Air Force Nursing (as a new grad) questions

[jessica1317, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone! I have a few questions about the new grad nursing program for the Air Force (the NTP, to be exact). It is something I have had my heart set on for awhile, and I really am wanting to apply very soon. I am waiting to hear back from my recruiter so in the meantime I figured I would ask some questions here.

TO START: My GPA is a 3.2 (not the best, I know). However, I feel like I have a solid resume otherwise. I am a member (and hold officer positions both past and present) of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, 2017 Panhellenic sorority recruitment counselor, member of Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society, summer 2017 Duke University PNA Program participant in Perioperative Services specializing in gynecology (nursing externship), CLD (Certified Labor Doula) through Childbirth International, and also work part-time as an SNA (Student Nurse Assistant) at a hospital in my hometown. I graduate with my BSN in December of this year.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do I stand a chance of getting into the program with my GPA being so low? (side note: I really really want OB nursing, and eventually I want to achieve CNM/WHNP).

2. Other than my GPA, does everything else on my resume make me a competitive candidate?

3. Does anyone know the number of applicants/number accepted each year?

4. How long the process is from application to actually starting COT?

Thank you all so much in advance!

-Jessica

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I'm sorry to say it, but with as competitive as the military is, you're going to have a hard time with that GPA. It really matters to the military. But if you don't ask, the answer will always be no, right?

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Your main problem is that you don't graduate at a good time either. The Air Force NTP program is set up to take May grads. With that GPA, you're better off working a civilian job for a year and then joining the AF as a fully qualified nurse (FQ). With a year of OB experience, you'll be well positioned to apply as an OB nurse in the AF. Plus, you'll have in writing that you will be an OB nurse before you sign this way.

The number of applicants varies drastically based on the number of non-scholarship ROTC nursing students there are graduating, as well as how many lower ranking current nurses decide to separate each year. Ask a healthcare recruiter, and they could at least give you last year's data.

It's a year-long process from start to arrival at your first day of training, assuming you get in the first time. The application itself takes several months, followed by a lot of waiting.