which branch to join for flight nursing.

Vikingkitten · Apr 15, 2010

Hi, Aziz!

Sounds like you are the kind of High-Speed individual the Military would be fighting over! I was , briefly, an Army Medevac nurse, and have never forgotten any of the lessons learned. The Military isn't for everyone, but I think you should explore a career. I can understand the difficulty in trying to become a civilian Flight Nurse- the positions are rapidly taken by those with years of experience and the right connections. In contrast, being accepted in one of the Uniformed Services with a guaranteed Flight position is all to your favor if and when you leave the Service to compete in the civilian market.

Still, I was in the right place at the right time, and I don't think my experience would translate to you as I was very lucky. I would have to recommend the Air Force as having the most Flight positions, with the Navy second. The Army does have flight positions, and nothing compares with the experiences (some on the hairy side- try doing ACLS on a pt. on the middle stretcher for 30 minutes in a thunderstorm!) , but I guarantee you'll never forget them!

Anyway, hope this helps some. I'm long since retired and enjoying a civilian career, but my military experinces are something to treasure . Plus, you'll be doing things Civilians can't imagine in their wildest dreams!

Take care and Good Luck, and thanks for considering the Military as a career!

Ski, MSG, Ret.

ayonuss · Apr 15, 2010

thank you sooo much for ur reply. everyone says that the air force is the place to be for something like this, but im just trying to ask as many people as i can. i still have a while to go academically, so, ill be needing to talk to a recruiter or something. the air force teaches u ur acls and all the other training required right? you didn't have to learn anything or take any classes before you joined?

Vikingkitten · Apr 16, 2010

thank you sooo much for ur reply. everyone says that the air force is the place to be for something like this, but im just trying to ask as many people as i can. i still have a while to go academically, so, ill be needing to talk to a recruiter or something. the air force teaches u ur acls and all the other training required right? you didn't have to learn anything or take any classes before you joined?

Every Nursing specialty is going to require some special and extra training. Nursing school is going to prepare you to be a nurse. The Services will train you for everything you need to know to perform your duties. If you aren't trained in doing something, you aren't going to be doing it. Flight is a specialty also, and all specialties have their own specifics, terminology, skills and so on. I would start talking to ALL the recruiters. Get them competing over you so you can get the best deal! Besides, you won't know what they have to offer until you ask. And, another thing about recruiters:get everything in writing! I'm just saying. They're like used car salesmen; they don't always let you see the CarFax, if you know what I mean!

MSG Ski

ayonuss · Apr 16, 2010

lol. that was very helpful and useful info. on the part about writing, do i just ask them to print out their offers or the numbers or what is it that i actually get in writing?

Vikingkitten · May 18, 2010

Sorry I haven't been on in awhile to answer any of your inquiries. What I mean by get it in writing, is to make the Recruiter spell out EXACTLY what they are offering you: Military Occupational Specialty (MOS- your job), training and schooling, Posts (bases) , length of commitment , rank, GI Bill that will apply to you ($, length, time, etc.) and anything else that concerns you. Take your time and make a list, just like buying a dream car! Give it some thought and let me know how it turns out!

MSG Ski, Ret.

ayonuss · May 19, 2010

I appreciate all of your advice. I still have a while to go, its hard to get into the classes u need when ur registration date is the last day. But once I do get there, i will definitely inform, you. Thanks again for all your help.

Vikingkitten · May 19, 2010

Anytime! All you have to do is ask. But, like I said before, it's never too early to get the Services fighting over who gets you!

Good luck!

ayonuss · Jun 26, 2010

I feel bad bugging you, but i have another question, lol. im assuming you were an officer in the air force, and if so, what were the perks of being one in the air force? Like did you get to travel a lot? thats really what i want to do, but i heard in the air force, one will be stationed for years at one spot then moved as opposed to the navy where you move constantly. Also, if you do know, whats the difference between a flight nurse in the air force or in the navy? (I'm leaning toward the navy, but i want to know a little bit more from someone who was in the airforce). Thank you.

badphish · Dec 15, 2010

1. AF personnel do tend to stay at one duty station longer than the other. Services. Probably due to the fact that many jobs are only in certain places. 2. If you want to go out and pick up wounded soldiers sorry that is not what military nurses do. The highly trained medics/corpsman do that.

3. For flight I'd go AF. For the obvious. They have the big air transports

4. All services provide a lot of travel. It is the job.

5. If u want to spend your travel time in a tent. -army ship- navy, hotel- AF

rghbsn, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2010

Just some quick, recent, info for you. The AF does have the most flight spots...they are on fixed wing air evac, NOT medivac...there isn't the field type stuff you want as an RN (there is, but it is very small and it takes time and effort to get into those spots). Also, as an active duty AF fligt nurse, you get to fly for one assignment (it's an extra duty assignment), so you would most likely have to work in an MTF (medical treatment facility) first, then get into flight school. There are only 4 active duty AES (air evac squadrons): Kadena, Okinawa, Scott AFB, Pope AFB, and Ramstein, Germany. You get to fly for 3-4 years, then go back to an MTF.

Now, if you can get into critical care, you can try to be a CCATT nurse...they are not flight crew. They do not get wings. They can transport up to 5 patients at a time w/ a MD and an RRT as a 3 person team...they are operating from the forward bases all the way back to the states.

I honestly don't know what branch would be the best for what you are looking to do, but that is some info on the AF, anyway.

Good Luck!

R.Hector, Capt, USAF

Flight Nurse

Vikingkitten · Dec 16, 2010

Hi, sorry I haven't been on in awhile, again. You aren't bugging me, so don't worry about it.

As for the perks, well, that's a matter of opinion. If you like the increasing responsibility with the increasing rank, then , yes, it's worth it. It was for me. Plus, the more time you put in, the more you are going to learn, and the more you'll be able to do. Learning the Management and Leadership skills is also a lifetime task, which will serve you well for the rest of your career, even when you leave the military. Plus, as I've said before, as a military nurse, you'll be doing things your civilian counterparts couldn't even dream of!

As for as assignment length, I think it's more dependent on whether or not your specialty is a shortage one or not. For example, years ago, the Army had a severe shortage of OB nurses. The usual length of assignment for OB nurses was only about a year and a half, while most other specialties were 3-3 1/2 years. Your Recriter/Branch Counselor would know more about the specifics.

I started my career as a Paratrooper, and so slept on my share of various terrain before changing to Medical branch, but if your goal is clean sheets, lattes and a soft life, then I guess the Air Force is for you!

LOL, just pulling your chain!

Good luck and keep me informed!

MSG Ski,Ret.