Tips for first AF duty location selection

[fermamerameria]

Hello fellow nursing friends! I am a year out from graduating from an MSN program and the AF will have me select my first duty assignment location in a few months. I am already in the IRR so don't have to jump all the COT hoops and everything. Having said that, I know next to nothing, other than bed sizes, about the various base options I can select from. Ok so specific questions:

1) anyone have experience at any of the following bases that they can speak to?

lackland, langley, scott, keesler, nellis, travis, luke

2) particularly coming out as a new nurse are there any bases that you think would be particularly beneficial or unadvised? For example, I know lackland has the biggest military hospital and the most beds and is probably super busy, would you recommend going there as a new nurse or waiting to get a little more experience first?

3) I have not been given a ton of info as to what my path will/can look like in terms of career progression. I am expecting to work med surge for the first little while but does anyone know how long it will take for me to switch into something like L/D or even specialize in midwifery?

Thank you in advance for any info! I am hoping to make a few contacts on here, maybe get some career mentoring past these few question, cause I have lots :)

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I'm assuming you did a direct-entry MSN program and you have no RN experience currently? If so, they likely will not allow you to go to scott or luke, which are just tiny clinics. I feel Travis has the best combination of acuity (a decent sized hospital) and good surrounding location (1 hr from San Francisco).

Typically, new grads do 18-24 months of med-surg and then apply for a training program that allows then to do L&D; however some new grads do get L&D off the bat. You have to do at least 2 years of L&D to apply for AFIT, the program that sends you back to school to do CNM. CNM and CRNA are two of the most competitive AFIT programs to apply for; you really need to work to stand out among your peers.

[fermamerameria]

Thank you! That is correct, I will be a new nurse with no prior experience. This is some good intel as to what the path to midwifery entails. Anyone ever do it on their own instead of through USUHS? I'm ok with a little healthy competition :) Having said that, any specific certs or experiences that would stand out for af nursing advancement in general..other than excelling in your job?

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

People I know have done NP on their own, which also has clinical rotations. I think it involved using vacation time in spots and using programs that allowed for you to find your own preceptors in your local area.

If the military sends you to school, then you are guaranteed to work in that capacity. However, just because you become an NP on your own, doesn't mean you can start practicing as one in the military. If you are in a low manned specialty (which changes all the time), then they won't let you leave it. I know an OR nurse who did an NP on his own and was forced to stay as an OR nurse.

You can stand out by teaching (such as NRP). A lot of people do a lot of quality improvement projects and protocols. Getting your L&D board certification would be helpful.