USAF Hospitals

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Can anyone give me a list of the Air Force bases that have hospitals (not just outpatient clinics) here in the US. I am in the process of completing my packet and it is almost time for me to decide where I would like my first duty station to be. My husband would like to go either to Colorado, Florida, or South Carolina, but I told him I want to go where I am going to get the most experience as a new graduate nurse. I realize that I will have to go through NTP first which is 3 to 4 months before I go to my first duty station. I do have a list of hospitals that have the NTP, just need info on the bases that actually have hospitals and not just outpatient clinics. My goal is to eventually get into ICU and then on to CRNA school. Thanks for the help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I was looking for a base to pick I think it was lackland (texas), eglin (FL) and keesler( Mississippi) who had the larger air force hospitals and not clinics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Lackland AFB (in San Antonio) has Wilford Halll Medical Center, it is a level 1 trauma unit. Keesler AFB (in Biloxi), Scott AFB (Illinois), Travis AFB (California). I'm a 4N071 (aeropsace medic) in the Air Force. I did my clinicals at Lackland (WHMC) 6 years ago. I LOVED it. I gained so much useful experience in so many areas while I was there. I loved the town too! I've never been to any of the others I mentioned, but I know that they use them as clinical sites due to the fact that they are actual hospitals and not "super clinics" like the one I am in now (Tinker AFB, OK).

Good luck with your Air Force/nursing career!

Bobbi

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Almost forgot... you mentioned CRNA. I work with a nurse that just got picked up for CRNA and they sent him to Lackland for the training.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We are an USAF family. We have been stationed at quite a few places. Wright-Patterson is probably one of the largest in the US and it is also a teaching hospital. It is right outside Dayton, Ohio.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Almost forgot... you mentioned CRNA. I work with a nurse that just got picked up for CRNA and they sent him to Lackland for the training.

Actually they would have got sent to Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio not Lackland AFB for CRNA training.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Lackland AFB (in San Antonio) has Wilford Halll Medical Center, it is a level 1 trauma unit. Keesler AFB (in Biloxi), Scott AFB (Illinois), Travis AFB (California). I'm a 4N071 (aeropsace medic) in the Air Force. I did my clinicals at Lackland (WHMC) 6 years ago. I LOVED it. I gained so much useful experience in so many areas while I was there. I loved the town too! I've never been to any of the others I mentioned, but I know that they use them as clinical sites due to the fact that they are actual hospitals and not "super clinics" like the one I am in now (Tinker AFB, OK).

Good luck with your Air Force/nursing career!

Bobbi

Don't forget about Wright Patterson AFB.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Can anyone give me a list of the Air Force bases that have hospitals (not just outpatient clinics) here in the US. I am in the process of completing my packet and it is almost time for me to decide where I would like my first duty station to be. My husband would like to go either to Colorado, Florida, or South Carolina, but I told him I want to go where I am going to get the most experience as a new graduate nurse. I realize that I will have to go through NTP first which is 3 to 4 months before I go to my first duty station. I do have a list of hospitals that have the NTP, just need info on the bases that actually have hospitals and not just outpatient clinics. My goal is to eventually get into ICU and then on to CRNA school. Thanks for the help.

After you complete your NTP check out the yearly USAF Nursing Call for Canidates (it usually comes out every June/July). On there should be a program to do a one year critical care/ER internship with all the instructions on how to apply. Minimum requirement is usually two years time on station.

I am currently in the USUHS CRNA progam up here in Maryland. For experience there probably isn't a better hospital state side/CONUS than Lackland/Wilford Hall.

Have fun at NTP!

Capt E, USAF, NC

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for all the responses. My "dream sheet" will probably consist mainly of bases that offer NTP. Hopefully, then, the base that I go to for NTP will also be my first duty station. I know that is not guaranteed, but that is what I am shooting for. I may be jumping the gun a little bit as I am still in the early stages of the process....I haven't even been scheduled for MEPS yet (probably in the next couple of weeks though) and have 2 semesters to go of nursing school; however, I am pretty confident that everything is going to go as planned. My recruiter just told me last week that he wanted to have my packet completed by July (of this year) because they are wanting to get a list of possible NTP candidates for next year. I'm really excited!

