AF Nursing competitive, but NTP still exists?

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Ok, so I will grad in May with my ASN and plan to transfer asap to obtain my BSN within 15 mos after. This whole time I've been reading about how competitive it is for nurses to get accepted into the AF. I am praying that I get an ICU job right after I grad with my ASN so I will have some experience by the time I get my BSN. My question is...if it's so competitive, how does the NTP still exist? I just saw an online article on Facebook about congratulating the new graduating class of NTP at Luke in Arizona. There are some people with years of experience being turned down, but obviously they are accepting brand new nurses without experience, or else the NTP wouldn't exist. Can someone set me straight on this? :confused:

Specializes in None.

Jerseygirl13 this is just a guess but I'm thinking its more to do with money than the size of the hospital. I imagine it costs more to send us to a civilian location where they have to pay perdiem and off-base lodging if its not close to a base.

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Specializes in Neuro.

Would any of you have a link or guidance so I can get more information about this. I have been in the military 10 years. 6 years of active duty and 4 years with the Air National Guard I am currently in Nursing School now which my gi bill is covering however I would like to get commisioned after Im done so whatever info you guys have would be very much appreciated.

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cahsezsaywhat:

The nurse enlisted commissioning program (NECP) is for active duty air force members who can aquire a BSN or MSN in 24 months or less. You must currently be active duty to apply for this program and it only accepts enlisted applicants. The Army has a similar program called AECP and it is also for active duty, enlisted members of the Army. Hope this helps!

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I think it is great that the Air Force has a "New Grad" program. The average age of Nurses in the field is something like 46, and by the AF recruiting the younger (albiet some new grads are older) generation they may be able to have more years before retirement. I don't know if this is really true, but it is something I thought of.

I have always had the AF in the back of my mind as my father was AF enlisted. I was able to get a great scholarship at a state university and decided this path was best for me. When I found out the AF had a new grad program I was ecstatic to be able to have an opportunity to serve our country and work with our soldiers and military personnel.

They do not take a lot of new graduates though, only maybe 25 each fiscal year. The reason why it may seem more competitive for experienced nurses is that when the FQ board meets, they are looking for specific specialties/education/skill sets. If they have 20 OR spots and 30 OR nurses apply, the odds look pretty good, but they may only have 5 Med/surg or ICU spots with 100 applicants. It all depends on what their needs are for those positions.

I wish you the best in your application!

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As far as the new grad slots go, several of them are reserved for NECP grads I found out. But yes, it IS a great idea to recruit a "younger" crowd.

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