[meshell]

ok so i have been reading quite a few of threads and have realized that being a nurse in the Air Force is not as quick and simple as i thought. so can someone please tell me when the best time to start applying/doing paper work is (i start in the fall of '08 so i would graduate in spring '10) and how long does everything take. i have heard of people on here who already have ended up working a full year while waiting for selections?? someone please let me know of the long process that awaits!!! i mean i need step by step!

[The Little Greek]

Originally Posted by meshell

ok so i have been reading quite a few of threads and have realized that being a nurse in the Air Force is not as quick and simple as i thought. so can someone please tell me when the best time to start applying/doing paper work is (i start in the fall of '08 so i would graduate in spring '10) and how long does everything take. i have heard of people on here who already have ended up working a full year while waiting for selections?? someone please let me know of the long process that awaits!!! i mean i need step by step!

Hi meshell,

I went the apply-after-becoming-an-RN route so I can't be of help in the step-by-step area. It sounds like you are wanting a program that will give you money for school while you are in school, is that correct? If you want to go that route I would suggest talking to a recruiter NOW. I'm assuming that you have something that says you've been accepted to a BSN program? I'm sure you'll need that for a recruiter to even speak to you. Go here http://www.airforce.com/recruiterlocator.php and search for a recruiter in your area. There will be an option to search for a recruiting category--choose "health professions". That will ensure you are talking to the right people.

I'm not sure how long the process will be for you, but for me it was several months. If you search the site you'll find that it took other a year or more...just depends on your situation and your recruiter.

Good luck!

[meshell]

its not necessarily that i need money for school. ( but i would always take it!! lol) its just that i know that i want to go into the USAF and i just dont want to be sitting around forever waiting! i mean ideal would be a graduate and a month later go to cot. but i now know thats not gonna happen so im just trying to figure out when i should get the ball rolling so that way i can shorten the amount of time just sitting and waiting. i guess i always thought of it as the military wants any and every nurse so the fact that you had to go through this application process and that they are picky kind of hit me of guard.

[MajorDomo]

I would start right now, as they say time heals all wounds and corrects all SNAFUs. The application process is a bunch of hoop jumping between the Air Force and your college, along with getting your security clearance (mine got "lost" three times, and it is a pain to reaccomplish it), and the extra money is nice. So basically, I agree with TLG

I can see that it may take you awhile after graduation to join, it is mostly due to the fact that you would need your license prior to getting a COT slot. That means applying for the NCLEX, passing the NCLEX, turning in your paperwork to your state's BON, getting your license, letting the AF know, then getting a COT slot, which tend to fill up quickly at the end of each semester, since everyone else is going through the same process.