Hello everyone. I have read multiple posts about this subject but I wanted to post my own in hopes that some of you critical care air force nurses could help me out. I am married with 3 small boys and a little girl due the 1st of July. I have been a nurse for 4 years now, all in the ICU. My wife and I have strongly considered the Air Force. Several questions. First, any of you Air Force ICU nurses have some insight on how you like or dont like your choice of the Air Force? How is deployment as a critical care nurse? I have visited with a health care recruiter and he said that the likelyhood of being deployed within the first year was high.
I would just like some no BS insight on how things really are. My sisters husband is a LTC in the army and she thinks that I will have a hard time not getting paid to work overtime. It sounds like where I have 4 years experience that they would count that as half time, and that I would likely start out as a 1st LT. How soon could I reach captain after that? Should I sign on for three or for four years? While in the military, could I work on a masters degree?
Anything that could shed further light on this subject would be great. Thanks for reading this.
I am ICU and I have my CCRN along with TNCC and PALS and my pay will be no different than any other 1st leiutenant. My COT date is scheduled for Jan 2011. My paperwork went to the April/May boards so January COT may be full now. I am hoping to get moved to an August or October COT class but I am not going to hold my breath on that. Congrats on making the decision to join. You are correct in feeling like it is a huge decision. I have moments of anxiety on if I have made a horrible decision or not. During those times I think about the reasons I am joining, then my decision feels right again. Good luck during the rest of your application process.
The only reason I had asked about the bonus for the CCRN is that an ER nurse in the Air Force told me about it. He said that he got the bonus for having his CEN and that if I got my CCRN I would be eligible for a bonus as well. I called my recruiter to ask him about it. He called me back but I was napping (night shift worker). He told my wife that it is available, but it is complicated on getting it. He is suppose to call me back, so I will post when I know more information. Thanks everyone for the posts. It is nice to get insight from people on the "inside."
Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
I may be wrong (won't be the first time, smile..) but if you are an ASI 8A, and you have your CCRN you can apply for the Specialty Registered Nurse Incentive Special Pay (RN ISP) (see ALARACT message 311703Z AUG 2007)
* You must be an Officer of the Army Nurse Corps, AD for a period of not less than 3 years
* You must be fully qualified specialty RN, licensed and certified in your specialty (and they will ask for your AACN CCRN certification number plus proof)
* If you choose the $20,000 USD for the full four years (you can choose, if I remember correctly $5,000 USD for one year, $10,000 USD for two years) so that means you get lump sum (which is taxed) of $20,000 for each year for total of 4 years BUT you must give them 4 years of continuous active duty.
* If, for whatever reason, you are separated, resigned, released from AD or voluntary retirement any and all unearned special pay will be recouped by Big Brother.
Then you sign it, and your Commander signs it...and you should see the dinero in about 4-6 weeks time
I think the bonus is basically exactly like the Army bonus that Athena posted. It is retention bonus for all non APNs in the AF, and you have to have been in for at least 3yrs.
I think posted the details somewhere else on the government/military forum.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I'm brand new out of COT. I came in qualifies CCU RN with 14 years exp. I do have a master's and my CCRN. I got the sign on bonus (whenever it pays me). I was told that the incentive pay will be a factor when my initial contract is up and I resign.
I would encourage anyone coming in to save some money before you leave. Expect messed up pay for a couple months. It was a huge stresser for people who had not anticipated it and had bills to pay.
I'm brand new out of COT. I came in qualifies CCU RN with 14 years exp. I do have a master's and my CCRN. I got the sign on bonus (whenever it pays me). I was told that the incentive pay will be a factor when my initial contract is up and I resign.
I would encourage anyone coming in to save some money before you leave. Expect messed up pay for a couple months. It was a huge stresser for people who had not anticipated it and had bills to pay.
Just a word of advice do your initial inprocessing with finance ASAP even if your on permissive TDY/leave or whatever when you get to your new base. Nothing is going to be fixed with your pay until you do that initial briefing/inprocessing with finance.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
Thanks Wtb. I actually did that the 2nd day I was here, before I went on the permissive TDY. My pay is messed up. I don't have BAH, even though I have had dependents from day 1. My years of service is 0, which is 5.5 years off. I'm not worried about it... it'll all get fixed and I'll get what I am due. I am glad I had cash on hand available through this though.
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AnnyRN
23 Posts
I would be really surprised if you get a January COT date. I was in the May boards and I'm not leaving until March 2011.