air force specialty identifiers

allnurses Guide · Jul 31, 2010

Hi all. I am so glad I found this site and found other nurses running the same gauntlet I am in trying to get into the Air Force. My question is: my nursing background is mostly emergency department with some ICU and Med/Surg. I also have my CEN and CCRN. My original goal in joining the Air Force in addition to personal reasons was for obtaining my Master's degree. I had first thought I wanted to be an APN as family nurse practitioner or acute care nurse practitioner but have since been reading that by 2015 most of these programs will require a PhD! I am now leaning more toward the CRNA route. Is it possible to have two specialty identifiers in the Air Force? I have read that it is difficult to change specialties once you are in. I understand I would not be eligible for AFIT until I have been in 2+ years. Should I push to come in as ICU instead of ER? I have 12 total years nursing experience with 8 being in ER. I only have 1 year full time ICU and it was several years ago. I know for CRNA school you have to have at least 2 years of ICU experience. I have made it through MEPS and have my Chief Nurse interview scheduled for August. My packet is going before the November boards and I am hoping for a May COT date but realize that with the huge influx of accessions that it may be later:) Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated!

1. APNs are not moving towards PhDs. APNs are moving towards a DNP. DNP is totally different than a PhD. A DNP realistically should only add 6-12 months maximum to integrated BSN-DNP program, because most of the DNP classes are just an extension of pre-existing MSN courses, and is considered a clinical degree. A PhD in nursing is generally 3-4yrs post masters degree, and is a research degree. By the way if you are going to do FNP or CRNA through the AF then you will be doing your DNP. USUHS and Ft Sam will have both switched over to the DNP by the time you would be going to FNP/NA school.

2. I carry 4 AF nursing identifiers. My identifiers are for general nursing, ER, ICU, and anesthesia.

3. You really need to explore CRNA field a lot more before making such a big decision. Here is good place to start. AANA - Becoming a CRNA

4. You need one year minimum of acute care experience in order to apply to CRNA school not two years of ICU experience. There are schools that will not accept anything, but ICU experience and there are other schools that will offer a variety of experiences including ER and PACU. The AF doesn't seem to prefer either one. One of my best friends is a prior ER nurse and was one of top people in our anesthesia class.

5. If your goal is CRNA then I would stick with whichever you like better ER or ICU, and focus on making yourself the best candidate possible.

w2cross2blue · Jul 31, 2010

Thank you wtbcrna for the info. Is it true that if you are in the AFIT program that you are only going to school? I guess it would not matter much as far as DNP or MSN as long as one had time to study and excell. I understand as an officer you incur a 2:1 ratio of service commitment to school year time. Do you know if the CRNA programs are going to be longer than 2.5 years in the future?

allnurses Guide · Aug 1, 2010

Thank you wtbcrna for the info. Is it true that if you are in the AFIT program that you are only going to school? I guess it would not matter much as far as DNP or MSN as long as one had time to study and excell. I understand as an officer you incur a 2:1 ratio of service commitment to school year time. Do you know if the CRNA programs are going to be longer than 2.5 years in the future?

AFIT is your full time job. All you are really expected to do is excel in school, but you still have to PT etc. The commitment is not exactly 2:1. Mine was 4.5yrs for 2.5yrs. I can't remember the exact ratio though. The latest rumor was that the military NA school will be extended to 3yrs instead of 2.5, but who knows at this point.

w2cross2blue · Aug 1, 2010

Thanks again for the info. Do you have a recommendation regarding taking the GRE vs the MAT to make my application more competitive? Also, were there prerequisite courses that you had to take prior to applying to AFIT?

allnurses Guide · Aug 1, 2010

Thanks again for the info. Do you have a recommendation regarding taking the GRE vs the MAT to make my application more competitive? Also, were there prerequisite courses that you had to take prior to applying to AFIT?

You will need to take the GRE for AFIT. You will also need organic chem or biochem within 5yrs of starting CRNA school. I recommend taking Univ of New England's online biochem course.

w2cross2blue · Aug 1, 2010

Too bad it has to be in the last 5 years. I have already taken biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and organic chemistry but it was 14 years ago:crying2: I read somewhere that the GRE scores are good for 5 years. I have read that the AFIT program is very competetive. How often do people get in after just 2 years of active duty? Is that an unreasonable expectation?

allnurses Guide · Aug 1, 2010

Too bad it has to be in the last 5 years. I have already taken biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and organic chemistry but it was 14 years ago:crying2: I read somewhere that the GRE scores are good for 5 years. I have read that the AFIT program is very competetive. How often do people get in after just 2 years of active duty? Is that an unreasonable expectation?

3yrs of AD. Two years time on station before you can apply. AFIT competition varies quite a bit some years there isn't enough people who apply and other years there are barely any slots.

PM me your email address and I will send you the requirements for AFIT for this year. It will give you a good idea of everything you need to know.

bypass rn · Sep 2, 2011

3yrs of AD. Two years time on station before you can apply. AFIT competition varies quite a bit some years there isn't enough people who apply and other years there are barely any slots.
PM me your email address and I will send you the requirements for AFIT for this year. It will give you a good idea of everything you need to know.

Thank you for this thread by the way, It's taken me forever to find someone who can answer my questions.

I am applying for the Sept boards, I have been an ICU nurse with my ADN since 2003 but didnt get my BSN till 2007. I work both in the operating room and in the ICU .What part of that time counts?. My goal also is to work toward going to CRNA school so i figure going in with the critical care identifier. Could you also give the requirements to work on for AFIT. I know I need organic chem or biochem. Do you know if the Statistic Class has to be within a certain amount of time. Also what do I documentation do I need to produce to go in with the critical care identifier and also to get the specialty pay thanks

allnurses Guide · Sep 2, 2011

Thank you for this thread by the way, It's taken me forever to find someone who can answer my questions.
I am applying for the Sept boards, I have been an ICU nurse with my ADN since 2003 but didnt get my BSN till 2007. I work both in the operating room and in the ICU .What part of that time counts?. My goal also is to work toward going to CRNA school so i figure going in with the critical care identifier. Could you also give the requirements to work on for AFIT. I know I need organic chem or biochem. Do you know if the Statistic Class has to be within a certain amount of time. Also what do I documentation do I need to produce to go in with the critical care identifier and also to get the specialty pay thanks

I am not sure what documentation you need to get your speciality identifier or speciality pay these days.

You have enough experience to apply to AFIT for nurse anesthesia as soon as you meet the active duty time requirement.

I would recommend taking this biochemistry course to meet the requirement for chemistry to apply. http://faculty.une.edu/com/courses/bionut/distbio/distbiohome.html This the one most of my classmates took.

Here is the 2012 requirements for applying to AFIT nurse anesthesia program.

A. PREREQUISITES

1. STATUS:

Time-on-station requirement: CONUS candidates must complete 24 months TOS as of

31 May 2012 (31 Jul 2012 for MSN-to-DNP candidates). Overseas applicants must

complete the standard tour length for assigned location as of the same date less the

allowable 60-day rollback.

2. RANK: 1Lt through Major

3. ACADEMIC/EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

BSN degree.

Cumulative GPA 3.0; DNP GPA requirement is 3.0.

ACLS: Selects must present proof of current ACLS-Provider or Instructor

certification at the time of application to the school. BLS and PALS are also required

prior to matriculation into the program. See Atch. 3, para B. 11.

d.

Biophysical Science courses/grades; strong recent academic foundation in

biophysical sciences. Transcript(s) must reflect the following courses/grades at the

time of application. The following undergraduate or graduate courses/grades are

required

a.

b.

c.

(1) A Biochemistry course (taken within the past five year.

(2) Undergraduate GPA-grades in the basic sciences are critically important. A

science GPA of 3.0 is required to be competitive. Grades in the biochemistry class

will be included in this average requirement. Above academic requirements must

be completed prior to departure on AFIT assignment.

4. STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES: Completion of all three sections of the GRE

for candidates with a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 1025, 525

quantitative and 500 verbal, for and a minimum analytical score of 4.0 is required to be

competitive for nurse anesthesia (MSN and DNP candidates). GRE scores cannot be

older than 5 years at the time of projected school start date.

5. EXPERIENCE: (not waiverable):

Obtained within 36 months of anticipated school start date. The experience

standards requires a minimum of one year of acute care monitoring experience

as defined by "work experience at which an RN has developed as an independent

decision maker capable of using and interpreting advance monitoring techniques

based on knowledge of physiological and pharmacological principles." For example:

if applicants have not had ICU experience they need to be able to specifically show

where they have had experience in monitoring. Examples would be moderate

sedation training and practice for one year, or cross training, etc. Nursing experience

in the operating room, post anesthesia recovery room, neonatal and pediatric ICUs,

and emergency room are also considered, if experience in these setting meets the

requirement for acute care monitoring experience. Completion of the Trauma

Nursing Core Course (TNCC) is highly recommended.

b.

To understand the role and responsibilities, you will be required to shadow an

Air Force 46YXM or a civilian counterpart for a minimum of 5 days. For facilities

with a clinical training program, 2 days should be spent with a current Senior Nurse

Anesthetist. The CRNA Applicant "Shadow" Evaluation Form will be utilized to

evaluate each clinical shadowing day. This form will be provided to you when you

schedule your interview with Lt Col Brian Todd.

6. NATIONAL CERTIFICATION: Board Certification as a Critical Care Registered

Nurse (CCRN) or Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN Certified Post Anesthesia Nursing

(CPAN) is highly recommended.

7. INTERVIEW: A telephone or personal interview with an Air Force nurse anesthesia

educator is required. Follow this procedure to complete the interview:

bypass rn · Sep 2, 2011

wtbcrna,

you rock! thanks for the info. Even though I'm still awaiting for my packet to go through, This helps my sanity and confidence with making this decision