USAF Nurse Corps

allnurses Guide · Apr 8, 2007

The USPHS website is under construction you can still get some information but not a lot since its not full access right now. They are updating the website. Also, if your prior service (like me), or hold military dearly in your heart and want to experience being around the military and living the military life. USPHS may not be for you, the only military branch job you can hold with them is U.S. Coast Guard (you will NOT be coast guard just work with them).
You can not have an AF, Navy, Army, Marine (if your medical then its navy), slot only a U.S. Coast Guard slot when it comes to being military (you will NOT be a coast guard but can work for them).
The USPHS usually works with federal prisons and hospitals, indian health service, National institute for Health, HRSA, Medicare/Medicaid Services, Mental Heath Institute, Immigration and Naturalization, Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin., Park Service, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Coast guards these are the areas where you will work.
I have a family member that joined the USPHS, he was prior service AF, and he said its not like military life. Yes you get the benefits and rank as military since it is a uniformed service. But when it comes to the whole having soldiers with you and living the military life per se its not like that. So if you like the military life and want to be deployed, travel, work with soldiers, have special duties, then USPHS is VERY limited in offering these perks.
Also, its not like regular military were you join and your an officer. You have to apply for that job FIRST then get into the USPHS once you secure that job because USPHS doesn't put you in inactive reserve first like most military branches do until your ready to do OCS/OBC (I was army forgot what its called in other branches), or other schooling to prepare you for the military.
If you want to be an officer but not sure if your fully ready for the full on military life then you should go USPHS, you can always do an interservice transfer where you transfer to the branch of your choice and vice versa from lets say AF into the USPHS, you would have to contact them and see what those requirements are.
Hope that helped my cousin gave me a lot of information since I want to be in the Nurse Corps once I finish school. He knows I'm partial to the military life and says I should think about that more than USPHS, he's family and knows me and my likes so I will take what he is saying. I will be shadowing him once I start though so I can compare myself.
He's also a CRNA and he went to school for that through USPHS but he said that since I want to do the same come in with at least 1-2 yrs of ICU experience before hand and join the Army since they usually have more slots than anyone else for CRNA school and get picked up faster than the other services. I'm an Army Vet so I know how the Army life is...still debating on doing Army or Navy.

The three biggest reasons nurses get out of the AF right now are: High deployment rates, length/low percentage of promotion rates for nurses, and frequent transfers/little say so in transfers.

USPHS takes care of all those issues and you will promote to Major/O-4 several years ahead of AF counterparts. There is nothing wrong with any one branch they are all great choices, but each one has some fundamental differences. For instance, last I heard you had to do two full tours with Navy before you can apply to CRNA school. That means somewhere between 6-9 yrs before you would be able to go to school with the Navy.

Also, one of the biggest things I like about USPHS was the potential to become a ready responder and go on humantarian assignments. In my 5yrs as an AF nurse I have been on two TDYs and never been deployed. Each service is quite a bit different in that aspect, but I wouldn't be looking at the AF if you are wanting frequent TDYs or deployments.

My biggest reason to join the AF was to go to CRNA school. I finally was accepted after almost 5 years and will be leaving for Maryland next month. Right now AF nurses have the lowest percentage of promotions to Major than any other type of officer in the AF. Line officers generally make Major around 10 years and nurses were two years behing them......right now it is running about 4 years behind line officers d/t an overabundance of Majors in the AF at this time. That is huge income disparity over those years waiting to be promoted to Major, plus the reduced ability to make O-5/O-6 by the time you are ready to retire.

I am giving a less than favorable impression of nursing in the AF, but you should make your choice with all your options well known. I am happy with my choice and will more than likely retire from the AF.

JazzyT · Apr 8, 2007

Thanks for all the responses. Everyone has been very helpful! No, I have never been in the military besides growing up in a military family, but something about it has always appealed to me. I thought about it when I first applied to nursing school, but my husband talked me out of it. Now, he seems really psyched about it. I am guessing because he has received more information about it and the fact that I will be going in as an officer and not an enlistee. I still, however, am going to check out the USPHS. Tried to go to that website again. It did come up but most of the links are still not working. I will just give them a call this week and get some information. So many things to think about, but for now have to go finish studying...it's crunch time with finals just around the corner!

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 9, 2007

Thanks for all the responses. Everyone has been very helpful! No, I have never been in the military besides growing up in a military family, but something about it has always appealed to me. I thought about it when I first applied to nursing school, but my husband talked me out of it. Now, he seems really psyched about it. I am guessing because he has received more information about it and the fact that I will be going in as an officer and not an enlistee. I still, however, am going to check out the USPHS. Tried to go to that website again. It did come up but most of the links are still not working. I will just give them a call this week and get some information. So many things to think about, but for now have to go finish studying...it's crunch time with finals just around the corner!

Hello,

Maybe it would be much easier to read the CC of the PHS site, (the Commissioned Corps Officers of the Public Health Service.) A new BSN starts as an 0-2 with a rank of LTJG, (LT junior grade) and receives Base salary, BAS and BAH.

I had planned to serve a tour in the Army Nurse corps and then go to the CC of the PHS, (they recognize your military time as long as you are under 8 years Active Duty and you are under 44-age rated for service, you can apply).

Now that I am having issues with my Army application, I am back to square one with not being certain on the route to go...hmph.

allnurses Guide · Apr 9, 2007

Hello,
Maybe it would be much easier to read the CC of the PHS site, (the Commissioned Corps Officers of the Public Health Service.) A new BSN starts as an 0-2 with a rank of LTJG, (LT junior grade) and receives Base salary, BAS and BAH.
I had planned to serve a tour in the Army Nurse corps and then go to the CC of the PHS, (they recognize your military time as long as you are under 8 years Active Duty and you are under 44-age rated for service, you can apply).
Now that I am having issues with my Army application, I am back to square one with not being certain on the route to go...hmph.

