new grad RN BSN no experience

[RNgalUSA]

I am 33 years old and have two degrees, BA political science and BSN in nursing. I have no experience. I received my NYS license in August, and had hoped by now I would be gaining experience so that I may join the Air Force with some experience (active or reserves).

My AF recruiter was telling me about a flight medavac job that could be available to me. One recruiter said that it would be more of a LPN role and the other recruiter said it would be like a med tech job. On the flights, there is already and RN on staff etc… They said that they hire from within, so if my goal is to be eventually an RN officer, I would be more likely to get there through the medavac route.

I was told that the medavac job is about 13 days out of the month. This would make it hard to find a job as an RN, part time as well. I am currently looking in my state and had no luck as a new grad.

Questions:

During my time in the military, if i choose to do a medical job that is not being an RN, will this deter jobs from hiring me as an RN when I look for jobs afterwards when I am back home??

Also, is this possible that I would be able to eventually earn my way to becoming an RN in the Air Force, if there is available positions of course??

The army requires experience for RN officers as well. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations on branches of military?

The military is definitely something I have always regretted not doing straight out of high school. I am turning 34 in August, so the clock is ticking on that age requirement!

Thanks for any advice or recommendations!!!

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

It sounds like its an enlisted position. Is the recruiter a healthcare recruiter or the corner enlisted recruiter? If its the enlisted recruiter stay clear since becoming a RN in any service is difficult right now & even harder to switch from enlisted to recruiter. You will not work as a RN if you are enlisted. They are just sending smoke up your butt to get their numbers. The hiring within is if you are already an nurse officer and they need a flight RN. Get some experience then go back and talk with a healthcare recruiter.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Enlisted job for sure! New grad nurses are absolutely not allowed to start as flight nurses. All nurses with less than 1 year of experience must start in med-surg or OB in the Air Force. If you want to be a 34 year-old E-3 (airman 1st class), then have at it.

I'd say expand your new grad RN search to nursing homes, doctor's officers, urgent cares, and out-of-state jobs. After a year, you'll be in a much better position to get an inpatient hospital job (hopefully in a critical specialty like ICU, ER, or OR). You absolutely have to get a civilian job ASAP; the military takes the better part of a year to enter. The further out you go from graduation, the more you look like damaged goods to any potential employer (civilian or military). It sounds to me like you're being too selective. Move to another location, settle for a less than desirable job, or do both.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

What part on NY do you live in? I am from WNY and back in '98 when I completed my ADN only 1 nurse was able to find full time work. I ended up moving to NC to find a position.

As Jfrantian states you might have to move or be less selective about a position. Every year that you are out of school and not working the less employable you become. When facilities hire new grads they what fresh ones since they do not have to refresh what a new grad already knows and losses if they do not work as a RN. There is a lot to learn once you get out of school and most programs only give you the bare minimum to start. No facility wants to have to retract you those along with everything else you need to learn to have a successful practice.

[RNgalUSA]

Thank you for the advice jeckrn!

Yes the recruiter is an enlisted recruiter. I have been talking to recruiters since last year before I graduated. the Healthcare reserves recruiter said you need one year of civilian RN experience to become an RN officer, and thats only if there is positions available. She said i could try the enlisted route if I didn't' want to wait.

The enlisted recruiter said that there IS competition for officer jobs but because I have life experience (bc of my advanced age, lol) and that Id already be in the Air Force, Id be a shoe-in to eventually get the RN officer job. the medavac job is an enlisted job that I could get straight out of basic training. training is about at least 8 months to 2 years though, i think. I would be working on the flights with the other staff including the flight nurse.

What I mean is; people that worked as an LPN or a nursing assistant before applying for Nursing jobs, tended to get the RN jobs more likely than the people that didn't work in the healthcare field previously.

[RNgalUSA]

Thank you jfratian, BSN, RN for the information and advice!

