Air Force Nurse Transition Program

[IowaRNBSN]

Hello all,

I am readying my package for the USAF NTP (Nurse Transition Program). How difficult is it to be selected? I have a 3.1 gpa, have already passed MEPS, and passed boards on my first try back in March. What worries me is that I graduated in December 2009 and have been looking for civilian jobs, but after a whle I decided that I wanted to do Air Force nursing (still applying for for civilian jobs). Will this decrease my chances of being selected? I still have to meet with the Chief Nurse at the Air Force base for and interview, and complete a little paperwork. Also, what happens if I take a civilian job in the meantime as I wait for the Selection Board in January? Do I have to wait if I get 6 months of experience? What is the NTP like also?

Any advice or experience from those would be helpful,

Thanks

[luvbug080688]

Also, what are the odds of getting a base in europe (high on my list of places to be stationed at)?

I am a new grad (may '10) and will be going to COT in 6 days then heading to NTP in Cincinnati. My permanent duty station is RAF Lakenheath, which is in the United Kingdom. My recruiter told me it would be impossible to be stationed overseas my first time, but tada, I did it. I don't know if they took into account that I've been to Europe 6 times before, but who cares. Ha. I know another new nurse also going to Lakenheath and one is going to Elmendorf. So while it's not likely, it's possible.

[I_C_U-R_N, BSN, RN]

Hello all,

I applied for the Air Force Nurse Transition Program (2017). I will find out some time around August 5th as to whether or not I was selected. I am writing this post in attempt to reach out to others who may have already completed this program. I applied for the med-surg track, but my heart is set on critical care (which is not an option). In your experience, is it possible to somehow transfer to the critical care unit after doing some time in med-surg? Any feedback is appreciated.

- Kim

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Without at least 1 year of full time ICU experience before you join, you can't start in ICU. Unlike the civilian world, you can't just transfer to the ICU in your same hospital. The AF considers this home-grown training, which they have pretty much gotten rid of.

That means you'll need to complete the AF Critical Care fellowship, which is a 12 month TDY. To be eligible to apply for the fellowship, you first need 2 years of nursing experience with one of those years as inpatient med-surg experience. So, the short answer is at least 2 years. You'll have to move to either Scottsdale, AZ or San Antonio, TX to complete the 12 month ICU training. Then, they'll move you again to a base with an ICU.

[I_C_U-R_N, BSN, RN]

Jfratian,

Thank you for your response. Is there an application process/competition for the AF Critical Care Fellowship? Do you think that if I was placed in San Antonio for my first duty station that I would have a better chance at this opportunity? Also, did you complete the NTP program? Thank you SO MUCH for your help.

- Kim

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

There is an application process for the fellowship. Interest in the program varies from year to year. Last year everyone got it who met the minimum requirements.

It doesn't really matter where you go for your first base in terms of applying to the program. You might get sicker patients at San Antonio and therefore might learn more. They don't decide how to vector someone's entire career based on how cheap their moving expenses are.

I did not do NTP.

[I_C_U-R_N, BSN, RN]

That is helpful. Thank you.

Do you know if an additional service commitment is required of selected for the fellowship?

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Yes, there is added service commitment for the fellowship. It is two years from the date you finish the one year course.