Air Force Nursing 2013

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Hi everyone,

I just recently started the process to apply to be an Air Force nurse. I'm trying to complete my packet for the January 2013 (Feb 19-Board, Mar 08-Decision). Anyone else currently starting or in the process? Any advice with gathering my information?

Any current Air Force Nurses that could give me insight about their experience, especially regarding their first assignment?

My husband is about to separate from the Army and we are used to that way of thinking and doing things (i.e. lots of misleading information, less family oriented, less options regarding career). My recruiter had mentioned that everyone goes into a general clinical nurse slot, but is given the opportunity to specialize into a department of their choice after one year. My initial response was "Yeah... riiighhhttt." I don't actually believe that I would be given such a choice so soon, but I'm not sure if that is only because of our experience with the Army. Can anyone enlighten me??

Thanks!!

Thank you for your info!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Dialysis, Plasmapheresis.

So I am considering the Air Force RESERVES. I am wondering about my experience. I graduated cum laude with a BSN in 2010. I think GPA was about 3.6. I have 3 years experience in chronic and acute dialysis. I am now a traveler doing acute dialysis, so I am always at the bedside and in the ICU. Would my experience qualify me for at least med surg you think? I haven't been a tele nurse, but I think I have seen quite a wide array of patients and I spend all my time out on the floors of many different hospitals. I am ACLS certified and certified in my specialty. Joining probably wouldn't be for a couple years anyways. Would you all recommend that I try to get into a bedside nursing position? I really enjoy my specialty, but I would also like to get in the reserves as a long term commitment. Thanks!!

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Specializes in Nephrology/Dialysis.

NursRies- Just wanted to say Hi! I'm also an acute dialysis nurse- considering and working toward the Air National Guard. Not many of us dialysis nurses out there, so I have had some of the same questions you do.

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Specializes in Nephrology/Dialysis.

I started this thread a couple of weeks ago and no one replied- so I cut and pasted the content here. :)

Today I got a call from the Chief Nurse of the ANG unit I am hoping to join. My preceptor is the commander of the unit and so she set up the call. We talked for over an hour, and she asked me to send my resume. They won't drill in their home location this month, so it is early next month before I get to go. But we had a good conversation, and it was amazing how similar our situations are. She told me she enjoyed the conversation and said we'd meet with her assistant chief nurse. Also she told me that it would be appropriate to bring my husband if I wanted, and to wear business casual "appropriate for an interview" so I could spend some time following around members of the unit. She also told me that if the commander (my preceptor) didn't think I would mix well with the unit and if she didn't think I could handle the job clinically she would not have even told me she had a slot open.

So for those who have been through this, does it sound favorable thus far?

I've read on here about a sheet with nine questions that you have to answer- do you do this at interview or do you get this from the recruiter?

Is it typical for them to invite you to bring your spouse, or is this a way for them to see how serious you are?

I'm also a little confused on the officer training. Everyone keeps telling me that nurses go to COTS, but she is telling me a new nurse (a Lt) just got back from RCOTS and that this is what nurses go to. She did tell me that even if everything progresses and I get approved from the national board to not expect to do RCOT before December 2014.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

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Hey,

I had been in acutes as well. From my experience they like to have more bedside experience. Although, if you show on your resume how you use all your nursing skills while in acutes it's a benefit to you. If you have further questions feel free to send me a private PM. Talk to a recruiter as they can tell you more about being qualified.

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Specializes in Clinic Nursing, Family Planning, OR.

Hi Mamakellyd!

I think it's a great sign that you clicked with the Chief Nurse for that unit. I was told by my recruiter that the CN interview and their recommendation does carry a lot of weight in the board selection. About the nine questions you are referring to, I was given a couple weeks before the CN interview to complete them. They address your reasons for becoming a nurse, greatest accomplishments, and reasons that you would be an asset to the AF, etc. The CN will have a copy of these during the interview and ask you to discuss or elaborate on them. At least that was the process in my experience, I'm sure other's may have varied. I was told to expect it to be like a job interview and I was not invited to bring my spouse. I was told to "look the part" and wear a business suit with skirt and have my hair pulled back. It was nerve wrecking going in, but the CN was great and quickly put me at ease.

The training for active duty nurses is COTS which is 4 weeks. RCOT is for those going into the reserves and is a two week course. There were only 2 RCOT classes for FY 2013, in December 2012 and April 2013. I'm assuming that is why they told you it wouldn't be until 2014? Here's the link for Maxwell AFB where the classes are held. Alot a good information there.

OTS - Class Dates

Good luck and I wish you the best!

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Specializes in kjhflkjshdflkjsd.

