Air Force Nurse Rank????

Published

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.

Specializes in Anesthesia.
So, Basically the highest a nurse can go in ranking is an O-3? and how to earn you promotions in the air force as a nurse

Time in rank, time as an RN, advanced education, extra duties, different positions held, command positions, officer evaluation reports, and your promotion recommendation from the base/hospital commander are some the ways that the board determines if you are 1st eligible to sit for the board and 2nd how you compare to the other nurse corps up for promition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
So, Basically the highest a nurse can go in ranking is an O-3? and how to earn you promotions in the air force as a nurse

The most credit given to go IN ON active duty is USUALLY an O-3. However a Nurse can go ALL THE WAY BABY! :yeah: O-9 General. All though I don't know of any - it is possible!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
The most credit given to go IN ON active duty is USUALLY an O-3. However a Nurse can go ALL THE WAY BABY! :yeah: O-9 General. All though I don't know of any - it is possible!

Actually, the highest rank a nurse can make in the military is a 2-star general (O-8). There are only 2 general rank nurse corps officers in each branch of the military. Major General "Rank" (yes that is her last name) is the USAF's current chief nurse officer. http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7854

In general most nurse corps officers will probably retire at the rank of O-5.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sometimes there are special acquisition programs with different criteria. There was one when I was first in the service that commissioned nurses as first lieutenants instead of second lieutenants even though they may have individually had no experience at all. That was just the way that program was set up. One should always ask around to find out if there are any special programs available. Sometimes not all recruiters are knowledgeable about everything that is available. So it's good to ask.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Actually, the highest rank a nurse can make in the military is a 2-star general (O-8). There are only 2 general rank nurse corps officers in each branch of the military. Major General "Rank" (yes that is her last name) is the USAF's current chief nurse officer. http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7854

In general most nurse corps officers will probably retire at the rank of O-5.

Any idea on why only 2 star is the highest? Not that I would complain. Can they not go higher if....??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Any idea on why only 2 star is the highest? Not that I would complain. Can they not go higher if....??

Nope...don't really have any idea why nurses can only get two stars, but I am sure it has something to do with us never being able to be of the same rank as the surgeon generals. It has only been the last few years that you could even become a two star general as a nurse it used to be that the highest rank that a nurse could become was a one star general/admiral.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

how likely is it to retire from the air force as a rn. i keep hearing that if you mess up just once or upset a commanding officer you career is finished? is there any truth to this? is rank advancement for a nurse after captain likely?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
how likely is it to retire from the air force as a rn. i keep hearing that if you mess up just once or upset a commanding officer you career is finished? is there any truth to this? is rank advancement for a nurse after captain likely?

it is quite rare for an af nurse to get thrown out. i only remember one nurse that i worked with get in any serious trouble...and he just ended up with a letter of reprimand. in general if you aren't doing something criminal (messing around with and enlisted person is sure way to get in trouble if you get caught) or something that would cause you to lose your license to be revoked you will probably do just fine. promotions are getting better in the af, but they still tend to be slower in af nc vs the other branches.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

well, that makes me feel a lot better! i'm still waiting for the board to finish and release results. i was told the 7th of aug and still nothing yet

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can anyone give an idea of how long it takes for rank verification to come through? My rank calculated out to Major for the Air Force Reserves and was turned in on Oct. 9th and my recruiter says that there has been no word on my rank approval yet! It just seems like an awful long time to hear or am I just expecting to quick of a turn around?

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just got word today! Their bringing me in as a Major! Now i just have to wait for my Commission!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

Congrats - do you mind sharing what your experience/education is?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion