OR vs Endoscopy RN in the Air Force

[JennRN1004, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hello. Joining the Air Force is something I have been interested in for a long time. Now that I'm 7 classes away from my BSN, I'm trying to research and find answers so that I will be prepared to enter the service. I just turned 40, I'm physically fit, and I have 18 years of RN experience. I do all of the perioperative and procedural areas but mostly OR circulating, pre-op, and endoscopy. Can anyone please tell me what the advantages of one area vs another would be when entering the AF? Also, how are the schedules for such areas? In addition to that, does anyone also have any other helpful information for getting ready to sign up as a commissioned officer? Thank you in advance for your help.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

The Air Force doesn't recognize day surgery areas, such as endoscopy, GI, or PACU as a specialty. They are all lumped into the general 'Clinical Nurse' pool with the med-surg nurses.

Operating Room (circulating) is a recognized specialty. If you apply for that, you will pretty much only be doing circulating. It seems like the enlisted OR techs do all the scrubbing-in.

Know that it isn't easy to switch specialties in the Air Force. OR is the highest need specialty in the AF. If you join as an OR nurse, you are pretty much stuck circulating.

The AF force values the CNOR certification. I'd get it if you don't have it already.