Air National Guard NP Questions

[rtrogers24]

Ok folks, I am submitting my questions to the assembled masses and brain trust of the allnurses universe, as I am certain the answers lie somewhere within.

I have been attempting to get into the air national guard for about a year now (I realize that this can be a long and trying process). I have sporadic communication only with my recruiter, often going weeks/months with unanswered emails and phone calls. My application has recently received some minor traction though, in that I was asked to provide some documentation (transcripts, birth certificate, SSN card, etc.), and I was called for an interview with the wing commander for an NP slot. He and I met, everything went well and he said he would like to bring me on board. He told me he would inform the recruiter to get things going asap, but, as I have come to expect, I've heard nothing since the interview. Several emails to my recruiter have gone unanswered.

This, by itself, isnt terribly disconcerting. I am curious however, from others out there, if this is typical from your experiences. I am anxious to get the ball rolling for several reasons as I am not old, but I am not a spring chicken either (43). At this point, I have not signed anything, so no official packet has been sent, yet I have been interviewed and verbally accepted. Where on earth do I fit into this process? Any idea on a potential timeline from here? What are my next steps? I know that MEPS, packet submission, etc., are all on the horizon, but it seems that perhaps that should have been done first?

I have a ton of additional questions, but these are the most pressing at the moment. If I am a fairly easy hire (no medical probs, good experience, in shape, prior service army reserve, etc.) how long from where I am now to RCOT seems reasonable? Also, with 15 years NP experience, plus 6 years army reserve prior service (a long time ago- enlisted medic), O-3 seems likely but is O-4 possible? Additionally, as a 43 year old, will I be the "old fart" at RCOT, or are there other "seasoned" practitioners there? Speaking of RCOT, I love coffee and am a bit of an addict. Do we get coffee or will I need to smuggle in instant packets?

So many questions, but this is getting long and I'm rambling so I will cut it off here. I appreciate any information that the allnurses braintrust can provide!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I have no wisdom for you, other than to say that any officer training will NOT be anything like your enlisted Army basic training or AIT. I'm sure you'll have access to coffee. :) For Army officer basic, we even had weekends off and had freedom to come and go from post from day one. I though AF COT was a little more locked down, maybe? But no DS screaming in your face or tossing your room at 0300.

[NPMike]

Wondering where you are in the process now? I am in a similar situation except I am a little older and have 18 years NP experience. I was told I was wanted and needed then...cricketsí ½í¹„ I don't have prior service though so I am unsure of what rank I will have. I just know I am ready for the ball to get rolling!

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I would say you still enter as a Captain (O-3). You generally get 50% credit for your full time RN and NP experience plus 2 years for an MSN. However, there is also a cap to what they credit you. The guard may work a little differently than active duty, but generally people in the nurse corps don't commission above O-3. Physicians and dentists can enter as high as O-6s.

Yes, you have coffee at COT and RCOT. I would say the average age was low to mid 30s. A lot of the people were prior enlisted folks.