I'm a nursing student and have always been interested in flight nursing and as I've said in other posts I plan on joining the Air Force after I'm done with school. I'm a little unsure about the differences between active duty and reserve/air guard flight nurses. I've read in some places that you have to have 2 years of experience before you can be a flight nurse in either the reserve/air guard or active duty, but on the reserve website it doesn't say anything about experience.
Also, if I understand correctly, active duty flight nursing is considered a special assignment and lasts 2-3 years and reserve/air guard flight nursing lasts as long as you want it to, is that right? I really want to go into active duty but also really want to be an Air Force flight nurse, what do you all think the best path to take would be? Would it be best to go into active duty nursing first (and get a few years of experience) and then once my initial contract is up transfer into the reserve or air guard and be a flight nurse? Or would it be better to just go into the reserve or air guard as a flight nurse? Thank you for any advice!
So do you think that most of them had to get through their entire enlistment contract before they were able to commission, or did some of them get a commission after being enlisted for only the first few years of their contract? I'm hoping to be able to enlist in the reserve or guard during our summer break next year or after nursing school and then after getting a few years of civilian nursing experience apply for a commission as a flight nurse.
Also, I live in the Denver area....I know about your Guard AES up in Wyoming, but I've also heard that there is an Air Force Reserve AES in Colo. Springs but can't really find anything on it...do you have any idea if it really exists?
I am AD, recently joined and work ER. I have no idea about the reserve aspect of flight nursing, but I'll give you what I know about AD flight nursing. 1) You must have at least 2-4yrs AD nursing (preferably in ER or ICU) before going to flight. However right now they are taking very few, if any, new grad nurses in the ER. 2) You get one tour, if you do a great job and have some pull 2 tours, as a flight nurse then your out. 3) Currently there is a need for all specialty nurses (flight, ER, ICU, etc) so it is really hard to leave one specialty to go to another. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's difficult and usually comes with price (such as an extension to your years, not getting to choose your base, etc).
Just some things to think about. Like I said, I have no clue about reserve. Hope this helps.
Thank you for sharing what you know fly-fight-win, any information is helpful! I'm still considering active duty, but at this point it looks like the reserve might fit my future goals a little better. Did you have all ER nursing experience before being commissioned? Are you planning on trying to apply for a flight nurse position once you have the 2-4 years of AD?
I had 4 years of ER nursing experience when I was commissioned. My goal has always been to do flight nursing. However civilian and AF flight nursing are two different things. Still haven't decided if I want to do the AF route. Best of luck to you as you decide.
UCAFblue
222 Posts
So do you think that most of them had to get through their entire enlistment contract before they were able to commission, or did some of them get a commission after being enlisted for only the first few years of their contract? I'm hoping to be able to enlist in the reserve or guard during our summer break next year or after nursing school and then after getting a few years of civilian nursing experience apply for a commission as a flight nurse.
Also, I live in the Denver area....I know about your Guard AES up in Wyoming, but I've also heard that there is an Air Force Reserve AES in Colo. Springs but can't really find anything on it...do you have any idea if it really exists?