AF applicant wanting feedback...need advice

ATLRN0828 · Oct 31, 2011

Wtbcrna,

Is there a place online to get this form? The recriuter never even mentioned having an action plan to me. Do you know how they handle their childcare situation? Are their extended hours at the CDC? I know I'm probably asking the same questions over and over again but I'm just trying to get as much information as possible to make a very informed decision.

allnurses Guide · Oct 31, 2011

Wtbcrna,
Is there a place online to get this form? The recriuter never even mentioned having an action plan to me. Do you know how they handle their childcare situation? Are their extended hours at the CDC? I know I'm probably asking the same questions over and over again but I'm just trying to get as much information as possible to make a very informed decision.

I think you have to do the family care plan when you in process to your first base. It is nothing you have to worry about now.

ATLRN0828 · Oct 31, 2011

Thank you all for the great information. If you have any other words of advice/wisdom; it is most definitely welcomed :).

Thanks again!

clarabow · Nov 4, 2011

ATLRN0828,

From what I've seen, being a single parent is do-able in the USAF depending on where you work in the hospital. If you have a normal M-F clinic job, yes the CDC should accomodate you fine. There are also stay at home moms/dads who provide home day care in base housing (strictly licensed and regulated) who can accomodate longer shifts. Some even offer overnight/weekend/holiday care. With that being said, if you are a shift worker, it may be extraordinarily difficult to find a stable child care plan that fits with your work schedule. To give you an example, my inpatient unit rotates from nights to days every three months. One cannot expect to be placed on "permanent" dayshift due to child care issues. This is compounded by the fact that set schedules are impossible for some units. Expect to work 14-15 shifts/month with no rhyme or reason to your schedule as long as you are not working 4 in a row. It is not unusual for me to work 3 night shifts, one night off, followed by three night shifts. And you will be expected to find childcare at the drop of a hat (for example, my unit gives you 30 min to report to work from the time of notification) during situations like recalls or being called in to work on your day off (due to low staffing). But overall, I think working night shift is definitely where being a single parent gets most challenging. Not only will you have to arrange child care during your night shift, but you'll have to find someone to watch your daughter during the day while you sleep. Again, clinic type hours are ideal. But if you are intending on working the floor, finding stable child care will be very difficult at times. I hope this helps a little.

ATLRN0828 · Nov 4, 2011

Hi Clarabow...

Thanks for your help. So do you get to choose whether you work in a clinic or the floor? I do not mind working either the floor or clinic but just wondering if at some point you get a choice. I don't expect any special treatment being a single parent and don't want my colleagues to think that either. It seems like it is going to be pretty difficult :eek: . I definitely have lots to think about.

clarabow · Nov 4, 2011

Hello ATLRN0828,

Your recruiter may give a more definitive and accurate answer but I think how soon you leave the floor depends on your experience and what opportunities arise elsewhere in the hospital. I do know of nurses that were placed in clinics immediately after COT (one had one year of civilian experience) but I think it is rare. It appears that most new accessions have to work sometime on the floor (med/surg) before they move on to another area. I know med/surg nurses who eventually (after a year or two) ended up in the PACU, same day surgery, and various clinics. Keep in mind, I speak from my experience only, I do not want to appear as a know it all when situations differ from base to base.

ATLRN0828 · Nov 4, 2011

No, you don't seem like a know it all. I'm aware that things/situations differ from base to base. But I am really finding your information as well as everyone else's very helpful. I am going to ask my recruiter about what are the chances of getting in a clinic right after COT. So from your experience is it pretty easy for nurses to move around to different fields or areas in the hospital if there are positions available and you have the experience? When it's time for you PCS do you get a choice of jobs at your next base?

clarabow · Nov 4, 2011

Yes, I recommend you find out about getting into the clinic immediately after COT. That way, you can skip the med/surg route altogether. If not, when you submit your application make sure you pick the med/surg track (vs OB track). This way, you are not pigeonholed into a specialty and it will be easier for you to transition to a normal hour work position. There are some areas in the Nurse Corps that once you become specialized, it can take years to get out of. They include OB, OR and ICU. I think there are others, but those are the biggies. Let your intentions be known to your Flight Commander and Chief Nurse but don't come across as too needy or demanding. They do try to work with nurses who have special circumstances, but there is no obligation. Ultimately, it's "the needs of the Air Force" which will be your default answer many times. As long as you don't specialize in an area, your options should remain open when you PCS.

