Danish

I commissioned with an “in lieu of” which basically means pending flight physical. I finally had it completed a year and a half after being gained at my unit LOL. There are pros and cons to that. I was non prior, so the time in grade didn’t affect me thankfully. I am at FN/AEIQ now finally and I’ll be qualified roughly 2 years after commissioning. It’s a very long process.

Yes, based on your AFSC they may. My ascession (sp?) bonus when I commissioned was a choice of $60k or $60k student loan repayment. Both are taxable. currently for 46F the bonus is $105k over Three years.

Feel free to message me privately. I am a USAFR flight nurse and I am with the 45th AES at MacDill as well. I am also a graduate of SPC ? my suggestion is to start working in either ER or ICU if you can. Even step-down or PCU would help you. Make sure you do BLS, ACLS, and PALS as well. once you have a year experience and BSN complete, reach out to the medical USAFR recruiter (Sgt (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) was my recruiter but I think he is retiring.) Be patient. The commissioning process is long. Be prepared for a lot of training initially. TFOT (previously OTS), SERE, Water survival and emergency parachute training, FN/AEIQ, and MQT (about a year total) all must be completed before you earn your wings and are fully qualified to fly. When it comes to ranking structure you will find that the AE world is a bit different from the rest of the Air Force. As an officer you will rely heavily on your enlisted airmen to guide you and teach you. Yes, as a Captain I technically outrank the SNCOs but they have sacrificed and worked MUCH longer and harder than I have and I would be lost without them.

Hi! Great...long...LOL I commissioned in Feb, began drilling in June, and finally got my dates for TFOT (officer school) for Jan! Be prepared to hurry up and wait, but its very worth it.

It was in mine.

For reserves, you are fine. I commissioned at 40 in the USAF Reserve.

46F was 60K I apologize, I misread the title of the post. This was USAF ascension bonus

I am an NP, but wanted to fly and there were no NP positions, so I took a flight nurse position. I commissioned as a Captain 03 based on my education and experience even though my USAF reserve job is a nurse. My initial paperwork said 2nd Lt, so its dynamic and will change most likely by the time you sign your official paperwork.

Maybe I am glutton for punishment, but I am thinking of going back to school to obtain a terminal degree. I am leaning towards Aspen Univ. DNP in Leadership as they offer some insight into the financial, business, and management side of practice. Has any NP's here gone back for the DNP? Any advice? ( Background: I am currently working for the VA healthcare system in Vascular Surgery, but ideally some day would like to have my own clinic and feel that this would help prepare a little more than the current education I have. ) **I am also a USAF Reservist, so the cost is decent with Aspen ($16,000)

I work in vascular surgery. I was an RN at the same hospital for five years prior to becoming an NP. It's my home, so I couldn't leave. Plus, the benefits package makes the pay equate if you add that value.

Nope. I work full time as an NP and part time (Reserves) as an RN.

Not exactly apples to apples here. I have 17 years ICU and ER experience as an RN and have only been a vascular surgery NP for less than a year. I WANTED to fly. I am reserves and I still work full time for the federal govt as an NP. My goal was to serve and to retire with two pensions, which I do and I will.

My ED and ICU experience has helped quite a bit, but I am learning a lot. I work full time as an NP for the VA still and am only reserve as a flight nurse.

You will start your position as the same step and grade, just on the NP scale. Your first proficiency will be 1 year later and most NPs become nurse III at that time if they are involved in committees and such. It is still considerably less than the community pays for NPs though. I had offers for well over $30K more that I turned down to stay with the VA.

It is very base specific. I live in the Tampa area and my closest base is MacDill. When I initially began the process of commissioning there was no need for NPs on base and I was offered a flight nurse job. It was either take the opportunity as a flight nurse or nothing, so I took it. I work for the VA as a NP and for the USAF reserves as a nurse.