Experienced ICU thinking about Air Force

[bryango]

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.

[lovelyb26]

I'm curious how did it end up working out? I'm just now looking into air force nursing. I got a lettor in the mail saturday. It sparked my interest a bit but I haven't even started nursing school yet.

[bryango]

Well, it is crazy to think that a post I started 5 years ago still gets read. I eventually got selected to join the AF as a ICU. Then was medically disqualified several months later since I had Lasix eye surgery. I then started NP school which I am not enjoying. I am contemplating quitting NP school and reapplying for the Air Force. My wife is still on board for it. My older kids are quite as excited about it as they were four years ago. Anyone out know how what the current needs are for ICU nurses in the Air Force?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Then was medically disqualified several months later since I had Lasix eye surgery.

That's weird! I had LASIK as well, but the Army accepted me after I submitted a few things from my surgeon. They wouldn't waive it for you?

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

The numbers are always changing. When I was applying, my recruiter couldn't even give me an exact number of spots (just a ballpark estimate). The AF definitely is still recruiting experienced ICU nurses, but I have not idea how many.

[bryango]

They told me I had to wait 6 months, then i could get a wavier. By then I had been trying get in for 4 years and my wife was getting frustrated with putting our lives on hold for the AF. But I still feel like it is something i really want to do. I am currently 36 almost 37 with 9 years ICU experience. I may make one more run at it.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

They told me I had to wait 6 months, then i could get a wavier. By then I had been trying get in for 4 years and my wife was getting frustrated with putting our lives on hold for the AF. But I still feel like it is something i really want to do. I am currently 36 almost 37 with 9 years ICU experience. I may make one more run at it.

I don't know if you have thought about CRNA school, but the AF does now offer direct-entry admission into the USUHS CRNA school for qualified candidates.

I am not sure why Lasik would be an issue any longer since the AF now offers Lasik surgery for active-duty members. The AF used to only offer PRK for "safety" reasons.

[bryango]

I am not sure why Lasik would be an issue any longer since the AF now offers Lasik surgery for active-duty members. The AF used to only offer PRK for "safety" reasons.

I was medically disqualified for 6 months is all. But that frustrated my wife enough that see didn't want to join at that time. now I am back to strongly considering it.