Air Force Nursing 2014

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Hello! I graduate from nursing school in May and I'm interested in being a nurse in the Air Force, I just requested information about it but I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the process or literally just any information about this area. Any information is appreciated. Thanks!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/military-nursing-885815.html

There is a ton of information in this forum if you do a little browsing. All branches of the service are downsizing, so it's extremely competitive for new grads, and even for experienced RNs. Good luck!

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Ya, there's plenty of past information you can look through. Do you have any specific questions regarding the AF? For the process of becoming an Air Force nurse your first step is doing research and setting up a meeting with an Air Force Health Care Recruiter. It needs to be a health care recruiter, not just any recruiter. They can answer your questions about the process, but I'll just give a quick run-down.

As a new grad you would normally apply to the NTP (Nurse Transition Program). However the board meets in June so you may not have time to complete everything. In the event you miss it, you can work and get 6 months experience, then apply as a fully qualified (FQ) nurse. Both NTP and FQ are for nurses, the only difference is NTP is specifically new grads and FQ is with 6 months experience.

Before you work on your packet for the boards, you would fill out a mountain of paperwork, basically answering every question possible about your family, your kids/spouse, where you've lived, health background, criminal background, work experience, education, etc etc. You will have a background check, more papers, and then start on packet items. This will include attending MEPS (for a physical exam, hearing/vision test, urine and blood tests for drugs/HIV, more paperwork, etc). You'll have to answer a questionnaire (which is just 9 short-answer questions like why you want to be a nurse, why work for air force, goals, accomplishments). You'll also need several letters of recommendation (3-5) from teachers/ nurses/ clinical professors. There's a Chief Nurse interview too that you either complete in person or on the phone/Skype. Your grades will play a part as well, as there is a new GPA requirement. Applicants now must have a 3.4 GPA to apply, and you'll send official transcripts from all colleges to your recruiter.

Honestly there's plenty more, I'm just listing what I can think of off the top of my head. I suggest you do some research, maybe see a recruiter, then if you have specific questions feel free to ask! And just to repeat what everyone else will tell you, it is very competitive to become an Air Force nurse currently. They only have a certain number of slots per year (this year is 35 med-surg slots for NTP). Good luck and hope I didn't overwhelm you!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatric Critical Care.

Is the process the same for nurses with experience? I have been licensed and working since 2010. I will have my BSN in a year. I have already spoken with a recruiter, but I didn't ask him if I would have to go to MEPS.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Speaking as someone who entered with experience, the process is very similar. You have to go to MEPS, unless you've been there in the last year, regardless of who you are. If you have experience, you will compete in a different pool of applicants (your app paperwork is largely identical). With experience, you also won't have to go to NTP for 12 weeks (nursing technical school) and with immediately have the nursing specialty badge (making you a 46N3 as opposed to a 46N1).

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Is the 3.4 GPA requirement cumulative or based on your grades during your BSN program? I am currently in an accelerated BSN program and am on track for finishing well above the requirement; however, my grades during my first time at college (graduated in 2005) were less than stellar. . . Are they going to come back to haunt me again?

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I'm honestly not sure if it's cumulative or just for nursing classes. My recruiter sent everyone an email saying the GPA requirement was 3.4, but the email didn't specify nursing GPA so that makes me think it's cumulative...but I may be wrong! If I find out I'll let you know

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Oh, but in case it does rule you out for NTP, I believe that FQ does not require that GPA. So you could work for 6 months to get experience, then apply to the AF as FQ. May be more competitive though, applying against people with more experience and certifications.

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Thank you, Camo-angel! Silly question. . . What does FQ mean? Thanks in advance!!

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Oh sorry lol. FQ means fully qualified, so nurses with more than 6 months experience apply for FQ, and nurses with less than 6 months experience apply to NTP (nurse transition program). It's how the AF separates nurses with and without working experience. So if you can't apply for NTP due to GPA, you can graduate and work for a bit, then apply for FQ (FQ doesn't have a GPA requirement). But as I said, it can be harder to compete against people who may have 5 years experience and certifications. Just depends on your situation ( =

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Thank you again. I'm obviously still a working on my understanding of military shorthand. :wacky:

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Chris did you ever get a response for this? i am in the same boat

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