One Air Force Reserve Wing in the heart of Tampa, Florida, is putting a special emphasis on hiring novice nurses with one year of nursing experience.
The 927th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base needs to fill nine flight and clinical nurse vacancies and is reaching out to local colleges to create a pipeline to nursing students who may be interested in serving their country and expanding their nursing experience.
Col. Frank Amodeo, 927th Air Refueling Commander, has personally called on college deans to help springboard a rapport with the Air Force Reserve and nursing education programs.
“A healthy force plays a vital role in maintaining the health of America's service members and saves lives on the battlefield,” said Amodeo.
By serving in the Air Force Reserve as a healthcare professional, one can make a significant impact on the world and their career with added benefits of a monetary bonus, loan repayment and education, plus the opportunity for humanitarian and peacetime missions around the world.
Flight nursing positions are in higher demand and offers a $45,000 bonus with a three-year service obligation or a $50,000 loan repayment with a four-year service obligation.
While Reserve medical units normally meet one weekend each month, the units offer great flexibility to its members to allow them to more easily juggle a civilian and military career simultaneously. Additionally, each unit performs a 15-day period of active duty (also called an annual tour). Healthcare professionals join as commissioned officers enjoying the challenges and rewards of senior leadership.
Senior Master Sgt. Jose Diaz, 927 ARW Recruiting Squadron flight chief and Master Sgt. Alex Asencio, health services recruiter, have already begun expanding their efforts to recruit nursing students and have reached out to students at the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College and Florida Gulf Coast University to share information and opportunities on how nursing students can serve their country and build their experience.
According to Asencio, a traditional commission takes from nine months up to one year, but a flight nurse commission could take even longer, from nine months to one-and-a-half years. He is working to streamline the process to six months.
While Asencio is focusing on filling shortfalls at the Tampa unit, he can recruit a nurse into virtually any unit across the nation. He said that no matter where one resides, he can place them at any Air Force Reserve unit that has a vacant position.
Orlando college visits are next on Asencio's list, and he will be taking reinforcements including several unit nurses to talk with the students about their experience serving.
The 927th ARW Reserve wing’s mission is air-to-air refueling of military aircraft, and there is a life-saving mission with three medical squadrons: 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, the 927th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, which recently recognized as AE Squadron of the Year.
Asencio will also be setting up shop at upcoming job fairs to include a nursing job fair in Ft. Meyers and plans to leverage social media to reach traveling nurses and get the word out about the need and the benefits in joining the AFR.
"Our warriors and their families deserve the best possible care we can provide," said Amodeo.
For more information or If interested in serving in the Air Force Reserve, contact Asencio at (813) 828-1600 or (813) 523-8864.