Mamakellyd,

The interview process for Air Guard and Active duty can be very different. For example, I did not have to complete the 9 questions, my interview was very laid back with the Cheif Nurse and my recruiter. I brought my husband along to meet everyone afterwards. Although they are both Air Force, the two can be very very different.

Regarding COT, as of now and in my unit, RN's can not go to RCOT. Not to say your commander might have pull or there is circumstances that require RCOT. This is definitely something they will talk to you about as soon as you get in. I would suggest preparing for COT and be excited if RCOT ends up working out. Good luck to you!

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MBRN74

I'm actually an ER nurse... I have been in contact with a recruiter and i'm told there is a space... I'm taking the flight physical next month... I also have a meeting with LT. COL. next week... Do u know anything about the length of service that reservists have to commit too? I have been trying to go active and wasn't getting anywhere... so I'm now pre suing reserves... and just wanting as much info as possible.

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Hey Zacheus81,

I'm curious to know as to why you weren't gettiing anywhere with the active duty side? I say if you want active to keep pressing forward. Especially if you are younger and have time. As far as reserve time it depends on what sort of bonus you take for the length of years, for example i think the minimum is 3 years and not sure if there is a bonus. But i think that's the least time. I think you would be happy with the reserves. I understand it's a little more laid back. Besides, i also believe you can pick up active duty billets as they are available while in the reserves. That's the fun part. You can live where you want and keep your civi job as well. Let me know if you have any more questions. I will be glad to help you and offer what i have come to know. :)

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Specializes in Nephrology/Dialysis.

The whole COTS vs RCOTS is so confusing to me. The CN says you go to RCOTS and says she just had a nurse come back from the December class, which she says lasted 5 weeks. I've been reading on the link you posted and it says RCOT is 2 weeks. I guess I'll find out when it is time- if I make it that far! I have not heard from her since the phone call, but I didn't expect to since she said not to expect any more until after the interview, so not sure if I'll have to answer the questions prior to the interview. I'll update when it is over.

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Hi everyone! I'm considering the Air Force and wanna get some stuff straight. I go through the whole process of meeting the recruiter, applying, CN interview etc then I know the boards meet in July and I would find out in August if I got in. Provided I did get in, I go to COT in October for 5 weeks at the AFB in Alabama (?) then I get sent to my NTP base for 11 weeks after that? Do I have preference on my NTP base and also after the 11 weeks is up, do I switch to another base or stay there? During this time frame, am I working civilian type work hours (3-4 12 hr shifts per week) or what? What's life like living on a base? What kind of duties do I have outside of nursing? When is the earliest I would be deployed? And during my NTP/any point really, how often can I go home? How likely is it that I could work at the hospital in Germany? What's life like when not working, like do other AF members go out to a bar together or is it all work no play? I see so many benefits of joining and it's something I really want to do, I'm just kind of scared I'm going to really miss my family or just feel "stuck" or get a sub-par base and not really get to "see the world" per se. Any advice, words of wisdom, whatever. It's such a big decision and its stressing me out! Advice on the reserves vs active duty may be helpful too. Thanks!!

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Although I do not have an answer I must say that this was a good, no, a very good question-post man/woman/nurse.

First station OCONUS will made my day, year, my ACTIVE DUTY! Lol. I'm an AF/Navy nurse hopeful and I'm also really interested to hear about nursing corps, other corps, officers and our brothers enlisted after work, during work atmosphere too. Hopefully our current AD or retired members here too could chime in. Again, thank you for your service!

And to the ladies and gentleman who started and constantly contribute to this thread Thank You! We are right there anticipating that you ALL get in! :-)

Hi everyone! I'm considering the Air Force and wanna get some stuff straight. I go through the whole process of meeting the recruiter applying, CN interview etc then I know the boards meet in July and I would find out in August if I got in. Provided I did get in, I go to COT in October for 5 weeks at the AFB in Alabama (?) then I get sent to my NTP base for 11 weeks after that? Do I have preference on my NTP base and also after the 11 weeks is up, do I switch to another base or stay there? During this time frame, am I working civilian type work hours (3-4 12 hr shifts per week) or what? What's life like living on a base? What kind of duties do I have outside of nursing? When is the earliest I would be deployed? And during my NTP/any point really, how often can I go home? How likely is it that I could work at the hospital in Germany? What's life like when not working, like do other AF members go out to a bar together or is it all work no play? I see so many benefits of joining and it's something I really want to do, I'm just kind of scared I'm going to really miss my family or just feel "stuck" or get a sub-par base and not really get to "see the world" per se. Any advice, words of wisdom, whatever. It's such a big decision and its stressing me out! Advice on the reserves vs active duty may be helpful too. Thanks!![/quote']
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