RN Joining as a FNP - Air Force

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I am graduating May 2016 BSN. I have been speaking with an Air Force Recruitor about joining.

I want to join as FNP and the requirements on the website say that you can join as FNP with "only" a BSN and a MSN is "not required" from my understanding. I have not spoken with the Recruitor about this part yet (they told me to get back with them in December).

The question is this.. How does this work? What is this program/process? Will I get my FNP through the Air Force? It's a little confusing maybe someone on here knows a little more about it.

I do not want to join as an RN because my goal is MSN. With that being said, should I just get my MSN out side of the service and joins as FNP? Thank you for any knowledge.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I'm an active duty AF nurse. You can't practice as an advanced practice nurse in the Air Force without an MSN. Since the military as a whole is going towards DNPs, you might want to consider applying to a DNP program. You'll have a hard time competing with DNP/NPs for future promotions without one. As an added bonus, DNPs (O3 or Captain) enter with advanced rank compared to MSNs (O2 or 1st Lt)

There is a program (AFIT) that sends active duty AF nurses back to school full-time. However, you'd have to serve as an RN for 2 years to even be eligible to apply for that (realistically 4+ years to be competitive).

Get your DNP before joining.

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I appreciate the advice! My Recruitor told me to get back ahold of them in December which is 5 months from graduation. That seems like a short amount of time to get everything done considering if I choose to go to Vanderbilt or UAH before joining I have to have my applications turned in to those institutions by November 1st this year.

I guess I need to make up my mind. Any more advice on the subject would be great.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

If you are okay joining as an RN, ask the recruiter to send you the application packet now. The medical clearance paperwork (requiring you get medical records from the last decade) and the security clearance paperwork takes a while. It would also allow you to start on the essay questions.

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I am ok joining as RN. My ultimate goal is to be a provider so I think it would be most beneficial to pursue my MSN/DNP before joining. It's a one year delay 1.5 at the most (the programs are 1 and 1.5 years long)

Thank you for the advice I guess the rest is up to me to decide what route to choose. Decisions this large are not easy.

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