Again, thanks for all the responses!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i was at wilford hall for 4 years as a PACU tech. excellent hospital at that time. i cant vouch for it now, because i got out in '03. there is lots of rumors around the city of the hospital getting smaller. so check that out first...

i live in san antonio now while i am finishing school, before i go back in the AF. the city itself is quite large, with many choices of things to do, and places to live. you would have the choice of living in the city, or driving a little farther and not living in the city. also, i am not sure what your husband does, but the city probably would be easy for him to find a job. no state taxes. but just know that it gets HOT during the summer. i dont know where you are from, but i am from ohio, and i know it took me awhile to get used to the weather around here!!!

like i said, i am from ohio, about 30 minutes from wright-patt. i have never been on base or worked there, so i cant tell you anything about the hospital there. i can tell you about the surrounding areas and what goes on in dayton. dayton is a great place to live. actually, you probably wont live in dayton, but in one of the many suburbs of dayton. dayton is definitely less of a "big city" living than san antonio. my mom and i have always called san antonio "concrete city" because there are buildings and highways everywhere. not saying that is always a bad thing, but sometimes it is nice to see some grass and trees!!

just thought i would give my 2 cents about the 2 cities/bases that i know about!! hopefully, next year, i will be in your spot. i will probably put my top 3 as lackland, wright-patt, and eglin (no particular order).

let me know how the process goes. i am curious to see how long it takes, etc!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i think that i should mention the weather difference between the 2 cities. in san antonio, there is 2 seasons. warm and hot. maybe a couple of weeks in the winter it may get chilly enough to wear a sweatshirt. the summers can be scorching. the grass dies, we go into water restrictions, and it seems like a desert. it can be humid heat, or it can be dry heat. in the hottest of the hot, it can reach 115 degrees, and you never want to leave your house. just remember that the military trains year round. i had to do a week long training in the middle of the summer. i lost 10 pounds that week sweating in my uniform and gear.

dayton has your 4 seasons. winter can be brutal, especially if you are not used to scraping ice and shoveling snow. not as cold and brutal is say, living in north dakota or somewhere like that. if is snows or freezes, you simply shovel and get up early to warm up your car. or better yet, get a house/apt that has a garage!! there are plenty of snow days for the kids, which i remember enjoying. winter is not horrible, but i grew up with it so maybe i am used to it! summers are generally mild. you still will have to turn the AC on, because it gets humid, but generally doable. spring and fall are beautiful. nothing better than having your windows open, listening to birds, and emjoying the weather! i definitely miss not being able to have my windows open longer here in texas..

weather shouldnt really be a factor in choosing between the 2 bases. i have lived in both for years (dayton for 20 years and san antonio for 9 years), and each has their plusses!! when i am home to dayton in the winter and it really snows, then i cant wait to get my butt back to texas. when i am home to dayton in the spring or fall, then i want to stay there (until it snows!)....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I live in Indiana, so I know about the winters...although it is not near as bad as in Ohio. That is why I was looking at the southern states as far as duty station, because I literally hate the cold! I become a hermit in the winter time and only go outside to travel to work or school. But you are right about spring and fall...beautiful! I love summer around here also but I think that is because we have a 2 1/2 acre lake that we swim in, so anytime it gets blistering hot, that is where you will find me...or in the air conditioning.

I was kind of surprised that my recruiter stated he wanted my packet completed by July since I won't be graduating until next May. I figured it would take a lot longer to get everything together. I am now just waiting to hear when my physical is going to be, then he stated we would go up and tour Wright-Patterson and I would interview with the Chief nurse up there. I have been wanting to do this for a long time; however, thought I was too old to join the military. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that wasn't the case and that I am actually within the age range. I have been psyched ever since!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion