Air Force Nursing 2013

[JillyRN]

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!!

[JillyRN]

I definitely agree with that. I'm telling myself not to get my hopes up, but at the same time, I don't want to go into the interview without a go-getter attitude. I'm going for my medical screening tomorrow, so that could make it or break it in regards to the January deadline. I'm assuming that any sort of waivers or further appointments would automatically push me back a few months. I'm also starting to second guess my answers to the nine questions. My recruiter asked for them on Oct 26th with a deadline of Oct 31st. I am already am thinking of ways I could have improved my answers, so hopefully I get the opportunity to go over and review them with him. Have others done this as well? Things can be tweaked up until the deadline correct?

[AFhopeful]

AFhopeful,

so, since your in the NTP then does that mean you automatically have a commissioning for active duty nurse corp or do you still have to apply for that separate? UC hospital in cincinnati is right down the street from where I work. it's a great teaching hospital. havent been in alot of their departments inside but thats the main hospitals where all the doctors do alot of their residencies and stuff. there trauma unit is one of the best around. you should like it alot. UC hospital is in the heart of clifton. its right by university of Cincinnati campus, the main childrens hospital of cincinnati, the VA hospital, hoxworth etc. very busy area but neat. it's not hard to get lost if your not from around there.

Yes I have to commission prior to going to commissioned officer training and NTP! I'm very excited, I'm at a teaching hospital right now for my clinical preceptorship and absolutely love it. My cousin lives in Cincinnati so hopefully he can show me around if we have any time off.

@Jilly,

I had my recruiter go through everything and asked almost a million times if my application was competitive. Do you have anything that might need a waiver? You don't need to answer on here, but if you do that would be something to tell your recruiter ASAP so they know when you go to MEPS. They don't like surprises at MEPS apparently.

[JillyRN]

Thanks for the heads up Kdazzle. I just got back from my appointment at MEPS and made it through without any need for waivers. That's a big relief. Now, I plan on going back through my 9 questions and resume and tweaking them. Did anyone feel that the answers to their 9 questions came across as corny or hokey? Lol. When I initially answered them, I tried to convey my passion for nursing and desire to serve the military community. Now that I look back, my answers sound kind of corny.

[kdazzle]

hey jilly,

thats awesome that you didn't need any waivers. I didn't need any either. now you don't have to worry about not making the deadline. I wouldn't stress too much over your questionnaire answers. Just speak from your heart and go with your first gut that way you know your being truthful and sincere:) thats what I did. Talk to you soon.

[taytay3287]

O wow I am so glad there is a thread for this! I am applying for January boards as well. I am rethinking specializing though. I initially started out with critical care but am nervous about my qualifications as I am just 2months short of a year ICU experience and don't have my CCRN. I have plenty of qualifications for a clinical nurse and since there are more spots I would have a better chance. I am going to MEPS on the 14th and pending I do well my interview will be in December. Any one else going for Critical care.

[kdazzle]

hey taytay,

welcome to the thread. I am not sure how many spots there are total for the january boards. I know they hold out so many for each separate section such as ER, med/surg, critical etc. Does anyone else on this thread know how many slots there are for january? I am waiting on my recruiter to schedule my interview again since it has been a year in december since my last CN interview. Where are you located at taytay? I am from Cincinnati. talk to you soon.

[taytay3287]

I am in Texas near Ft. Worth. I saw BVFD post earlier that there were 80 clinical 20 critical care and 18 er spots I assume this is for the Jan board?

[kdazzle]

hey taytay,

I assumed that those numbers were for the november boards since that was the board that I was trying to apply for recently but I officially havent heard what the numbers were for the january boards but who knows, some of this stuff is so confusing. LOL.

[taytay3287]

Ooooooo gotcha... Does anyone know when the board will meet again after January?

[BVFD 333]

Hello Taytay, these numbers are for the February boards per my recruiter:)

I am still waiting to hear about my waiver but we are moving forward with the CN interview on Friday. Good luck to you tomorrow!

[taytay3287]

thankyou! Good luck to you also let us know how it goes! :-)

[BVFD 333]

taytay, do you mind sharing some info about you. Like years of experiences, school and so on.