New Grad Wondering About Military OB Nursing

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Hey All, this is my first post! A little background first...

I just graduated this month from nursing school with a BSN. I'm from Massachusetts, where as far as I've looked, there are seriously no new grad positions available. I've already grown frustrated with the fact that 99% of the positions out there require at least 1 year if not more of experience! :o I'm trying to focus on worrying about the NCLEX rather than jobs at the moment, but employment is still in the back of my mind. I currently live at my mom's house with my boyfriend of nearly 7 years. We want to get married but he's got a semester of school left and we need to both focus on getting jobs that will allow us to start saving up.

I was introduced to the Air Force through my cousin, who has been serving for 4 years now, married, with a child down in OKC. Ever since I visited him on base after he graduated basic training, I always thought about how exciting it would be to be part of something like that, plus they seem to be well-taken care of. My mother will support me in any decision I make, but my boyfriend is very hesitant about me even contemplating it.

More than anything, I want to be a nurse involved in OB and Labor and Delivery. I know there's that option in the military, but I haven't heard or read anything in this forum about that type of experience. I know that as a new grad, it's basically expected that I get a general job in med/surg so that I'm experienced...which if I have to, fine. But I'm dead set on the speciality of OB--my clinical experience in school was the best I've had out of any rotation or my internship; things stuck in my head from class and books and truly made sense, and I was EXCITED for each new day searching new experiences and not afraid to learn new things (whereas any other rotation I wish I had an Ativan...). I want to do a position I feel motivated in, because it'll allow me to push myself and work at my greatest potential.

So I just have a few questions...what's the lifestyle of an Air Force or military OB nurse like? If I wanted to join, what does the career path look like? What kind of deployment is there for OB nurses, and how does the living situation work if I want my boyfriend to come with me? Finally, how does the Air Force or other military branches deal with student loans--is there any compensation? Any experience or stories would also be greatly appreciated! Apologies for how long this post is and how many questions I have!!!

Thanks :redbeathe

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

So I just have a few questions...what's the lifestyle of an Air Force or military OB nurse like? If I wanted to join, what does the career path look like? What kind of deployment is there for OB nurses, and how does the living situation work if I want my boyfriend to come with me? Finally, how does the Air Force or other military branches deal with student loans--is there any compensation? Any experience or stories would also be greatly appreciated! Apologies for how long this post is and how many questions I have!!!

I am an OB nurse in the Air Force and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

I'm not sure what you meant by "lifestyle" in your post...perhaps you meant working environment? I have worked both civilian and now military nursing and I much prefer military nursing. There is a camaraderie in the Air Force like nothing I've every experienced before. I work very closely with nurses, techs, and providers. For the most part we have a great rapport.

As for career path, as a new nurse you can expect to work at least 4-6 years at the bedside, and many times more than that. As you progress in rank and experience you can apply for AFIT slots (where the AF pays for you to get your Graduate degree). These spots are limited however and not everyone that applies gets one.

As an AF nurse you can expect to deploy. Some go to Iraq, some to Afghanistan, some to Germany, it really depends on your base. Many think that OB nurses don't deploy as much as other nurses. That may be somewhat true, but in general a nurse is a nurse and we are all subject to deployment. Right now there are three nurses from my flight deployed and three more are leaving to replace them in a month.

As for your boyfriend moving with you, he can go almost anywhere you go but the AF will not pay you the higher BAH rate because he is not your dependent. Let me be clear that if you deploy you will not be able to bring your boyfriend. Some people get confused about the difference between deployment and PCSing (moving to a new base).

Student loan repayment is something that is offered but it is not always available. The AF has only a certain amount of money that they can pay out each year and it goes quickly. The fiscal year begins in October, so if you want loan repayment and a sign-on bonus you should make sure your packet gets turned in at the beginning of October to the end of November. Even doing that does not mean you'll get it. I'm not sure what the amounts are right now so you'd have to contact a recruiter if you have specific questions.

In general I've heard the OB track is much easier to get into than the general nursing track. Once accepted, you would attend COT (officer training), then go to NTP (training for new nurses), then attend PNC (Perinatal Nurse Course). You cannot work L&D alone until you have completed this course unless you have prior experience. Most nurses who accept the OB track complete PNC within their first 8 months in the AF but there are occasions where it can take longer because there are only two locations where the course is offered. In those cases it's my understanding that you can work on post partum while you are waiting to go to the course, at least that's what we do where I'm stationed.

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Thank you sooooo much! You've answered many questions that I've had for a while, I appreciate all your input. :D I didn't realize that OB nurses are deployed out to the middle east, I figured there wasn't much use for them out there, but then again, I'm sure I don't have the greatest understanding for what's truly out there. Thanks again!

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OK, so since you have a little inside scoop, maybe you can give me some advice also. :) I am in the military going to school in the AECP program for nursing and will graduate next year. I think I will be going to Wright Patt, doing OB for my first "nurse" assignment. Is there any information you can give me regarding to starting in OB vs. Med Surg? I come from a communications background and have no contacts what so ever in the hospital. May sound corny, but I am looking for a little mentorship and am not sure where to find that being a full time student?? Thanks!

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.
OK, so since you have a little inside scoop, maybe you can give me some advice also. :) I am in the military going to school in the AECP program for nursing and will graduate next year. I think I will be going to Wright Patt, doing OB for my first "nurse" assignment. Is there any information you can give me regarding to starting in OB vs. Med Surg? I come from a communications background and have no contacts what so ever in the hospital. May sound corny, but I am looking for a little mentorship and am not sure where to find that being a full time student?? Thanks!

Congrats on AECP! It's a great opportunity. Don't worry too much about concentrating on any one skill at this point (OB vs. med-surg). It's stressful enough just to learn to be an RN, especially since you don't come from a medical background. Just concentrate on the basics and get through the NCLEX. Once you finish with NTP and transition to OB you'll get good training. The PNC course is comprehensive, although you won't feel totally prepared to be on your own. That's normal so don't sweat it. Wright Patt does around 40-50 deliveries per month last I heard. It's not the busiest hospital as far as OB but it's not the slowest either. Two of my colleagues are PCSing there soon and they are very experienced OB RNs. You'll have good mentorship on the floor in those two alone--I'm sure there are other great RNs there.

As for PNC, the best advice I can give is to jump in and take advantage of every opportunity to do and learn. And if you happen to come to Langley for PNC let me know. I'll be there for two more years. Feel free to PM me anytime if you have specific questions...I'm happy to help!

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Thanks so much. I will do just that...concentrate on getting through school. I am sure that I will have additional questions as I get closer to commissioning and going to my first duty station as a nurse.

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