Airforce nursing critical shortage specialties?

BarbPick · Dec 24, 2003

I expect they would want a Nurse Generalist. Believe it or not, being a jack of all trades is now a specialty in Nursing.

Kora0880, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2003

I have been told last week: OB/GYN, peds, Anesthesia

BarbPick · Dec 26, 2003

I could pull off Peds if no one is watching closely. I did pedi oncology and can access those itsy bitsy veins.

Meco · Jan 3, 2004

The latest info. I received from a recruiter was that the age limit was before age 40 and the Army is 46.5, but they may be flexable with such a nursing shortage in the USA. I would like to converse with others who have served or are planning to serve in the armed forces as a nurse. Thanks!!!

LeesieBug · Jan 10, 2004

The latest info. I received from a recruiter was that the age limit was before age 40 and the Army is 46.5, but they may be flexable with such a nursing shortage in the USA. I would like to converse with others who have served or are planning to serve in the armed forces as a nurse. Thanks!!!

Hmmmmmmm.....here I was thinking that I was too old for the armed forces, giggling that they keep sending an old broad recruiting pamphlets in the mail!

Heatherb · Jan 28, 2004

My latest info was the AF doesn't accept nurses over age 35.

rpbear · Feb 1, 2004

Does anyone know what nursing specialities the US Airforce really needs?

I plan on going for my RN/BSN (accelerated program) and am thinking about joining the Airforce after graduation. This is a second career and I will be 40 years old upon graduation. However, it is my understanding that the airforce accepts nurses up to 47 years of age. If I know what specialties the Airforce really needs, I can focus on gaining experience in these areas.

The USAF needs ALL specialties. You will see when you talk to the local USAF Health Professions recruiter that they do. Also, the age, you are fine, you just need to know that as long as you go active before 42 years old you can retire in 20 years. If you join after 42 years old, you would need a waiver to join (almost always approved). If you are over 42 when you join, you have to sign a statement that says, I understand I cannot retire under current laws. Yet, sya for example you are 43 when you join and you are 1 year away from retirement you can ask to stay and they can override the law and you can stay. Depends on how the nursing posture is in 20 years. Also, I don't know how far along you are in your RN/BSN, but as a student (also known as NTP) you can start a USAF application 1 year in advance to graduation. Nice way to have a job waiting for you.

Good luck.

rnav · Jul 18, 2004

My latest info was the AF doesn't accept nurses over age 35.

With prior service they will extend the age limit.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 18, 2004

I know the Army accepts until age 47 - they are at my doorstep - I'm almost 46 and prior enlisted but not sure these old bones could manage in Iraq!

DawnEyes · Jul 18, 2004

You can start a USAF application 1 year in advance to graduation.

That's very good to know indeed. :) I'm planning on joining the AF sometime after graduation, as well. I still haven't made a decision yet on when, though. I know I want to be a CRNA, so I could either join right after grad and have ICU course put into my contract, which would mean I'd have to do the application process for CRNA through my unit. Or I could do 1-2 yrs civilian ICU and join to have CRNA school in my contract. I have no idea yet. Any ideas on what a better course would be?

Meco · Jul 19, 2004

Hey dawneyes, I am also looking into a crna program. I graduate from an Accelertaed nursing(BSN) program in Dec. 2004. The school I am attending is starting an CRNA program and so I plan on doing a year in CVICU at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis and then apply to the program. I have been at Baptist for 2.5 years so I have good clinical skills. I am looking at joining the AF also but thought I would get my education out of the way before I commit. But maybe if I was accepted into the CRNA program I would enlist and let the AF pay for my education. I don't think I would join until I had at least applied for a CRNA progam because they may send you out of the country and thus make it hard to get back into the swing of things. The AF sounds great to me and I look forward to serving my country after I get a good education.

That's very good to know indeed. :) I'm planning on joining the AF sometime after graduation, as well. I still haven't made a decision yet on when, though. I know I want to be a CRNA, so I could either join right after grad and have ICU course put into my contract, which would mean I'd have to do the application process for CRNA through my unit. Or I could do 1-2 yrs civilian ICU and join to have CRNA school in my contract. I have no idea yet. Any ideas on what a better course would be?