Needs of the Military First: O.R or NICU

The Little Greek · Sep 3, 2008

Those statistics for Major and up are WAY OFF!!! I know that is probably what your chief nurse quoted, but we did the numbers with our chief nurse who used to be at Wilford Hall (Col Schaffer) and those numbers for Major and up are probably at least double the actual amount that get promoted.
The average time to pin on Major is still about 14 yrs total if you start out as a new grad which is 2-4yrs longer than any other branch or line side officers.
Just my 2cents for what it is worth.

Your $.02 is much appreciated! The NC career progression chart that we reviewed and signed is where those numbers came from. For all I know the numbers were completely fabricated. I knew coming in that career progression was slower in the AF but it was still the best choice for me.

WTB, are you still in school? Sounds like you are finished...

EvaLuna · Sep 3, 2008

You will come in as a 2Lt with 6mo times towards 1Lt if you have one year experience as an RN. We don't get anymore time towards rank with any nursing speciality coming in the AF. The only way to come in with higher rank is with more RN experience or an MSN or higher nursing degree.
I wouldn't consider the Army if you are worried about deployments. You are pretty much assured 12+month deployments with sometimes only 6months off between deployments. Also, you may want to consider USPHS if deployments are a really big hang up for you. You can start out as an O-2 in USPHS, you have almost total say so in where you are assigned, and the benefits/pay are basically the same.

Thanks for the reply. I looked up the USPHS but they don't have very much info. in their website (other than precursory info. about specialties and how to sign up). Could you supply more info :confused: I remember way back in the day that they used to hire nurses for working in the Indian Reservations, at the risk of sounding daff is this the same thing? Any info. is always appreciated. Thanks once again!

EvaLuna · Sep 3, 2008

I'm a new to nurse to the AF so I'm far from an expert on the matter, however I met with my Chief Nurse today and she told me that the AF is hurting for NICU nurses right now. I'm sure OR nurses are in short supply too, but because I'm an OB nurse and she's a NICU nurse, we just happened to be on the subject.
As for promotions this is the career path I was presented with today:
2 Lt for 2 years, then to 1 Lt
1 Lt for 2 years, then to Capt
Capt for at least 6-7 years before pinning Major
Promotion rates as follows:
2 Lt--100% promotion (automatic)
1 Lt--100% promotion (automatic)
Capt--100% promotion (automatic)
Major--90% promotion
Lt Col--70% promotion
Col--50% promotion
Granted the timeline is basic but it gives you an idea. My Chief Nurse also said that the AF is working on tweaking the career ladder to make promotions happen in a more timely manner. She didn't say this would happen soon, just that it was being considered.
I came in as a 1 Lt (Master's Degree) and will pin Capt in one year (due to credit given for previous nursing exp).

Thank you littlegreek for all this info. I'm really torn between the two specialties. I did work in the O.R. back in the day when they actually let LPN'S do stuff like that :chuckle I enjoyed my time there a lot and absolutely love Peds! I've also seriously been considering completing an MSN while I gather some R.N experience...most programs I've seen last about 2yrs...so I'm thinking its something to have under your belt while you are garnering experience. I wonder if you can tell me if this was sort of your strategy before joining? My DH says that would be a smart move and (as you allude to) moves the process towards captain quicker. How long have you been in? You say you're fairly new but came in with a MSN and will make captain soon I was wondering how long its been since you began. How do you like AF nursing so far? Any insights on life as a newbie is greatly appreciated. Thanks and Congrats! :balloons:

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2008

Your $.02 is much appreciated! The NC career progression chart that we reviewed and signed is where those numbers came from. For all I know the numbers were completely fabricated. I knew coming in that career progression was slower in the AF but it was still the best choice for me.
WTB, are you still in school? Sounds like you are finished...

As far as the actual numbers we looked all the numbers of those that were up for Major etc, if I remember correctly the numbers quoted are only those who were in the zone (not over or under) and other factors were used to narrow down the overall number and then the percentage was figured...

