US Public Health Service opinions

OK, I have read all existing threads on this forum for the US Puclic Health Service, and most are really old or have few responses, so I thought I would try again!

I am currently a school nurse but I am strongly considering the USPHS after meeting an RN who works at the correctional facility, but as a civilian not through USPHS. She said that if she had known about it before she was too old to join she would have done it in a heart beat. She called it the best kept secret in both nursing and the military. If it is that good, I want in! I always said that if I had not been married with responsibilities that would make deployment difficult, I would have been a military nurse. It seems that the USPHS is the best of both worlds and they do have an opening at the facility near me!

Anyone have any experiences with this entity? I was wondering what the time usually is from application to starting, because I am contracted with my school district for this school year (until June 2010), so I would want to start working in June or July. I don't want to apply too soon, but I don't want to wait too long either! Thanks!