Devo19

In 2012, I already had a Bachelor's degree and used the tuition reimbursement to help get my GPA up with general education courses. Once I was accepted into a BSN program, that is when I applied and got accepted into VANEEP.

Yes and they might move you up a step or two. Since you are already in the VA system and just transferring from RN to NP, it is automatic and no board evaluation is needed. Congratulations

COT 8 weeks (when I went it was 5.5 weeks), Flight school (4 weeks), AEIQ (4 weeks), SERE (3 weeks when I went - I think it is shorter now) and water survival (2 days). Honestly, you can stay qualified as a flyer who just flies during the UTA weekend (we have flight every Fri and Sat of UTA) but not every base is as lucky. I would make UTA for catching up and handling admin stuff and do a three day cross country every other month to stay qualified. It is definitely more work as a flyer. We manly fly CONUS.

I am! I commissioned May 2016 and become qualified July 2017. I'm at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio but I live in Indiana. I work for the VA and they provide military leave (up to 120/year with no more than 240 rollover). It works out great. Our schedule is put out in advanced so we can plan our flights very far out.

Yes, there is a chance to change AFSCs but you will need some critical care experience and a squadron that will accept you. When I joined (6/2016), I had to have 6 months of critical care experience and be able to pass my flight physical.

Yes, depth perception is a requirement as well as dental exams. You might be able to get a waiver.

NPs have their own scale ... I went from a RN (Grade 2 Step 6) to the NP scale (Grade 2 Step 6) but I'm internal. There are proficiencies for NPs but it's hard to find

Well, after the 10 months to 1 year of being on active duty orders, you still have to complete 15 days of AT (Active Training) days per year while completely the minimum of 2 hours every 90 days which won't keep you qualified. Many individuals had to resign their commission when going to CRNA school. The bonus won't be given to you until after completing school and becoming a qualified flyer. Example: Commissioned 5/16---Qualified Flyer 5/18

There is a 6 month waiting period before you can transfer but I would ask HR about it to make sure.

Congrats on the commission! I have been in since 2016 and I love it! Thank you for updating us on current COVID conditions in regards to training. I want to emphasize that the bonus will only start AFTER you are fully qualified as a flight nurse so for many, that could be a year or two after commissioning. With the flight physicals, I would hate to commission as a flight nurse and not be able to be one. Hopefully, everything goes well...

This post should answer most of your questions...

Deployments for flight nurses last only 4 months and it is a volunteer basis (at least at our squadron). Depends on where you deploy to but technology is pretty good so internet calling/FaceTime should be an issue. Yes, you will be placed on Active Duty orders for schools and the 120 days of flying after you are qualified.

I am. Commissioned in 2016, qualified in 2017 and deployed currently. They have active-duty flight nurses but you can't only stay in that position for a limited time compared to the reserves which is a career choice.

Oh it is the best job in the world! I wont ever leave lol. I just like to warn everyone is about the length of time you could be away from home. I was on orders for 10 months! And since I live more than 50 miles away, I had to stay on base.

I have had a few ppl commission (one FNP and others a MSN) came in as captains automatically. Understandably, you need to think about the time commitment with the first year and a half of becoming a flight nurse and how that will impact finding a job as a FNP. Also, all that time you serve does add up and I was able to get my FNP half paid for plus books and housing.

That is what I'm thinking also but I commissioned a month before my two years and I was a 2LT. At first it sucked but I plan on doing 20 years so gives me more time to make rank and complete 20+ years.

The starting salary is determined by the nursing board and with 13 years with no MSN, it would definitely be around Nurse 2 Step 5-7...but you have to prove to them.

Well, I've been a nurse for 5 years and been with the VA for 9 years. They paid for my BSN (and paid me a salary while in school) with a guaranteed job afterwards and are paying for part of my MSN. Their benefits/retirement is great, paid leave (earned (over 600 hrs and unlimited sick leave) and military (up to 280 with shift differential)) are unbelievable. RN:Patient Ratio are great and they treat us well. That's just my personal story.

https://www.va.gov/ohrm/pay/

My online FNP is great for me! I can still work full time on night shift and I travel a lot for the military (currently deployed).

Congrats! What was your studying like? Was there a certain amount of material or time you study per day or week? Would you say two months of studying would prepare you? Thanks!