Thinking about joining AF...Questions

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Hello everyone. I have been lurking for a couple of days and really appreciate all the questions and comments I have read here!

Here's my story. I'm a 39yo wife and mother of three (15, 14, 10). I have been contemplating joining the Air Force as a nurse. I am a psychiatric nurse with a PhD in nursing. I am currently working in a corporate environment and find my work challenging, but somewhat unrewarding. I am well-compensated for what I do. My job involves no patient contact and is purely administrative in nature. My background is in research nursing for the most part--especially related to stress and coping in illness.

I have spoken with a nurse recruiter and he was very helpful with the information he provided to me about opportunities for nurses in the Air Force. I was told that I would probably enter as a Captain with my educational credentials and time as a nurse (8 years-half time for most of that). Anyone familiar with how starting rank is determined?

I'm very concerned about being able to provide for my family "in the manner we're accustomed to". My DH works part time and is mostly a stay at home dad. From what the recruiter told me, we would actually come out ahead of my current 67K+ salary with allowances and health care benefits. Plus, I can either take 20K sign-on bonus for 4 years commitment OR 29,323 towards my LARGE student loan debt. Which to take?

I'm hoping that someone can give me input as to whether the recruiter is in the ballpark with the salary/benefits range given. Also, he said that I would not be deployed overseas for the first assignment, and that a base near my home is in critical need of psychiatric nurses. To what degree is what recruiters say the actual truth?

Anyone know what kind of clinical research is occurring in Air Force Hospitals or clinics?

Finally, I forgot to ask him on the phone today, but I have seasonal allergies (well controlled with OTC Claritin). Would this be disqualifying?

Thanks in advance for your advice

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Specializes in Labor& & Delivery.

Well, where to begin. I am a captain in the AF, I'm currently doing L&D. When I entered I had no experience as a nurse and only received 5k for joining. This money was then taxed, so I really only landed up with approx 3K for a four year commitment. I started on med/surg then asked for the OB speciality. Yes as a new nurse and depending what state you are living in you do make a better living with the added benifits. Be forewarned that any bonus or loan repayment you take will be taxed so you won't get the full amount. I owed aprrox 20k for a student loan after I joined and applied for loan repayment after being in a year and I landed up with only 15k.

As a PhD nurse I would expect more than captain as my rank, you have earned it. Nurses with their BSN and at least 7 years experience come in as captains, I don't think it is fair to you that they only offer you the rank of captain. Rank is determined based on years of experience and educational level. I would fight for at least major if you decide to come in. You also need to know that as a captain you will probably land up doing bedside nursing (psychiatric inpatient unit) with your degree you may be able to get an administrative position soon after, it all depends. Right now psych nurses are being deployed left and right. Many psych nurses are getting out of the specialty or leaving the AF because of the fear of being deployed frequently. They need psych nurses in areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq, I wouldn't believe the recruiter that you would not be deployed for your first years as you already have experience as a psych nurse (what a better person). Be cautious with recruiters, if they offer you something ensure you get it in writing and make lots of copies for yourself. You may also ask to speak with the officer in charge of health recruitment, this person should be a captain, major, Lt colonel, you are probably speaking with an enlisted recruiter who recruits health professionals. Seasonal allergies should not disqualify you as an AF nurse.

I hope this answers some of your questions. If you want to speak through private e-mail you can do so through this forum. I've been somewhat satisfied with my AF life, but I would like for you to make an educated decision and not regret joining once you did...if you do.

Capt G

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Right now psych nurses are being deployed left and right. Many psych nurses are getting out of the specialty or leaving the AF because of the fear of being deployed frequently. They need psych nurses in areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq, I wouldn't believe the recruiter that you would not be deployed for your first years as you already have experience as a psych nurse (what a better person).

Capt G

Very interesting! (My apologies for hijacking this thread...)

I would have assumed (and we all know the problem with assuming :lol2: ) that ICU, OR, ER, and MED-SURG nurses would be getting deployed the most over to Iraq/Arghanistan. Would you mind sharing in what capacity Psych RNs are working when deployed? (e.g. in Combat Support Hospitals alongside OR nurses and doctors). What exactly would their responsibilities be over there (I mean their responbilities related to their field of Psych/MH nursing). Gee, I hope that makes sense...

:lol2:

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Specializes in Labor& & Delivery.

My specialty is not mental health/psych, but most nurses with this specialty are functioning as inpatient psych RNs in Contingensy Aeromedical Staging Facilities and in EMEDS hospitals (hospitals located in the conflict theater). When individuals are exposed to such stresses related to war and are denied any time away...ie the army who deploys for a year at a time...you have many individuals with PTSD, issues with anger managment, underlying psych diagnosis. I was sent to Germany approx a year and a half ago to help get patients back from Afghanistan and Iraq to higher levels of care here in the US. Many of these troops had a psych diagnosis and it definitely varied in diagnosis. Most were PTSD; however, many were disorders discovered after these young men and women had arrived in theater. I hope this answers your question. All specialties are being sent into the conflict...critical care, psych, and OR.

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My specialty is not mental health/psych, but most nurses with this specialty are functioning as inpatient psych RNs in Contingensy Aeromedical Staging Facilities and in EMEDS hospitals (hospitals located in the conflict theater). When individuals are exposed to such stresses related to war and are denied any time away...ie the army who deploys for a year at a time...you have many individuals with PTSD, issues with anger managment, underlying psych diagnosis. I was sent to Germany approx a year and a half ago to help get patients back from Afghanistan and Iraq to higher levels of care here in the US. Many of these troops had a psych diagnosis and it definitely varied in diagnosis. Most were PTSD; however, many were disorders discovered after these young men and women had arrived in theater. I hope this answers your question. All specialties are being sent into the conflict...critical care, psych, and OR.

Yes, you've answered my question--thank you for your reply. Best of luck with your career and God bless!

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
My specialty is not mental health/psych, but most nurses with this specialty are functioning as inpatient psych RNs in Contingensy Aeromedical Staging Facilities and in EMEDS hospitals (hospitals located in the conflict theater). When individuals are exposed to such stresses related to war and are denied any time away... i.e. the Army who deploys for a year at a time...you have many individuals with PTSD, issues with anger managment, underlying psych diagnosis. I was sent to Germany approx a year and a half ago to help get patients back from Afghanistan and Iraq to higher levels of care here in the US. Many of these troops had a psych diagnosis and it definitely varied in diagnosis. Most were PTSD; however, many were disorders discovered after these young men and women had arrived in theater. I hope this answers your question. All specialties are being sent into the conflict...critical care, psych, and OR.

I read in a recent issue of the Army Times that the Army powers to be are looking into shorter deployments similar to Air Force. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed, but won't hold my breath, LOL.

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Corvette Guy - Just as the AF is increasing its deployment lengths... :) Maybe we meet somewhere in the middle. (Mainly 6-month deployments but a bunch of my guys are all doing 1-year convoy ops with the Army. Non-medical folks though.)

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Thanks for the comments and advice!

My husband and I are meeting with both AF and Army recruiters next week. What would you request/require if you were a professional considering joining at my stage of life (mom, 3 kids, husband, 39 years old, etc.)?

What would you recommend for pre-conditioning for the training? I'm barely within the weight requirement, not out of shape, but not in shape either.

Thanks!

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Whatever you decide for you and your family, I sure you'll make a wise decision.

Best of luck to you!

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