FNP stay in active or go reserves AF?

[FNPdude74]

Well a little history... I am in nearly 4 years into my 5 year contract as an FNP since I took a HPSP scholarship and took a HP loan. Reason why I took the loan repayment is because they lost my paperwork for HPSP and paid only the last semester of my masters degree. I gained so much experience as a new FNP in the USAF as an active duty member and never regret it. Now I'm nearly done with my DNP in May 2015 that I'm paying out of pocket for.

My active duty commitment contract ends October 2016. They were about to PCS me in fall of 2015 to overseas to Japan or South Korea since I requested for it before as I'm korean chinese and I'm able to speak korean. I'm from Hawaii so I wanted to be in PACAF. I thought about joining the reserves as an IMA before coming onto active duty anyway, but so far it's been fun while active. I'm single with no kids. I recently met a good girl in Duluth, GA and we're getting serious. I've come to a point where I wanted to find a wife and have a family. However many of the women I met don't want to move a lot and I'm 29 years old (young yes). So since my contract is up then, I've talked to my chief nurse and commanders who weren't too happy about the decision since they wanted to keep me and told me to think about it for another month. The thought about being in the reserves and working for the VA was intriguing to me since my active duty time will count toward federal service retirement. Plus my previous COT training buddies who were RNs and NPs, got out of active service and they're loving civilian, reserve life.

I guess I'm asking if it would be a good idea to get out active duty to start a life with someone and try to maintain a stable family in one area while serving in the reserves. I know I'll lose the free of cost healthcare and tax free housing and food allowance, but I'm wondering if the reserves and working on the civilian side would make up for that. Some of my buddies working on the civilian side are making more and plus they can still serve in the reserves.

Many of my friends think I'm getting out of active duty for a girl, but that's not the case. But I am feeling the reserves may be the best for me after my initial active duty commitment to get more exposure to the outside world. Especially if they eventually want to make me a flight commander and go into the leadership role. That would mean either 50% patient care and 50% administrative role. I actually want to stay on the clinical side to maintain my skills. So if that's the case, is the reserves and full time at the VA good for me? Anyone else had this dilemma?

Sorry if this post didn't make much sense. I'm typing through an iPhone at the airport and I'm pretty tired.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I am getting out of the Army for similar reasons: I need more latitude about where I live, and I will be working in the GS system so my active duty time counts. I came from civilian nursing, and I think being a civilian again will make up for some loss of benefits in terms of BAS, BAH, etc. I will finally make overtime and holiday pay! Lol. We're not sure where my husband will be going to medical school in the next couple of years, and being deployed away from him for 9 months was enough for me.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

[murzern]

Hey FNPDude74,

I'm prior service AF (enlisted) but right now civilian and about 1 year away from MS FNP. I was thinking about going back to active or reserves in the Navy or the AF. I talked to the Navy recruiter today who told me they are absolutely not taking in any FNP's as a direct commission any more. So my options now are AF.

Can you tell me about your life as an active AF FNP? Especially things like, did you get mentorship as a new grad? Did you have to be on call a lot? What are the shifts like?

Also, do you know if AF is even looking to commission FNP's and is there any loan repayments or bonuses?

Any info you can provide would be great!!!