nerd_up

Just got that email with login information for my portal today! ??

How long is the commitment for AF nursing? Does it differ whether you choose ASTS or CCATT? I finally was offered a CCATT position, which I've been waiting for since 2 yrs ago but a lot has changed, in terms of my career goals. Would it be feasible to join CCATT & still do grad-level courses, & potentially start a doctoral nursing program in 2 years?

I’m being offered a 46N3 position at Travis AFB but in a MDS because there aren’t any 46N3E positions. If I ask for a 46N3 position in an ASTS, that’s not the same as a med-surg flight nurse, right? And I’d be able to transfer more easily to 46N3E?

Would it be possible to transfer as a 46N3 in a medical squadron to an ASTS or 46N3E position?

Hi, I’m currently in the process of joining the reserves. Passed MEPS, waiting on date(s) for flight physicals, & told me recruiter I want to apply for CCATT. My recruiter said I have to wait to be in the AF before I can apply because it’s an internal hire(?) & that they like to see performance before placing an applicant in that position. Does that mean I’d have to wait until after OTS & work at the base for some time before I can even apply? It sounds like my recruiter is either not wanting me to directly apply for whatever reason or he’s not familiar with CCATT. Also, I’ve been an ICU nurse for 1.5 yrs, & have my CCRN & TNCC. Would I have to go through extra training to be as ICU RN?

Thank you so much for this information Devo19! Sounds like everything is pointing me more towards CCATT then. It sounds like a more sustainable job with my civilian one & will be more realistically manageable whilst doing CRNA school in the future.

The way it was explained to me is that I would be a reservist but would have to be placed as active duty for the 10 months of flight training, then revert to reserves. These reserve flight nursing positions apparently have a $20k-$30k sign-on bonus for 3 yrs. I don't mind the 3 yrs but I want to make sure I'll be free of that commitment by year 3 & be able to apply to CRNA by year 2, at least. You think that would be possible? Are the required flight hours you mentioned only required within the 3-year commitment? Yes, please, if you have any input from you reserves friends/colleagues, that'd be much appreciated more than you know. I asked my recruiter about CCATT, if I'd be able to join CCATT after my 3-year commitment, but he didn't even know what that was. If you know nurses that are doing CCATT, while in CRNA, that would be ideal scenario for me in 3 years, if I decide to do flight nursing first. I've only been an ICU nurse for 1.5 years.

Hey jfratian, Look like you've been a flight nurse for the AF since 2017 & I noticed you have your MSN. If you don't mind me asking, did you gain your MSN before, during, or after joining AF Flight Nursing? I'm wondering this because I'm currently in the process of waiting for my flight physicals to join flight nursing (Washington or Travis), except I'm conflicted with how it's going to work when I apply for grad school (CRNA) in 2-3 yrs. Recruiter says the hours required for the job shouldn't conflict with school by the 3 yr mark & that AF will try to work with my school schedule. I'm having a hard time believing that. I do plan on quitting my civilian nursing job in 2-3 yrs, leaving me with only AF Nursing. Do you have any input on this or know of anyone who tried doing an intense grad school program? Recruiter also says I will not have a commitment contract since I'll be going in as an officer. Also don't believe that because they're offering a $20k-$30k sign-on bonus in 3 yrs. How would that work? Does that mean I'm only required to stay with AF for 3 yrs ? I feel like I'm being fed a couple of white lies or half-truths.