I'm 23 years old and planning to join the US airforce reserve as an RN with a BSN degree. I graduated back in the Philippines last 2013. It has been a year now since I passed NCLEX-RN. However, I am not yet a US citizen but I am a permanent resident/green card holder and would be eligible for applying US citizenship next year Nov 2017. My recruiter told me to enlist and the airforce reserve could help me obtain my US citizenship faster. My questions are:
1. If I enlist on a certain job (medical), will they allow me to re-enlist and join as an RN and commissioned officer after I've received my US citizenship oath assuming that I've completed my basic military training?
2. OR should I wait and gain RN experience in a hospital until Nov 2017, become a US citizen and join as an RN commissioned officer in the airforce?
I only have 8 months experience as a homehealth nurse.
Hi xuale01! I'm still waiting for my U.S. citizenship interview appointment. Hopefully I would pass then become a U.S. citizen. After then I would enlist in the U.S. airforce as a nurse. thanks!
Hi Alyxandre,
I am glad to know that you have entered the program and waiting for the interview. I saw some news from facebook says US army expands the recruitment for healthcare providers, include nurses. By the way, do you see any restriction for the airforce program you join? Such as gender, age, race, green card requirement, or language?
I am in a similar situation with you, having a green card and BSN. Supposing I would pass the NCLEX and join the Air Force, would this be a good idea?
I had my BSN outside the US. I want to serve the USAF.
Hello Rowi,
Airforce is very strict during the time I inquired. The army is more accepting with BSN outside the U.S. but I did not go through since the pandemic came. You just need your credentials evaluated (CGFNS is acceptable) and you must be a U.S. citizen
I’m already a U.S. citizen since 2019 and now a nurse practitioner. My dream of becoming a nurse in the airforce will remain a dream. Maybe I will join the airforce soon as an experienced Nurse Practitioner. Good luck!
Airforce is very strict during the time I inquired. The army is more accepting with BSN outside the U.S. but I did not go through since the pandemic came. You just need your credentials evaluated (CGFNS is acceptable) and you must be a U.S. citizen
I’m already a U.S. citizen since 2019 and now a nurse practitioner. My dream of becoming a nurse in the airforce will remain a dream. Maybe I will join the airforce soon as an experienced Nurse Practitioner. Good luck!
I am currently reviewing for my NCLEX at the state of NY. Am really hoping that given CGFNS accredited my BSN credentials, USAF will take that into consideration when I apply soon.
That being said, I am still a green card holder and not yet a citizen. Do you think I should enlist with hopes to hasten my citizenship and then apply as a nurse by then? It has been a dream of mine to serve the USAF but I find the process confusing for now.
To continue, I am very much willing to do other medical related jobs in the USAF but what move would you think is advantageous for me?
I am currently reviewing for my NCLEX at the state of NY. Am really hoping that given CGFNS accredited my BSN credentials, USAF will take that into consideration when I apply soon.
That being said, I am still a green card holder and not yet a citizen. Do you think I should enlist with hopes to hasten my citizenship and then apply as a nurse by then? It has been a dream of mine to serve the USAF but I find the process confusing for now.
To continue, I am very much willing to do other medical related jobs in the USAF but what move would you think is advantageous for me?
Would love to hear your thoughts.
That’s what I thought at first that I could just enlist. But they told me it’s a challenging process to change status from being an enlist to commissioned officer. My advice for you is get experienced as an RN as much as you can. Maybe critical care or medsurg. And wait until you become a U.S. citizen.
For the U.S. army.
On active duty, there are always vacancies but for reserves it can be competitive to get in as a nurse commissioned officer
For USAF:
I talked personally to the head of nursing department recruits of the USAF. She advised me to go back to school for RN to BSN then they can accept me but I refused. I already have a BSN. I pursued FNP instead.
I’ve been looking into USPHS Commissioned Corps too.
These are all my experiences back in 2018 and policies may be subject to change. It would be best to talk to a army/USAF healthcare recruiter.
I've been an Air Force nurse for 9 years now. I've never heard of them accepting CGFNS for foreign grads, and I'm fairly certain it's not allowed. My understanding is that all 3 branches require a minimum BSN from a U.S. nursing school and U.S. citizenship. Do not enlist, because you can't practice as an RN unless you're an officer. It will take years to become an officer and you'll be making half the pay doing the work of a nurse aide the entire time.
The option I always give foreign grads is to get some online MSN from a U.S. school. Some are as short as 32 credit hours and require no clinical rotations. Often the ones for nursing leadership, management and education are the easiest. My MSN in nursing leadership was all busy work writing papers and discussion boards.
The citizenship is just a hard stop unfortunately. I'm far from an expert on naturalization. I know a Columbian citizen who was able to enlist, become an American citizen, and was finally able to cross over to the officer side after 3 years as an enlisted medical technician in the Air Force.
Of course, check with a medical recruiter to verify. However, I suspect you'll find you have a long road ahead of you if you really want to do this.
I've been an Air Force nurse for 9 years now. I've never heard of them accepting CGFNS for foreign grads, and I'm fairly certain it's not allowed. My understanding is that all 3 branches require a minimum BSN from a U.S. nursing school and U.S. citizenship. Do not enlist, because you can't practice as an RN unless you're an officer. It will take years to become an officer and you'll be making half the pay doing the work of a nurse aide the entire time.
