Air force nursing 2018

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As an applicant for the Air Force Nurse Corp 2018 I thought I would open a public thread for people to talk and ask questions. I was non-select in 2017 due to lack of time in a trauma center, but reapplying again for this FY2018 as ER/Trauma RN. This time I got some more certifications and experience under my belt and ready to move forward.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question!!! Guess Ive got some job hunting to do before applying....having been EMS and ER for so many years....I really do not have a desire to enter into the Med/Surg arena if I can help it.....Do you think it would be better to get my PNP before entering then perhaps? Thanks again!!!!! :-)

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One more Question.....If my specialty is not recognized and I do not acquire enough time in another department/specialty before applying to the AF.....do I have to go Med/Surg or can I request and be trained for the OR (since all I am currently a procedural nurse anyways)? Thanks!!!!!! :-)

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

It's ultimately up to a commissioning board to award you a specialty identifier. However, I highly doubt they are going to say that experience putting in PICC lines has much to do with being an OR circulating nurse...which is what OR nurses in the AF do.

They do send send a small number of new people through the 3 month OR nurse training program. However, I would hedge your bets and do 1 year as a civilian RN in that area rather than rely on the AF. I can assure you that getting civilian OR experience is way easier than getting it in the military.

Being a former EMT and/or paramedic is not going to get you the ER identifier. You need 1 year of full time RN experience in the ER to get it at minimum.

Peds NPs generally work in outpatient peds clinics. If you work as an PNP, then there is a specialty for that. If you apply as a PNP, then you'll be working as a PNP...not as a bedside RN. You can apply as an RN, even if you are an NP, but I don't think that will affect your ER chances at all...plus it's kinda a waste.

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Great Info!!! Thanks again Jfratian!!!!!! :-)

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Just for clarification... I don't have ER experience, however, I work the trauma/surgery unit at a L1 trauma center. Does that qualify me for a trauma/ER specialty. Been an RN for 5yrs now and, frankly, I'm not very interested in working med/surg again.

With that being said... I have the ability to transfer to SICU (trauma ICU) at work, once a position opens, but there's no guarantee when that'll be available. Would it benefit me to wait it out/take that position for a year prior to applying for COT?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Working a floor, transitional, or step-down unit will not count for ICU/ER, regardless of the acuity of the patients. The AF requires competency with ICU/ER level skills to do ICU/ER, including vasoactive drips (levo, epi, vaso), unstable/titrating vents, arterial lines, and ventriculostomies (EVDs). I'm guessing that you wouldn't be comfortable with any of those things.

So, no you can't do ICU or ER in the AF with your current level of experience. You need to transfer to an area where you do get those skills and work there for 1 year prior to applying.

Otherwise, you would have to do med/surg with a small chance of doing OB/L&D or OR.

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Gotcha.. Thanks for the clarification! That definitely gives me insight into my next steps in this process. SICU it is, then I'll apply. I appreciate it. :)

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It's ultimately up to a commissioning board to award you a specialty identifier. However, I highly doubt they are going to say that experience putting in PICC lines has much to do with being an OR circulating nurse...which is what OR nurses in the AF do.

They do send send a small number of new people through the 3 month OR nurse training program. However, I would hedge your bets and do 1 year as a civilian RN in that area rather than rely on the AF. I can assure you that getting civilian OR experience is way easier than getting it in the military.

Being a former EMT and/or paramedic is not going to get you the ER identifier. You need 1 year of full time RN experience in the ER to get it at minimum.

Peds NPs generally work in outpatient peds clinics. If you work as an PNP, then there is a specialty for that. If you apply as a PNP, then you'll be working as a PNP...not as a bedside RN. You can apply as an RN, even if you are an NP, but I don't think that will affect your ER chances at all...plus it's kinda a waste.

Hi jfratian! Just curious about why getting experience in the OR is easier in the civilian world verses the military?

I'm submittimg my packet for the April boards for the OR transition program. I have 5 years RN experience, the last 3 being in level 1 Trauma ICU, and all the certifications and then some, strong LOR, volunteer work etc.

I had my CN interview yesterday and am in the fun waiting phase. I think the interview went ok. She was certainly nice. I do think I could've done a bit better. I hear there is only 1 OR transition spot open on this next board.......I'm guessing they would chose someone younger than (and maybe not a single parent) me if they had the option.

Thank you for any insight you have about the OR transition option and the people that are usually selected for it.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

It sounds like you are applying for the 3 month OR training program already. If you are selected, than you will be guaranteed an OR spot.

If for some reason they offer you an ICU or general clinical nurse spot and you take it, then you would have to wait for 2 years after you get to your first base to apply for OR again.

OR jobs for those without OR experience are pretty hard to come by outside the military. I don't really know which is easier. Certainly the civilian sector is much faster if you can find a place that will train you.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Why not start looking for OR nursing jobs in the civilian sector so you know for sure?

Oh, and take med-surg/clinical nurse if you don't get OR. ICU is going to be very difficult to be released from if you accept an ICU job.

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Why not start looking for OR nursing jobs in the civilian sector so you know for sure?

Oh, and take med-surg/clinical nurse if you don't get OR. ICU is going to be very difficult to be released from if you accept an ICU job.

Thank you so much for the reply. Actually the hospital I work in offers an OR residency twice a year, so I could easily make the move there. I had asked during my CN interview if I should do that and get experience in order to be sure I get OR. She thought no, and seemed to stress there's a huge need for OR nurses in the Air Force. I think I am just getting a little nervous since I know there is only one position open... and I saw other nurses being interviewed both before and after my interview lol.... and that was only at that one location! í ½í¸£

Hmm, I didn't know I could apply as a medsurg/clinic nurse. I wouldn't mind that, that opens up many more location choices too. I'm sure there are even more applicants usually for those positions. Yes, I don't think I want to be committed to the ICU many more years. I think I would if it was my last option to get in the Air Force.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

There is a huge OR nurse need. However, what this chief nurse isn't telling you is that they don't have a huge ability to train new OR nurses without experience. If you already had 1 year of OR experience, then you would be an absolute lock for being accepted. You would be applying in an entirely different pool of candidates...those able to start the job on day 1.

When I applied, I only got to apply for med/surg. I'm pretty sure you can only apply to one position, however your recruiter would know for sure.

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