I am actually in the 2nd part of my training/Phase II. I won't finish until Dec '09. This month I am doing my OB rotation (C-sections/epidurals/spinals and all that fun stuff...lol)

The Little Greek · Sep 3, 2008

Thank you littlegreek for all this info. I'm really torn between the two specialties. I did work in the O.R. back in the day when they actually let LPN'S do stuff like that :chuckle I enjoyed my time there a lot and absolutely love Peds! I've also seriously been considering completing an MSN while I gather some R.N experience...most programs I've seen last about 2yrs...so I'm thinking its something to have under your belt while you are garnering experience. I wonder if you can tell me if this was sort of your strategy before joining? My DH says that would be a smart move and (as you allude to) moves the process towards captain quicker. How long have you been in? You say you're fairly new but came in with a MSN and will make captain soon I was wondering how long its been since you began. How do you like AF nursing so far? Any insights on life as a newbie is greatly appreciated. Thanks and Congrats! :balloons:

I had a different path to MSN than most. At the time I went to nursing school, the schools in Austin had huge waiting lists. I opted for an MSN program that fast-tracked me to RN (15 months) and then I went on to my MSN courses. After getting my RN at 15 months I started working while taking MSN classes. When I applied to the AF I had about 3 yrs experience and my degree. Yes, it will help advance my career a little more quickly, but there are some definite drawbacks. Foremost is the amount of debt I incurred from getting my MSN. Also, I have many years of experience to gain before the AF will use me as an MSN (which would have been the case in civilian world too).

Honestly, I don't think getting an MSN will give you that much of an edge. Yeah, you'll be ahead in rank and pay, but if you have to go into debt doing it then it's really not worth it in my opinion. If you come in the AF as a BSN and work your butt off, you can get an AFIT slot and the AF will pay for your education. I wish I could have done it that way.

All in all it depends on your career goals. If you want to get an MSN and use it right away, the AF probably isn't the best option. Don't worry too much about your starting rank....if you come in with a bunch of debt from an MSN that little bit of extra money each month won't matter anyway because you'll be paying on loans! I'm happy that I have my MSN because when it comes time for promotions, I have that box checked already, but right now, it doesn't do me much good.

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2008

Thanks for the reply. I looked up the USPHS but they don't have very much info. in their website (other than precursory info. about specialties and how to sign up). Could you supply more info I remember way back in the day that they used to hire nurses for working in the Indian Reservations, at the risk of sounding daff is this the same thing? Any info. is always appreciated. Thanks once again!

Try this link for job sites/vacancies with USPHS..http://dcp.psc.gov/VATS/rpt_category_button.asp

The thing to remember about USPHS is although the benefits are pretty much the same. It is a very fragmented organization that is mostly dependent on the agency and actual facility that you work at (much like a civilian job). Joining USPHS is a double process you apply for commission with USPHS and you apply simultaneously with job/agency you wish to work for. You have to be accepted/hired by both to get into USPHS.

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2008

Thank you littlegreek for all this info. I'm really torn between the two specialties. I did work in the O.R. back in the day when they actually let LPN'S do stuff like that :chuckle I enjoyed my time there a lot and absolutely love Peds! I've also seriously been considering completing an MSN while I gather some R.N experience...most programs I've seen last about 2yrs...so I'm thinking its something to have under your belt while you are garnering experience. I wonder if you can tell me if this was sort of your strategy before joining? My DH says that would be a smart move and (as you allude to) moves the process towards captain quicker. How long have you been in? You say you're fairly new but came in with a MSN and will make captain soon I was wondering how long its been since you began. How do you like AF nursing so far? Any insights on life as a newbie is greatly appreciated. Thanks and Congrats! :balloons:

The only thing I can tell you when making your decision is that NICU has one of the highest burn out rates of any nursing speciality and once you are identified as an AF NICU nurse it is nearly impossible to get out of being NICU nurse and transfer to another speciality. Also, there are very AF bases with NICUs.

All that being said you should pick the nursing speciality that you like best.

The best way to enter the military and go into the nursing speciality that you want is by getting 1yr civilian experience first and then joining the military. That way you are almost assured of going into that nursing speciality.

midwesternboy · Sep 3, 2008

I had a classmate who wanted to go the USPHS route. It is a dual process, which was previously mentioned. She went to work on an Indian Reservation somewhere down in Arizona, New Mexico. She actually went down as a GS employee (since the process was much easier and quicker). Then the nurse manager down there told her they would work together to process her USPHS application. The USPHS application and process can take forever, so it was easier to go down there as a GS employee and transition to the USPHS. Plus she already had her job lined up. If you look into the Indian health services (www.ihs.gov)--I think this is correct, you will see that most of the Nurse recruiters for the Indian health services are USPHS employees.

Good luck

-recent BSN

BunkyRN · Sep 5, 2008

Hi there,

there is a NICU nurse in my reserve unit and she is classified as a 66H (med/surg) nurse in my unit. I would recommend OR if your thinking about the army. There is not much of a need for NICU nurses in the army reserves (if your thinking reserves).

lakebabynurse · Sep 14, 2008

Little Greek, can you please contact me with your email? I am having a difficult time trying to PM you and I would love to talk with you re: Langley, AF options, COT, etc..

Thanks!

Lakebabynurse (marge)