ATLRN0828 · Nov 4, 2011

I will definitely do that. I'm going to send her an email tonight and call her on Monday. My recruiter told me I had to apply for the Med/surg track anyway since I have 4+ years in Hem/onc. So that part is done. I was wanting to switch to ICU or ER at some point in my military career too. I wanted to go straight into ICU or ER but couldn't since I don't have the experience but know I am glad that I'm applying Med/surg. I guess it won't hurt to work the general floor to gain more experience anyway. And I don't want to be pigeonholed so early in my nursing career as well (seems like I'm already pigeonholed in the civilian world anyway). Do I speak with the Flight Commander or Chief Nurse during the interview? Or would I let them know at my first duty assignment?

How long have you been a nurse? Do you work on a Med/surg floor? Is it just like working in the civilian hospitals? I've never worked M/S went directly to Hem/Onc out of nursing school. I love oncology but know that I want more experience, I'm not sure if that was the best idea.

clarabow · Nov 4, 2011

It sounds like you are already on the right track. You never know, even though you have hopes of ER/ICU you may see what other opportunities are available by using med/surg as your initial stepping stone. I recommend speaking to your Flight Commander and Chief Nurse at your first duty station. But wait a few weeks after you initially in- process. You don't want to come across as the demanding "newbie." Without giving out too much info on myself (there aren't many USAF bases in Japan) I commissioned 5 years ago and came in with no civilian nursing experience. So I have nothing to compare it to. I am "specialized" which has blocked my attempts of getting out of shift work but my time in my specialty will be complete after this assignment and I am looking forward to switching into another area of nursing (with normal work hours!). Joining the Air Force has by far been one of the best decisions of my life. I have deployed (on a humanitarian mission with the Navy!) and the Air Force has pushed me in leadership roles out of my comfort zone. I am taking everything I can from it. I could go on for a while but I don't want to hi jack your thread. But the BIG downside is the difficulty of finding adequate child care for shift workers. And that makes me wonder how long I can make it work for me. Let me know how your application process goes!

ATLRN0828 · Nov 4, 2011

Thanks Clarabow! I'm trying to be on the right track here. Just trying to get as much information as possible before signing the dotted line. I told myself the same thing. If I just keep an open mind to whatever is offered to me, then who knows what'll happen. I think the recruiter told me when I get to my first duty station that I would speak with the nurse manager about the unit and my goals, etc. So maybe at that time I will mention it. I definitely do not want to be the "demanding newbie" we have some of those too and it does irritate people. So I don't want to start off on the wrong foot either, lol. I think that the A.F. would give me so many opportunities for advancement both personally and professionally that I don't think I can get out here. I just want to better myself and my family. I have that country as one of my places to go on my wish list. I understand what you mean about the childcare issue. That is one of my main concerns prior to committing myself to this. I want something that will work for both of us. Are there job postings for what base you want to choose next? Like if you are shift worker, is there a choice of bases and jobs available like the clinic that you choose you want to go to? Or they just send you where ever?

I don't mind you hijacking thread, it's been nice talking to you and you've really answered a lot for me. I will definitely keep you posted on everything. Thus far just waiting on some documents to come in the mail and my packet is done! Applying for the Jan 2012 boards...

allnurses Guide · Nov 5, 2011

Your recruiter has absolutely no say so in where you will work, and most of the time will have no idea what a nurse does in the AF. The best way to get a clinic job coming into the AF is to pick bases on your preference sheet that only have clinics, but you still have to have a plan for working late/recalls/weekends etc.