Colorblind Flight Nurse in Military?

Specialties Government

Published

Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU.

I am very interested in joining the AFR or Air Guard as a Flight Nurse or CCAT, however I have been unable to locate any info regarding color vision requirements for Flight Nursing. I am Red/Green colorblind or so I am told (I really just have a hard time distinguishing the difference between certain shades of blue and purple). This is more of a problem for me matching ties and socks... never had a problem as a nurse. Anyways... can anyone shed some light? or is talking to a recruiter my only option?

I have 2 years exp in critical care. While I love my job and it still excites me, I would like an opportunity to expand my skills and serve my country.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Not a problem. Although they are not medical, I know a number of officers who are red-green blind. I'd be shocked if there was a restriction for medical. I think it only matters for pilots. Good luck.

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Good luck!!! Do you have your BSN? I know the AF is the hardest to get into but with a BSN i think it would be easier.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

A BSN is an absolute requirement for being a military nurse in any branch. The national guard allowed ADNs at one time, but I believe that practice has ended.

Although colorblindness doesn't disqualify you from becoming a military nurse, it will require a waiver for you to become a flight nurse. Anything requiring flying status in the Air Force has its own set of stringent requirements. There is a need for flight nurses right now, but waivers are hard to get these days. A recruiter would have a better idea of what sort of waivers they are giving out right now.

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When you commission in the military, part of the process is a physical exam that does test color vision, and it is tested every year as part of the yearly physical exam in the military.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

You "know" the AF is the hardest to get into? How do you "know" this? My fellow nurse did not get O-3 in the Army and now he is O-3 in AF.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Correct, but it doesn't disqualify you from being a nurse. In fact, my roommate at Commissioned Officer Training was a colorblind (what type I don't know) med-surg nurse. However, flight nursing has its own set of stringent requirements. They require a lot of waivers for seemingly silly things...having a short arm reach for example.

The Army has it pretty rough as far as downsizing right now. I wouldn't doubt if it was more difficult to commission in the Army than the other 2 med corps.

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