Hey everyone, I have been an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner for the last 5 years, the last 2 being in Critical Care. I am really wanting to join the Air Force or Navy as an ACNP, but information is scarce.
I need to know if anyone here has been an ACNP in the military, what your duties were if so, and how you went into the military. My Navy recruiter wants to dual credential me as a Critical Care BSN bedside RN and as an ACNP. The Critical Care RN is to "get my foot in the door."
It may still be worth it even if I have to do some bedside work because I want to serve, but I do not want to be at the bedside the entire time and lose my skills. I already do central lines and intubations. I will be learning PICC lines soon and hopefully arterial lines. One of the neurosurgeons is looking to possibly credential and precept me for ventriculostomy insertions, if we can get enough opportunities. Obviously, I would not be doing much of this at the bedside.
Well, if you are still interested, I highly recommend the Air Force Reserve as a Flight Nurse. You can still join in your 30s and continue working as an ACNP in your civilian job.
I recently joined so I am learning a lot about the process, but it offers the opportunity to serve while being at home. The AF Flight Nurses essentially transport Med-Surg patients in large cargo planes. There is a lot of training because they want you to keep up with flying hour requirements. My background is in ICU and the nurses in the unit come from varying backgrounds (ER, Peds, NPs, etc). I am currently working on my ACNP degree and I was curious about what options are available, but I don't think that I will be using it for the Air Force any time soon.
Well, if you are still interested, I highly recommend the Air Force Reserve as a Flight Nurse. You can still join in your 30s and continue working as an ACNP in your civilian job.
I recently joined so I am learning a lot about the process, but it offers the opportunity to serve while being at home. The AF Flight Nurses essentially transport Med-Surg patients in large cargo planes. There is a lot of training because they want you to keep up with flying hour requirements. My background is in ICU and the nurses in the unit come from varying backgrounds (ER, Peds, NPs, etc). I am currently working on my ACNP degree and I was curious about what options are available, but I don't think that I will be using it for the Air Force any time soon.
I would do it, but I literally do not qualify after the asthma diagnosis. They will not give me medical clearance. Was really disappointed, but I moved on.
KaneToo
2 Posts
Well, if you are still interested, I highly recommend the Air Force Reserve as a Flight Nurse. You can still join in your 30s and continue working as an ACNP in your civilian job.
I recently joined so I am learning a lot about the process, but it offers the opportunity to serve while being at home. The AF Flight Nurses essentially transport Med-Surg patients in large cargo planes. There is a lot of training because they want you to keep up with flying hour requirements. My background is in ICU and the nurses in the unit come from varying backgrounds (ER, Peds, NPs, etc). I am currently working on my ACNP degree and I was curious about what options are available, but I don't think that I will be using it for the Air Force any time soon.