Air Force Nursing duty locations

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 17, 2016

So, I would list what you want keeping in mind what you can realistically get. I know a former AF nursing assignments officer. According to her, nurses that enter with

As far as deployments, the least likely location is probably a PACAF/PACOM base like JBER. You'll gain some insight into deployments based on what major command a base is assigned to. Air Force medical elements are grouped at individual bases and report to line officers, unlike the Navy or Army which have unified medical commands with a somewhat distinct chain of command. However, deployments are impossible to predict over all and really shouldn't factor much into your decision.

samiyah1987 · Jun 17, 2016

Thank you. I'm not a new grad. I have 6 years clinical experience in Nursing. That should definitely qualify me for clinics correct?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 17, 2016

Thank you. I'm not a new grad. I have 6 years clinical experience in Nursing. That should definitely qualify me for clinics correct?

I thought you said you were coming in as an OR nurse? It seems more likely that they'll put you in an OR.

samiyah1987 · Jun 17, 2016

I am perioperative nurse currently which will fall under OR for army. But I was saying that bc u said the places I chose were clinic and they don't give new nurses those. So I'm saying I'm not a new nurse just new to military

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 18, 2016

You're definitely an experienced nurse. So, you will have the option to apply as an un-designated clinical nurse (46N); this would allow you to be put in a clinic. However, if you choose to apply as a 46N-S (OR), then you'll have to serve as an OR nurse for 2 assignments or 4-8 years; that means no clinics in that time. You will have a easier time getting-in if you apply as an OR nurse.

Another word of caution: the Air Force rarely releases OR nurses to do other specialties. It's the most undermanned nursing area.

samiyah1987 · Jun 18, 2016

Why is is undermanned. The recruiter said that was the only field that offered bonus last year which made me scratch my head bc normally that's not a good sign since bonuses are hard to come by these days

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 18, 2016

Although I haven't looked it up, OR appears to be one of the more undermanned specialties in the civilian world too. It seems like there was a whole generation of OR nurses who didn't do a good job of recruiting and here we are. It's not like its a bad job. Every AF OR nurse I know is super happy with their job, minus a handful who are just tired of the military in general.

Just know that you won't be able to do OR at the AF academy or most of those overseas bases, with the exception of Landsuhl.

Nurse_Of_All_Trades, LPN, RN · Jun 18, 2016

You're definitely an experienced nurse. So, you will have the option to apply as an un-designated clinical nurse (46N); this would allow you to be put in a clinic. However, if you choose to apply as a 46N-S (OR), then you'll have to serve as an OR nurse for 2 assignments or 4-8 years; that means no clinics in that time. You will have a easier time getting-in if you apply as an OR nurse.
Another word of caution: the Air Force rarely releases OR nurses to do other specialties. It's the most undermanned nursing area.

Sorry to hijack this thread... Is the OR undermanned in other branches as well?

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 19, 2016

I'll defer that question to Navy and Army people on this site. I want to reiterate again that you have to agree to take the OR designator and work as an OR nurse to take advantage of any shortages. You can't just have the experience and say, "I'll take the OR money and go work in a clinic."

samiyah1987 · Jun 20, 2016

Thank you for your insight

zfredrick · Jun 22, 2016

Please help me out!. I am an RN with 2 years experience and have started the process of joining the Air Force and wanted to know about duty stations. I am from South Carolina and would like to remain relatively close there because I am a single parent and my childs father lives in SC as well. How likely is it for me to get stationed at Shaw Air force Base or in GA, SC, NC, or FL?