AIr Force Flight Nurse

Published

Does anyone have an idea of the process for a current activer duty AF nurse to move to position of flight nurse? Application? Additional training/school? Thanks,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Government/Military forum

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I’m an active duty flight nurse. The process probably hasn’t changed much from when I did it.

The process is on the AF knowledge exchange. You should speak to your chief nurse as you’ll need his/her endorsement. Start coordinating getting a flight physical - that tends to slow the process.

Training- SERE and water survival are tdys prior to going to FTU. There are 2 30 day course for initial qualification. The first is Fundamentals, then the flight nurse initial qual. It was pretty intense. Loads of studying. After those 2, you go to duty location (Japan, Germany, Scott Afb, Travis Afb (squadron moving from Pope)

Expectations of flight nurses right now is 2 assignments in AE.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 4/4/2019 at 4:13 PM, midinphx said:

I’m an active duty flight nurse. The process probably hasn’t changed much from when I did it.

The process is on the AF knowledge exchange. You should speak to your chief nurse as you’ll need his/her endorsement. Start coordinating getting a flight physical - that tends to slow the process.

Training- SERE and water survival are tdys prior to going to FTU. There are 2 30 day course for initial qualification. The first is Fundamentals, then the flight nurse initial qual. It was pretty intense. Loads of studying. After those 2, you go to duty location (Japan, Germany, Scott Afb, Travis Afb (squadron moving from Pope)

Expectations of flight nurses right now is 2 assignments in AE.

Hi this is very informative, thank you for writing this out. This is an oddly specific question but I’m prior enlisted Air Force and was curious if depth perception on the flight physical is required for flight nurses? I ask because I was dq’d from re-training into aircrew AFSCs such as Loadmaster and Boom Operator when I was enlisted because I apparently lack depth perception (that darn test with the bold row of O’s ?).

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I honestly don't know the answer to that.  You do have to do a class 2 flight physical for AE nursing what I've heard.  There are waivers, but I'm not sure what's waiver able and what's not.  You could certainly contact a healthcare recruiter using the Air Force website to find out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology Nurse Practitioner.
On 11/4/2021 at 5:58 PM, GreenOranges said:

Hi this is very informative, thank you for writing this out. This is an oddly specific question but I’m prior enlisted Air Force and was curious if depth perception on the flight physical is required for flight nurses? I ask because I was dq’d from re-training into aircrew AFSCs such as Loadmaster and Boom Operator when I was enlisted because I apparently lack depth perception (that darn test with the bold row of O’s ?).

Thanks!

Yes, depth perception is a requirement as well as dental exams. You might be able to get a waiver.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Easy waiver for depth perception.  Don’t let that stop you. I have a height waiver (5’4” is the lowest without waiver)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
11 minutes ago, midinphx said:

Easy waiver for depth perception.  Don’t let that stop you. I have a height waiver (5’4” is the lowest without waiver)

Thank you so much! When I originally went through BMT at Lackland AFB a few years back I had Loadmaster booked and when I couldn’t pass the depth perception test as part of my flight physical (I think the administrator at MEPS helped me with it, hence why I originally booked the job prior to BMT) they automatically dq’d me from it without even sending me to optometry for possible evaluation. That negative experience plays a huge part in why the topic is a bit of a concern for me.

May I ask whether you are Active Duty or Guard/Reserves? Apparently there are only 4-5 Active Duty AE units? Also it seems to be a permanent, guaranteed AFSC in the Guard/Reserves whereas you have to go out of your way to request the position with leaderships blessing after some experience if you are Active Duty? I wouldn’t mind Guard/Reserves but I’m curious why the Air Force seems to have such little focus on the Active Duty AES side of things?

Thank you for the encouraging words.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
2 hours ago, GreenOranges said:

Thank you so much! When I originally went through BMT at Lackland AFB a few years back I had Loadmaster booked and when I couldn’t pass the depth perception test as part of my flight physical (I think the administrator at MEPS helped me with it, hence why I originally booked the job prior to BMT) they automatically dq’d me from it without even sending me to optometry for possible evaluation. That negative experience plays a huge part in why the topic is a bit of a concern for me.

May I ask whether you are Active Duty or Guard/Reserves? Apparently there are only 4-5 Active Duty AE units? Also it seems to be a permanent, guaranteed AFSC in the Guard/Reserves whereas you have to go out of your way to request the position with leaderships blessing after some experience if you are Active Duty? I wouldn’t mind Guard/Reserves but I’m curious why the Air Force seems to have such little focus on the Active Duty AES side of things?

Thank you for the encouraging words.

Waivers take a bit of work - I suspect it was easier to reroute you rather than work the waiver.  
I’m active duty on my second AE flying assignment.  Generally, one should expect to serve 2 AE assignments- can be flying or in a ground support role such as TPMRC and a multitude of others.  There are 4 active duty flying squadrons (Travis/Scott/Kadena/Ramstein).  ANG has 9 or 10 and AFRC has 18 I think.

In AD, few nurses are accepted straight into AE (those few have ER or critical experience. Nurse apply from their duty positions - they come from all areas - working with their chief nurse guidance after at least 2 years time on station.  AE is not an overlooked entity in AD, the force is just balanced with higher numbers of reserve squadrons.  
Guard and reserves are not traditional 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year people.  AE requirements are much more demanding and no way can they get what they need done in that time.  Most Guard/ Reserve members I know treat it more like a second job with huge demands. They stay in AE much longer in years than AD, but there are definitely some AD that have been doing it much longer than just 2 assignments! It’s been slowly changing and becoming a place one can spend much more of a career in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good morning All,

I am being process at this time.  I am a full time OR Nurse and had my interview with CN as Surgical Nurse AF Reserve (46N3) and my application is being sent to higher up for final approval.  I am currently an Army reserve nurse corps and doing inter-service transfer to AF Reserve.  My goal is to be a AF Flight Nurse Reserve.  If I join the AF reserve as surgical Nurse, What is my chance of changing AFSC to AF Flight Nurse?  Any insight / advice is appreciated.  Thank you in advance. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology Nurse Practitioner.
On 2/8/2022 at 10:50 AM, RobdRN said:

Good morning All,

I am being process at this time.  I am a full time OR Nurse and had my interview with CN as Surgical Nurse AF Reserve (46N3) and my application is being sent to higher up for final approval.  I am currently an Army reserve nurse corps and doing inter-service transfer to AF Reserve.  My goal is to be a AF Flight Nurse Reserve.  If I join the AF reserve as surgical Nurse, What is my chance of changing AFSC to AF Flight Nurse?  Any insight / advice is appreciated.  Thank you in advance. 

Yes, there is a chance to change AFSCs but you will need some critical care experience and a squadron that will accept you. When I joined (6/2016), I had to have 6 months of critical care experience and be able to pass my flight physical.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion