Air Force Nursing Corps

[AirForceNursingCorps]

Hello,

I'm Sergeant Josh Hopper and I work with the Air Force Nursing Corps for Ohio and Indiana. If any of you have ever had any questions feel free to post them. One question I get alot is about our MSN scholarships. We pay 100% of school for you to become an CRNA, Mid Wife, or most Practitioners. You continue to recieve your full time pay check while going to school. If you have more questions about this or any other Air Force Nurse Corps Questions feel free to ask.

Thanks,

Josh

[Gomez2017, BSN, RN]

BigCat31,

That's unfortunate your recruiter hasn't amswered your question. Your initial entry training (e.g. basic training, technical school), annual training and any served deployments should count towards your active federal service time. The active federal service time is basically the date that would determine when you'd be eligible for retirement in the future. During your transition your served guard time should cross over. However, the minimum time you've previously identify is more applicable towards rank and applicable pay scale. During your transition you will receive DD214, the document will reflect the exact information you're requesting. I highly recommend you verify all dates are accurate, active dates are all accounted for. A good friend of mine conducted this transition many years ago. Best of luck in COT and upcoming active duty transition.

Respectfully,

Cecilia

[Bratapfel]

On 12/18/2019 at 7:56 AM, Gomez2017 said:

BigCat31,

That's unfortunate your recruiter hasn't amswered your question. Your initial entry training (e.g. basic training, technical school), annual training and any served deployments should count towards your active federal service time. The active federal service time is basically the date that would determine when you'd be eligible for retirement in the future. During your transition your served guard time should cross over. However, the minimum time you've previously identify is more applicable towards rank and applicable pay scale. During your transition you will receive DD214, the document will reflect the exact information you're requesting. I highly recommend you verify all dates are accurate, active dates are all accounted for. A good friend of mine conducted this transition many years ago. Best of luck in COT and upcoming active duty transition.

Respectfully,

Cecilia

I don’t think Bigcat was focusing on the credit towards retirement (although that may have been a point) but more so as the prior enlisted identifier (O1E, O2E, O3E). I’m not 100% sure on the amount of years but 4yrs and 1day definitely sounds about right. I did have a couple friends who did a few years but were to short to get the E.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

It is 4 years and 1 day on active duty. Realistically, they don't let you enlist for 1 extra day. Therefore, you have to have completed a 6-year active duty enlistment or it's reserve/guard equivalent in points prior to commissioning to qualify for the 'E' on your pay grade.

You will get any prior enlisted service credited towards your retirement and pay date in MyPay. However, there are complex rules that govern the ability to retire as a mustang; it's not as easy as 'do 20 years and punch it.'

[kaizenart86, BSN, RN]

Do US Airforce accept BSN graduate from outside the country? Im a international graduate nurse, currently working in ER here in NY.

[Gomez2017, BSN, RN]

The entry level requirements for both active duty and reserve simply require that your BSN degree be part of an accredited program. If you have more than a year of experience you would be applying for direct commission and be subject to meeting requirements established by your servicing MEPS. Hope this helps. I would recommend making contact with your local HPSP recruiter handling Nursing recruitment.

[kaizenart86, BSN, RN]

Thank you Gomez2017! Can you clarify the BSN degree accredited program? Does it mean my school should be under/member of American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) ? I graduated in Philippines.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Philippines nursing schools are not accepted by any branch of the military. Only U.S. nursing schools are accredited by the organizations that the military accepts.

Your best option to commission as a nurse in the U.S. military will be to get an MSN from a U.S. nursing school. Many MSNs are as short as 32 credits.

You also must be a U.S. citizen to commission as an officer in any branch of the military. That includes nursing.

[Gomez2017, BSN, RN]

Yes, ma'am. The degree program must be accredited via either of the following: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or accepted by the National League of Nursing.

Exercising the MSN as recommended by jfratian may be the best option, assuming you hold U.S. Citizenship. HPSP does hold scholarship options. However, I'm not truly familiar on those details.

[kaizenart86, BSN, RN]

Thank you guys! I guess I will do the NP route, my company does have a full scholarship program, as long Im working full time.

[Kayla Ackert, BSN, RN]

Josh,

I am 30 years old and have worked as an RN with my BSN for one year now. I would love to join the Active Duty Air Force or Air Force Reserve and possibly go back to school for my MSN.

My husband is in the Illinois Army National Guard. He has been in for 13 years and has deployed 3 times with his unit. He plans on staying for 20.
We have two kids.

I do have student loans from my BSN and other courses along the way.

Can you list out the information as an AD vs Reserve format so I could get a better idea of which one will be better suited or me?

I have always wanted to serve and am very serious about this decision so I want to make sure I make the right one.

Thank you in advance,

Kayla

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Josh Harper has probably been retired now for quite some time, since this thread is 8 years old now.

As your husband can probably tell you, reserves/guard is a part-time job. Air guard/reserves generally require two days per month and 2 weeks once per year. Active duty is a full-time job. All of the above deploy. For nurses, I generally see reserves deploy potentially for 6 months every 3 years. I see active duty deploy as much as 6 months every 18 months. Generally the benefits and retirement are similar, however active duty is far more generous with retention bonuses; the active duty retirement is better.

All of the go back to school for free options that I am aware of are for active duty only.

[bigcat31]

I am a component transfer so I went from Air National Guard to Active Duty. The active duty side of things offers more incentives to include the ADHPLRP which is the loan repayment program of $40k/year. They also offer an accession/retention incentive based on your specialty. If you want to go active duty your husband has the option of transferring to a unit in your new location or he may remain with his current unit and commute for drill weekends. If you are wanting to go active duty, reach out to a health care recruiter as they differ from a standard recruiter. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to reach out.