MED/SURG v.s OB for AF Nursing?

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Specializes in ER/ ? Labor and Delivery?.

Alright,

Hi everyone! just wondering if anyone has some good advice on what pathway to choose for the AF Nurse Corp. I am currently working on the entire application process, I go to MEPS on Monday this next week. I won't go to OCT until August of 2011...in otherwords, I am still very early in the application process. I won't graduate from school until May 2011. Anyway, the question is, does anyone have awesome suggestions on which route to choose, Med/Surg or OB? I have 5 years of clinical experience working as an EMT in a busy emergency room, but I also have a feeling that I would LOVE to do OB. My only concern is that I just don't want to limit myself. I don't want to choose L & D and then be "stuck" there in my career after a few years of AF nursing. Ultimately, I always pictured myself working as an ER nurse, or in L&D, but DEFINATELY NOT med/surg. Originally, I was thinking that the med/surg path would help me be more "well rounded" as a nurse, but I'm just not convinced of all the experience I will get in the first few years of my military nursing career. I don't want to comit 3 years in the AF and only come out with med/surg experience.... I know that no matter what experience I get it will be good, and no one can make the decision for me, just curious what others are thinking, and the reasoning behind the pathways you have chosen. I have talked with several ER/ICU nurses, and they think equally of L&D nurses, meaning if they were in the hiring dept for an ER and got a resume for a L&D nurse, they would ABSOLUTELY hire them...I like the thought of getting specialty experience right out of school, even if it is in L&D, I just don't want to limit myself and have to start at square 1 if I decide later on I don't like L&D.....

Any thoughts? :nurse:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

It can be hard to get out of AF OB nursing, but not impossible. One of the CRNAs I work with went from being AF OB nurse and then was able to switch to ICU.

I think most people try to compare civilian med-surg units to AF med-surg units, and there really is no comparison. The most patients I have seen any AF med-surg nurse have since I have been in has been 5 patients, and those were mostly low acuity patients. Most of the time where I work now the MS nurses have 2-3 patients with a med-tech to do vitals, transfer patients etc. AF med-surg always seemed like a pretty easy gig compared to civilian med-surg.

You can always apply to the AF critical care/ER fellowship once you have 2 yrs in the AF. With your EMT experience you could see about getting a part-time job in a local ER, and then once you get enough experience asked to be switched to an AF ER.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

So if you take the OB track then are you stuck only doing OB or does this include L&D and Mother/Baby? And is there anything else that the OB track would lead to like the NICU for example?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
So if you take the OB track then are you stuck only doing OB or does this include L&D and Mother/Baby? And is there anything else that the OB track would lead to like the NICU for example?

OB includes L&D/PP. You wouldn't usually be working in women's health clinic initially at least. NICU is a totally different speciality.

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Specializes in ER/ ? Labor and Delivery?.

thanks for the responses everyone.

from what i have heards, following the OB pathway is a good thing because as a new grad it takes you right into a speciality. As I mentioned before, I just don't want to commit to the AF (I am only signing 3 years to start) and walk out with only med/surg experience...I could get that anywhere as a new grad...Ya know? I want to take full advantage of getting the most experience possible in the few years that I am committing....(for now.)

Let me know if you have any other thoughts!

Thanks

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Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

i've been told the complete opposite of you. everyone that i've talked to about doing medsurg vs ob, they have all told me to do medsurg. that way you get your building blocks and if you want to do something such as flight nurse, you have that medsurg background to move into trauma, er, icu, etc. i know you can do medsurg anywhere, but you can ob anywhere too. just my two cents : ) good luck with the application process!

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

I'm an OB nurse in the AF, currently stationed at Langley AFB in Hampton VA. I came into the AF with OB experience and it's an area I hope to stay in. That's not the case for everyone though. I work with many people who have come in as an OB nurse and are now moving on to other things:

One friend just went to flight school and is now stationed in Okinawa. Her experience is over 10 years in OB with some exp in the OR on the civilian side.

Two other friends are getting ready to PCS to Aviano AFB and Lakenheath AFB where they will work on a multiservice unit doing OB and med-surg. Both have less than three years service in the AF.

Another is going to Mt Home where she will transition to the ER or OR. She also has less than three years as an officer (she's 15 years enlisted).

There is another who is going to leave L&D and go to the OR. She will begin her training soon. She has less than one year in L&D.

Finally, we have two nurses leaving inpatient nursing--one is going to the clinic and one to Education and Training. Both of these nurses have less than one year in L&D.

I think people come in to the AF feeling limited by L&D, but if you have a good Chief Nurse (and I most certainly do!) then you may have more opportunities to move around than you think. I love my job in L&D and I'd love to stay clinical, but I know that as I move up in rank that may not be possible. The AF has been very good to me: great initial training (although I came in with experience) through the PNC program, I've been to conferences every year, I've obtained my certification, and I may use my tuition assistance very soon. I'm also getting ready to PCS to Alaska which is my dream assignment. I'm very happy with my decision to do OB in the AF. I work with amazing providers which are more like equals than on the outside. I feel that my opinion is respected more and that makes for an amazing assignment! Please PM me if you have specific questions. I haven't been visiting the board much lately because I'm preparing to move and have been super busy, but I'll help when I can.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

little greek thank you for your input! like i said before, i chose medsurg but that is because of what i've heard from other people. plus, it is what i want to do to be able to get my basics built up well...i am heading to lakenheath after cot and ntp so i should be in the uk by the end of the year. maybe i will meet your friends : )

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Any info on AF reserve?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Hey Little Greek when are you PCSing?

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.
Hey Little Greek when are you PCSing?

My RNLTD is 29 October and my final out here at LAFB is 9 Oct. I'm going to be in Alaska early next week for a few days to look for a home. I think I'm going to buy but I'm not 100% sure yet. Looking in Eagle River per your suggestion. How are you liking it at Elmendorf?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
My RNLTD is 29 October and my final out here at LAFB is 9 Oct. I'm going to be in Alaska early next week for a few days to look for a home. I think I'm going to buy but I'm not 100% sure yet. Looking in Eagle River per your suggestion. How are you liking it at Elmendorf?

Depends on the day of the week....:lol2:

You will be getting here right during a peak in deliveries!

Powder Ridge area in Eagle River is real nice subdivision by the way.

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