I would like to help our student nurses recognize the value of entering into military service or working for the VA system. To do this, I would ask all of our members that are military or VA employed to lend your experience here. Please take a moment to post information for our students that you might think is helpful for them.
Would love to see information about dealing with recruiters (military ... that is) and how to effectively negotiate with them. Would like to see information posted about experiences that you have and any recommendations you have about entering military nursing or the VA system. THe VA can be a difficult place to navigate and any information on how to get into the VA would be helpful also.
We have many students that monitor this thread and I think this information would be very helpful to them.
Also, for the students reading this thread, please feel free to add your questions. We have many experienced military and VA nurses that view this thread and I am sure they are willing to help answer your questions.
I will make the thread a sticky in the hopes that it does become popular. Thanks for your help.
The Air Force has things like "substandard" living allowance, family separation pay that is easier to obtain then the Army, you can come in with more rank in the officer corp then the Army, and many other perks to look for.
I have not nor will I obtain a commission from ANY branch. I served 15 years; 10+ as an Air Force flight medic and 5 as an Army combat medic, all enlisted and all doing what I loved.
I have 2 beautiful daughters that I exchanged my career for, as my 1st Sgt. would say.
My advise is limited on the commission program.. I can ask around. The only advise I have for you... remember to be nice to the flight medic's... you might inspire one to be a nurse too.
The Air Force has things like "substandard" living allowance, family separation pay that is easier to obtain then the Army, you can come in with more rank in the officer corp then the Army, and many other perks to look for.
I have not nor will I obtain a commission from ANY branch. I served 15 years; 10+ as an Air Force flight medic and 5 as an Army combat medic, all enlisted and all doing what I loved.
I have 2 beautiful daughters that I exchanged my career for, as my 1st Sgt. would say.
My advise is limited on the commission program.. I can ask around. The only advise I have for you... remember to be nice to the flight medic's... you might inspire one to be a nurse too.
Good luck and God bless!
I have been an AF nurse corps officer for 7 yrs, and I have not heard of an AF officer getting "substandard" living allowance (unless that is considered CONUS/OCONUS COLA). All the branches except USPHS use pretty much the same formula for incoming rank for nurses. The AF nurse corps also has the lowest promotion rates for O-4 and above of any branch.
All that being said generally the AF has better quality of living, better work schedules, and shorter deployments than our fellow Army nurses.
The Army Nurse Corps offers Junior and Senior BSN students $$$ while they are in school-$5000 once selected for the program, $1000 per month while a full-time student, and another $5000 (either at the start of the Senior year, if accepted as juniors, or at the end of the senior year if accepted as seniors).
That could be in excess of $30,000 dollars while completing the BSN degree!
I am currently an Army Nurse Corps officer (critical care/trauma nurse) in the NY City area and can provide further information to anyone interested in applying.
Hi,
I saw a post online about public health nurse in the army which made me interesting. I getting my Masters in Public Health but I am scarde about the requirements and at risk I would be go going to a combat area. Also how long do you have to serve?
Just curious.... what did you dislike regarding the Air Force? I recently created my profile just to find people on allnurses to gain knowledge and ask questions. It's nothing I am jumping into, but I have been looking into joining the Air Force once I finish my BSN. Any insight is appreciated :)
I have been an AF nurse corps officer for 7 yrs, and I have not heard of an AF officer getting "substandard" living allowance (unless that is considered CONUS/OCONUS COLA). All the branches except USPHS use pretty much the same formula for incoming rank for nurses. The AF nurse corps also has the lowest promotion rates for O-4 and above of any branch.
All that being said generally the AF has better quality of living, better work schedules, and shorter deployments than our fellow Army nurses.
Not sure about nurses but if you read the entire paragraph you would note I was a flight MEDIC, in layman's terms means I was enlisted.
Just curious.... what did you dislike regarding the Air Force? I recently created my profile just to find people on allnurses to gain knowledge and ask questions. It's nothing I am jumping into, but I have been looking into joining the Air Force once I finish my BSN. Any insight is appreciated :)
It's was not what I wanted for me at that time. Rank was harder to obtain, women could not attend air borne training unless you were a pilot, and the chances of remaining near my ex-husband were too high.
The Air Force or the Navy are fabulous places to start in the medical field. The experience I received is priceless, to include the places I have been.
I have been an AF nurse corps officer for 7 yrs, and I have not heard of an AF officer getting "substandard" living allowance (unless that is considered CONUS/OCONUS COLA). All the branches except USPHS use pretty much the same formula for incoming rank for nurses. The AF nurse corps also has the lowest promotion rates for O-4 and above of any branch.
All that being said generally the AF has better quality of living, better work schedules, and shorter deployments than our fellow Army nurses.
I am not sure about the length of time, I think its 6 years for officers with medical bonus... check with an AF officer recruiter.
Community health nurses are generally located at the hospital or Clinic in the AF, I would also check into that as well. The AF missions have changed since I left, they actually (hehehe) deploy more then 6 months. The Army tried 15 month deployments, it did not go over very well. My husbands unit lost 45% of their officer corp after that deployment, why stay in when you have a college education?
Maybe i havn't done enough research but i have some very basic questions that i havn't seen posted anywhere. what is the process like coming straight out of nursing school with a BSN and joining the military with no prior military experience? Boot camp? compensation? do you relocate right away? is there a chance you can stay where you live or do you have to move? Is a four year option the only option?
Thanks for anyone who can answer some of my questions.
You do need your BSN, and no you are not too old. We have nurses coming in who are in their 40's. The thing is, if you tried to go AF again and told them about your genetic disorder, they would still most likely not accept you even if it doesn't pose any physical or mental complications to you. They are very strict like that.
I'm not wanting to join the military, but rather work in a military facility, Army acute care hospital for example, currently my husband (AD Army) and I are stationed at Fort Myer, VA. I will graduating with my BSN next December, I would love to get into Fort Belvior Hospital, Walter Reed Med Center, etc.When I graduate we will have almost 2 years before orders should be coming up again, so I'd like to get my foot in the door somewhere. I've heard that they only hire experienced nurses, does anyone know if this is true? Also, if they were to hire new grads, are these positions eligible for spouse preference, also, are you able to transfer hospitals, say for PCS like you can with other civil service jobs? Thanks for any information you can give me.
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kamelkillr
28 Posts
The Air Force has things like "substandard" living allowance, family separation pay that is easier to obtain then the Army, you can come in with more rank in the officer corp then the Army, and many other perks to look for.
I have not nor will I obtain a commission from ANY branch. I served 15 years; 10+ as an Air Force flight medic and 5 as an Army combat medic, all enlisted and all doing what I loved.
I have 2 beautiful daughters that I exchanged my career for, as my 1st Sgt. would say.
My advise is limited on the commission program.. I can ask around. The only advise I have for you... remember to be nice to the flight medic's... you might inspire one to be a nurse too.
Good luck and God bless!