Medical in Usafa?

[Zanzoomchi]

I am currently choosing between doing afrotc at my local state university and USAFA. I have had no one to speak to who did a healthcare profession in usafa so I am not sure if it is attainable. In my state university things seem more likely and it looks like I have a better chance at becoming an airforce nurse through there than the academy. If anyone who has gone through healthcare at USAFA please let me know I seriously need to speak to them.
My issues now are
-USAFA
-Prep school (5years)
-The possibility of not getting the health profession I want
-school is free and it’s a new environment

-My State School
-I would pay tuition and be a walk in cadet in the AFROTC unit but they would pay for my sophomore until senior year
-in my comfort zone
-I would miss out on what I could have had at the academy
-4years

 

[T-37IP]

There is no nursing path at USAFA. There is a medical school path, but it is extremely competitive. If you want to be a nurse, your best bet would be to go to nursing school, and then direct commission. I am not knowledgeable about AFROTC scholarships for nursing. Someone else on here is probably more up to speed.

 

[Zanzoomchi]

There is no nursing path at USAFA. There is a medical school path, but it is extremely competitive. If you want to be a nurse, your best bet would be to go to nursing school, and then direct commission. I am not knowledgeable about AFROTC scholarships for nursing. Someone else on here is probably more up to speed.

The academy offers a MSN program and other healthcare programs they have it on their website. My issue is is it very likely that I’ll get it because what ever it comes down to it’s always the needs of the AF and that’s what they will use

 

[T-37IP]

The academy offers a MSN program and other healthcare programs they have it on their website. My issue is is it very likely that I’ll get it because what ever it comes down to it’s always the needs of the AF and that’s what they will use

There is no direct, 4 year path to nursing from USAFA. There may be a path after grad that I don't know about. Call admissions for absolute clarity on your options.

 

[Zanzoomchi]

There is no direct, 4 year path to nursing from USAFA. There may be a path after grad that I don't know about. Call admissions for absolute clarity on your options.

Yes it is after grad it’s a graduate program after the academy.

 

[Eagles1221]

Have you reached out to the Health Professions Advisory Committee to ask if they could put you in touch with a cadet currently in an MSN program or trying to go that route?

 

[Zanzoomchi]

Have you reached out to the Health Professions Advisory Committee to ask if they could put you in touch with a cadet currently in an MSN program or trying to go that route?

I have not been able to reach anyone doing the program

 

[AFReach]

In 25 years as an AF Flight Nurse I can share that I never came across a nurse that came out of USAFA. That does not mean it is impossible, just very uncommon if it is. Almost all of the nurses I worked with (including myself) direct commissioned through OTS after graduating college but I did have 2 friends that commissioned as nurses through ROTC.

A traditional 4 year nursing degree with our without ROTC will prepare you take the NCLEX and would guarantee that you become an AF nurse.

USAFA will provide a world-class education and wonderful leadership experience; however, your ultimate career field will be based on the needs of the service. Additionally if nursing is a possibility, I would think it would come with at least another year of training so that you may sit for the NCLEX.

 

[Zanzoomchi]

In 25 years as an AF Flight Nurse I can share that I never came across a nurse that came out of USAFA. That does not mean it is impossible, just very uncommon if it is. Almost all of the nurses I worked with (including myself) direct commissioned through OTS after graduating college but I did have 2 friends that commissioned as nurses through ROTC.

A traditional 4 year nursing degree with our without ROTC will prepare you take the NCLEX and would guarantee that you become an AF nurse.

USAFA will provide a world-class education and wonderful leadership experience; however, your ultimate career field will be based on the needs of the service. Additionally if nursing is a possibility, I would think it would come with at least another year of training so that you may sit for the NCLEX.

That is what I have seen so far. I truly want to go into nursing and the slots open for nurses at USAFA are not many and I do not want to risk getting placed into a job I do not want

 

[raimius]

I think you have your answer (mostly). USAFA is not a reliable path to a nursing career. I'm no expert on ways to become an AF nurse, but they are out there.

 

[Zanzoomchi]

I think you have your answer (mostly). USAFA is not a reliable path to a nursing career. I'm no expert on ways to become an AF nurse, but they are out there.

it is how things are looking. I just have people telling me why would I rather give up free school but with the ways things are looking USAFA does not go well with nursing and it seems ROTC is a better and more direct way into nursing.

 

[T-37IP]

it is how things are looking. I just have people telling me why would I rather give up free school but with the ways things are looking USAFA does not go well with nursing and it seems ROTC is a better and more direct way into nursing.

You don't even need to fuss with ROTC. You can direct commission via OTS after you graduate