Air Force Nurse- NTP OB

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Hi everyone!

I have been searching this forum for some more info but haven't been able to find it, so decided to post to see if anyone would give me more info.

I just got accepted into an Accelerated BSN program where I will graduate in August 2019. How early could I start the application process for NTP? I read that it takes up to a year, so this august could I begin? I am really interested in the OB specialty since my goal is to become a certified Midwife. Does anyone know how many spots are usually available for OB?

Lastly, my husband is active duty officer and we have 2 boys, would I still be able to join? I remember there being a new rule about this way back in 2013 or so, but I haven't heard anything else about it.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You can both be active duty at the same time. You just have to submit a family care plan in writing to your supervisor. It essentially spells out what you guys would do for childcare if both of you deploy at the same time.

Yes, a year out sounds about right.

The number of spots are always different from year to year. I can safely say that the med-surg/clinical nurse spots for NTP far exceed every other specialty combined. The AF wants the vast majority of new nurses to start in med-surg.

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

To piggyback off of jfratian's comment, when I went to NTP, there were only 4 or 5 of us who were selected for OB via direct commission... myself included. And that was between two NTP sites.

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Thank you for the replies. I wanted to ask, is applying for direct commission more guaranteed that I will get to work as an OB? Which way has a better chance of getting the OB field, NTP or direct commission? Also, what are they looking for is candidates? Thanks

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

NTP (Nurse Transition Program) is simply the 3 month 'learn how to be a nurse' course that all new nurses in the AF go through. You do NTP regardless of your commissioning source (ROTC or direct commission) if you have less than 1 year of full time RN experience.

Though I don't really know this for sure, I would suspect ROTC people are more likely to get OB or OR (another option for new grads) than direct commission people. Direct commission is really used as a supplement to fill the jobs unfilled by ROTC.

New grads are all pretty generic. Good grades and activities that show leadership are about all you can really do. If you really want OB, you need to get 1 year of full-time civilian OB experience before applying. If you did that, you would skip NTP altogether.

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Got it. I will start my program which is accelerated and graduate August 2019. After that we are due to PCS so finding a job straight out of school in a new state I know will be hard, specially in L&D. This is why I wanted to apply as a new grad and see if I get a spot.

Another question, I emailed a health care professions recruiter yesterday and she said I could apply for the June 2019 board. But I don't know if that will be a good idea because I wouldn't have my license or last semester of clinical experience to add to the package. How many boards are there in the year, and should I take her advice and apply for that spot?

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

I was able to get into OB as a direct commission along with three other people I went to NTP with. Out of the six total who were doing OB the year I was selected, only two came in via ROTC... so definitely don't be afraid to apply as a new grad and direct commission!

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Hi! If you don't mind me asking can you share your stats (GPA, School Activities etc.) The recruiter I spoke to yesterday said there were 5 OB spots this year. Looks like it stays at around 5-6 every year, thats really competitive.

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Specializes in OB/GYN.
Hi! If you don't mind me asking can you share your stats (GPA, School Activities etc.) The recruiter I spoke to yesterday said there were 5 OB spots this year. Looks like it stays at around 5-6 every year, thats really competitive.

Sent you a PM!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I think the board considers applicants assuming that all will graduate from their BSN programs and will all obtain RN licensure. No offense, but generally speaking all nursing schools have fairly similar structures. They have to conform to national accreditation guidelines. Your last semester clinical experience is just like everyone else's experience and won't affect your acceptance in a meaningful way.

I would only apply if you are willing to accept a med-surg slot, because that is the most likely thing that you'll get. If you were to reject that med-surg job, I believe it would hurt your future application chances. The AF likes team players, and rejecting an offer because you don't like your work environment doesn't look good.

Getting OB is certainly doable, but I'd prepare for the worst. You of course have the ability to take the med-surg slot and re-train as OB later. However, you would have to likely do 2 years of med-surg first.

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Thanks for letting me know, I really had no idea how much impact having those two items in the package may or may not have. I am willing to take the med-surg spot, I mean getting in is the goal. I would love it if it was OB but if it isn't as long as I make it I'm ok. Will/ can day offer me a med-surg spot even if I apply for OB? Is it a list that you do and put your first choice first and so on and then the offer you what they have?

How hard is it to retrain after the 2 years?

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I tried to reply but I don't have enough posts to send a private message yet :/ Let me know if by any chance the message did go through. Thanks for all the information!

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