New grad/Air force nursing

Published

Hello everyone :)

I have a few questions for you guys. I am a 23 y.o. male nursing student, who will be graduating this May from a BSN nursing school with my RN. I am currently engaged to a female nursing student who will be graduating the following May. I am interested in practicing nursing in the Air Force, especially after reading of the benefits that are received. The 30 day payed vacation, the sign-on bonus, the paying off student loans, getting to travel...it all sounds "too good to be true". I am also planning on attending nurse anesthetist school once I am qualified to do so, but this is where I am getting confused. Outside of the military, you are required to work 1-2 years of critical care before applying to these schools. I was told that when joining the Air Force, you are required to work in med surge or OB for a minimum of two years before you can move on to critical care. My dilemma is that I do not necessarily want to wait 4 years before applying, when I could be applying in 2 if I just went on to a 'normal' hospital job, outside of the military. How does the Air Force CRNA school look at this? Do people that are enlisted get priority into the CRNA school over those who apply from outside of the AF? Would you guys recommend, with a wife that is a nurse, getting into the military? Would it be better if she joined as well? Would they be able to employ us both at the same hospital if we both decided to join? What is the normal starting salary for a military nurse, as from I have heard it is significantly lower? How far up in the ranks can a BSN nurse move?

I apologize if the questions are repetitive, as this site is filled with information, and its almost hard to find direct answers. I am seriously considering the Air Force route, I just need to hear from others....

Thanks in Advance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If your goal is to become a CRNA in the shortest time period I recommend not pursuing military at this time... if your goal is to serve in the military and have a future chance to get a full ride to become a CRNA - then military might be a good choice.

If you commissioned as a nurse - you don't 'enlist' - it would make you a better candidate to enter the AF in their CRNA program.. but you could always do that on your own and then join the AF as a CRNA...

There is joint considerations for in-service spouses... I don't think they would guarantee same hospital - but getting the same post should be an issue if both in the AF. I wouldn't say it would be 'better' if she joined.. she could easily not join and work at the same hospital as a civilian..and at a later date choose to join. Salary info - search google for military pay, for an officer O1, plenty of info out there.... I wouldn't say it's lower - you have to include the free health care, free move to future post, etc. A BSN nurse is not limited by his/her degree....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your quick and honest reply. I do want to finish furthering my education while i'm still young and motivated to do so...and the Air Force is definitely not going to help facilitate that I feel. Again thanks...I just needed to hear other opinions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Skeeber,

one note - if you think you would enjoy a career - (or at least around 10 years) in the Air Force - (or Army or Navy) then you could enter with your BSN and make a strong assumption that you would receive the opportunity to attend grad school (while getting paid) to gain a masters in nursing at some point... typically eligible to apply around 3 years after you enter as a BSN nurse in the military.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats! I'm finishing up COT now. Where will you be stationed?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I plan to join this June. I attend COT already (Dec 07 as national guard nurse). Congrats on finishing COT Esh570.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion