ksk33

Just curious-when do you get the bonus? Is it after you finish COT, or later, or earlier??

My other concern with applying now is I have 13 lbs to drop until I make the weight as listed on the height/weight chart. I'm working out like crazy and dropping weight very quickly. Can I apply now, or do I have to get that duck in a row first? Also, to apply, do I go see the healthcare professions recruiter for that? He's 4 hours away from my home, so if some of this can be done by mail/fax/email, that would be good to know! :)

Hello, I am graduating with my BSN in May. I am hoping to get into the AF. I have heard the paperwork takes a long time. Should I appy sooner, or after I get my degree?? I'm not sure how this works, and would appreciate information from someone who has done the process. Thanks!

Thank everybody. Sorry if you misunderstood me. I wasn't trying to haggle like at a car dealership. I'm new to military, so I didn't know everything is uniform. On another forum board, several people were talking about negotiating with their recruiters, which didn't sound like a good idea to me, but I wanted to know ahead of time what i should do. Thanks for having patience with someone who has no idea what the military is comprised of, structurally.

I am just wondering. Is the "deal" from the recruiter the final word on the matter, or can haggling be done? Should it be done? Or is that not a smart thing to do? I'm asking in regards to inital rank, etc. Just curious!!

In one of my previous posts, someone mentioned that prior experience as a nurse (not military service) will apply as "constructive credit" towards a higher rank. Does anyone know the particulars or that, or how I can find out? At an O-1 pay grade (with BAh and BAS and healthcare) it's going to be TIGHT for us (family of 6). I was wondering today if my 2 years of nursing experience would count towards my rank, since I'm not a new nurse. Thanks!

Hello, Am I right in assuming that there is no differential pay for hospital shifts in the AF on base? We're trying to figure out if we can live on the O-1 pay grade with 4 kids, since I'm working nights now with shift and charge differentials.

I read on another site that army CRNA deployments are 90 days at a time, but up to twice a year. So, 6 months out of 12 months, versus 6 months out of 24 months for the AF. Hmmmm. The Army looks like a better educational package, but the deployment is more hefty. I'm partial to AF myself, since my wife's family is all Blue, but I want to make the best decision for my family. Does anyone know more about the deployments for Army CRNAs?

Hi, I'm wondering what the normal, day to day schedule is for a RN in the Air Force. Is it similar to my civvie job of 3 12 hour shifts per week? Is it more like clinic hours, M-F 8-5? My wife is thinking about dental hygiene school to work part time, but we need to know what to expect from the AF nursing schedule (not deployment, just the normal schedule). She stays at home, homeschooling 4 kids, so we need to work around that. If my AF schedule would be unpredictable, we'll probably do the dental hygiene later. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Hi all, I am very interested in being an AF nurse. I understand the COT is 5 weeks in Alabama...if you have experience as a RN, do you go to NTP still? Does your family go too? Or would I be separated from my wife and kids for 5 weeks + 11 weeks?? Also, does anyone know the timeline for applying for Nurse Corps in AF? I am graduating with my BSN this May.

Hello, I'm a 30 year old RN, graduating with my BSN this May. I have 2 years clinical experience in acute care. I am very interested in both the military and getting my CRNA degree. I have a wife and 4 kids, so going to school for CRNA the traditional civilian route won't work (I'm the sole income). My wife's family is 3 generations AF and she loves the AF life. I have no prior military experience, but I think I would really benefit from military life. We're pretty rootless and my wife is loving the idea of raising the kids all over the country/world. I am finding lots of conflicting info online about military nursing and CRNA in particular. I have read that : Army CRNA program you are paid O-1 salary (guessing on the rank, AF I would enter service as )-1) during and then you owe 4.5 years AD. Deployment is 90 days plus intake/out processing every year. No deployment during school. AF you can't get into CRNA program until 2 yrs service is done. The army deploys more than the AF? While not deployed, you work on base...or do you get a civvie position? Army deployments more dangerous than AF deployments? I am no chicken, but I've got a family to think of. I am mostly concerned with deployment length and frequency. 3-4 months a year or two years is ok. 12-15 months at a time, not okay. 4 kids, savvy? If my info is wrong, please tell me. Insights needed!