What is it like being an Active Duty Nurse?

PEK93RT · Feb 18, 2010

How do the services compare? I was just reading about the airforce, about how they have amenities that are similiar to civilian life. Free air travel too. How does the navy and army compare?

midinphx, BSN · Feb 18, 2010

That free air travel is over glorified. It is not something you can preschedule and you end up flying by the seat of your pants. I never used it when I was prior service. My leave was to precious to waste waiting on some potential flight that I may or may not have been able to hop on.

I was active duty enlist army. I'm trying to get back in Air Force. I like the Air Force facilities and bases that I saw more. I also felt the Air Force personel that I encountered seemed more content with their lot in life.

But overall, I believe most military life aspects turn out about even. I would look at where the potential stations may be most interesting for you. Don't ever count on getting your first choice. lol. Benefits are even across service lines.

It looks like you are just starting to evaluate where you want to go. Keep asking a million questions. I would start by asking you your motivation to join. One's motivation can really be the deciding factor.

I don't think any of the service lines would start you out in ICU unless you have that experience already under your belt in the civilian world (but I could be wrong).

PEK93RT · Feb 18, 2010

Thank you for the reply.

By the end of this year ill have one year of nursing experience. I wonder how long it will be before I can take the critical care course. I think it would be a great experience to be in the forward surgical teams.

I need something that is as family friendly as possible. My friend in the air force did mention that the air force bases are much nicer then the army bases, is that true?

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2010

Since you will have over a year experience before you go on active duty there is the possiblity to have the course guarantee written into your contract. It can be done since I had it written into mine, but I had 10 years experince. So I do not know if 1 year is enough. If it is written in your contract it should be within the 1st year of you being on active duty.

Cursed Irishman · Feb 19, 2010

Do a search, either here on the board or through google for other forums. All the information you're seeking is already available.

I need something that is as family friendly as possible.

So you're not even in yet, but you're telling the military what you need? If you go in w/ the mindset that the only one getting anything out of this deal will be you and the military will come second to your family, you will be very miserable. Stay a civilian, volunteer at your kid's elementary school.

:twocents:

PEK93RT · Feb 19, 2010

Irishmen i meant which branch is my family accommodating. I know the needs of the military comes first:idea:

kato10 · Feb 19, 2010

Whatever branch you decide on you better get started with the process as it takes a while. The Air Force is currently pushing nurses to 2011 already as they are "heavy". You would not regret the experience, friendships, training you get from the military. Of course, I am biased as the AF is the only branch in my eyes. I've stayed on Army bases before and hands down the AF bases have much better facilities. In talking with other services they always say the AF folks are spoiled.

Best of luck in your decisions.

hopeful_army_NP · Feb 22, 2010

Whatever branch you decide on you better get started with the process as it takes a while. The Air Force is currently pushing nurses to 2011 already as they are "heavy". You would not regret the experience, friendships, training you get from the military. Of course, I am biased as the AF is the only branch in my eyes. I've stayed on Army bases before and hands down the AF bases have much better facilities. In talking with other services they always say the AF folks are spoiled.
Best of luck in your decisions.

I'm Army, I leave for BOLC on March 29th but I'm just curious about the better facilities that the AF has as it replies to nurses. I keep reading about it but never get any details. I did a tour at BAMC before officialy deciding that I wanted to definitley do active duty Army and was really impressed and this comes from a nurse who did all training RN and NP at a top 10 medical center. But ofcourse that was just one experience. Since as an RN you will be working hospitals/clinics and as an officer will most likely live off base. So in regards to medical officers what would the "AF facilities" have? Thanks.

UpNAboutRN · Mar 5, 2010

The experience as an AF Active Duty nurse can depend on where you work.

Our core value of "Service Before Self" can be overused at times. You don't get differential pay for working nights and no OT pay.

My hours are normally 40 hours a week in a outpatient setting. In an inpatient setting you can work 12 hours shifts, but some wards have you work 3 or 4 days. This does NOT include mandatory meetings, commander's call, or training. There is a possibility you will have to go to those on your day off IN UNIFORM.

If you have less than 3 years of RN experience, they may put you in an inpatient setting first (med-surg). To be transferred to a different specialty such as ICU, they require 2 years time on station. They normally will not give you ICU/ER as a first assignment if you do not have any experience in the civilian world. The AF does offer a Critical Care/Trauma/ER fellowship, but training is in TX and there is a high possibility you will deploy after graduating.

Deployments are 6 months.

As a nurse in a military treatment facility, patients range from dependents, retirees, and active duty personnel. The majority of patients are retirees and dependents.

I may be biased towards AF, but I also hear from friends that AF is the best choice. Do a lot of research. What are your future aspirations? I joined the AF because I eventually want to do flight nursing and the AF is the best place for that.

Hope that helps.