Air Force Nursing 2013

JillyRN · Feb 21, 2013

To my other hopefuls from the Feb board:

How's everyone doing?? These last couple weeks flew by, I'm hoping the next few do as well. I haven't checked in with my recruiter for a while but I don't want to be too anxious and start bugging him now. Lol. Has anyone gotten a confirmation that they did indeed meet yesterday? I know the November board result was delayed because the board didnt meet as expected. Hoping that's not our case! Hope everyone is doing well :)

kdazzle · Feb 21, 2013

hey jilly,

I have not bugged my recruiter either. would they by chance notify us if they did delay the board meeting? hopefully these next few weeks fly by as well. Good luck to everyone waiting:)

carlily0513 · Feb 22, 2013

I haven't bugged mine either. No news is good news right?!?!? Well until March :-) hoping and praying. Fingers crossed!!!

psycheab · Feb 22, 2013

Okay, so I know I need to be patient, but I'm wondering -- when you first contacted a recruiter about applying (AF nursing) did they get back to you right away? (In another thread) I posted that I'd emailed a specific healthcare recruiter yesterday, but they haven't replied. My situation is a little different; I'm currently overseas with the hubby is active duty AF, so email was my first initial contact as opposed to calling. I am wondering if I should just try and give him a call, though.

MBRN74 · Feb 22, 2013

hey psycheab,

Just curious, are you currently in a hospital over there as a nurse. I wanted to go work overseas but didn't want that to affect applying to the military. Your case is a bit different as you have an active duty husband. Please let me know. Thanks so much.

JillyRN · Feb 22, 2013

Hi Psych,

It took me about a week to get an email back after initially contacting a recruiter. I did call too, but never received a call back. Same goes for Navy and Army. The Navy recruiter never got back to me, and the Army called me back about 2 months later. However, it worked out well cause the AF was my top pick, I was just hoping to compare the needs of the branches.

Good luck!

psycheab · Feb 22, 2013

We are in Korea -- there are opportunities to work at military clinics/hospitals, but they strongly desire people with at least 1 year experience, something I lack. And that was also the first obstacle I ran into when I first graduated with my ADN. I literally graduated one month, took the NCLEX the following month, and then we PCSed (moved) to Japan the next month. But, it was also during that time that I found out I was pregnant and would go on to have 2 babies while we were in Japan for 3 years. The Air Force then sent us to Utah where I was ready to work, ready to get my career going but that was a big fat NEGATIVE. Utah is flooded with nurses. Older nurser, mid-career nurses, nurses returning to the field, and new graduate nurses from University of Utah, BYU, and I don't even know how many community colleges within the Salt Lake City/Provo metro area. I never stood a chance. Annnnd then the AF sends us to Korea. I honestly can't remember how long ago it was that I thought "well, if the AF is going to keep moving us around, maybe I should try to join the AF." So, I finished my BSN while in Utah, probably should have tried to get apply then seeing as how a healthcare recruiter was not but 20 mins away (doh!), but you know, got busy with the move and here I am.

Sorry, got off on a tangent. Needed to vent. LOL.

MIrNurse · Feb 22, 2013

I am looking at joining the Air Force but am having difficulties getting a reply from my recruiter. Could anyone help me answer these questions?

1. Does where I am stationed stay the same throughout my 4 years, or can the military move me if nurses are needed in other areas? If so, how likely is this? Does location determine likelihood of deployment or of service in humanitarian missions?

2. If one enters as a medical-surgical clinical nurse, is there opportunity to train to work in another field (i.e. O.B., Mental Health) during the first 4-years? Is there a time limit before one can study for their MSN or NP?

3. What educational opportunities are offered to nurses while working but not pursuing a degree? Are their any ongoing educational sessions or mentorship programs after the 10-week orientation?

4. What religious services are offered on base?

5. What would my housing situation look like during and after training (as a single female)? How often does this change?

6. I am currently working as a nurse in Michigan, and have 6 months experience. What would be the difference in the application process and training if I were to enter now or wait until I have a year of experience? If I apply now but do not enter until after I have worked one year, does that count as having "experience?" When do they measure your time in work - when you apply, when you're accepted, or when you enter COT?

Thanks for all your help!

JillyRN · Feb 22, 2013

I am looking at joining the Air Force but am having difficulties getting a reply from my recruiter. Could anyone help me answer these questions?
1. Does where I am stationed stay the same throughout my 4 years, or can the military move me if nurses are needed in other areas? If so, how likely is this? Does location determine likelihood of deployment or of service in humanitarian missions?
2. If one enters as a medical-surgical clinical nurse, is there opportunity to train to work in another field (i.e. O.B., Mental Health) during the first 4-years? Is there a time limit before one can study for their MSN or NP?
3. What educational opportunities are offered to nurses while working but not pursuing a degree? Are their any ongoing educational sessions or mentorship programs after the 10-week orientation?
4. What religious services are offered on base?
5. What would my housing situation look like during and after training (as a single female)? How often does this change?
6. I am currently working as a nurse in Michigan, and have 6 months experience. What would be the difference in the application process and training if I were to enter now or wait until I have a year of experience? If I apply now but do not enter until after I have worked one year, does that count as having "experience?" When do they measure your time in work - when you apply, when you're accepted, or when you enter COT?
Thanks for all your help!

Hi Mlrnurse,

Welcome to the forum! I can only give you information based on my experiences as an applicant and what my recruiter told me.

1. You will likely move every 2-3 years depending on your assignment. They try to give preference on your first duty station, but after that you go where they need you. I haven't heard which places deploy more often, but CC and ER nurses seem to be sent the most. However, some of the current AF nurses on here report that all specialties are given the opportunity to deploy.

2. The specialty thing was a concern of mine as well because my heart is in obstetrics. I was told you are able to make the request for a specialty after one year of service. After two years you are able to discuss further education, but my understanding is that it requires approval from your commander depending on your situation.

3. Not sure able conferences or other opportunities. I was excited to hear that the AF pushes for certifications in each specialty and the costs will be covered when you qualify for the exams.

4. From personal experiences with my husband being AD Army, there's a wide range of religious services on every base/post. I've seen Baptist/Catholic/NonDenom/Bible services all offered at chapels on the installation.

5. During COT the housing accommodations are dormitory style but I hear they're nice(private shower/either alone or one roommate). You can check the Maxwell AFB page for more info on that. After training, you'll be given a housing allowance to cover your own living arrangements. I think most officers opt to live off base depending on the location.

6. Since you already haw experience as an RN, you'd be applying for a fully qualified spot. I'm not familiar with the requirements for NTP but I thought it was 6 moths or less of experience. They do give credit for years of civilian experience. I was told you get 6 months of credit for every year of experience. My understanding is that it's what you have at the time your application is submitted. The application/selection process is long so you may have a lot more experience by the time you submit.

Again, this is just the information I was given and I know others on here have way more insight to offer. Feel free to correct me on some of this, as I know the info varies between recruiters. Good luck!

brownjkAF · Feb 26, 2013

Hello group,

I am new to this thread, but it looks like we are all in similar situations. Any OR nurses in the group? Has anyone heard when the results from Feb 19 board are scheduled to be released? Waiting is so much fun!

carlily0513 · Feb 26, 2013

Not till after March 8th I think :-( This waiting is horrible!! I think most are med/surg and I am crit care. Good luck to you!!

JillyRN · Feb 26, 2013

Yeah, I heard the same as Carlily, March 8th. I'm trying for Med/Surg. Has anyone heard anything? I've gone through previous board's threads and it seems like results are usually a few days late. I haven't heard from my recruiter since Jan 3rd when we submitted my packet. Hopefully no news is good news.