GS system and new grad question

[NO1_2NV]

I am currently an RN student and will graduate in Dec. 2006. I have been seriously looking at the GS system and more specifically Airforce. I have been told that it is possible to obtain a position with less then a years experience due to the fact that there is such a shortage of nurses. Several people have stated that the amount of clinical hours we are required to attend would or could count towards the years time.

Can anyone enlighten me on this? I live in an area that does not have a shortage of nurses so relocating will have to be in my future if I need to achieve a years experience.

Thanks.

[LPNtoBSNstudent, BSN, RN]

I do not know what the situation is with Air Force GS positions. I am a recent BSN grad (Dec04) and within a few months of graduating my husband who is Active duty Army was stationed in Germany. So while my family all PCS'd to Germany I was not working. I volunteered at the health clinic through the American Red Cross and was eventually offered a job, after about 5 months of voluteering.

I wish so much that I was able to work for a full year before starting with the GS system, but I didn't have any choice. As an American nurse there are very few options here in Germany. Anyway, they did not take my volunteer experience into consideration, nor did they take any of my years of LPN experience (I had significant experience as an LPN since 1991). Nor did they even consider clinical experience or even the few months of full time experience I had as an RN before the move to Germany (I worked from January until May!)

Now I am working as a GS 5 for one year, then will advance to GS 7 for one year and then will be a GS 9. It is pathetic. I work with a nurse with an ADN and no prior LPN experience, who just barely squeeked by with one year part time nursing experience before getting the job here. She is a GS 9.

Like I said, I don't know if there are any differences in the GS system, I doubt that there are. Keep asking around and speak directly to a nurse recruiter for the Air Force GS system, if you can find one.