Air Force Nurse Rank????

z's playa · Jul 18, 2005

I hear it's as an officer.

Z

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meRNgal · Jul 18, 2005

Thanks, I know it is an officer, but I am wondering what pay grade.

z's playa · Jul 18, 2005

Thanks, I know it is an officer, but I am wondering what pay grade.

Oops. I'm sorry. I missed that. Too tired.

Z

prmenrs, RN · Jul 18, 2005

I think it goes 2nd lieutenant, 1st lieutenant, captain, major, lt. colonel, colonel, brigadier general, I don't know after that.

Navy: ensign , lieutenant junior grade, lieutenant, lt commander, commander, captain, rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral, fleet admiral.

If I remember correctly, that's how they go, bottom to top.

http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/insignias/officers.html

http://www.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/personal/faculty/pocock/ranks.htm

Lambert5883 · Jul 18, 2005

Can anyone tell me what rank nurses start off as in the Air Force. http://www.airforce.com mentions "Nurses in the Air Force enter as officers with the same rank as physicians, leading to a more team-oriented environment." That's great, but what is that rank? I am up for an AFROTC Nursing Scholarship and am trying to consider salary - military v. civilian. I am aware that military will be considerably less, but am trying to find out exactly just how much. Thanks.

I think it is all based on education level and experience, for example: 4yrs. Undergrad + 4yrs. Med school + passing the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) + 1yr. experience = Capt. Or, 4 yrs. BSN + 10 yr. experience = 1st Lt.

However, there may be more to it. I do think some physicians are of the 1st and 2nd Lt. variety, but that may have to do with being currently involved in earning a medical degree.

So, it could be construed as entry as a 1st or 2nd Lt (which makes more sense because a physician probably would not stand for the the thought of someone with less education being their equal in rank upon intial entry into the Services), or entry as a Captain.

You'd have to ask them point blank.

mwbeah · Jul 18, 2005

I think it is all based on education level and experience, for example: 4yrs. Undergrad + 4yrs. Med school + passing the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) + 1yr. experience = Capt. Or, 4 yrs. BSN + 10 yr. experience = 1st Lt.
However, there may be more to it. I do think some physicians are of the 1st and 2nd Lt. variety, but that may have to do with being currently involved in earning a medical degree.
So, it could be construed as entry as a 1st or 2nd Lt (which makes more sense because a physician probably would not stand for the the thought of someone with less education being their equal in rank upon intial entry into the Services), or entry as a Captain.
You'd have to ask them point blank.

If you come from the civilian side of the house, your rank will depend on the amount of time you have been an RN. You earn what is called constructive credit which is 1/2 of your time as a nurse in the civilian world. Also, your degree and position will give you credit towards rank (MSN, CRNA, CCRN, etc).

So (for example) if you have been working for 4 years that would equal 2 years towards rank and you would enter as a 1LT (this is exactly what happened to me). Some of my peers entered as CPT because of their experiences, qualifications, etc.

Mike

katwoman7755 · Jul 18, 2005

If you come from the civilian side of the house, your rank will depend on the amount of time you have been an RN. You earn what is called constructive credit which is 1/2 of your time as a nurse in the civilian world. Also, your degree and position will give you credit towards rank (MSN, CRNA, CCRN, etc).
So (for example) if you have been working for 4 years that would equal 2 years towards rank and you would enter as a 1LT (this is exactly what happened to me). Some of my peers entered as CPT because of their experiences, qualifications, etc.
Mike

I agree...an on that airforce website link that was given there is a chart for the payscale depending on what your rank is (ie o3, etc). Now like Mike said, depends on education and experience re: how much rank credit they will give you...but the pay scale in on that site..it was under FAQ.

Kathryn

USAF 0-6 CRNA · Jul 27, 2005

Can anyone tell me what rank nurses start off as in the Air Force. http://www.airforce.com I am up for an AFROTC Nursing Scholarship and am trying to consider salary - military v. civilian. I am aware that military will be considerably less, but am trying to find out exactly just how much. Thanks.

If you first graduate from a school of nursing, you will be commissioned as a 2nd Lt whether you were an AFROTC cadet or a direct accession commission. The only way to be offered a higher rank is to have work experience as an RN which will be considered for constructive credit as others have mentioned. New grads = 0-1. I would encourage you to pursue the AFROTC track if that is an option. That preparation for officership is superb. Hope this helps.

pyxeduhst5282 · Sep 17, 2005

Hello Everyone.. I'm an AF nurse...came in straight out of nursing school. I'm a 2nd lieutenant (0-1).....every AF nurse starts out there...To be honest..I've never seen physicians come in as Lieutenants....all the dr's I've seen have been Capt and up...not sure if that is just at my base (since this is my first duty station) or not...Hope this helps....anymore questions...let me know!

Can anyone tell me what rank nurses start off as in the Air Force. http://www.airforce.com mentions "Nurses in the Air Force enter as officers with the same rank as physicians, leading to a more team-oriented environment." That's great, but what is that rank? I am up for an AFROTC Nursing Scholarship and am trying to consider salary - military v. civilian. I am aware that military will be considerably less, but am trying to find out exactly just how much. Thanks.

pyxeduhst5282 · Sep 17, 2005

Every AF nurse straight out of college(Bachelors) starts out as a 2Lt....If a nurse comes in with yrs of experience as a nurse/higher education...then she will come in with higher rank depending on the experience/educational level....AF officer rank from bottom to top is 2Lt, 1Lt, Capt, Maj, Lt Col, Col, Brig gen, Maj Gen, Lt Gen, and Gen. :)

Hello Everyone.. I'm an AF nurse...came in straight out of nursing school. I'm a 2nd lieutenant (0-1).....every AF nurse starts out there...To be honest..I've never seen physicians come in as Lieutenants....all the dr's I've seen have been Capt and up...not sure if that is just at my base (since this is my first duty station) or not...Hope this helps....anymore questions...let me know!

sunnyjohn · Sep 17, 2005

What about the NAVY? If you have a BSN, MPH and 3 years experience? Can you enter higher than an ensign? Lt. maybe?

I'm more than willing to do my part and my time, but it would feel wierd being lumped in with folks ten years younger than me (I'm 32).

I've actually been told that military nurses do okay financially, with a lot less hassle than you deal with in civilian facilities.