Gen,

I am sorry to hear about that, but don't give up. It took me several months to get everything straight with my application. It takes persistence with any branch.

mommy3k · Apr 11, 2007

Gen,
I am sorry to hear about that, but don't give up. It took me several months to get everything straight with my application. It takes persistence with any branch.

You can say that again! I started talking to my recruiter in August and I have just completed the "over 40" portion of my MEPS physical!!! I'm still waiting to hear back about that and it has been over two weeks ago. In the menatime, I just had to re-sign all the application paperwork (AGAIN)...

Recruiter said as soon as he gets the rest of my physical back, assuming everything is ok, he can finally send my package up for review! Maybe this is a test of my patience...lol. If all goes well, I should be in good ol' HOT Alabama during July and August :angryfire LOL!

Thanks for the Public Health Service info...I'll look into that in case the USAF falls through...it is taking so long I'm beginning to wonder if it's meant to be! Sorry about the rant, but I feel better now :monkeydance: .

Mommy3k

allnurses Guide · Apr 11, 2007

You can say that again! I started talking to my recruiter in August and I have just completed the "over 40" portion of my MEPS physical!!! I'm still waiting to hear back about that and it has been over two weeks ago. In the menatime, I just had to re-sign all the application paperwork (AGAIN)...
Recruiter said as soon as he gets the rest of my physical back, assuming everything is ok, he can finally send my package up for review! Maybe this is a test of my patience...lol. If all goes well, I should be in good ol' HOT Alabama during July and August :angryfire LOL!
Thanks for the Public Health Service info...I'll look into that in case the USAF falls through...it is taking so long I'm beginning to wonder if it's meant to be! Sorry about the rant, but I feel better now :monkeydance: .
Mommy3k

If all your paperwork is going right, leave immediately......you must not be applying for the military.....lol

I had to redo that long military security clearance 3 or 4 times alone because it kept getting lost or something was wrong etc. Then when I got to my first duty station I had to actually sit down at the security manager's desk and type all the information into the security system for them....... :uhoh3:

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 15, 2007

Gen,
I am sorry to hear about that, but don't give up. It took me several months to get everything straight with my application. It takes persistence with any branch.

Hello wtbcrna,

Actually it isn't as bad as it seems or sounds.

I have not relinquished my commission yet and even though much is in the air, the underlying detail is that everything is locked down.

My oath was taken after my contract was signed. Done.

Now, I am trying to amend a few things on the contract, (bonus and loan repayment). This should be simple.

The tough part was the ship date. It is still tough but, even though I am in the FNP post ms certifate program and have a local job lined up post graduation...I still do NOT want to request a release...

It appears that I may indeed be heading to OBLC in September...

My poor recruiter! I am sure I caused him some headaches, (you guys too). However it is a difficult process if there are any extenuating circumstances and my application had several.

Will see.

Gen

Zee449 · Apr 18, 2007

If all your paperwork is going right, leave immediately......you must not be applying for the military.....lol
I had to redo that long military security clearance 3 or 4 times alone because it kept getting lost or something was wrong etc. Then when I got to my first duty station I had to actually sit down at the security manager's desk and type all the information into the security system for them.......

Thank you so much for that statement!

I have been trying to do this deal since 8/06. Long story but generally...

Did a heck of a lot of research ANC and AFNC

Wanted ANC, Husband said "I don't think so..."

Did all papers, references, MEPS,interviews.....

Got promised the moon, was supposed to go in in Jan....March....May...

Told I could't have another Recruiter. "There isn't another one"

Told I couldn't talk to his commander

If anyone is having trouble in Dallas Fort Worth email me. I found I other guy (ex-navy going AF nurse) He knew the ropes and was able to get his pushed thru. as he had been having this trouble since July 2006.

Very very very bad recruiter in very very bad trouble with the Air force now.

I transfered to San Antonio AFR as I have been living there while working a contract.

Awesome professionalism in recruiting there!

Age waiver was never sent (they just found this one last week)

Name never placed on "scroll" (found this out on day 1)

packet was never sent completed!!! - 3 times (their QA error program showed over 164 errors)

I know all of the above because they pulled my packet and found all this out and were HONSEST.

It's all in now and I will go re-sign it all next week and hope to get the answer back in 2-4 weeks. They are saying July 2nd. Worst case August.

They have apologized profuecly, taken me to Willford hall and let me see and talk to nurses. I will try to post some of the information on other threads related to what I have learned in the last 3 weeks about promotions, positions, timelines, nurse transitions, deployeements ec. These were wonderful nurses and I can not thank them enough! BUT

I was really feeling alone and like a horrid trouble maker and that maybe they didn't want me... until I read this Thread! I can not thank you enough!

Mack

Miss Mab · Apr 18, 2007

pfft!

amowvu96 · Jun 20, 2007

Hi all,

I'm a ADN student but I am going to continue on to my BSN and I really want to join the air force. I just had a quick question for you all. What are the vision requirements for Nurses in the Air Force.

Thanks much,

Janine :) (Trapped at Tyndall AFB with her hubby who is enlisted.)

allnurses Guide · Jun 20, 2007

Hi all,
I'm a ADN student but I am going to continue on to my BSN and I really want to join the air force. I just had a quick question for you all. What are the vision requirements for Nurses in the Air Force.
Thanks much,
Janine :) (Trapped at Tyndall AFB with her hubby who is enlisted.)

Basically to get in the AF, w/o a waiver as a nurse, you should have vision correctable to 20/20, and no underlying problems i.e. cataracts, glaucoma etc.