilian sector. Also very family oriented. Also, it harder to get into the Airforce nursing than Army. (this should say something alone)

I just got selected for Airforce Nicu, and it is simply the complicated 8 months of paperwork I have ever done!

Ultimately, it depends what you want to get out of your Military career. Let us know what you decide.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 6, 2015

Also, it harder to get into the Airforce nursing than Army. (this should say something alone)

Actually, the opposite is true and has been for some time. What is your experience with Army nursing that you are able to compare it?

Congrats on your selection!

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jul 9, 2015

Not sure I really agree that nursing in any branch is extremely different from other branches...unless you have a special duty: brigade nurse, flight nurse, ship duty, etc. Anything in a hospital or clinic setting (vast majority of military nurses) is very much the same for each branch. You're taking care of patients. Your uniform, PT requirements, base amenities, and deployment schedules may vary. However, it's not uncommon for nurses from multiple branches to work together on the same unit. I work with Army nurses all the time (I'm AF). For the vast majority of people, our lives really aren't that much different.