The option I always give foreign grads is to get some online MSN from a U.S. school. Some are as short as 32 credit hours and require no clinical rotations. Often the ones for nursing leadership, management and education are the easiest. My MSN in nursing leadership was all busy work writing papers and discussion boards.
The citizenship is just a hard stop unfortunately. I'm far from an expert on naturalization. I know a Columbian citizen who was able to enlist, become an American citizen, and was finally able to cross over to the officer side after 3 years as an enlisted medical technician in the Air Force.
Of course, check with a medical recruiter to verify. However, I suspect you'll find you have a long road ahead of you if you really want to do this.
I appreciate it sir, everything seems clearer right now.
I might enlist but not as an officer (nurse). Not the wisest thing to do having my BSN, but it is a long time dream to serve at least 4 years of active duty. Then, I will practice my BSN career as a civilian.
For now, I’m working hard to pass the NCLEX and hopefully enlist after a year of exp in the clinical setting.
Money aside, I personally believe that my 4 years of active duty would be very much essential in a way that I would bring experiences and values with me for life.
Thank you once again and may I hear your thoughts about this?
I would recommend you hire an immigration attorney and go over this plan to obtain citizenship via a military enlistment with that person. Also, Google the pay scale for an E-3 (starting enlisted rank in Air Force for anyone with a degree); make sure you can live with that for 4 years.
Also consider the Air Force reserves as an enlistee. It's part time and a much smaller commitment. That may be sufficient for citizenship, but you would still be able to continue working as an RN full time. Please consider that your work as an Air Force enlisted medical technician full time (active duty) would likely not be sufficient to renew your RN license; you would then be forced to take an RN refresher after the enlistment.
My bottom line recommendation if you're serious: Enlist in the Air Guard or Air Force Reserves for 4 years for citizenship, continue working as a civilian RN full time and get an MSN online, and commission as a nurse once you have the master's degree and citizenship.
I've been an Air Force nurse for 9 years now. I've never heard of them accepting CGFNS for foreign grads, and I'm fairly certain it's not allowed. My understanding is that all 3 branches require a minimum BSN from a U.S. nursing school and U.S. citizenship. Do not enlist, because you can't practice as an RN unless you're an officer. It will take years to become an officer and you'll be making half the pay doing the work of a nurse aide the entire time.
The option I always give foreign grads is to get some online MSN from a U.S. school. Some are as short as 32 credit hours and require no clinical rotations. Often the ones for nursing leadership, management and education are the easiest. My MSN in nursing leadership was all busy work writing papers and discussion boards.
The citizenship is just a hard stop unfortunately. I'm far from an expert on naturalization. I know a Columbian citizen who was able to enlist, become an American citizen, and was finally able to cross over to the officer side after 3 years as an enlisted medical technician in the Air Force.
Of course, check with a medical recruiter to verify. However, I suspect you'll find you have a long road ahead of you if you really want to do this.
Hello,
The U.S. army healthcare recruiter accepted my CGFNS as long as it was done for the past 3 years. This was back in 2018. I’m not sure this time
You are right, USAF does not accept CGFNS and BSN must be from a regionally accredited U.S. nursing school.
I would recommend you hire an immigration attorney and go over this plan to obtain citizenship via a military enlistment with that person. Also, Google the pay scale for an E-3 (starting enlisted rank in Air Force for anyone with a degree); make sure you can live with that for 4 years.
Also consider the Air Force reserves as an enlistee. It's part time and a much smaller commitment. That may be sufficient for citizenship, but you would still be able to continue working as an RN full time. Please consider that your work as an Air Force enlisted medical technician full time (active duty) would likely not be sufficient to renew your RN license; you would then be forced to take an RN refresher after the enlistment.
My bottom line recommendation if you're serious: Enlist in the Air Guard or Air Force Reserves for 4 years for citizenship, continue working as a civilian RN full time and get an MSN online, and commission as a nurse once you have the master's degree and citizenship.
Again, thank you; things are getting clearer.
Indeed, I have to consider practicality and earnings. If I enlist with the Air Guard, do they accept me as a nurse if I’m already a USRN here in NY knowing that my BSN was from overseas or would it be same as enlisting in the USAF?
I appreciate the suggestion, the Air Guard is a bit more practical for me since there is a base not too far from where I reside.
Further thoughts and insights about this is deeply appreciated sir.
No, you will be treated as any other enlisted medical technician. There are RNs that are enlisted medical technicians in my Air Force Reserves unit right now.
Generally reserves/guard is only 1 weekend a month and 2 additional weeks per year. You also have basic training (~8 weeks) and your job training (~12 weeks) to do at the beginning.
On all military branches plus USPHS reserve or active. They won't take your degrees from the Philippines. I inquired on all of them. Enlisted pay vs civilian pay is night and day. Your best bet is getting your MSN online and apply. Theres MSN degree you can finish in 6months to a 1year. Good luck!
xuale01, BSN, RN
27 Posts
Hi Alyxandre,
I am glad to know that you have entered the program and waiting for the interview. I saw some news from facebook says US army expands the recruitment for healthcare providers, include nurses. By the way, do you see any restriction for the airforce program you join? Such as gender, age, race, green card requirement, or language?