AIRFORCE Nursing?

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 21, 2006

My take as an USAF vet (not nurse):

If you are"terrified" of being deployed to Iraq, think twice.

REALLY.

Yea, the benefits are good.

Think about your kids. Do THEY support this? Do they want to see MOM gone, after having lived w/dad being gone on and off through the years in the military? Is the paid MSN worth the sacrifices you and your family will make with your being a military nurse?

Only you can answer these questions honestly. I guess, sitting where I am, 10 years' active duty myself, and my husband retiring in May, I am glad we are almost done. I really want him home, the kids want to settle down in ONE place finally, and he is tired of the whole military way of life after 20 years. We are ready to stay in one place, put down roots, buy a home, and settle into (hopefully quieter) civilian life.

If you are in a different place, I can't speak for you. Like you said, there are benefits; a paid MSN is VERY appealing, no doubt. So is, no doubt, the amazing work experience and commaraderie you will gain as a military nurse. Military training and experience are second to none---period. Highly respected. I have great respect for military doctors and nurses. They are an elite group in my book, one I would be proud to serve among, if I were willing to endure active duty life myself any longer.

I think you need to be SURE your kids, and dh, are truly on board here. You want no regrets or guilt feelings related to this. Think really hard where you see yourself in the next 5 -10 years and be aware of some of the life events you may miss during deployments, like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations etc. Since you are are a military spouse, you know what I am speaking about. But families grow up and change, clearly. Teenagers need their parents at least as much, if not more , than babies do. Be sure you can handle missing certain momentous occasions in yours.....also you might ask where your kids and dh see you all as a family. And then decide.

Good luck with your decision. I truly thank you all for your sacrifices made thus far for our country and my hat is off to your husband for his service.

----military wife and veteran (and most important MOM)

allnurses Guide · Jan 22, 2006

I am a RN w/ 14 years Med/Surg & 2 yrs Crit. Care. experience. I recently put in a packet to join the Airforce as an officer/RN. My husband is retiring from the military in a year - so we are used to the life & I have been guaranteed to my choice of duty station - mind you this doesn't mean that I'm not deployable.
I am in my early 30's & thought that this would offer great opportunities! My immediate family (husband & 3 kids) are very supportive, but everyone else stares at me as if I have lost my last marble, making statements to me like. "Don't you know it's wartime?" The recruiter said that nurses are deployable for 4 months out of every 2 yrs & of course the base you would be sent to right now is Balad in Baghdad -he said it's safe & many nurses like it & ask to go back. My parents (in their 70's) refused to speak about it.
I of course see the benefits - obtaining my Master's (they pay for it) , a retirement, etc. I also am terrified about being deployed to Iraq!
I have not signed papers yet - so still have options.
Does anyone have any advice? Any Airforce nurses out there?
Thank You!

I have been an Air Force nurse for 4yrs. I came in when I was 29y/o and I'm married and have three kids. I think this would be a great opportunity for you. There are a couple of things though......You are deployable 4 to 6 months(usually 4 months) every 18months. As far as education goes...you are eligible for tution assistance from day one, but to get an AFIT scholarship (this is probably what your recruiter talked to you about the most) you need to be in a minimum of two years and have your conditional reserve status.

These are good things to discuss on your Chief Nurse interview....Have you gone to a base for you interview with the chief nurse yet?

Best of Luck!

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 22, 2006

I have been an Air Force nurse for 4yrs. I came in when I was 29y/o and I'm married and have three kids. I think this would be a great opportunity for you. There are a couple of things though......You are deployable 4 to 6 months(usually 4 months) every 18months. As far as education goes...you are eligible for tution assistance from day one, but to get an AFIT scholarship (this is probably what your recruiter talked to you about the most) you need to be in a minimum of two years and have your conditional reserve status.
These are good things to discuss on your Chief Nurse interview....Have you gone to a base for you interview with the chief nurse yet?
Best of Luck!

GREAT advice. Thank you.

Corvette Guy · Jan 22, 2006

I am a RN w/ 14 years Med/Surg & 2 yrs Crit. Care. experience. I recently put in a packet to join the Airforce as an officer/RN. My husband is retiring from the military in a year - so we are used to the life & I have been guaranteed to my choice of duty station - mind you this doesn't mean that I'm not deployable.
I am in my early 30's & thought that this would offer great opportunities! My immediate family (husband & 3 kids) are very supportive, but everyone else stares at me as if I have lost my last marble, making statements to me like. "Don't you know it's wartime?" The recruiter said that nurses are deployable for 4 months out of every 2 yrs & of course the base you would be sent to right now is Balad in Baghdad -he said it's safe & many nurses like it & ask to go back. My parents (in their 70's) refused to speak about it.
I of course see the benefits - obtaining my Master's (they pay for it) , a retirement, etc. I also am terrified about being deployed to Iraq!
I have not signed papers yet - so still have options.
Does anyone have any advice? Any Airforce nurses out there?
Thank You!

Army Nurse here saying thank you for your interest in serving our country via AF RN taking care of military members, dependents, and retirees. You have your husband's support, so if you want my input...

sign the papers! :)