Air Force initial rank

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

Hey all. I am finalizing my package for the next board. I have not had the most confidence in my recruiter through this process. There are a myriad of things I have sent him over the past few weeks that he has asked me to resend multiple times. He today sent me a paper (form 1431) which indicates entry rank and monetary start. Now this DOES state on this form that this is not a final contract and only an estimate. He specifically stated on the form I have 2 years as an NP (true), but didn't specify any of my time as an ADN which I was for approximately 7 years prior. I asked him and he seemed unsure as to whether they would count that (I can't be the ONLY person who was a prior ADN he's come across). He said that since I am going in as an FNP, that's all they would consider on experience. I thought Navy was the only one that did this, but I could be mistaken. He noted that if personnel had an issue with it they would kick it back.

My other concern is I am prior service with 9 years in up to the rank of SSgt. On that form, the pay for rank O2E with 4 years of service was there. Should this be set up to reflect my 9 years? Meaning at least O2E with 8 years in service? Or are OE ranks defaulted to the four year mark?

Not trying to slow this process and if it all will rectify prior to my oath, then I won't push too much. Also it's more important to me to get in than to worry about the semantics of whether I am an O2E or an O3E when I finally clear this hurdle. Just wondering if anyone here could clarify some of this.

[Jeckrn1, ADN, BSN]

Not sure about the ADN since you are going in as a NP but I think it does count. What was your experience before you got your NP since not all RN experience counts towards rank. I.e LTC. As far as the “E” pay it should be over 8.

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

2 hours ago, Jeckrn1 said:

Not sure about the ADN since you are going in as a NP but I think it does count. What was your experience before you got your NP since not all RN experience counts towards rank. I.e LTC. As far as the “E” pay it should be over 8.

I was a PACU and acute pain RN for about 8 years of my career before getting my NP two years ago.

[Jeckrn1, ADN, BSN]

I would think they would count.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

I don’t know if the regs have changed but you should come in as an O3E.

An MSN will qualify you to come as an O2, and a DNP an O3.

Any RN experience up to 8 years used to be given 1/2 credit towards rank ie 8 years would 4 years.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Your pay grade should be O3E with 'over 8' years of service. This assumes that your ADN/RN experience was full-time and your prior enlisted experience was all active duty.

[Jeckrn1, ADN, BSN]

If you have 1460 points between active and reserves you will have “E” pay over 8 years. The 8 years will count for retirement if they are good years. A good year in the reserves is 50 points. Your base entry date will change but your initial entry date will not.

[phs_rn, MSN, RN]

Part of it will depend on what they consider as your qualifying degree for joining as an officer, at least that’s how they calculate rank for PHS. I joined as a BSN with 8 years ADN experience and 2 years BSN experience.

I got 4 years Training & Experience Credit for the BSN, and 2 years credit for my time as a BSN. ADN time didn’t count, because clearly practicing as a BSN was at such an advanced level that the ADN time just can’t compare (as someone who held every certification/license from CNA through LPN to now MSN I have certain feelings about the validity of that thought, but oh well).

But for many services, if you commission on as a Bachelor’s prepared RN they will only count that training and time. For NP they would likely give you credit for time spend working on your Bachelors as well as Masters in addition to post-bachelors work experience.

[Bratapfel]

On 12/20/2019 at 6:51 AM, phs_rn said:

Part of it will depend on what they consider as your qualifying degree for joining as an officer, at least that’s how they calculate rank for PHS. I joined as a BSN with 8 years ADN experience and 2 years BSN experience.

I got 4 years Training & Experience Credit for the BSN, and 2 years credit for my time as a BSN. ADN time didn’t count, because clearly practicing as a BSN was at such an advanced level that the ADN time just can’t compare (as someone who held every certification/license from CNA through LPN to now MSN I have certain feelings about the validity of that thought, but oh well).

But for many services, if you commission on as a Bachelor’s prepared RN they will only count that training and time. For NP they would likely give you credit for time spend working on your Bachelors as well as Masters in addition to post-bachelors work experience.

That's incredibly strange. They should cut your BSN years in half and apply that to your rank. ADN experience shouldn't apply to your rank since it isn't qualifying in the military (as you know all RNs are BSN+).

So you got a total of 6 years of credit? 2 years BSN experience should given you1 year credit and then no idea what they did with the 8 years ADN.

Back to the original poster: I would 99% bet that your time as a RN does NOT apply towards credit. You are commissioning as a FNP, not a RN. Your RN experience is now irrelevant because it is an entirely different AFSC. You could be a full fledged cardiothoracic surgeon but if you are commissioning as a RN that experience is irrelevant.

I would assume your full prior enlisted experience should count towards your OE pay. Seems like with your 2 years FNP experience and a MSN you should come in as an O2E with 1 year credit towards rank, and 9 years prior enlisted credit for your pay. You would hit O3E after being in for only a year.

[Jeckrn1, ADN, BSN]

The Army & Air Force will count your ADN time along with your BSN. PHS I believe uses the same standards as the Navy and your ADN time would not count. As far as your E for pay you need 1460 points no matter if it’s active or reserves.

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

Recruiter ended up having to revise the form as I expected. Expected rank if passing boards will be 03E as I thought.

[Danish, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am an NP, but wanted to fly and there were no NP positions, so I took a flight nurse position. I commissioned as a Captain 03 based on my education and experience even though my USAF reserve job is a nurse. My initial paperwork said 2nd Lt, so its dynamic and will change most likely by the time you sign your official paperwork.