Question for AF nurses

NursePamela · Feb 26, 2009

Are you trying to decide Air Force or Military in general?

nursemel09 · Feb 26, 2009

I am trying to decide Air Force. It is the only branch that I am really interested in .

NursePamela · Feb 27, 2009

Why wouldn't you want to join?

nursemel09 · Feb 27, 2009

It sounds like a phenomial opportunity. My husband and I are both on board. I guess I was just looking to see what kind of experiences other nurses had in this branch. I know what nursing will be like in the civilian world and I wondered how it compared to the military.

PRicanRN · Feb 28, 2009

well I worked on the civilian side for 3 yrs for befor joining the AF, I can say I definitely enjoy military nursing more. You definitely have a lot more help. On the civilian side I really felt like I was hung out to dry no matter what was going on. I have worked in the ER the last 4 yrs(2 civiliian, 2 military) if that helps any. I mean you still have some of the same nursing issues in the military like sometimes short staffed and others but that is everywhere. I do miss having a little more freedom on my off time, but that is military life. It might help if you have any specific questions; I might be able to answer yours better.

jcoolcuda · Feb 28, 2009

What do you mean by a little more freedom in your off time? And what does "that is just military life"? How do they dictate your free time?

PRicanRN · Feb 28, 2009

What do you mean by a little more freedom in your off time? And what does "that is just military life"? How do they dictate your free time?

Well you have your job as a nurse but you usually end up doing other things like commanders meetings and duties aside from normal things like nursing staff meetings. Every command is different but like taking leave for example; my commander dictates that we can't go out more than 3 hrs from home station without taking leave, while when I was civilian when I had a 3 day weekend if I wanted to take a flight for the weekend somewhere I could do that without any hassle. Like I said every base and commander is different though.

NursePamela · Feb 28, 2009

The civilian hospital I work for just recently let go their DON and their VP for Nursing (budget cuts). In the military if your are let go it is because you REALLY screwed up. Unless of course they are offering early retirement than you are let go with your retirement.

I have also worked civilian hospitals where you had to do extra committees, meetings and education.

nursemel09 · Feb 28, 2009

How are the nurse/patient ratios? Are they comprable to the civilian side? What about the chance of deployment? I know it's there because of the military but how does that work on the nursing side of life?

I also just wonder about things like how is the housing on base, the benefits for spouses, and what if I have a child while enlisted.

NursePamela · Mar 1, 2009

Nurse/pt ratios will change from hospital to hospital from specialty to specialty for both military and civilian side.

Chance of deployment is ALWAYS a reality.

Some bases have great base housing some are not. BUT,,, you do not have to live on base. You can live where you want to including buying or renting.

Benefits for spouses? What do you mean? They have the same medical. There are support groups and clubs for spouses. They can earn a spousal preference when applying for a gov. job.

If you have a child while enlisted or commissioned you pay nothing and you get 6 weeks off with full pay.

I hope that helps.

nursemel09 · Mar 1, 2009

That information helps a great deal. Thanks! How does deployment work for a commissioned nurse? Would I be on the front lines or would be I be in a military hospital close to the war (ex. Germany)?