Force Management - nursing impact

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I would like to open up this can of worms. Anyone want to chime in?

All branches are being hit. The leadership is working hard to explain the process and keep us informed. But I would like to hear what we nurses are really experiencing.

AF relates across the board 25% reduction in force. Boards are being held to select those to leave. Commissioned in '09, '10, '11 year groups are being evaluated. I'm in that grouping. I'm not worried, yet.

Anyone want to share impact stories?

We heard a nondescript plan to downsize here in the Army, but nothing really specific in my neck of the woods. However, I'm down a bunny trail in my already small neck of the woods, so I may not have the latest and the greatest.

Why would you be worried? Worst thing that happens is you get let go. You are a nurse with experience and can easily find a job. Think about all those infantry and combat guys who get cut....now that sucks unless they have a job savvy degree.

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Have heard that the Army will have a separation board for medical officers like they have already announced for combat arm officers. Just a rumor at this point but would not be surprised.

Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

"I'm not worried" relates to how I feel about being force shaped out of the military. I'm not at all worried about my financial situation and getting a job on the outside again.

I came into the AF to serve. I want to stay in. I wasn't making this about a job. To me it is about serving my country and I'd like to stay and do that.

I wanted to start this thread specifically about how we nurses are effected. I do not intend to ignore the impact on the rest of our guys - officers and enlisted in all branches of the service. This is a nursing forum; I thought I'd stick to nurses.

I joined to serve as well but if it's in the nation's best interest budget wise that my service is no longer needed I am OK with that. Cuts in a way are a good thing, "trimming the fat" if you will. Competent nurses with good track records and OERs shouldn't be worried.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I have heard rumors of an early separation board for active duty, but that it applies to 66Hs (med/surg), not specialties. If you are a 66H and think you might want to specialize, now is the time!

Rumors are everywhere. The buzz has been the ones close to retirement 15+ years are the first to be trimmed and then they take aim towards force shaping boards for the rest of us. I have had people tell me the specialties are pretty safe that with attrition and the early retirements we should not see that much blood in the water, but this is al speculation. I am just taking it all in stride. If I go tomorrow then so be it.

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