Air Force Nursing- COT training

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Hey all,

I just found out that I was accepted to the AF Nurse Corps. I'm beyond thrilled and am looking forward to COT which I will begin in January. I have read up a little bit on what to expect, but I was hoping those of you who have recently gone through the experience could share your knowledge. I just have some questions: How intense is the PT (I work out quite a bit and am wondering if I should step up my routine)? Does any of the curriculum have to do with medicine and nursing? What should I bring? What advice do you have on how to make the best of COT?

Thanks everybody :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Hey all I just found out that I was accepted to the AF Nurse Corps. I'm beyond thrilled and am looking forward to COT which I will begin in January. I have read up a little bit on what to expect, but I was hoping those of you who have recently gone through the experience could share your knowledge. I just have some questions: How intense is the PT (I work out quite a bit and am wondering if I should step up my routine)? Does any of the curriculum have to do with medicine and nursing? What should I bring? What advice do you have on how to make the best of COT? Thanks everybody :)[/quote']

Aminoacid,

I just learned the very same news a couple days ago and I will be with you at COT in January. Based on what I've read about the program is that it is much more academic (mental) than physical. Not to say that we won't be expected to be fit and participate in PT, but just in general it is more about learning the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Air Force Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Drill & Ceremonies, and the leadership skills we will need to be successful as officers. There is one section of training where we will be given a mock deployment scenario and be expected to triage and treat patients, beyond that I have no heard of any other medical training. In total, we will have 23 training days together (weekends don't count because we kinda have them off), and then we will be moving on to our next stops.

On that note, do you know where you are going? I'll be heading to the ICU at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) after COT.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. :-)

Eric

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Eric, I'm at Sammc icu. Welcome! There are multiple icu units here.

Also there are some great old posts on this site that will give you great cot tips.

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Thanks for the information :). I'll be at Nellis in Las Vegas.

Liz

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Specializes in OR.

aminoacid9,

What nursing specialty are you? I am also going to COT in January and Nellis. I am OR

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I was at COT two years ago. There is a lot of PT, in the mornings, and you will take two PT tests. The people who were not fit were miserable. The only thing you can really do to prepare, is to maximize your fitness, so you should do so. COT is very stressful and you will get 5 hours of sleep most nights. The leadership courses have a lot of challenges in which climbing and agility are helpful. Your fitness score will be part of the evaluation that you take back to your unit.

You don't need to bring much, you will store all of your stuff and use what they issue you. Just a change of clothes or two and personal items. Your room will be subject to inspection so the more stuff you have the more you have to organize. Everything must be folded and put away by reg, so don't bother. The biggest down side to me was very limited time to stay in touch with family. Expect to be thrown off your game deliberately and put under stress. You will learn a ton. Good luck and welcome to the Blue!

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