AF recruitment questions

BVFD 333 · Sep 8, 2011

Okay... let's make it simpler, when should one go the recruiter while still in school (MSN, I do not have a BSN only a BS)? I do not want to waste the recruiters or my time :)

Oldlove · Sep 8, 2011

Always good to start the process sooner rather than later. This way you know if you're on the right track. Also, paperwork is very burdening, references, background check, etc. The process is a little different now, it can take a maximum of two years.

BVFD 333 · Sep 8, 2011

Oldlove, thank you for your resonse!

Oldlove · Sep 9, 2011

You're very welcome. I started the process while I was in the ADN-BSN ladder program (I ended up doing direct commission app) This month marks my two year journey of paperwork and endless reference letters. So really, you'll probably be done with your MSN by then but at least your paperwork is done and you can focus on being healthy, working on waivers, etc. I know you want to go for AF, so I'm not privy to that specific process, but globally it looks to be the same. Good luck to you :]

midinphx, BSN · Sep 9, 2011

Waiting only a month for a waiver is actually rather fast. It will take you at least a year from the initial recruiter contact to actually leaving for training.

You need a BSN. I don't believe an MSN on a BS is going to work. If you really want to do this, you need to get into a medical recruiter and ensure that what you are pursuing will actually be accepted in the military. Look up and ask for medical recruiter - not the ones with the big sign at the malls, they can't help you and could give you wrong information as they do enlisted, not officers.

Getting in is a challenge now. It is very competitive - all branches. Once you get in, you find out that the initial paperwork was just the beginning. Endless paperwork and checklists are the life of all military!

allnurses Guide · Sep 9, 2011

Either a BSN or MSN from an accredited school is acceptable for admission into the USAF. http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/medical-surgical-nurse/ see the top left of the web page.

BVFD 333 · Sep 9, 2011

midinphx,

... you guys are right, time to get some more infos :)

razorshark · Sep 10, 2011

Hello everyone,
Some questions I hope to get answered
(1)Time wise, when is it a good time to contact the AF health recruiter... I applied in the past for the Army Reserves and it took month to get a medical waiver. I backed out as it took so long for the waiver (I eventually got the waiver). I am currently working on MSN in public health as I only have an ADN and BS in healthcare management. Working at a local VA-ED gave me that renewed desire to join the military/ specific AF.
(2)Does being a governmental nurse count the same as "regular" civilian time, (3) how about retirement?
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
Btw you all rock!

I think I have already talked with you before on FB.

Answers:

1. Depends on the recruiting environment and your current status. The same medical waiver you did for the Army will have to be approved by the Air Force. Just because the Army approved you will not guarantee that the Air Force will. You MEPS physical is good for two years, and you will need to be "SPFd" from the Army to us. When you talk to the HP recruiter, make sure you are 1000% ready to commit...anyone who drops from the process from any service is an automatic red-flag to us. Waiting 1 month is nothing, especially now that it can take up to a year for the entire process. You can start the process when you are within 1 year of graduation and will need to have your course schedule audited and verified with an end date. VA experience is highly desirable...make sure you get good references who can validate your hands-on clinical experience. An MSN is a non-clinical specialty will not likely get you advanced rank.

2. No.

3. No.

Applications for the next selection board are due in Jan 2012, and I expect many positions to be filled by then. Start now, speak with your HP recruiter and get some hard answers. Good luck.

v/r

Sharky

BVFD 333 · Sep 10, 2011

thank you for replaying sharky, was hoping you would!

we have not talked on facebook before (have an account, however i am super careful about posting anything, to me fb is to public). but i guess you guys have a facebook page, what is the name or the link?

about the medical waiver, i first went to meps as i explained to the recruiter that i would expect that area to be a problem, was somewhat sure they could / would not waive it but they did, it did not just take a month (sorry my typo) but months and lots of calls and seeing a specialist, and.... (for others reading this treat, itp can be waived). anyways, in the mean time i accepted a va cath lab position and it felled wrong to continue with the application at that time. the meps physical was over 2 years ago and if i understand correctly from other discussions is expired.

you write " applications for the next selection board are due in jan 2012", i will not be done till end of 2012 with the msn, do i understand you correctly ...one can put in for boards in january even though they do not have the required degree at that time?

thank you so much for your response!

razorshark · Sep 10, 2011

thank you for replaying sharky, was hoping you would!
we have not talked on facebook before (have an account, however i am super careful about posting anything, to me fb is to public). but i guess you guys have a facebook page, what is the name or the link?
about the medical waiver, i first went to meps as i explained to the recruiter that i would expect that area to be a problem, was somewhat sure they could / would not waive it but they did, it did not just take a month (sorry my typo) but months and lots of calls and seeing a specialist, and.... (for others reading this treat, itp can be waived). anyways, in the mean time i accepted a va cath lab position and it felled wrong to continue with the application at that time. the meps physical was over 2 years ago and if i understand correctly from other discussions is expired.
you write " applications for the next selection board are due in jan 2012", i will not be done till end of 2012 with the msn, do i understand you correctly ...one can put in for boards in january even though they do not have the required degree at that time?
thank you so much for your response!

if you graduate in dec 2012, then you will fall under the fy13 season, which means you should wait until next year. start the process when you are within one year of graduation. if you need to redo meps and get another waiver, i would start sooner...but not before jan 2012. best of luck.

v/r

sharky

BVFD 333 · Sep 10, 2011

Thank you!