Air Force Nursing Transition Program?

[Carmo24]

Hi everyone! Newbie AllNurses individual here. I’ve done my best to research on past threads but was hoping to seek some insight and opinions on active-duty Air Force nursing. (I am in the process of being transferred to my new healthcare recruiter for the application/boards process but waned to see if my understanding is at least-some what accurate). Apologies for the length and yet another AF Nurs. post, but would greatly appreciate any insight. 

I am a 24 Y/O F graduating from my BSN program this upcoming May, and testing for my NCLEX early June. I do have a previous bachelor’s degree in Health Management and have ER experience as a tech (NOT a nurse, except for preceptorship, so I am considered a full new grad.) I would be fourth-generation Air Force and serving has been something I have wanted to do from a very young age. Like a lot of new grads, I am very passionate about flight nursing, and this is ultimately my goal. However, as I have limited understanding of how the process works, and what my best option would be to receive a flight nursing designation, I was hoping for some additional clarification and or advice. In talking with my recruiter, it seems as my options are currently:

Option 1: Enter active duty under the USAF Nurse Transition Program. Of my understanding, with this option I would enter the AF under a Med-Surg, OB, or OR specialty, and once I work in this area for a specified amount of time, it would then be up to my Chief Nursing Officer if I can change to flight nursing (lots of variables- expected in the military, but still want to understand as best I can).

Option 2: Work in an ER setting for 1-2 years, then apply/enter active duty as an emergency nurse with critical care experience. I love emergency nursing, and already have civilian ER job offers pending my NCLEX. (While this option gives me ER, I would only have +/- 2 years at the time of applications/boards, so I may not be the most competitive against other experienced trauma/ ER nurses?) 

Option 3: While I would prefer to go active, it has also been suggested that the Reserves would be a more efficient route to flight nursing. Does anyone have any insight on this?

Happy (and wanting) to deploy, move anywhere needed, do what is needed to reach my end goal. However, not sure how happy I would be working in Med-Surg for an extended length (4-6+years) or my entire career when my heart is really in emergency/ flight nursing. I would GREATLY appreciate any feedback or insight. Thank you!!

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Having done both active duty AF and reserves, I personally feel that the Air Force Reserves (or guard) is the best deal going.  You can do whatever job you want much quicker and there are always opportunities to be put on full-time orders and effectively get the same pay and benefits as an active duty nurse.  You can even earn an active duty retirement with enough reserves points.  As a reservist, you just have way more freedom.  I don't really see any advantage to active duty.

I would highly recommend you just get an civilian ER (ACS level 1) or ICU job once you graduate and then apply as a reservist after a year.  You won't face much competition for reserve slots; there are always open jobs in most units.  That's honestly going to be the fastest route to flight nursing.  You'll be much happier in the long run.