I will be graduating in May 2010 with my BSN. My current plan is to join the Air Force once I am done with school. I have spoken briefly to a recruiter but I am sure I could call him and ask him these questions but getting information from fellow nurses seems like a good idea. My main question is when do I need to like seriously commit to the Air Force? Do you do the training and all that jazz post graduation? I do not want to stop my schooling when I only have a year left. Any and all information is greatly apprecited!
first of all, congratulations luvbug on getting in.
i will also be graduating in may this year with my BSN and i've recently been talking to a recruiter. she told me slots were filled for this fiscal year, but they will be looking for applicants again in july of this year; typically there are 90 slots open for new grads nationwide, which seems like a small number to me.
my question is how competitive was it to get in? were they stringent on GPA requirements and such? you can email or PM me if you like.
cheers,
eric
I think it is impossible for someone to define how competitive it is to get in, so, I'll share with you what I've experienced:
My recruiter had 4 applicants for the Oct/Nov 09 board, all 4 got in.
I got in with a good recommendations from teachers and the O-5/6 I interviewed with, 3.8 undergraduate, resume is not impressive.
I got my assignment/COT/NTP dates and acceptance letter before the other 3 in my recruiters Oct/Nov 09 group.
There are so many factors that come into play like...GPA, recommendations/chief nurse interview, how many people applied to the board/nurse unemployment rate, how many slots there are (don't think it would remain static)/needs of the AF, what the selection committee is looking for that month... you get the picture.
Recruiter told me some people did get turned away, but it wasn't very many if I remember correctly. Something like 120 applied and 110 got in from past Oct/Nov 09 board.
Generally I don't think you are competing with many people. I am the only 1 out of my graduating class of like 70 to even consider the military... I find that a lot of people are ignorant when it comes to what the military can offer.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
As far as NTP in Scottsdale... it is not a base. It is in the Scottsdale Healthcare hospitals (there are 2 - Osborn and Shea). They are both civilian hospitals here in Scottsdale, AZ which is in the greater Phoenix area. Last I heard the NTP students are housed at hotels in the area. There was an small article about NTP in Nurseweek March 8,2010 (there is a website of nurse.com, but I can't find the article online, sorry).
Age limit for active duty is 42. There is the possibility of waivers, but there are more applicants than they need it sounds like. But it sure doesn't hurt to try! :)
I just asked my recruiter about the age limit as I have a friend interested in joining who will be 46 in July. He said it is 47 and must be on active duty by 48. Of course, if there would be anything to come up during the physical then a waiver might not come through as the need for nurses has decreased significantly.
OK guys, I need someone that has been to COT to email me I am set to leave for COT next month and i need the low down on that. Also I would like to know details on NTP, i will be doing it in Scottsdale.
YES, I would. The ones in the room are awful. But there will be an ironing board, and when i was there they were in decent shape. What I did buy was a new cover (the night before at WalMart!) - they're the standard size, metal ironing boards. Our cover was awful, so I'm glad I did it.
You can always return it when you get to go off base (and you will, eventually) if you don't open it.
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DrCOVID, DNP
462 Posts
I think it is impossible for someone to define how competitive it is to get in, so, I'll share with you what I've experienced:
My recruiter had 4 applicants for the Oct/Nov 09 board, all 4 got in.
I got in with a good recommendations from teachers and the O-5/6 I interviewed with, 3.8 undergraduate, resume is not impressive.
I got my assignment/COT/NTP dates and acceptance letter before the other 3 in my recruiters Oct/Nov 09 group.
There are so many factors that come into play like...GPA, recommendations/chief nurse interview, how many people applied to the board/nurse unemployment rate, how many slots there are (don't think it would remain static)/needs of the AF, what the selection committee is looking for that month... you get the picture.
Recruiter told me some people did get turned away, but it wasn't very many if I remember correctly. Something like 120 applied and 110 got in from past Oct/Nov 09 board.
Generally I don't think you are competing with many people. I am the only 1 out of my graduating class of like 70 to even consider the military... I find that a lot of people are ignorant when it comes to what the military can offer.