Air Force FY 2019

Jessica73 · Sep 4, 2019

MasalaC, my recruiter last year was like that... it was like pulling teeth to do anything. It wouldn’t have gotten done if I didn’t bug him constantly. My recruiter this year has been nothing short of amazing, the difference is night and day. You have to wait a year if not selected, but If you miss the board you can apply in Jan. I changed a lot of things on my application this time around. I added much more to my resume in a year.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Sep 4, 2019

21 hours ago, MasalaC said:
I don't imagine I'll be working half as hard since there's collaterals I keep hearing about, and I will definitely be taking a pay cut joining the AF since there's no time dif, overtime pay, and holiday pay correct?
I'm not too worried about PFT atm, first priority is to get in!! Then I can worry about meeting the PFT standards. I'm waiting for Sept to fly by so Oct can come with board results!
@jfratian What are the chances for FQ Clinical Nurse being assigned to a OCONUS base as their first assignment? Does it happen or do the AF like new AF nurses stateside for their first base?

JBER (Anchorage) is pretty doable for a first base and is considered OCONUS. The others are much more rare for new AF nurses to get, but I have heard of it happening on occasion.

MasalaC, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2019

Do we need to do any (specialty) credentialing before the boards? Or is that after selection w/ the AF?

Jessica73 · Sep 5, 2019

You apply for a speciality that you are qualified for. It depends on what you do in the civilian sector. What are you qualified for?

MasalaC, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2019

Well for the navy application, part of the kit is CCPD paperwork, which means going to your supervisor and 2 of your peers to fill out forms pertaining to your work so your credentials and employment can be further investigated. You have to be fully credentialed before your application can even be submitted to the board, and this can take anywhere from 1-3 months. Was surprised this isn't included for the AF... unless my recruiter plans on giving me a nice surprise the day of the deadline ?

No update from my AF recruiter despite having questions about my application....... she had some confusion w/ my application and insert inner scream on my part and hoping my first and only interview counts, if I don't make the Oct boards because of her lack of attention, then I'm just going to focus on my navy app for Jan board. I've been trying to reach an AF health profession recruiter since last year and then getting a response once a month if I'm lucky, meanwhile Navy had me up and going w/ my application before I took the NCLEX. I was able to do MEPS through the Navy only because if I had waited for the AF to schedule MEPS for me, I would still be waiting.

I'm happy w/ either branch, pros and cons on both sides, but at least w/ the AF I can do AE flight nursing w/ ~2 years of clinical nursing vs w/ the navy I would need critical care experience to be a flight nurse. I would love to get on an aircraft carrier though...

RhondaGayle · Sep 6, 2019

36 minutes ago, MasalaC said:
The Navy needs nurses because not many are lining up for them like the Air Force. AF can afford to be selective because they have so many applicants It took me 2 years to get in from application to COT. I missed two boards because of a recruiter that failed to give me vital info.
Any branch of service is honorable but Don't give up on the Air Force. They love fighters. I’m kicking myself for not having done this long ago.
Good luck
Rhonda
————
Well for the navy application, part of the kit is CCPD paperwork, which means going to your supervisor and 2 of your peers to fill out forms pertaining to your work so your credentials and employment can be further investigated. You have to be fully credentialed before your application can even be submitted to the board, and this can take anywhere from 1-3 months. Was surprised this isn't included for the AF... unless my recruiter plans on giving me a nice surprise the day of the deadline ?
No update from my AF recruiter despite having questions about my application....... she had some confusion w/ my application and insert inner scream on my part and hoping my first and only interview counts, if I don't make the Oct boards because of her lack of attention, then I'm just going to focus on my navy app for Jan board. I've been trying to reach an AF health profession recruiter since last year and then getting a response once a month if I'm lucky, meanwhile Navy had me up and going w/ my application before I took the NCLEX. I was able to do MEPS through the Navy only because if I had waited for the AF to schedule MEPS for me, I would still be waiting.
I'm happy w/ either branch, pros and cons on both sides, but at least w/ the AF I can do AE flight nursing w/ ~2 years of clinical nursing vs w/ the navy I would need critical care experience to be a flight nurse. I would love to get on an aircraft carrier though...

MasalaC, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2019

Ok, but we're one business day from the deadline and this recruiter continues to make mistakes on my application. She did it again and despite me sending her paperwork asap, she takes forever to respond and when she does, she ends up - god knows how - confusing my specialty, using the wrong forms, skips through my emails and jumps from A to Z assuming I want apple when I clearly state orange. My essay is on point, my interview went well and I don't have to do another one despite miscommunication and confusion on her part, and I'm doing what I can but it's frustrating when I'm sending in the same forms over and over and over and yet, she somehow overlooks them and still makes mistakes. I'm worried something will end up "missing" and I won't make the Oct board. I feel like whatever I tell her over the phone or email goes over her head, because I'm just repeating the same things over and over and sending the same things over and over.... and over.

There's no way I can deal w/ this recruiter for a few more months. Who knows, I'll probably miss the Jan board too. I don't want to give up, but my application is in her hands and if she's so careless about it, what else can I do? It's not like I can walk into her office and submit the application myself. I know she's trying but darn, she is so careless. I hope she's attentive to other applicants and is not overall like this. Not sure if she's being like this d/t me being "not as competitive" who knows. ADSFDSJF;;; frusTRATING much. Sure, be selective - I get it. But don't be so lazy and careless.

ebnrn, BSN · Sep 7, 2019

@MasalaC I have had the same issues with my recruiter... I started in June 2018 with this process and had my whole application in by September 2018, but here I am still waiting to be accepted. My first recruiter just up and abandoned everyone, so while we thought for 3 months things were moving, nothing was being done with our applications. I have also sent the same forms to my recruiter 5 times and have been told that my application was being reviewed by several boards (Feb, April, July) and yet here I am finally officially applying for September board. I've had to constantly remind/ask my recruiter things, unfortunately that's how this process is for many. Maybe you are able to get another recruiter? I know here in New England/Europe there are 2 recruiters. If not, I know this process has been so frustrating, but please don't give up. You are so close, just keep being on top of things and texting/calling your recruiter until everything is done. We've both got this!!

MasalaC, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2019

@ebnrn Thank you so much! I just feel sad because she requested paperwork from me yesterday because the last form was "out-dated" and so w/n the hour right before work, I had it filled out, scanned, and emailed to her, only to find out she sent me the wrong form and not the updated ver and now I won't hear from her until Monday I CAN'T. I'm going to bug her so hard on Monday, even if I have to drive 2-3 hours one-way to get to her office. I'm so close, no way I'm missing Oct board because my recruiter can't spare 2 seconds to pay attention to my application. I'll try to keep faith and be hopeful about the AF.

Edit: I also tried to get another recruiter, that didn't work.... I think she's the only one in the region. Fabulous. She's kind and all, but. Careless and forgetful are the words to describe her in regards to this entire process. Either that, or the whole world is competing and she'd rather spend her time and energy on them. Sigh.

Noypi47, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2019

55 minutes ago, MasalaC said:
@ebnrn Thank you so much! I just feel sad because she requested paperwork from me yesterday because the last form was "out-dated" and so w/n the hour right before work, I had it filled out, scanned, and emailed to her, only to find out she sent me the wrong form and not the updated ver and now I won't hear from her until Monday I CAN'T. I'm going to bug her so hard on Monday, even if I have to drive 2-3 hours one-way to get to her office. I'm so close, no way I'm missing Oct board because my recruiter can't spare 2 seconds to pay attention to my application. I'll try to keep faith and be hopeful about the AF.
Edit: I also tried to get another recruiter, that didn't work.... I think she's the only one in the region. Fabulous. She's kind and all, but. Careless and forgetful are the words to describe her in regards to this entire process. Either that, or the whole world is competing and she'd rather spend her time and energy on them. Sigh.

You got this! I see you also specialize in psychiatry, did you apply for Mental Mealth? or FQ Clinical?

Jessica73 · Sep 7, 2019

Masala I feel like you are in my same shoes that I was in last year..I was so frustrated at times I would just cry. I finally had to send him a text after he told me the 5th time he would get paperwork to me and then never send it and it never did help, just try to keep your head up.

Can anyone tell me the difference between accession bonus and retention bonus? My recruiter was talking to me about it yesterday but still a little confused on which is the best route?

MasalaC, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2019

Thanks everyone! I won't be able to contact her until Monday, but once Monday hits, I'll be calling/emailing/texting her like crazy. She will submit my application on time w/ the correct paperwork darn it!!

I'm applying as FQ Clinical Nurse because I want to do flight nursing after my first duty assignment as well as have more options and nursing opportunities in the future.