Air Force

allnurses Guide · Jan 16, 2014

Can anyone tell me the current need for CRNA's in the AF? I am planning on commissioning sometime before I graduate, but not sure why my nurse recruiter is not very good at returning emails or phone calls. Thanks

The process is very slow. It often takes months to get all the paperwork through. It would be nice if recruiters would send weekly update emails, but the truth is right now for them it is a seller's market with all the nurses trying to get in the military.

The amount of CRNAs in the AF goes up and down, but right now I am pretty sure we around 90+%, but that is likely to change some in the summer with some CRNAs getting out.

I would make alternate plans for a job just in case all your paperwork isn't done by graduation, but just don't sign any contactual agreements and do not mention that you are trying to get in the AF.

jwk · Jan 16, 2014

I would make alternate plans for a job just in case all your paperwork isn't done by graduation, but just don't sign any contactual agreements and do not mention that you are trying to get in the AF.

By all means - lie to your potential employer. That will go over well should you ever decide to return to that area.

Keep in mind that hospital credentialing is not a swift process either. Hospitals in my area routinely take 2-3 months for credentialing, because they actually check references and wait for schools to send verification of graduation.

manusko · Jan 16, 2014

By all means - lie to your potential employer. That will go over well should you ever decide to return to that area. Keep in mind that hospital credentialing is not a swift process either. Hospitals in my area routinely take 2-3 months for credentialing because they actually check references and wait for schools to send verification of graduation.[/quote']
Not mentioning is not the same as lying. You must keep in mind that many contracts require you to give 90 days notice before quitting as well. So add that with credentialing making it 3-5 months.

bradleyclose · Jan 16, 2014

@ wtbcrna : So you are saying it would better to pursue it in the summer months when the numbers drop? I do not graduate until December 2015 with my MSN and will have 3 months left for my DNAP. Any suggestions on when to commission and when to be very persistent?

jwk · Jan 16, 2014

Not mentioning is not the same as lying. You must keep in mind that many contracts require you to give 90 days notice before quitting as well. So add that with credentialing making it 3-5 months.

Sure it is. There are errors of Omission and COmmision.

Just speaking from an employer standpoint - if we hire you and go to the effort and expense to credential you (we incur our own credentialling costs, as well as pay the hospital a fee for credentialling), and then you turn around and leave for another job you were planning to go to all along, military or otherwise - you can bet that we would be less than happy about that, and if you did by chance come back to the area looking for a job in the future, we would not consider hiring you back based on your previous unprofessional behavior.

manusko · Jan 16, 2014

Can anyone tell me the current need for CRNA's in the AF? I am planning on commissioning sometime before I graduate but not sure why my nurse recruiter is not very good at returning emails or phone calls. Thanks[/quote']
There's a good chance that they have filled their slots. Not sure about the AF but the Army starts signing people in Oct and it fills up quickly. If you don't graduate until 2015 then I would wait a little while.

bradleyclose · Jan 17, 2014

Okay, I am now learning that it is very competitive. I am at a GREAT program. What are some ways to make myself a competitive applicant in the AF?

bradleyclose · Jan 17, 2014

The reason I am searching this out now is so that "omission and commission" does not happen. I don't want to leave someone high and dry even if I am never returning to the area to practice. I just have to figure out how to get into the AF. And if its not an option come 2016, then I will have made back up plans.

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2014

By all means - lie to your potential employer. That will go over well should you ever decide to return to that area.
Keep in mind that hospital credentialing is not a swift process either. Hospitals in my area routinely take 2-3 months for credentialing, because they actually check references and wait for schools to send verification of graduation.

It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against someone based on military status, but it happens frequently.

Getting a job after graduation is more important than telling a future employer that you may or may not being joining the military.

JWK why don't you tell us how you handled the process of joining the military as a commissioned officer with the months to sometimes years of processing time. I would love to hear all about your military experience as an commissioned officer.

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2014

Not mentioning is not the same as lying. You must keep in mind that many contracts require you to give 90 days notice before quitting as well. So add that with credentialing making it 3-5 months.

You can correct if I am wrong, but I pretty sure that does not apply to entering the military. The contract would be subsequently be voided as far as requiring so much time before quitting. You have to also keep in mind it is taking lots of military applicants 12+ months to get in and then you may still have to wait around for a few more months for officer training slot.

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2014

Sure it is. There are errors of Omission and COmmision.
Just speaking from an employer standpoint - if we hire you and go to the effort and expense to credential you (we incur our own credentialling costs, as well as pay the hospital a fee for credentialling), and then you turn around and leave for another job you were planning to go to all along, military or otherwise - you can bet that we would be less than happy about that, and if you did by chance come back to the area looking for a job in the future, we would not consider hiring you back based on your previous unprofessional behavior.

And that matters why? You are talking a minimum of 3 years active duty commitment when joining the military with most CRNAs serving more than 1 tour. You could easily find another job with 3-4 years experience as a military CRNA, if you decide to get out after the minimum time on AD.

It is always best to be upfront with an employer, but acquiring gainful employment is more important than telling the employer you may or may not be accepted into the military. As you have already alluded to the employer more than likely would not hire that person if they told them that even though it is illegal.