Air Force Nursing questions

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Feb 20, 2013

Medical has higher age allowances, it was recently 48 for nurses. Your lack of experience would be your biggest hurdle. It is very competitive right now. Your first step would be an interview, so your physical wouldn't be first. You should contact a health care recruiter for the best, up-to-date information. Lastly I don't think your husband being in the Air Force would make a huge difference. They would be looking at you. Unless, he personally knows someone in a medical unit that could recommend you. Good luck.

LTinAK · Feb 20, 2013

Hi psychaeb-

If I were you, I would call a Health Care Recruiter for the AF and ask your questions. Not trying to be smart, but that's what I did a few years ago :-) (The AF does an NTP program for new grads, not sure if when you graduated makes a difference.) They will be aware of the most recent requirements, and be able to help you the most accurately. Be careful not to call a recruiter that recruits enlisted, you will need a different one. You could Google the closest one, and then go from there! Good luck to you!

psycheab · Feb 21, 2013

Thank you both for your replies. I have sought out one of the Healthcare Recruiters and emailed him regarding Air Force nursing. I know it is a long and selective process, but this is something I had started thinking about nearly 5 years ago and was just starting out getting my ADN. So, it's a little bit of a relief and really exciting that I took that initial step and contacted a recruiter. Eeek! So it begins!

MIrNurse · Feb 22, 2013

I am looking at joining the Air Force but am having difficulties getting a reply from my recruiter. Could anyone help me answer these questions?

1. Does where I am stationed stay the same throughout my 4 years, or can the military move me if nurses are needed in other areas? If so, how likely is this? Does location determine likelihood of deployment or of service in humanitarian missions?

2. If one enters as a medical-surgical clinical nurse, is there opportunity to train to work in another field (i.e. O.B., Mental Health) during the first 4-years? Is there a time limit before one can study for their MSN or NP?

3. What educational opportunities are offered to nurses while working but not pursuing a degree? Are their any ongoing educational sessions or mentorship programs after the 10-week orientation?

4. What religious services are offered on base?

5. What would my housing situation look like during and after training (as a single female)? How often does this change?

6. I am currently working as a nurse in Michigan, and have 6 months experience. What would be the difference in the application process and training if I were to enter now or wait until I have a year of experience? If I apply now but do not enter until after I have worked one year, does that count as having "experience?" When do they measure your time in work - when you apply, when you're accepted, or when you enter COT?

Thanks for all your help!

romaniam · Feb 22, 2013

Hi, I have a couple of specific questions that I hope maybe some of you who have been through the process or are starting the process might be able to answer when it comes to Air Force nursing.
First of all, straight away, what is the age cut off? I have read different things, so I thought I'd ask. I'm 36 going on 37 later this year.
Secondly, I have my BSN but no experience. It just hasn't been in the cards since I graduated a few years ago. From having babies -- I literally found out I was pregnant the very day I graduated from nursing school -- to moving to 3 different areas, one of which was so heavy populated with nurses that despite my best efforts (200+ resumes/job applications) I never found employment. Would the AF even talk to me?
Also, when is the physical done? I have some weight to lose to meet Air Force standards. If the flight physical is one of the first things they look at, then I need to allow myself another 4-5 months before I'd be in top shape. I know I can do it, too; I lost 50 lbs before getting pregnant with my first child -- yep, also during my last semester of nursing school. Yeah, that's discipline for you :).
Lastly, and this may go unanswered, but I am curious as to whether my husband already being in the Air Force would work to my advantage or disadvantage? Obviously if I were to make it through and receive a commission, we'd be dual military as he already has 10 years in (FYI, he is non-medical.) So, I'm wondering if that is viewed as a good thing or a bad thing...or doesn't really matter.
Would love to hear thoughts! Any feedback is appreciated.

It's not written anywhere or officially acknowledged that as a spouse you get an edge. But you are interviewing with a real person and real people are reviewing your application. So, being a spouse and being experienced with military life can give you an edge. During my chief nurse interview he acknowledged my spouse status and felt that some of the questions were irrelevant because I'm familiar with military life.

I think your biggest hurdle will be not having experience. It's easier to go in fully qualified. But new grads are accepted.

Good luck!

bailey6hill · Feb 26, 2013

Hi, I have a couple of specific questions that I hope maybe some of you who have been through the process or are starting the process might be able to answer when it comes to Air Force nursing.
First of all, straight away, what is the age cut off? I have read different things, so I thought I'd ask. I'm 36 going on 37 later this year.
Secondly, I have my BSN but no experience. It just hasn't been in the cards since I graduated a few years ago. From having babies -- I literally found out I was pregnant the very day I graduated from nursing school -- to moving to 3 different areas, one of which was so heavy populated with nurses that despite my best efforts (200+ resumes/job applications) I never found employment. Would the AF even talk to me?
Also, when is the physical done? I have some weight to lose to meet Air Force standards. If the flight physical is one of the first things they look at, then I need to allow myself another 4-5 months before I'd be in top shape. I know I can do it, too; I lost 50 lbs before getting pregnant with my first child -- yep, also during my last semester of nursing school. Yeah, that's discipline for you :).
Lastly, and this may go unanswered, but I am curious as to whether my husband already being in the Air Force would work to my advantage or disadvantage? Obviously if I were to make it through and receive a commission, we'd be dual military as he already has 10 years in (FYI, he is non-medical.) So, I'm wondering if that is viewed as a good thing or a bad thing...or doesn't really matter.
Would love to hear thoughts! Any feedback is appreciated.

Are you planning on applying for NTP? That's the way to go for new grads and those with less than 6 months of full-time employment. I recently applied for OTS, rather than NTP because I will have a full year of med-surg experience before OTS if I get selected. I went through the process of the recruiter interview, filling out loads of paperwork, getting my résumé together (their way), passed the MEPS physical, interviewed with a colonel in the medical squadron and got my letters of recommendations from nurses I've worked along side. Now, I am waiting to see if the board even met in February and if so, waiting to see if I'm selected. My husband has been in the Air Force for almost 16 years, he's enlisted. I find no advantage so far, except for understanding that I'll have to deploy and what that really means. I'm just working full time for now, waiting to hear, and trying not to grow anxious.

By the way, I'm 35 and from my recruiter, he said the cutoff is 42, but there are always waivers. The physical was done at MEPS, before meeting with the colonel.

Best of luck to you, whichever you decide.