Stuck between going Navy or Air Force for nursing!

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Hello All,

I am a senior nursing student and will graduate in Dec. 2015. Since high school I have always had a desire to do two things: be a nurse and join the military. Based off my current research I have narrowed my decision between going into the Navy or the Air Force. From here, I'm extremely torn. My dad was in the Navy and has worked on Naval bases and with the navy my entire life, so i'm more familiar with the Navy and I always thought I would go Navy. I decided to do some inquiring on Air Force to just have a second option and am very impressed with what they have to offer especially with their Nurse Transition Program. I was wondering what were the deciding factors for those of you who went Navy and those of you who went Air Force. Both branches seem very similar but I do know Air Force has more hospitals and based vs. Navy; but, Navy has some amazing base locations.

The reasons I want to go into the military are that I'd truly think I'd actually enjoy it, I have always loved belonging to something bigger than myself, I want to travel - A LOT OF TRAVEL- TO EVERYWHERE, amazing leadership opportunities, unique training experiences, and advancement in education.

I know there isn't a wrong choice, but I do know the branches though similar, have differences and I was hoping by identifying the differences and hearing reasons why individuals chose the branch they did it would help me make a more informed decision. Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi and welcome to AN - the largest peer to peer nursing network! While I can't answer your specific question, this is a very large site and there will be others along soon.

I'm a USN vet so I'm a little biased - lol.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Honestly, I would go with whichever one will take you! There are fewer spots for new grads in this time of military downsizing. I recommend contacting a healthcare recruiter from each branch in which you are interested and see what the recruiting outlook is. Good luck in the remainder of your program! The military cares about GPA, so keep your grades up to be competitive.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Both the Navy and the AF are taking limited numbers of direct commission new grads. You can absolutely apply to both. Just mums the word with your recruiters; they might not invest the time into you if they think there's any chance you'll decline an acceptance offer.

The differences aren't enough where you should worry about it. The available bases are different. The uniforms are different. The culture/customs are different. You should be able to look up all of those online. The day-to-day job is very much the same.

The only thing that you might care about is the ship duty assignments with the Navy. Most Navy nurses work on land, but a few have the opportunity to serve aboard a ship. Aeromedical evac does exist in the navy, but I believe there is much more AE opportunity in the AF. I believe that critical care air transport teams (CCATTs) only exist in the AF.

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sm_carter,

I am currently in the Navy Reserves as a RN and within the next 2 weeks will commission into the Air Force as AD. I served 5 years enlisted in the Navy in the 90's and 1 1/2 years in the Reserves as an RN, and so far have enjoyed it. I'm disappointed in the Navy as they do not always give credit for experience in nursing as the Air Force does, and it seems as though the Air Force is much more family oriented and takes better care of its' service members than the Navy does, based on AF members I know and have spoken to. I can tell you that the AF has done a much better job with getting me to where I'm at that the Navy did, but that may be that I just got a good recruiter. Deployments supposedly aren't as long with the AF, but are more frequent. As far as promotions go, they appear pretty even from what I've researched. I believe the Navy has some more preferable bases, but not too much difference. I would have stuck with the Navy, had they allowed me to go on active duty as an RN, but would not allow me because of my age, but the AF would. Makes no sense, I would've preferred to stick with what I know in the Navy, everyone I've worked with in the Navy has been great and I will miss them. I would have to say go with whoever offers you the better options, and works for you. If you're in the Pittsburgh, PA region, MSgt Jake LaFine ( AF) has been an excellent recruiter and I would highly recommend him. Couldn't have asked for much better, and he has been on top of things. Hope this helps.

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Pixie, RN.,

Is it okay to apply to more than one branch if you are trying to increase your odds of getting in just in general?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Pixie, RN.,

Is it okay to apply to more than one branch if you are trying to increase your odds of getting in just in general?

No idea, sorry. I only applied to the Army.

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Well I'm assuming you're not applying this year, because future December grads aren't allowed to apply for the NTP this year (this is a new policy, I was a December grad and they let me apply last year). I'm able to apply this year because I'm not a "future" grad, I already graduated. But I am trying to go Air Force. Personally I like the environment, they are fairly family-oriented and truly care about their people. They know that for us to work well and do our jobs correctly, we can't be over stressed or worrying about our families while we're deployed. Not sure if that matters to you, but for me who will want children in the next 5 years, that's important!! I didn't look to far into Navy personally, because I don't like the idea of being at sea for long periods of time. Little did I know, nurses actually fight to sign up for that because they really don't need that many of us. Plus it seems like the Navy has you apply super early for a spot, and I didn't start working on it for awhile...

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