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46N1 Career Guide

Air Force

46N1: Clinical Nurse

Career transition guide for Air Force Clinical Nurse (46N1)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 46N1 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Registered Nurse (RN)

$83K
High matchVery high demand

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

$125K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensureNational certification in a specialty area (e.g., Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner)

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing with a CNS focusCNS certification in a specific area of expertise

Healthcare Administrator

$100K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Healthcare management experienceFamiliarity with healthcare regulations and complianceMBA or Master's in Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Medical and Health Services Manager

$104K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Healthcare Management CertificationKnowledge of Healthcare FinanceData Analysis Skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 46N1 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As a nurse, you constantly assess patients with varying needs and must quickly decide who needs immediate attention based on symptoms and vital signs. You swiftly determine the order in which to address issues.

The ability to quickly assess and prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact translates into effective project management and decision-making in fast-paced environments.

Situational Awareness

You maintain constant awareness of your patients' conditions, the resources available, and the overall environment of the ward. You anticipate potential problems, react swiftly to changes, and maintain safety.

Being acutely aware of your surroundings and anticipating potential issues allows you to effectively mitigate risks and proactively manage complex situations in any dynamic setting.

Team Synchronization

You collaborate with doctors, specialists, and other nurses to provide comprehensive patient care. You communicate effectively, coordinate efforts, and ensure seamless transitions to guarantee quality treatment.

The capacity to work seamlessly with diverse teams, ensuring clear communication and coordinated effort, is critical for success in collaborative projects and cross-functional roles.

Procedural Compliance

You strictly adhere to medical protocols, safety regulations, and legal requirements to ensure patient safety and prevent errors. Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to following procedures are essential.

A dedication to following established procedures, and commitment to quality and regulatory standards makes you an ideal candidate for any compliance-driven role.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Healthcare Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been assessing health needs and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams for years. Your experience lends itself to analyzing healthcare systems, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending effective solutions to improve patient outcomes and streamline operations.

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

SOC 41-3011

You've been educating patients and families about medical treatments. As a sales representative, you can use your understanding of medicine and your communication skills to educate physicians about new pharmaceutical products.

Health and Safety Manager

SOC 11-9199

You've been responsible for maintaining safe environments and adhering to medical protocols. You can transfer these skills to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations in various industries.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Commissioned Officer Training (COT), Maxwell AFB, followed by Nurse Transition Program (NTP), various locations

480 training hours12 weeksVaries based on COT and NTP content; typically 6-9 semester hours in nursing and leadership

Topics Covered

  • Military customs and courtesies
  • Air Force organization and structure
  • Nursing standards of care
  • Comprehensive patient assessment
  • Pharmacology and medication administration
  • Emergency and trauma nursing
  • Healthcare ethics and legal considerations
  • Leadership and management in nursing

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

Registered Nurse (RN)Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)60% covered

Requires study of healthcare quality improvement methodologies, data analysis, and regulatory compliance in civilian healthcare settings.

Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)70% covered

Requires additional study of financial management, human resources, and strategic planning specific to civilian healthcare administration.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) InstructorPediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) InstructorCertified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
EssentrisElectronic Health Record (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA)Comprehensive EHR systems used in large hospital networks
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Hospital information systems (HIS) for appointment scheduling, order entry, and patient administration
TRICARE Online (TOL)Patient portals and online healthcare management platforms
Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) EquipmentCritical care transport equipment used in civilian air ambulances
Military Treatment Facility (MTF) specific protocols and guidelinesHospital and clinic-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) and clinical guidelines

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