I am needing guidance, words of advice, sympathetic ears, may be just a chance to vent to be sure its not just me.
I am trying to come into the AF as an ER RN. I have been a nurse for over 7 years, all ER and have gone up from Level 2 trauma centers to a Level 1 trauma center. I have current certifications in ACLS, PALS, TNCC, NRP, ECRN, ENPC, TNS, PHTLS and (soon) CEN. I have gone through all the hoops and was told by the CN at Scott AFB that she saw "no reason" why I should not get picked. But that is exactly what happened and we have no reason, and I mean none because there was absolutely nothing written on my application when it was sent back to my recruiter.
I guess I just am wondering if pursuing this is worth the time, hassle and emotional involvement. Not to mention, my husband is looking at going into the Navy (he served in the AF for 5yrs and has been out too long to go back into the AF). He keeps telling me to not take it personally, but I really can't get away from it because I had no feedback, plus it was my packet they were considering.
The main reasons I am looking at coming into the AF is that I want to help take care of those who serve, I want to provide a better life for my son than I had growing up, and lets be brutally honest here, where else will I get the benefits in civilian world that I will in the AF?
So should I continue trying to get in? I already have my packet redone for the April boards, so I'm in the holding pattern. If my husband goes into the Navy, can I at least go into the Air National Guard? I want to do more flight nursing than anything just to get out of the hospital once in a while, so would ANG be a better option? Or maybe look into the VA? Say "screw it" all together????
I'm asking you guys because I would like honest guidance and not best guesses that I have been getting from my husband and recruiter.
Wtbcrna~I did look into the Navy and the recruiter I spoke with said I had to have 90 days experience with my BSN before I could join the Navy. I found this a little strange considering I have 7 yrs experience, have been a charge nurse and helped teach EMT classes on trauma, and he told me they aren't looking for ER nurses.I'm also looking at the Naval Reserves, but I'm getting so frustrated by the whole experience. My friends who are in the service now complain they are short staffed, especially for ER nurses, but every turn I'm told "no". Every time I turn on the TV there are ads running for AF nurses, but then they are cutting them? The amount of mixed signals is just really ticking me off.
The whole process of getting into the military is PITA. I am sorry you are having so much trouble. I just don't want you to be blindsided with misinformation when you and your husband try to get stationed together. I have known a few couples that were married in different services, and they almost always end up being geographically separated.
Wtbcrna~Thank you, and I am also not wanting to get separated since we have a 2 yr old and a dog. I'm just really frustrated and am wondering if all the frustration is worth it. Before I found out I didn't get picked up I was extemely motivated, getting into physical shape (passed MEPS with flying colors) and was just extremely excited over this new adventure, over the moon I wasn't going to be "just a nurse" anymore. And now, I just feel like "whats the point?"I think another part is I found out I didn't get picked the day before my dad passed away from cancer. It was an all-over bad week, and I think it's just left a bad taste in my mouth.But, I am only 30, so maybe I could do Navy reserves for a while and go in active when our son's older. I just wish there was flight nursing in the Navy, that's why I was looking at the ANG.
@nurse2033~Yes, my recruiter is with the Healthcare Professionals Division and has been there for a while. According to him and everyone of his superiors, they don't know why I was not picked because I have everything that the AF looks for in an ER nurse. That is one thing that is continuing to frustrate me because I am left wondering what to do? I literally have ever certification, so if I do get picked up by this next board, what made the big difference? There is no difference in the two applications.
@UCAFblue~Okay, so I am looking at the Air National Guard. My concern now is the fact that my husband is looking to go active in the Navy. Can I go into the Air National Guard at the same time? What is the difference between part-time and full-time in the Guard? We have a young child, however my mother lives with us due to the recent passing of my father (he passed the day after I found out I did not get picked, it was a BAD week), so I am not worried about who my son would stay with in the event we were both having to be on duty at the same time. Third question: I live in St. Louis and there is a squad with flight nursing in Springfield, IL. Would I be able to join this group and transfer to whatever base is close to wherever my husband is stationed or should I wait until we learn where the hubby will be stationed before I go in? Thank you for all your insight. I have been trying to get into flight nursing for 3 years and am getting told I "need more experience" even though I have all the certifications and licenses that they require, sometimes even more, and work in a Level 1 trauma center as a Trauma Nurse Specialist and have boarded ICU patients multiple times in my career, including PICU patients.
I also have certifications in scuba diving including search and recovery, underwater navigation, rescue, dry suit, deep diver and I am a Divemaster. Does this help me at all??
I think your diving experience will help you if you ever have to ditch in the ocean! But, no, it is not part of the job experience you will need. As far as I know, there are no full time flight nurses in the Guard. The full time staff are the support staff who maintain equipment and personnel. There are people who travel far to their Guard base, I know of one who commutes from Alaska to Washington state every month. We have people who drive 3 or 4 hours. Its only once a month and a personal decision if its worth it. I don't know how hard it is to transfer units but it would depend on whether they had an open slot. Chances are your husband will be moved every few years in the Navy so this will be constant problem for you. Wish I had a magic answer, good luck.
Don't give up! Maybe the phone rang as they were about to review your packet and when they got back they thought they all ready did??? They are human you know! :-) Keep trying!
Ditto the advice on not to go Guard while hubby goes AD, they are apples and oranges even though both fruit. You need to decide who is primary and the other needs to accept second place. If you both go AD, you need to make sure your specialities are compatible. In other words, his job is only on East coast and yours only on West, will not make for a happy marriage.
As far as any kind of civilian jobs paying back student loans, not likely; unless you really have something rare.
Nursepamela~Thanks. Maybe you're right because every other application had something written on it but mine.So far I haven't heard anything from my recruiter. I'm going to need to call cause i've emailed twice. Otherwise my spouse is ready to go to MEPS. So, we're still in a holding pattern. I still would love to come in so I can feel like I'm doing more than just nursing.
I graduate July 31st, but we ruled this out as a cause because another recruit who was selected is still in school and actually graduates after me. So, we are back to square one. Unless you have an idea.
wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA
5,128 Posts
The whole process of getting into the military is PITA. I am sorry you are having so much trouble. I just don't want you to be blindsided with misinformation when you and your husband try to get stationed together. I have known a few couples that were married in different services, and they almost always end up being geographically separated.