Air Force Nursing Interest: Advice Needed

[OptimistMG]

Hello everyone,

I am interested in joining the US Air Force as a Commissioned Officer. I have experience in psych/mental health nursing, but would also be willing to work in med surge or ED. 

I am working as a psych/mental health RN and have an MPH and an associate's degree in nursing. Additionally, I have a bachelor's degree in another field, and I am currently halfway through a BSN program. Here are my questions:

1) I would like to be on active duty. What is the rate of pay for an RN with 16 months of experience?

2) Officer training school is 8 weeks in Alabama. Can my family come with me?

3) Will military benefits cover my family members?

4) My end goal is psych NP. Will there be time for me to pursue this while fulfilling my active duty responsibilities as an RN, or is it better to join the Air Force once I get my psych NP as a civilian?

5) What is the best way to help me prepare for physical fitness testing?

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

I was Army RN retired a couple years ago after 20.  Not sure how the AF does it exactly, but more than likely you come in as a 2LT (O1).  Maybe they will give you some credit and make you an O2.  You can Google the current military pay chart for 2025. 2026 is up also.  O1 w/ less than 2 years is probably where you are.  Army training like BOLC was not with family.  You will be away from them.  That is part of the gig.  I deployed multiple times alone.  Usually around a year, but deployment lengths vary.

All those other degrees don't mean much. You HAVE to have your BSN.  Period.  Also get good grades.  They will see your transcripts.

I knew some people who got their NP.  They didn't get "time off".  They worked and then did school in their free time.  AF who knows. 

By "benefits" do you mean health insurance? Yes they would get tricare if you are active. 

As far as getting in shape.  Probably best to talk to a recruiter. Have you talked to a recruiter? Anything said here needs to be checked with a recruiter.  Things have changed in last 20 years.   Good luck. 

[OptimistMG]

Windsurfer8 Thank you for your service.

I spoke with an AMEDD recruiter and they said a BSN is the minimum. So you are correct. I need to work on getting that at least. I am halfway through an RN-BSN program. I have also just applied to an MSN NP Program.

 

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

FYI, if you join the military as an RN you will not be able to start serving as an NP just because you get the degree/certification.  You have to apply later for a competitive board for the NP position; there are far fewer NP slots than RN slots.