I've read a lot of posts about military nursing and I think I've narrowed it down to the AF; however, I'm confused on what to do. I graduate in early May this year (2010). I have a job interview tomorrow (Apr 7) on a general med/surg floor at a local 125 bed hospital. I eventually want to get critical care experience and go to crna school (as a civilian :)). However, I'm not sure what to do next. I always thought that getting into the military just took a pen and a handshake. Now, everyone is talking about months of waiting, paperwork, and interviews? Seriously? When did the military seriously screen people with interviews?
Anyway, what is your advice? If I decide to join AF right out of nursing school what should I do next? What is the process? Paperwork with recuriter? Take NCLEX first?
Also, what's the deal with COT and NTP? I'm in AR so I live 25min from LRAFB, but doubt I would get assigned there. So would I have to go to AL for COT then somewhere else for NTP and then FINALLY get my first assignment?
Also, what's the minimum service length? 3yrs? 4yrs? Deployment length? 4-6months?
Sorry for all the questions, I just get confused with all the posts (may it's late too )
officers don't typically 're-up'. By undergoing schools or elective moves or elective bonuses or other type decisions you can have an increased service obligation.. many of which are served concurrent with whatever your base obligation was.. ex is many military schools have a 1year additional service obligation.. but that is then served concurrent with whatever obligation time you already have left.. meaning if you had more then 1 year... it doesn't affect you or if you had no obligation.. then that just gave you 1 year obligation time... where as enlisted soldiers/airmen actually do sign contracts that extend their initial obligation time.
Nobody knows they want 20 years in the military.. many that think they do - don't do it.. many that never planned on it.. do - just take it a bit at a time. If you want to serve - then do it.... if its going to be bad for your family, perhaps look at alternatives such as guard or reserve... you definitely need/want a supportive spouse as there will be stressors - but also benefits... many spouses love that their spouse is active... their are cons but lots of pros.
If your goal is to get critical care experience then why not start out doing that? If you have the opportunity to get into critical on the civilian side from the beginning that is what I would recommend. Why waste a year doing med/surg? The way the time frames are for getting into the AF these days you might get a year in before you would possibly leave for COT. I agree military experience would look great on the resume but it depends on what you do with your time.
Most CRNA programs require at least one year of critical care experience and a lot of them don't count the ER as such. Like WTBCRNA said there is a lot to consider with choosing a program. The biggest advantage with going through a military program is it is paid for. If you go on your own it is going to cost you....school and living expenses as you won't be working.
Well, I'm not completely sure that I want to do military long-term. Nothing against those who do (a lot of my family and friends do), but I'm not sure it would be good for my family. However, we could get through it just fine for 3-4 years. I'm just afraid that I'll join, do 3yrs of med/surg bc i got delayed ccu spot, re-up for 3 years, get ccu, then do 2yrs of crna school, and then still owe military 4 years bc they paid for crna school. I could be in the military for a loooong time. Plus i've heard that it's VERY competitive in the military - better chances as a civilian.
In general once you meet all the requirements it tends to be less competitive to get into a military program, but in my opinion the military schools are harder to get through.
As a new nurse coming into the AF you are going to spend your 1st 2-3yrs in med-surg (46N) position.
I interviewed for a med/surg position today. I was one of 18 applicants in a 24hr time period. Here in AR it is HARRD to get a job right now. There are 74 graduates at my school alone and we have like 5 other schools that are all graduating now too. For 300 graduates there are only like 25 jobs in the state. That's one reason I looked at military as well. Only a handful are getting critical care and it's because they know people in high places. All jobs posted at the moment require 1-3yrs of ccu experience to even apply, but some of my classmates have landed those jobs.
Anyway, I would ideally like to get about a year of med/surg experience as a civilian then join AF as a fully qualified nurse (aka skip NTP). Just go to COT then first duty station and get in CCU/Trauma ASAP. If this is not feasible then I'm not sure the military has anything to offer me - Part of me wants to do it to serve my country and it would be awesome to be able to say that i'm a nurse in the military, but that really doesn't benefit me any (no extra experience). If I did AF for 3yrs as med/surg then all it got me was moving 2-3 times, probably getting deployed, missing family things and for nothing. If I could get in and get to ccu even if it was the last year of 3yrs it would be worth it.
I interviewed for a med/surg position today. I was one of 18 applicants in a 24hr time period. Here in AR it is HARRD to get a job right now. There are 74 graduates at my school alone and we have like 5 other schools that are all graduating now too. For 300 graduates there are only like 25 jobs in the state. That's one reason I looked at military as well. Only a handful are getting critical care and it's because they know people in high places. All jobs posted at the moment require 1-3yrs of ccu experience to even apply, but some of my classmates have landed those jobs.
Anyway, I would ideally like to get about a year of med/surg experience as a civilian then join AF as a fully qualified nurse (aka skip NTP). Just go to COT then first duty station and get in CCU/Trauma ASAP. If this is not feasible then I'm not sure the military has anything to offer me - Part of me wants to do it to serve my country and it would be awesome to be able to say that i'm a nurse in the military, but that really doesn't benefit me any (no extra experience). If I did AF for 3yrs as med/surg then all it got me was moving 2-3 times, probably getting deployed, missing family things and for nothing. If I could get in and get to ccu even if it was the last year of 3yrs it would be worth it.
Your goals as they are right now and the AF don't coincide.
Your goals as they are right now and the AF don't coincide.
Well that's not cool . It's just hard to choose at this point. On one hand I really want to serve my country in that capacity - it's an awesome opportunity; HOWEVER, I'm not sure if that alone is enough to convince me (and my wife) to join. If I could fulfill both purposes (pride/honor AND experience for crna school) then I'd be with a recruiter this week. Any way I can put that in my contract? Guaranteed CCU/Trauma experience:D
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
khaos, I agree that your goals and the AF do not seem to be a good match with what you have said here. Not to be rude or mean, but you seem more interested in what is in it for you than what you can do for the AF or other servicemembers. Serving your country involves a great deal of sacrifice. And if you are not wanting that, then it is ok that it isn't for you. You will not be guaranteed critical care unless you come in prequalified. Maybe get a couple years of critical care to get that designation then look again at joining.
)
just_cause, BSN, RN
1,471 Posts
officers don't typically 're-up'. By undergoing schools or elective moves or elective bonuses or other type decisions you can have an increased service obligation.. many of which are served concurrent with whatever your base obligation was.. ex is many military schools have a 1year additional service obligation.. but that is then served concurrent with whatever obligation time you already have left.. meaning if you had more then 1 year... it doesn't affect you or if you had no obligation.. then that just gave you 1 year obligation time... where as enlisted soldiers/airmen actually do sign contracts that extend their initial obligation time.
Nobody knows they want 20 years in the military.. many that think they do - don't do it.. many that never planned on it.. do - just take it a bit at a time. If you want to serve - then do it.... if its going to be bad for your family, perhaps look at alternatives such as guard or reserve... you definitely need/want a supportive spouse as there will be stressors - but also benefits... many spouses love that their spouse is active... their are cons but lots of pros.