Air Force Nursing 2013

Specialties Government

Published

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 Adult Critical Care.

Everything below assumes you are applying for an active duty job.

No, everything is done by paper. The only in-person interview is done with a chief nurse (O5 or O6) at a base close to you. That person makes a recommendation, but they aren't actually making the decision.

You have to apply via a healthcare recruiter. You'll have to be very persistent with them, because they have way more people interested than slots available. Plus, they cover large regions of the country, and they almost have to ignore people just to keep up. Call and email every few days until you get a response; use the flight chief/supervision option too.

It's not like a typical job interview where you go meet with your future boss at your future unit. You apply against a nation-wide pool for however many slots they have in each specialty (ICU, ED, etc). I don't mean to sound rude, but, unless your 'connections' are O6 or above officers in the AF nurse corps, they likely won't be any more useful than simple letters of recommendation. Regardless of the budget climate, I can't imagine someone with nursing experience and prior enlisted experience would be turned down anyway.

Specializes in Invasive Cardiology.

Thank you again Jfratian. Not rude, I totally get it. Although if I did not have a connection I would not have this interview. I am not applying for active duty, it is Air National Guard as a traditional guardsman. I am aware of the nation-wide pool however there is no formal posting for this particular spot, as some guard units are permitted by the Guard Bureau to hire beyond designated capacity where RNs are concerned. And I believe they anticipate losses before they occur. In my experience it has always seemed your connections were the only way into the guard units. I guess I will find out how it all works on July 9th...

Specializes in Invasive Cardiology.

It seems as things must be very different on the guard side of the house because I just landed a second interview at another unit via my old connections. Two interviews in one week!!! Feeling very optimistic at this point. And very nervous!!! Can anyone tell me if I should start gathering paperwork together and have it with me such as DD 214s, certificates of discharge, marriage certificates, transcripts, ss cards, birth certificates, etc?

Can I ask you guys in this thread what was the reason(s) for you to choose the air force over the other branches to be an RN?

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