Dual military Navy/AF Spouse conceivable with kids?

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2015

Not only that you could both be deployed at the same time. I have seen it happen.

Yes you should be worried about scheduling. They may "work with you" or they may not. Needs of military first and foremost.

How close are you to graduating? I would not put the cart before the horse. You need EXCELLENT grades (try for a min of 3.7 GPA) in this drawback climate. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Get through school then see what your options are. I can tell you if you get in everything will be explained to you.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 26, 2015

Not only that you could both be deployed at the same time. I have seen it happen.

And there's also the possibility of PCSing to two completely different duty stations. I know a lot of dual military people, and they spend a lot of time living apart - even once they have kids. The military "tries" to work with them, but at the end of the day, the needs of the military always come first. Dual military is difficult.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 26, 2015

I'm not really sure why you are considering Navy if you know the Air Guard and are considering transferring to the Air Force later anyway. It's not like you're very likely to ever see ship duty as a Navy Nurse; most spend their whole careers on land. The Air Force still takes new grads too.

The training for new grads is pretty similar across branches. You do 5-6 weeks of basic officer training, 3 months of basic newbie nurse training, and then at least 2 years of inpatient med-surg. Then, you get the option to apply for clinical fellowships (ICU, OR, ER, flight, etc). Honestly, nursing is pretty similar in every branch. It's not uncommon for nurses from multiple branches to work on the same floor alongside each other.

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 26, 2015

Are the both nurses or do they both have the same job? Seems like it would be easier to find two slots for the same job at a base if both spouses have he same job.

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 26, 2015

Sorry, this was a duplicate post and I can't figure out how to delete.

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 26, 2015

I'm just wondering if its possible. I'm just trying to get the best info about both branches. How is basic newbie training? Is it like it is on the civilian side?

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 26, 2015

The new grad nurse training is similar to what you would get at a major university medical center or large hospital system. It's not just on-the-job training with an experienced nurse at the bedside like you might get at a community hospital. There is a classroom component too.

Your first base might be somewhat easier as far as joint-spouse assignments. The problem arises when one of you wants to do ICU and the other wants to do flight nursing. Or, maybe one of you is more interested in management and the other wants to go to grad school. As your careers inevitably take you down 2 separate paths, it's progressively harder to get both of you to the same place. As you promote, it will be more difficult (some bases only have a few slots for field grade officer nurses). B.F.E Air Force Base might only have one nurse slot for someone above the rank of Captain...one of you won't be stationed at that base if both of you are Majors.

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 26, 2015

I know this could change, but my wife wants to do Women's Health or Peds. I am torn between Family, Anesthetist, or staying med-surg. Do you think those would be easy to pair? Also, do you think that if we both got in as a Nurses they would basically say screw you if we tell them that we're both in and someone needs to be home with the child at all times?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 26, 2015

Are the both nurses or do they both have the same job? Seems like it would be easier to find two slots for the same job at a base if both spouses have he same job.

Some couples are nurses, yes. Some are nurses + infantry, which also seems like it should be easy - but again, the needs of the military take priority. It gets more complicated when you add rank. Also not everyone stays in the same place for the same length of time - your PCS cycles might not always align.

Have you started nursing school yet? I would keep an open mind as to what specialty you might want until you are actually exposed to some - the world of nursing is vast and diverse, and something you didn't even consider might click for you. Good luck!!

Chadmasters, BSN · Jun 26, 2015

No, I haven't even started. I'm planning on starting Fall 2016. I've taken my TEAS and I did ok without studying ( I wanted to see how hard it was) but I know I can get at least ten more points or more if I study. Anyway, I'm very smart and I already have one degree which I completed with a 3.63 (even after finishing my first year of college with a 1.8 after partying all year lol.) I'm older and much more mature now so I know I can get over a 3.7.

You're definitely right about me keeping an open mind. Who knows what I'll like after I graduate nursing school? Heck, who knows what I'll like after doing a year or two of med-surg? Thank you for the well wishes too!

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jun 26, 2015

For the AF, there is no identifier for Peds, family med (clinics), or med-surg; they are all one big happy 'clinical nurse' identifier. That means AFPC and/or the chief nurse at your gaining base can put you anywhere they want. If you absolutely have to be together at all costs, your best chance at saying together is to not specialize and just stick with 'clinical nurse.' Family NP is a good one too for having more options.

Yes, the AF can say 'screw you.' Some commanders will help you out as much as they can and others won't care. The good news is that will two officer paychecks, I find it hard to believe you wouldn't be able to afford daycare.