Air Force

kddx,

The BAH will be given to both you and your spouse - each will receive with no dependents (that is assuming you don't have kids... if you have kids the dependents would be based on the higher earning BAH)...

My wife and I were both active duty army officers and received dual no-dependent BAH for several years.

At that point you will have no problem not living on post ...... enjoy

trauma...crna.. rest assured we all seem to be correct :)

This is extract from the de facto of all sources..no not AP or reuters..behold armytimes

It supports all of our combined responses

If a husband and wife both are on active duty and have a child, the higher-ranking spouse gets BAH at the “with-dependent” rate and the other receives it at the “without-dependent” rate. In dual-military couples without children, the husband and wife both receive BAH at the without-dependent rate.

I have been an ICU RN for 3 years. I am going back to school this spring for my BSN. My ultimate goal is to get my Master's. I am still debating on which route to take. CRNA sounds good for the money, but I still love bedside care and am thinking more and more about ACNP. Also thinking of joining USAF after I get the BSN. I spoke with healthcare recruiter several months ago so I understand the AFSC importance in contract with regard to Critical Care Nursing. Now my new question is this: Is there a need, rather, do they use the ACNP in the AF? And, is there a benefit to waiting until after I obtain my Master's before joining.

Thanks in adavance for your help. I know for a few of you, everytime you logon you end up being the allnurses.com military recruiter :) I appreciate your service and your advice.

Okie,

I know some have recommended that if you have a specific area that you would like to work in - same peds or acute - then they have recommend that have your get your BSN you work to gain a year of exp in that area - so that you can competitively enter the service and get that mos specific area... as opposed to entering with no exp and then being pushed to the current area that is short. I haven't seen a particular advantage to getting your msn in acute... you might enter with a slightly hire rank and be more likely to move towars that specialty area. If it were 'me' I would look at entering after getting my BSN - either as a newbie or with exp...then serving for several years and then applying towards advanced civil school.. going to school, while getting paid, while earing time in service... congrats on your bsn route

thanks just-cause.

Just some clarification. I already have 3 years in adult ICU with a ADN. MICU/SICU to be more specific. Are you recommending getting my BSN and gaining an additional year of experience WITH the BSN? If so, I have never thought of that, but you make a good point. From my understanding, after speaking with health care recruiter, they base entry rank for those of us with no prior service on half time. Ex. they will give me two years of experience for my 4 of civilian, enabling me to enter as 1Lt vs 2Lt. I never thought to ask if it made any difference if my experience was gained while holding ADN vs BSN

Thanks again.

Let me try to post this again. No idea what happened up there.

Thanks just-cause.

Just some clarification. I already have 3 years in adult ICU with a ADN. MICU/SICU to be more specific. Are you recommending getting my BSN and gaining an additional year of experience WITH the BSN? If so, I have never thought of that, but you make a good point. From my understanding, after speaking with health care recruiter, they base entry rank for those of us with no prior service on half time. Ex. they will give me two years of experience for my 4 of civilian, enabling me to enter as 1Lt vs 2Lt. I never thought to ask if it made any difference if my experience was gained while holding ADN vs BSN

Thanks again.

Okie,

I apologize I didn't answer very well above

Yeah with a ADN and ICU experience I think entering into the AF directly is a great path. I know in the Army you were able to attend advanced civil school provided you didn't already have a bachelors...allowing perhaps several years of work experience..followed by going to college to get a Masters in nursing.... followed by continued work - all while in the service.. You are in a great situation either way you choose!

Just-cause and wtbCRNA thanks a lot. That clears up some points of interest for me. What about specialty certifications? I have ACLS, ASLS, will set for CCRN in November and hopefully TNCC in January. Does having these make me more marketable/promotable if I choose USAF as a career long option?

(Not that it makes much difference. I know it makes me a better nurse to my patients, just curious about how military views these certs.)

Thanks again for your service. Serving our brave men and women in their greatest hour of need is motivation enough and a big part of my decission to join