Hey everyone, I am a PCU/Tele nurse in New Mexico who had several years in the Army National Guard enlisted. I finish my BSN in a few months and I had a recruiter go over my resume and he told me that he could probably get me in with a rolling board. He said there is a huge need right now and my prospects are very good. So at this point, I am just curious, when it comes to getting ready for COT, does anyone have any suggestions? Like what COTSMAN is the most recent one? Is there any study material that people would suggest?
And most importantly, does anyone know what hospitals have the most need? It has been impossible finding anything online that talks about hospitals with the most beds and I have heard that a lot of the hospitals from the past are now just superclinics so the openings there are very different than they were a few years ago.
I know San Antonio always has needs. Same goes for Mississippi. But does anyone know anything about Nellis in LV? Travis in CA? Langley in Virginia? 366th in Idaho? What are my prospects for getting any of these with two years of civilian experience?
What have been your experiences with any of those hospitals? What would you do differently in your Air Force career if you could do it over again? Are you happy you joined the Air Force?
Side note, I love my country and miss the people I knew when I was in last time. The culture I saw when I was around the AF years ago was outstanding and I am really excited about the prospects of rejoining. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
1. Nellis is trying to expand into a Level 1 trauma center. It’s going to be growing for a while and have plenty of opportunities. On the bad side Las Vegas schools are iffy at best and any services you might need for a special needs child or adult are sorely lacking and take months or years to get appointments/into.
I stayed away from San Antonio as there was always more politics than I wanted to deal with. That maybe something that doesn’t bother you or may not even notice at your rank.
JBER/Anchorage Alaska for us was a great assignment. JBER has a medium size hospital by USAF standards.
You should qualify for any of the of the hospitals with med-surg with your experience, and will likely be one of the more experienced nurses when you do start.
2. There are opportunities everywhere, if you are sure you want to do NP look at bases that have just clinics. Overall, clinic work is more conducive to family life than working on the floor with rotating schedules and constantly coming in on your off shift/days for meetings and extra duties. You will need a minimum of 1 year clinic experience to do AFIT NP unless things have changed. The AF is way behind on properly utilizing CNSs. The majority of CNSs I’ve known/know are utilized as unit educators.
3. The only issue I’ve really noticed with Army to USAF is that former Army alway expects there to be a policy that covers everything, but you’ll find the USAF often has policies (written and unwritten) that vary widely between bases. It can be a little aggravating, and after 8 duty stations every new USAF person assumes that their base/hospital policies are the same at every base or that X is done the same at every base..
Can you share which bases or hospitals can ICU nurse work in AF. Thanks
Allegedly, nurses in all 3 branches will eventually be able to be stationed at any Air Force, Navy or Army hospital under the new unified Defense Health Agency.
However, currently Air Force nurses can be stationed at nearly any Air Force base anywhere in the world. Most of those bases are small outpatient clinics. It depends on your specialty.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I was army AD and now AF nurse. I have to say AF has been difficult to learn how to manage my army tone! I’m to abrupt. I want to assign the job and get into it - talk later. In the AF there is a lot of talk! LOL. Just expect it.
Make your wish list where you want to go and be. Think of your family as well since you mention them. I’m at Travis - but not at the hospital because I’m AE. The area is Uber expensive and housing of quality is hard to find - but it seems this is everywhere. With a family you can apply for on base housing - but there is often a long wait.
deployments - most med/surg nurses don’t deploy very much and the numbers have definitely dwindled since Afghanistan pullout. I’ve gone 6 times in 12 years as ICU then AE, but none in the last 2 and I’m itching to go! Deployments last 6 months usually. And many are tax free which is amazing.
Expect unit hours on Panama schedule with 3 then 4 - 12 hour shifts alternating every week. Usually 3 month rotations from days to night shift. Extra duties and meetings/trainings also.
I was civilian nurse for 14 years coming in - there are good and bad on either side. Right now, I am so very glad I’m on this side as active duty AE nurse - I’m happy with the green grass here.
floRNda
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Can you share which bases or hospitals can ICU nurse work in AF. Thanks