Air Force critical care vs med surg

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 30, 2017

If you don't have your CCRN, I would say that you are less competitive for critical care. Also, don't count on Europe - that is not easy to get, no matter what your recruiter might tell you. Look for posts from jfratian in this forum - he is active duty AF.

If you really want Europe and that is a big deal, have you looked at USAJobs to see if there are any civilian openings overseas? I don't blame you for wanting to go - I grew up there as a military brat, and it really is wonderful. My only regret from my Army nursing time is that my only "overseas" experience was Afghanistan, haha.

Good luck!

Gamecock RN · Dec 1, 2017

Thanks for your feedback! Europe is definitely a desire but not more than joining the Air Force. I'll go where where the military needs me.

Do you think it's worth getting PCCN certified if I apply for med surg?

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Dec 1, 2017

I'm an active duty AF ICU nurse. Unless they've recently changed the process, you should be having an interview with a critical care consultant. They should be discussing what sorts of patients you're comfortable with to determine if you'll be eligible to apply for ICU.

I would really encourage you not to apply for med-surg. Put all your eggs in the ICU basket and reapply in 6 months if you don't get in. It's very hard to switch to ICU once you're in. The AF is very specialized and bureaucratic. You'll have to take the 1 year critical care course after 2 years at your first base (so 3 years away) to go back to ICU.

I started in Med-Surg in the civilian sector and made the mistake of joining the AF as Med-Surg. In the AF, Med-Surg is often used to train newbies. You're going to be working with a bunch of 18-22-year-olds, many of whom have never had a real job. Unfortunately, due to this, everyone is treated like a helpless child. I had a very negative overall experience until I got to do PACU after about 18 months. Don't do it. I currently love my job as an ICU nurse; it really opens up more opportunities.

FYI: You should take your CCRN right now and throw it on your app. All you need is 2 years of nursing experience plus 1000 hours of critical care experience. If you've been full time in your ICU since Jan 2017, then you're already eligible.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Dec 1, 2017

If you're dead set on applying for med-surg too, just take the CCRN. It's the same $395 either way. You'll be eligible to take either I believe. CCRN, CEN, and CNOR are the gold standards to the Air Force. I wouldn't bother with anything else until you take one of those first.

Buffness · Dec 2, 2017

Interesting post guys and gals. I am waiting to hear back from the Air Force nursing board. I feel more excited after reading these posts. I have been a nurse for 7 years and I have my CCRN so I really hope I get selected. I applied for Med-Surg but being a mentor for new nurses doesn't discourage me.

Gamecock RN · Dec 2, 2017

That's awesome! Good luck! What made you decide to apply to med surg as opposed to critical care?

Buffness · Dec 3, 2017

Gamecock,

The recruiter informed me that the board's priority was filling the Med-Surg slots. I'm willing to work where they need me. I'm flexible.

Jay Q · Dec 10, 2017

Hi. I joined as an AF critical care RN in Aug of 2017 after a year long process. You do have to have a great packet to make yourself competitive but I didn't have my CCRN. It's not necessary. I had an interview with a critical care consultant as well as a Colonel. You definitely even have way more experience than I do coming into the AF and my packet was still selected for critical care! A little of my background:

BSN grad 12/2015

New grad ICU RN at Mayo Clinic over 1 year

Tons of leadership awards on my resume

Top Letters of Recommendations

Good luck to you!

Free2live · Apr 3, 2018

Hi. I joined as an AF critical care RN in Aug of 2017 after a year long process. You do have to have a great packet to make yourself competitive but I didn't have my CCRN. It's not necessary. I had an interview with a critical care consultant as well as a Colonel. You definitely even have way more experience than I do coming into the AF and my packet was still selected for critical care! A little of my background:
BSN grad 12/2015
New grad ICU RN at Mayo Clinic over 1 year
Tons of leadership awards on my resume
Top Letters of Recommendations
Good luck to you!

HEY!!! I have seen your vlogs on youtube! Thank you for making those. They are very informative.

Tparra · Jun 25, 2018

Any resume tips? I'm applying and I'll have about a year of CC experience. Also, what can I expect from the CC interview?

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 25, 2018

For resume: I would emphasize your certifications: ACLS, ATCN or TNCC, and NIHSS should all be on your resume; get them if you don't have them. I would also emphasize what types of patients you are competent in caring for: ECMO, open hearts, SWANs, flow tracs, CRRT, ventriculostomies (EVDs), mass transfusions, impelas/baloon pumps. I would describe the capabilities of your hospital: level 1 trauma center?, number of inpatient beds, specialty/service lines.

For interview: Be prepared to go into more detail about the aforementioned resume content. Also, you need to be able to explain why you want to join the AF and how you see your career progressing within the AF.