Air Force Nursing for a New Grad RN

NursePamela · May 12, 2009

i am a new graduate rn with a bsn. i recently obtained my rn license in pa. i have an interest in air force nursing, and i was able to talk to an air force recruiter over the phone. i've been finding good info on allnurses.com and wanted to post some questions that air force rns might be able to answer.
1. what are the requirements for getting into the air force as a new grad rn? how closely do they look at gpa, recommendation letters from clinical professors? how is the interview?
1. i have no idea about how closely they look at gpa, sorry. you do need references but i imagine as long as no one says you are horrible i wouldn't worry about it. if they thought you were horrible you would not have graduated, right?
2. how much of a choice do you have for what city/state you want to be placed in? the recruiter over the phone told me that they would give me a list of hospitals/clinics. i would choose 4 that i want to be placed in. if any of those 4 aren't able to place me they would put me in the next closest hospital/clinic. is this true?
you do have a choice and they will try and accomodate you, especially when you first come in. keep in mind you may not get your choice. be realistic.
3. since i am a new grad rn, i was told about a ten week training program the air force puts new graduates through? have any of you gone through this training? how was it?
yes as a new grad you go through a training program, there is a lot of info on the web site about the program. i have not done it and can not tell you much about it.
4. i have an interest in the operating room. is the opportunity available in the air force to progress from med-surg to the or?
yes, there is an opportunity to go from med-surg to or. it is a matter of timing, skill, need, and luck.
5. how was your experience as an air force rn? is going into the air force as a new grad rn something you would recommend?

i would recommend the military for new grads. there is lots of education opportunities in all the branches. i am not an air force nurse but hope to be one someday. i have worked as a gs alongside active duty nurses.

hope that helps, at least it will get you bumped so someone else can fill in the blanks. :-)

pam

Shimano0606 · May 12, 2009

pam's comments are right on. one thing to consider is the timing of getting into the OR. if that's something you're sure you want to do, it may be faster to get some OR experience before going in the AF. there's no guarantee that you'll be able to switch. i know of 2 nurses on my unit who wanted to switch to another type of nursing (from icu to er or flight nursing) after an assignment, and instead of allowing them the switch the AF let these nurses separate from active duty all together. their only option was to take what the af would offer or get out. ultimately, you have more negotiating power with some experience before you apply. also, from what i've heard there are only something like 80 slots a year for the NTP (nurse transition program) for new grads. good luck

UTstudent · Jun 9, 2009

Does the AF polygraph for commissioning? My friend and I were arguing about it and she doesn't believe me, so wanted advice, so I can show her. It scares her so she is nervous about applying, I told her they don't, but I could be wrong. Anyone new nurses know?

Shimano0606 · Jun 10, 2009

As far as I know, the only required polygraph in the AF is for a top secret clearance investigation. Most nurses only require a secret clearance...so no polygraph.

bds165 · Jun 10, 2009

As an Air Force 13s3C (space and missile) officer I had a Top Secret SIOP ESI security clearance and was never polygraphed...just an extremely long background investigation. As a matter of fact, I was interviewed and more thoroughly "psychologically assessed" when hired as a civilian police officer than as a holder of a Top Secret security clearance.

MertBSN · Jun 16, 2009

Hello! So here is my current situation: I graduated with a BSN in May 09'. I do not have prior healthcare experience other than clinical experience gained within my nursing program. I currently hold a temporary Alaska nursing license and I am studying to take my boards in July. I am very interested in pursing the AF, but would like know what it would be like for RNs entering without prior experience. I know that there is an initial conditioning phase and a 10 wk NTP. I would like to know what this experience was like from others who have gone through this training. I have also heard that the initial application process to join can take up to 1+ years before I am admitted.... YIKES!

I would love to start AF training this fall after I pass my boards...but I have a sinking feeling that that is not reality. So now I have potential civilian employment to think about until I am "shipped off" for training. I know that some facilities (perhaps mostly hospitals) require contracts to work for a certain amount of years before leaving (otherwise we are financially penalized)...so I was considering working in an outpatient clinic to kill time and gain some experience before leaving.

Once in the AF, I would like to go the Med-Surg route and eventually specialize in OR nursing. I know that this may be a long and rough road...but I am willing to put myself out there and do what it takes to gain the skills/knowledge and experience necessary to succeed so that I may reach my goal of OR nursing within the AF. --- So...simply put...I am interested in hearing about the AF experience as a new inexperienced RN, as well as possible recommendations on what I should do while waiting to be enlisted. Thank you and I am looking forward to reading your responses.:)

maverickemt · Sep 4, 2010

I have a question about the Air Force nursing.. I was recently commissioned in August 2010 as a 2nd Lt. I am still working in the civillian side. Two days ago, I amde a mistake on one of my patients...I did not get around to hanging another IV fluid for a patient for the entire shift because I had patients that were confused and getting out of bed and patients that needed blood transfusions. The hospital thinks that I did not go into this patient's room frequently. That is not the case because I did go into room to do an assessment, give meds, check IV fluids...I had discovered at approximately 12 noon that this patient also had a bad IV site and needed antibiotics. The hospital gave me two options: either take a 3 day suspension with a full investigation or quit immediatley. I chose to quit immediately. Does this mean that the hospital will report me to the board in Texas? None of the patient's had an adverse reaction or died as a result. Please respond as this problem could affect my military career....