Air Force vs Navy Active Duty Experience?

[Mikayla1594]

Hi everyone! I am graduating with my BSN in a couple of weeks and I really want to become a military nurse, eventually a military flight nurse. I already have a job as an ICU RN starting at the end of June. I really want to get a couple of years of experience before I apply (so I can get in shape too). I’ve just been searching around for people who have gone active duty in either the Air Force or Navy and what their experiences are to help with this decision. Any tips are much appreciated for preparing as well! Thanks in advance to everyone!

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Yeah you should definitely look at the Air Force Reserves or Air Guard for flight nursing in a part time capacity; they fly more anyway.  You can always volunteer for deployments and do more if you want to.

 Active duty Air Force makes new nurses, even with ICU experience, jump through a bunch of hoops and wait several years before letting them do flight nurse (AE) or critical care transport (CCATT).  The Navy really doesn't have many flight nursing jobs.

[Jeckrn1, ADN, BSN]

You need to talk with healthcare recruiters from all 3 services to see which one is the best fit for you. Each service has pros and cons, different promotion rates, advance school requirements/attendance rates etc. Ask about what really happens not just what the regulations say you can do. Two examples, you may be able to apply for a school after one year on active duty but unless you have three years of active duty you not even be considered. The second one is on promotion boards, you may go to the board without a master degree but the first of cut will be officers who do not have a masters degree.