NO bonus and NO student loan repayment to join USAF?

[mommy2BCD]

So I went to talk with a recruiter yesterday (4/8/08) and he said there are currently NO bonuses or student loan repayment options for nurses joining the Air Force? I was so shocked I had to pick my jaw up off the floor lol. He said that in the fiscal year there were no bonuses at the beginning and that they finally approved them in December and that the money was all "ate up" with the applicants that applied before and after that time. I guess I was under the impression that the AF was hurting for nurses and especially ICU nurses (which I am). Can anyone shed some light on this situation for me? Is there any chance I am being lied to? Husband was with me (previous AD USAF), so it's not that we believe everything recruiters say, but he seemed pretty honest on this issue?? He did say that they are "scrambling" to try to pull money from other sources in order to recruit and retain nurses but just that there is "no money" right now? Anyone that can help I would really appreciate it!

[Esh570]

Thanks Shannon and Just Cause for coming to my defense, there :wink2:! But like Wtbcrna said, this was an old thread. I kinda already made my decision despite the bonus issue. Also you got to remember that a lot of the nurses already serving weren't exactly offered a bonus, so I can understand their side of the issue as well.

[sassysoldier]

I contacted my usaf healthcare officer recruiter to see if they have heard of any new news about loan repayment or bonus and he said still no new news. They might hear something in another month or so. I'm almost at the end of my road with applying to the navy so it looks like thats where I'll be. If the AF comes thru with loan repayment (thats more important to me personally) then I will consider if not I'll be USN!

As far a the bonus issue. Me personally I'm not going in for the money and like a male nurse who told me yesterday " None of us in the hospital are really doing it for the money because we could all be working for insurance, business or even the mortgage industry back when they were booming. But no we are in people's faces everyday taking care of them. " So a bonus would be nice, for me because I have student loans from a bachelors and masters repayment would be nice. However, I'm not here for the money I'm here because I am morally charged to do it! :heartbeat