Considering joining USAF however concerned about disqualifying factors.

Published

Hello all, first time poster but I've read the forums before I took my NCLEX. I graduated back in May and passed my NCLEX and had no luck finding jobs. I had always an interest to join the military so now I'm exploring the option again. However, during my time in school I was told by my school to take medications/go to therapy or else I couldn't stay in the school for BS reasons.

I complied with the school's demands but my insurance stopped paying for the appointments with the prescribing psychiatrist but still paid for my therapist. I've been off my meds for at least over a year. My therapist is willing to back me up on this however, I'm still afraid my diagnosis of "mild recurrent depression" and the fact I did take meds and stopped without a doctor's approval will disqualify me from military service. Also, during high school I was admitted to an overnight facility once because someone thought I was suicidal.

I know this came out all jumbled however, I'm afraid my own medical history is going to hold me back. Any advice on the matter would be welcomed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics.

I think you also have to take into consideration being far away from friends/family. Is getting homesick is going to be an issue? As much as I enjoy being active duty, it's a bummer to be thousands of miles away from my family.

Even healthy people have bouts of depression from normal everyday life stressors. And believe you me, there's a decent amount of other stressors in the military (deployments, PT testing, tons paperwork to keep track of).

I don't want to discourage you, but it's a decision worth much thought.

It never hurts to contact a recruiter to give you the full low down on disqualifiers.

Either way, good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU.

You should contact a recruiter and just ask them. This won't be a secret when you join so the sooner you put it out there the better. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, FNP.

not to offend, but to give you something to think about. you do know that when you go to war you are going work 12 - 24 - 36 hours straight during mass casualty events. you might have to work over a week to get a day on call (no such thing as a day off). you'll have plenty of pts die while you are trying to save their life. you'll be mortared regularly if not daily depending on location. you'll get some small arms firefights too. and you'll have to save the lives of the terrorists that just blew everyone up.

do you really think this is the best career choice? you wouldn’t believe how much ptsd i’ve diagnosed. maybe something less stressful is in order?

good luck no matter what.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've called a recruiter to find out its a permanent and nonwaiverable disqualifier. I guess its back to dealing with useless HR people having to hear the same story about lack of experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion