Air Force NTP

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Hello all!

Im an accelerated nursing student looking to join the USAF! I graduate on March 1, 2018. I am tying to figure out if you are able to select your unit after the NTP residency course or if you get stuck on a med/surg floor. I would ideally like to be in the ER, but as a new nurse, Im not sure if I should do NTP or work for a year in the ER and commission in with the ER specialty so I can be in that unit.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

NTP new grads get to pick between Med-Surg, L&D, and OR (which I believe they just added as an option). Your pick isn't guaranteed, and the vast majority of NTP nurses do Med-Surg. The ROTC kids get first dibs, so I really think you're looking at Med-Surg. If that isn't going to be palatable to you, then I would suggest you get a civilian job (preferably at a level 1 trauma center) in the specialty of your choice. Then, join the AF after 1 year.

You only get to really have a say on what bases you go to, and even that is far from guaranteed.

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I figured that's how it was, I just hoped it wasn't so.

Okay, well I think commissioning in with a particular specialization seems more wise, but my husband is also in the Air Force stationed at Lackland.

I would love to learn at Lackland, seems like a huge hospital. Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You probably won't be able to get a GS civilian job without experience, but it's worth a try I guess. Honestly, even though SAMMC/Lackland is a level 1 trauma center, I can pretty much guarantee you'll see more stuff at University Hospital anyway. Just do University's new grad program for ICU or ER and apply for the AF after a year or two.

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