Air Force/BSN in Nursing

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 11, 2017

You have no chance of being commissioned into the Air Force Nurse Corps without an RN license. Having an unrestricted RN license is a minimum requirement.

You seem to be treating the AF as a backup job option. It's not. The AF is far more competitive than most civilian employers, especially for new grads.

What is your GPA? I believe there is a 3.5 minimum for the AF. You probably need a 3.7 to be competitive as a new grad.

h3summers · May 19, 2017

I am trying to do this myself. I'm currently in the Air Force and trying to finish up my RN. If I understood you're post correctly, you are also enlisted right now, just waiting on your test? If so you just go through the states process of testing that you are currently residing in or go back to your home state to get licensed there. I'm personally going back to my home state so I can have my license in order if I ever decide to get out and/or retire. Keep in mind, the RN license does not always transfer smoothly from state to state, usually not a huge deal but why not get the hassle out of the way. Air Force nursing is very competitive but they are also undermanned because RNs can make more on the civilian side. Best of luck!

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 19, 2017

So, it's arguable whether an RN makes more in the military vs civilian sector. It depends on job and location. In the new grad/early career phase, civilians make more money a lot of the time. However, civilian RNs suffer from salary compression. The longer your career goes, the more money military RNs make in comparison with their civilian counterparts. Google what an O-5 with 20 years service makes compared to what the average civilian RN wage is and get back to me.

As a former new grad RN for 2 years in the civilian world in NC, my base pay (minus shift differentials) was $22/hr; my preceptor of 10 years experience made $30/hr (minus shift diff). That's essentially $16K extra per year. In my 3 years in the AF as an RN, I've already seen my salary grow about $18K. Having done both, I'm better off financially in the military. I already make more than my civilian preceptor does (me @ 5 years RN experience and her @ 15 years of RN experience). CRNAs do take a bit of a hit, but most other nurses do not.

Yes, contractors in high need specialties (ex. OR) can make serious coin. However, they pay their own healthcare and retirement too.

I'm not sure how you can be competitive and undermanned at the same time? Per last year's AF numbers, only OR and flight nursing were below 90% manned. Certain bases may have low staff, but the overall force is quite full.

Beyond_blessed,BSN · May 19, 2017

Partly correct. I'm currently in the process of enlisting into the Air Force with my BSN in nursing. I believe you answered my question by saying that I can test where ever I'm stationed at. Usually if you have an out of state license they will waive it.

h3summers · May 19, 2017

Well, I'm excited for you! I know you got it in the bag! Let me know how it goes cause I'll be going through this process in a year or so.

Beyond_blessed,BSN · May 19, 2017

I went to nursing school and got my degree before deciding to go into the service. But I'll update this post when I reach that milestone of becoming a nurse in the Air Force. I would recommend that you do direct commissioning so you can go straight into it.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 19, 2017

I am a current active duty AF RN. To make sure you understand what you are getting into: enlisting means that you will not practice as an RN even if you pass the NCLEX-RN. You will be a medical technician (an EMT B/CNA II combo) even once you obtain an RN license. You do not instantly commission the second you get an RN license. There's a E-6 in my ER right now with his RN license; he works as a med tech---not a nurse.

You can enlist, serve a few years as a tech, and apply for a commissioning program (such as NECP). Or, you can enlist, serve your 4-6 year contract, separate, and then apply to commission. Or you could wait until you pass the NCLEX-RN and then apply for a direct commission as a nurse.

Beyond_blessed,BSN · May 19, 2017

Thank you for the information. Yeah I already know its not automatic once I get my license. I'm going to work a few years as a tech while studying for my test again, then apply.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 19, 2017

I think you are making a huge mistake. Maybe a few months of an intensive review course (i.e. Kaplan) and a couple hundred review questions per day for a few months...not 2+ years. Why do you need to enlist? Why not work at Starbucks while you study? I can assure you that you will have little time to study with 8 weeks of basic training and months of tech school before you even get to your first base 6 months later. Once you finally get to your first base, you'll be inundated with your enlisted upgrade training, CCAF, and that first term airmen course (FTAC) BS. When you do pass the NCLEX, who is going to want to hire a nurse who has no work experience and has been out of school for 2+ years as a med tech?

You would literally be making half as much money as an E-3 compared to an O1 or civilian RN. Do yourself a favor. Focus on the NCLEX. This enlistment is a distraction.

Beyond_blessed,BSN · May 19, 2017

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you