Air Force Nursing 2013

Specialties Government

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Hi everyone,

I just recently started the process to apply to be an Air Force nurse. I'm trying to complete my packet for the January 2013 (Feb 19-Board, Mar 08-Decision). Anyone else currently starting or in the process? Any advice with gathering my information?

Any current Air Force Nurses that could give me insight about their experience, especially regarding their first assignment?

My husband is about to separate from the Army and we are used to that way of thinking and doing things (i.e. lots of misleading information, less family oriented, less options regarding career). My recruiter had mentioned that everyone goes into a general clinical nurse slot, but is given the opportunity to specialize into a department of their choice after one year. My initial response was "Yeah... riiighhhttt." I don't actually believe that I would be given such a choice so soon, but I'm not sure if that is only because of our experience with the Army. Can anyone enlighten me??

Thanks!!

Specializes in Labor & delivery; High Risk OB; Reseach.

Gabookworm-

I am currently in te process of applying for the HPSP for Midwifery. My packet was board ready on the 17th of April just awaiting the board's decision. I can try to answer any questions you might have.

Specializes in Labor & delivery; High Risk OB; Reseach.
You should talk to a recruiter about your options & benefits for going in as a commissioned officer vs HPSP. I'm on the tail end of the HPSP application process. For NP applicants they determine the amount of slots for the FY in October, then they fill on a rolling basis. FNP slots (including 4 alternates) filled up in March this year, Psych, Women's Health, and Ped's NP slots are still open. I had my interview this week and my recruiter submitted everything the next day. Once they receive it in Texas, it gets reviewed & you find out yay or nay (so you aren't necessarily waiting for the Boards to meet on a certain date). The process hasn't been too arduous, but it's very difficult to find out info on the NP process & competitiveness. Best of luck.

It is excruciatingly hard to get any info on the NP program. I'd love to hear what you know about its competitiveness and anything you've heard regarding the board review.

Also, do they take alternates for all the NP specialties? My application is sitting in Texas awaiting to be reviewed by the board for CNM. My recruiter told me there were 4 applications there now and only 2 slots. Any idea how long it takes for them to review the applicants?

Also if anyone can clarify his I'd appreciate it!

For those that are already active duty, will I have a better chance of just going to grad school while I'm on active duty. Would it be better to get into grad school while a civilian and then join. Getting bummed out because of the budget cuts. I'm thinking that it will be difficult for me to get HPSP.

I have just joined this thread. I am going to COT May 28 and will also be at Eglin AFB. I will be an ER/Trauma nurse. I started this process April 2012 and found out November 2012 that I had been accepted and that seemed like ages so I can't imagine waiting 3 years. Will you be an O3? It seems like so many already have their MSN going in or their NP. I have my BSN and have no idea what I want to do my MSN in. I have visited the base and the hospital and it is a very nice one.

Specializes in Antepartum, Intrapartum L&D, Postpartum.

Hello afnurse4316. Congratulations to you! November does seem like it was a long time to wait after being notified. I just learned today that my date for COT was moved up from 19 Aug to 28 May as well. I've been to Eglin as well. Everything about the area is beautiful. Yes, I am going in as O3.

For those that are already active duty, will I have a better chance of just going to grad school while I'm on active duty. Would it be better to get into grad school while a civilian and then join. Getting bummed out because of the budget cuts. I'm thinking that it will be difficult for me to get HPSP.

Speaking from the inside, yes, I think you'd have an easier time going to grad school here. The budgets aren't going to get bigger, and the longer you wait (if the military is where you want to be), the harder it will become to get in.

Don't let the budget cuts bum you out. The medical side of the Air Force house is different than what we call the 'line' side, which is everyone else.

Speaking from the inside, yes, I think you'd have an easier time going to grad school here. The budgets aren't going to get bigger, and the longer you wait (if the military is where you want to be), the harder it will become to get in.

Don't let the budget cuts bum you out. The medical side of the Air Force house is different than what we call the 'line' side, which is everyone else.

Thanks carolinapooh! Will take your advice into consideration. I have turned in my application. Now, it's just a waiting game.

Hi,

I just joined this website like two seconds ago but I've read most of the comments on this board and I have some questions that I didn't see the answer to. I am in the process of filling out my application for the July board (and have been since November of 2012)...which I am confused about since some of your recruiters said they won't be accepting apps again until October. My recruiter is hard to get a hold of and most of the time does not get back to me via email or phone. So far, the only things that he has asked me for are my health questionnaire and the sheet with my address and GPA and all of that (which I sent in within 3 days of receiving them but had to send again a few months later?) and then I just now had to send him the information for the credit check. He still has not scheduled meps and actually hasn't mentioned meps or the CN interviews that you guys have mentioned but he said the packet will be due on June 15th. Could someone please post a list of what exactly was included in your packet that you turned in? And could you tell me what things I can do on my own and which things will require that I receive instructions or paperwork from him first? Thank you anyone that can help! Sorry this is so long...I'm just a little frustrated about the whole issue.

Oh, I forgot, I did have my official college transcripts sent to him which he said he would let me know when he received them and he still hasn't although they should have already been there for a few weeks now...

I am sorry that you are not having a positive experience. Most of what you need to do needs to come from the recruiter due to it needs to me on military forms. The packet is long and includes personal information, work history, some medical questions, driving history, criminal history, and personal references. They will also need work references but those need to be on a military form. I don't know if it is required to be done prior to MEPS or CN interview but my recruiter wanted it done prior. Are you working with a Healthcare Recruiter? Are you going in as a BSN or NP? The BSN process is different than the NP. The last I heard was that all boards for BSN were canceled till next fiscal year which is in Oct but that may have changed. I haven't spoken with my recruiter for a few weeks.

Hi,

Thanks for responding so quickly! I am working with a healthcare recruiter. I am a nursing student about to graduate in December with my RN and the original plan was for me to have everything turned in for the July boards. And my recruiter has not mentioned at all that the boards are cancelled. But he really has not been communicating with me at all and is hard to get ahold of most of the time. So, there's nothing that I can do until he sends me the forms that I need?

I was also wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to apply for two branches at the same time in case you don't make it into one but you can make it into the other? I know the Navy has more spaces for RNs because they service the Navy and the Marines. I can't swim though so that's kind of why I chose Air Force over Navy but if it means the difference between getting in or not, I'm sure someone can teach me how to swim.

mullinsm5,

So you are applying for the NTP. I have heard that it is a little different than fully qualified which is what I applied for. I am not sure what you can do without getting the forms from a recruiter. I don't know if you can change recruiters or not. I would go ahead and talk with a Navy recruiter and see what your options are. They should be able to tell you if you can apply for both branches at the same time. The only thing that I would recommend before joining the Navy is to find out if you get sea sick. If you get sea sick, it might be a problem since you have a chance of being stationed on a ship. Good luck.

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