Unique situation, considering USAF

Trauma Columnist · Mar 10, 2007

Wow - O-3 for a new grad! I was offered O-3 (and negotiated to O-4) with 15 years experience, 10 of that in a level one trauma center! I agree you should be questioning things...this does sound too good to be believed.

Imscray · Mar 10, 2007

I was an O-3 when I separated in 1988, so they have to take me back as an O-3. Sweet deal, especially considering I got exactly squat for my previous service (no VA benefits, no education benefits, nothing).

Trauma Columnist · Mar 10, 2007

Got it Butch - that makes sense then. I was enlisted before and got out in 1980 (I'm old!). Have played with the idea of doing some reserve time but I have family responsiblities and unsure what to do.

medchick · Mar 10, 2007

I am an AIr Force veteren who seperated in 2001. It is my experience that new grads do not usually get exposed to ICU when they first start out. The other problem is that so many facilities have downsized from hospitals to clinics. The recruiters here have been actively courting me but I got out due to orthopedic issues and did recieve benefits so it probably isn't worth it for me to go back. The choice is ultimately your. Good luck in your decision.

Imscray · Mar 10, 2007

Thanks Medchick. Interesting, since everything you read says you need a year's ICU experience to get an AFIT grad school slot for CRNA. If they plan to make me work med-surg for two or three years before I'm allowed into an ICU, then they can keep it. I can go to work on June in a brand new ICU doing ICU medicine, and using my ICU experience. I have no interest in quasi-sick-ish people who are there to milk the system. I like caring for really ill people and actually using my nursing and thinking skills. Passing pills and emptying Foleys isn't my idea of critical care nursing.

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 10, 2007

Hi Butch,

The AF recruiter that I spoke with in December 06 and again in March has been a nurse recruiter for over 15 years.

He was ethical in that he knew I was talking with the Army and didn' t make any attempts to derail that.

He explained that there is difference between the Army and the AF in that the Army starts ALL new graduate nurses as a 2LT. All of them. The AF would still start me as a brand new graduate with the same rank but, that they would recognize or reward my entry level degree of MS much sooner than the Army would.

He explained that all new nurses, (regardless of previous military service or level of education beyond BSN) start at 01. He said that they recognize years of service in the field as half and that a Nurse who has been a nurse in civilivan life for 10 years would be recognized as 5 years.

I do not know how you will go in with advanced rank but, the bonus and benefits sound about right.

The education is very competitive and takes several years in service and recommendations to qualify. I would ask to have what your recruiter is telling you, in writing.

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 11, 2007

I was an O-3 when I separated in 1988, so they have to take me back as an O-3. Sweet deal, especially considering I got exactly squat for my previous service (no VA benefits, no education benefits, nothing).

Hi,

Do you have that in writing? That for medical they will recognize your previous service for rank?

Interesting. Well then, it sounds almost too good to be true.

Good luck!

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 11, 2007

...have no interest in quasi-sick-ish people who are there to milk the system. I like caring for really ill people and actually using my nursing and thinking skills. Passing pills and emptying Foleys isn't my idea of critical care nursing.

??

Hmmm,

Okay then, you might be mighty surprised Butch. You will be emptying foleys and doing direct hands on care of your cc patients. You will be passing medications too.

I would imagine that your fellow soldiers and their loved ones who are in an AF medical-surgical ward would no more be "milking" the system than would you or I.

Hope I see *you* coming if I am ever a patient under your care.

:chair: :nono: (sorry, I am fingerwagging you just 'cause and figure that your comment comes across as much harsher than you reallymeant it).

Gen

allnurses Guide · Mar 11, 2007

Butch,

I am an Air Force critical care nurse at Keesler AFB and will be attending CRNA school at USUHS this summer. As a new grad you are still several years (atleast three) away from being able to apply to CRNA school with the AirForce, if you send me an email address I will send you last years call for canidates for AFIT it will explain all the details.

In general you have to have two years TOS before you even apply, and you need to have atleast one year critical care experience. Unless you come in with your ICU identifier, it would be next to impossible to go straight to ICU in the AirForce. The other thing to think about is mandatory retirement age and will you be able to meet that with your prior service time.

On the positive side the pay, benefits, and workload are great!

Good Luck! Let me know if you have any more questions.

allnurses Guide · Mar 11, 2007

4. What are the odds that if I were to stay in after CRNA school (it would incur an additional 3-4 year additional commitment after graduation) that I can just be a clinician? I have zero interest in commanding anybody or anything. Been there, done that. I want to manage and command me and my patients. Do military nurses have to go to Squadron Officer School and ACSC and all that silly stuff?

6. What about deployments? Is the USAF deploying people to fun places like Afghanistan? I know that's part of the game, but what are the real odds? Especially for a newly minted RN with little practical experience under his belt?

The commitment is 4.5yrs after CRNA school. As far as being a Commander...toward the end of your career around 15-17yr mark you will see most CRNAs becoming Flight Commanders for anesthesia, but usually the dept is so small (less than 10 people) that is not something you do full time it is just an extra duty. As far as SOS and ACSC.......nice try....lol.......I am finishing up SOS right now. All PME for your rank has to be completed before you go to AFIT or to be seriously considered for your next rank.

Deployments: Pretty much anywhere the Army goes anymore the AirForce medical people go.....Iraq, Afganistan, Qatar, Germany/Landstuhl, Kuwait etc....In the last few years the Air Force has placed a new empasis on deployment for medical personel.

As a new grad/new to AirForce nursing it is usually atleast 6 months before you will deploy, but for ICU nurses we are usually placed into our deployment cycle as soon as we inprocess at our base.

Duncan3178 · Mar 11, 2007

The AF recruiter that I talked to a couple of days ago said that you have to have a full year experience AFTER your NCLEX to count as any previous experience. If you do not, they count you as a new grad and you go in under the Nurse Transition Program. With this program, you choose either Med/Surg or OB. ICU comes after several years of Med/Surg nursing.

I am prior AF, so know what goes on in the AF world. I know about being deployable, etc. The recruiter that I talked to was explaining about being deployable every 15 months. You are deployable for 3 months. If you group gets called up during that 3 months, then you go. If you do not get called up during those 3 months, you are not deployable for 15 more months. Has anyone else heard otherwise?

I do know that many people asked questions about the CRNA program through the AF. The recruiter skirted around the issue. Lots of people want to do pursue that avenue, and there are few spots for it.