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46N2 Career Guide

Air Force

46N2: Air Force Nurse

Career transition guide for Air Force Air Force Nurse (46N2)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 46N2 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:

National NP Certification

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Certification in a clinical specialtyAdvanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license

Healthcare Administrator

$88K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Healthcare Management CertificationMBA or MHA degree

Medical and Health Services Manager

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Health Administration or related fieldProject Management skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 46N2 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As a nurse, you constantly triage patients and tasks based on urgency and severity, making split-second decisions that can be life-saving.

This ability to quickly assess and act under pressure translates to any fast-paced environment where critical decisions need to be made efficiently.

Situational Awareness

You maintain constant awareness of your patients' conditions, the availability of resources, and the overall environment of the medical unit, anticipating potential problems and proactively addressing them.

This heightened awareness allows you to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances in dynamic work environments.

Team Synchronization

You collaborate with physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated care, ensuring everyone is on the same page and working towards the best outcome for the patient.

Your experience in coordinating care ensures effective teamwork, clear communication, and shared goals, crucial for success in collaborative projects.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict medical protocols, safety regulations, and ethical guidelines in all aspects of patient care, ensuring the highest standards of quality and minimizing risks.

Your commitment to following established procedures and regulations ensures consistency, accuracy, and accountability in any role that requires adherence to standards.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been in high-pressure, life-or-death situations where quick thinking and decisive action are critical. Your nursing experience gives you a deep understanding of crisis management, resource allocation, and the needs of vulnerable populations during emergencies.

Healthcare Consultant

SOC 13-1111.00

You've been immersed in the healthcare system and have a wealth of knowledge about patient care, clinical operations, and regulatory compliance. Your experience will enable you to analyze healthcare organizations, identify areas for improvement, and recommend effective solutions to enhance efficiency and patient outcomes.

Clinical Research Coordinator

SOC 19-1042.00

You've been meticulously documenting patient data and tracking progress. You understand medical terminology and procedures, and you have a passion for improving patient outcomes. These skills directly translate to the research field, where you can contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge and treatment.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Commissioned Officer Training (COT), Maxwell AFB, AL and Nurse Transition Program (NTP), various locations

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in nursing or healthcare administration

Topics Covered

  • Air Force Core Values and Culture
  • Military Leadership and Ethics
  • Aeromedical Evacuation
  • Trauma Nursing
  • Critical Care Nursing
  • Nursing Management and Supervision
  • Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
  • Pharmacology

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Registered Nurse (RN)70% covered

While military nursing experience provides a strong foundation, candidates will need to ensure they meet specific state board of nursing requirements, including passing the NCLEX-RN exam, and understand civilian healthcare laws and practices.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)60% covered

APRNs require graduate-level education and national certification in a specific role and population. Military experience may cover some clinical competencies, but additional education and examination are required. Specific requirements vary by state.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)Nurse Executive Board Certification (NE-BC)Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) InstructorCertified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
EssentrisElectronic Health Records (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) systemsAir ambulance patient monitoring and transport systems
Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines and protocolsTrauma care protocols, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS)
Joint Patient Tracking Application (JPAT)Hospital patient management and tracking software
Military Health System (MHS) GENESISIntegrated electronic health record (EHR) systems
Standardized Medical Augmentation Program (SMAP)Hospital emergency response and surge capacity protocols

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