TurkTurkleton

Hello. You do need your BSN, and no you are not too old. We have nurses coming in who are in their 40's. The thing is, if you tried to go AF again and told them about your genetic disorder, they would still most likely not accept you even if it doesn't pose any physical or mental complications to you. They are very strict like that.

You must have a BSN to commission into the military. However, if you wanted to be a civilian nurse and work at a military hospital, a lot of them will hire you with your RN license. I'm currently an active duty AF nurse, and I work with some civilian RNs that are going to school to get their BSN. It's a pretty nice job b/c you get to help out military members but not have to worry about getting deployed.

Will be new to the AF in two weeks. I'll be stationed at Travis for the first three years.

Hello everybody. I'm leaving for COT in a couple of weeks, and I would really like some information as to what I should expect. I've heard two different views...one being I will call home at least once crying, and the other saying it's nothing but drinking. I would just like to know what the hours are like, do we have weekends free for visitors, and what the fitness tests are like. Any info would help. Thanks.

Hey guys. So I found out today I'll be stationed at Travis starting in June. I used to live in Southern Cali and didn't really like it b/c of the stuck up people and how everything is based on what you look like and how much money you make. Is northen Cali any different? Are there "quiet" places to live near there? Any places you recommend to live? And how is the hospital? Thanks!

Hi Dino, I just graduated from a 2nd degree BSN program in September, and I will be leaving for COT for the AF in May. While nursing school was extremely tough, and nursing itself is stressful, it was definitely the right decision, b/c you can do so much with your degree. While I can see how nurses get burned out, if it ever comes to the point where you're so tired of standing on your feet for 12 hours (which by the way, you do get used to and not realize it :) ), there are always other avenues. Pharmaceutical companies hire nurses all of the time. I've been around nurse anesthetists, and while they probably busted their ass in school, it's a more cushy job than med-surge. I've seen anesthetists doing cross word puzzles and setting up doctor's appt.'s, while in the OR. I just look at them and think "Wow, and you make $150,000/yr". I chose the military for probably the same reason you are. To simply help soldiers. They need our help. And I fully expect it to be more like family than where I work now....the Hospital of the university of pennsylvania. Good luck!

Hey everyone! I need someone's opinion. I currently work at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It's a city hospital that's magnet and one of the top 5 hospitals in the country. It's an absolutely crazy hospital and so stressful. I've been a nurse for almost 3 months now, and I already want to quit my job. I go into work and I wanna cry. My question is, in a couple of months I will be starting my nursing job in the Air Force. What are the nursing jobs like in the Air Force? I'm assuming working at a clinic on base is probably less stressful than working at a medical center?? Any words of wisdom will be appreciated. Thanks.

I just had a meeting with the AF recruiter two days ago. As far as loan repayment, the AF will pay $30,000 for 4 yr. commitment, and give you an additional $25,000 sign on bonus if you commit 6 yrs. The Army is currently paying back $110,000 in loans for 3 yrs. Both will pay for your Masters, but with the AF you can get your Masters in anything whereas the Army will only pay for your MSN. I asked why there was such a big difference in loan repayment money from AF and Army, and he said that the retention rate for the AF is 95% (alot lower in the Army) and pretty much saying the AF is better (more relaxed, less stresful, etc.) I'm still going back and forth about which branch to join though. I like the idea of working with trauma victims and you don't see it that much in the AF.