Where Might I Find Non-Recruiter Air Force RNs to Learn More?

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Greetings!

I am a new graduate RN. I graduated in May 2009, but the market has been brutal and have not been able to find steady work.

I met with an Air Force Nurse recruiter yesterday for 3 hours. It was very interesting; but I would like to be more thorough in my information gathering. I do not know anyone personally who has been an Air Force nurse and I think it would be very helpful to talk to one privately, etc. so that I can have a better, less official picture of what I'm agreeing to in the long run.

Is there anyone out there who would be willing to talk to me, or to point me in the right direction in order to find such a nurse? Thus far I'm drawn to going ahead with the application and all that.

I would be SOOO grateful if someone could point me in the right direction for said resource, or volunteer to talk to me?!

Thanks for your time and consideration.

M

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...there are quite a few on here if you post your questions I'm sure you will get some replies... the public forum then benefits others in your scenario who might have the same questions.

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i also graduated nursing school in may of 2009 and went active duty march of this year. i'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have! i know i had a million before i made my decision!

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Mobro!!! where have you been? Missed you.

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i'm baaaaack! what happened with you?? ever get all straightened out?

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I'm straight. I'm done with COT (got to be group commander... what a joy.... Not). I'm in ICU at Wilford Hall at Lackland in San Antonio. Our unit will be moving to SAMMC, a combined hospital for Lackland and Army's Fort Sam Houston.

Where have you been Mobro? I was worried about you.

To OP: Air Force nursing in itself is just like being a civilian nurse in the actual job. But in the Air Force there is so much more, in many ways. The oppertunities that are available can not be offered in civ. The training is amazing. Yes, you start out in med/surg or ob track. But med/surg puts you all over the place, peds and ortho if you want. The nurse transition program spends months supporting you as you become a new nurse with preceptors and a support group of other new grads. Then there are amazing programs and fellowships. The ICU fellowship is a year long and the most educated ICU nurses I have ever worked with come out of that.

On the other side is what is life like... that is different than civilians. You have almost no control of your schedule. There are 30 days leave a year. But I work 7 days in 2 weeks rather than 6 like I did as civ. there are mandatory meetings and extra duties. Basically, you have to know in advance that the government owns you and your time. They do want you to have a life, but FLexibility on your part is the only way you will have it.

It is a major life changing decision. There are great things in the military. But don't believe that the grass is always greener, just different grass and problems. Do not join just for a pay check. Join because it is in your heart to serve. Integrity first. Service before self. Excellence in all we do. It is the core values. and they are just words that look good on a billboard. You have to believe it.

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