I currently am still bar tending but also started working with a temp home care agency. I also will most likely get this job that is at an Addiction rehab clinic working with people detoxing etc. . . I know what you mean, both of you suggested , stop being so selective. yes I know. Thank you.

So that comment "if you want to be a 34 year-old E-3 airman 1st class), then have at it" Was that meant that I would be moving backwards in life sort of? I asked the recruiter if I would be like the only one of my age in basic training, he said no, there are always people of varied ages. while i was in his office, there was a woman that was taking the ASVAB and joining because her husband was already in the military, etc…

I was already aware that enlisted means just that, the 18 year-olds can get in with no degrees.

Im just covering my bases and want to get a full understanding of what I'm getting myself into. I really WANT to join the Air Force.

Ive had a long, interesting life, Im divorced, Ive travelled, I've been to multiple colleges and have 2 degrees, I have great friends.I don't have any regrets in my life besides not joining the military when i was young. Ive had a great life, but I need to have more meaning in my life. Thats why I became a nurse, to do amazing things. and if thats not happening right now or soon, I want to make it happen. ya know what i mean? Im physically fit and unattached relationship wise, i feel like this is the time. Also, I wouldn't be joining until november unfortunately, I have my best friends wedding to go to and can't miss it. So i would be gaining civilian RN experience in the meantime.

However, I do not want to make anymore ******* mistakes in my life that will last years. So that is why I am asking advice about the route into the military.

Thanks again! have a great day!

[RNgalUSA]

I guess what I am looking for ; is there anyone that is currently or previously been in the Air Force as a NURSE or Medavac/med tech??

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Yes, I'm an active duty air force nurse. Having gone through the direct commissioning process myself, I'm telling you that your recruiter is blowing smoke. Sure, it is possible to transition from enlisted to officer; there are all sorts of enlisted commissioning programs. It's not very likely, though. A ton of people enlist thinking they'll 'easily' commission in a few years. You're not a competitive applicant until you're an E-5; your EPRs won't have 'the goods.' Realistically, you're probably going to have to put in 5 or 6 years before having a reasonable shot at a commission.

Let's say you enlist, work for 2 years as a med tech (minimum time on station to apply for a program like that), and aren't picked-up. You apply again and are rejected. Now you're upset and want to get out, because you can't apply again without extending your service contract beyond the 4 years you initially signed-up for. At this point, you've been a tech for 4 years (not using your RN license). How do you expect to get a nursing job now?

A 34 year-old A1C (E-3) is pretty uncommon. There may be a variety of ages, but it's more like an 18-26 sort-of-variety.

This isn't like the civilian world. You aren't a shoe-in for a commission just because you're enlisted. How on earth could the military function if every enlistee who wanted to commission could do so. Believe it or not about 40% of the AF enlisted force has a bachelor's degree. Having one isn't a golden ticket.

Be patient. Get a civilian RN job. Wait it out.

[RNgalUSA]

Thanks jfratian! okay I hear you. I really appreciate the info. I was told to talk to a few different recruiters before I make any decisions anyway.

May I ask how long you were a nurse before you applied to the air force? If you don't mind me asking, how old were you? I should ask the med recruiter what the minimum experience is required for active duty RN.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I'm 25. I was wait-listed the first time (with just shy of 12 months) and got it the second time (with 18 months).

Contact Us: Find a Recruiter - airforce.com (pick the 'healthcare' option)

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

The Army is the same way, there are programs to go from enlisted to officer but it is not something you will get just because you have the degree. Another thing if you do go enlisted you will be treated like the other E-3's. They will not care that you are in your mid 30's not early 20's.

[RNgalUSA]

Hello,

So as of June 29th I was hired as a perioperative nurse in NYC. I'm very lucky to have nabbed it. It was getting pretty depressing. Lol

So I guess in 10-12 months I'll start talking to the Air Force recruiter, or I think the Army is 6 months. Idk. I've spoken to Air Force recruiter in the past, I know it's 12 months.

Being patient worked out so far.

Thank you for the advice jfratian and jeckRN