PURNAF

In regards to your question about civilians working for the military. We love the civilians that work for us. I am in the AF so I can't speak for the Navy; however, we all play together like a big family. I assume the Navy nurses and docs do the same.

I have worked in inpatient OB for 5 years now in the military and the base fluid for our patients during intrapartum has been LR usually at a maintenance rate of 125ml/hr. If we have diabetics we will give D5LR as the maintenance fluid. Providers are now requesting that all patients be given D5LR. Can any of you give me feedback on protocols and use of D5LR as a maintenance fluid. Evidenced based practice guidelines would be helpful. I have tried searching online for resources/research and have found none. Thanks, Julian

My specialty is not mental health/psych, but most nurses with this specialty are functioning as inpatient psych RNs in Contingensy Aeromedical Staging Facilities and in EMEDS hospitals (hospitals located in the conflict theater). When individuals are exposed to such stresses related to war and are denied any time away...ie the army who deploys for a year at a time...you have many individuals with PTSD, issues with anger managment, underlying psych diagnosis. I was sent to Germany approx a year and a half ago to help get patients back from Afghanistan and Iraq to higher levels of care here in the US. Many of these troops had a psych diagnosis and it definitely varied in diagnosis. Most were PTSD; however, many were disorders discovered after these young men and women had arrived in theater. I hope this answers your question. All specialties are being sent into the conflict...critical care, psych, and OR.

Well, where to begin. I am a captain in the AF, I'm currently doing L&D. When I entered I had no experience as a nurse and only received 5k for joining. This money was then taxed, so I really only landed up with approx 3K for a four year commitment. I started on med/surg then asked for the OB speciality. Yes as a new nurse and depending what state you are living in you do make a better living with the added benifits. Be forewarned that any bonus or loan repayment you take will be taxed so you won't get the full amount. I owed aprrox 20k for a student loan after I joined and applied for loan repayment after being in a year and I landed up with only 15k. As a PhD nurse I would expect more than captain as my rank, you have earned it. Nurses with their BSN and at least 7 years experience come in as captains, I don't think it is fair to you that they only offer you the rank of captain. Rank is determined based on years of experience and educational level. I would fight for at least major if you decide to come in. You also need to know that as a captain you will probably land up doing bedside nursing (psychiatric inpatient unit) with your degree you may be able to get an administrative position soon after, it all depends. Right now psych nurses are being deployed left and right. Many psych nurses are getting out of the specialty or leaving the AF because of the fear of being deployed frequently. They need psych nurses in areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq, I wouldn't believe the recruiter that you would not be deployed for your first years as you already have experience as a psych nurse (what a better person). Be cautious with recruiters, if they offer you something ensure you get it in writing and make lots of copies for yourself. You may also ask to speak with the officer in charge of health recruitment, this person should be a captain, major, Lt colonel, you are probably speaking with an enlisted recruiter who recruits health professionals. Seasonal allergies should not disqualify you as an AF nurse. I hope this answers some of your questions. If you want to speak through private e-mail you can do so through this forum. I've been somewhat satisfied with my AF life, but I would like for you to make an educated decision and not regret joining once you did...if you do. Capt G

The Air Force is always looking for nurses, especially OB and OR nurses. I'm currently an L&D/post-partum nurse at Travis AFB, CA. I started out on med-surg then asked to go to the AF OB short course which teaches you the basics of OB nursing. I am currently a captain and I have worked with nurses who have entered from civilian nursing with experience in OB. Your rank will all depend on how many years of nursing you have along with the educational level. Some OB nurses have come is as 1LTs and others as Capts you will have to iron that out with a recruiter. Be forewarned that even though you have OB experience you may be chosen initially to do OB, but once you attain experience in the AF you will more than likely have to become nursing management or acquire an advanced degree to stay in the provider role. Currently I am attempting to get my FNP, I want to get out of OB. As an OB nurse I've been deployed, other nurses I work with have also been deployed, areas for deployment range from Germany to Iraq. There is also a rumor out there that OB services in the AF are going to become obsolete in the near future. These services will be contracted out to the local community. I hope this answers some of your questions. If you have anymore feel free to ask. Capt G

Welcome to the Air Force. ASBC is mandatory for all line officers; however, a great experience if you would like to attend as a nurse. I went when I was a 2LT and I enjoyed it. The information pertains more to the general function of the Air Force much of which you may already know from doing ROTC. This is always looked upon as a good thing on perforamance reports and educational history. If allowed the opportunity, do it!!!