Air Force Reserves Flight Nurse Process

[mrs27smith]

Hello everyone! I am a surgical ICU nurse and I have decided to apply for the Air Force Reserves as a flight nurse. I am currently working on my MSN in management and plan to apply for CRNA school next year after I complete my MSN. I have been a nurse since '08 working in many different settings (management, ICU, clinic, etc.)

I recently submitted my paperwork, along with all of my personal documentation, to the recruiter and have an interview set for this Wednesday to set up my physical and interview with the CNO of flight nursing.

I was wondering if any one has experienced this process, recent applicants would be ideal, and would be willing to supply me with any insight that they may have?

#eagertolearnandserve

[mrs27smith]

I got the email from my recruiter today. I was reading the requirements of the attire and such and it kind of made me laugh reading the part about "making sure to shower and wear clean underwear" lol!! But I am set and will be at MEPS at 0530 Wednesday morning. Says that I should be done by noon, we will see!!

[mrs27smith]

Ok so update time!

Yesterday I had my MEPS physical. So my timeline is:

0530 - Arrived

0600 - Roll call and badges passed out

0730 - Briefing done by CPT

0800 - Taken to Medical floor to start physical

0900 - Completed Vision & Hearing test

0930 - Briefing given regarding HIV test, privacy, & preparation of paperwork for next stages of physical

1000 - Breathalyzer performed

1030 - HIV & urine test completed

1045 - Spoke with MD regarding medical hx

1100 - Did physical exercises (to include the infamous Duck Walk lol) Oh and did I mention this part is all done in only your underwear lol!?!?

1130 - MD exam (female or male parts "physical" exam)

1200 - Went back to Station 1 to receive copy of physical paperwork to take to Liaison to be sent to recruiter

1215 - Checked out (could have stayed for the lunch they provided, but it was 90 degrees and I just want to get back on my motorcycle and enjoy the beautiful day outside)!!!

So there you have it, my MEPS day in a nutshell. I hope this helps those of you that are just reaching this point in your process as well!! I'll keep you guys posted as to what's next. ;-)

[mrs27smith]

Ok so quick update, after my physical I was found to be temporarily disqualified because I had an "angioedema" episode (something like anaphylaxis but not as severe). So the MEPS physician and I had a disagreement about rather or not it was considered "anaphylaxis" or "angioedema" so I went to a specialist today. The MEPS physician took it upon himself to label it "anaphylaxis" and mark me as "disqualified" (DQ). I had scratch tests done for everything under the sun & the moon lol, and was found to ONLY have "angioedema". I knew this, but I was trying to be honest when they asked if I had ever had an allergic reaction, so I said yes. The allergy MD wrote me a "Memorandum to the Surgeon General & MEPS" stating all of today's findings. But the last sentence was the most important, and it read:

"As patient doesn't meet criteria for "anaphylaxis" with ONLY cutaneous symptoms, there is no contraindications to military accessioning: no waiver required."

Thank you Major Edwards for your help with moving me forward to the next step. So now my physical paperwork has to be sent up to the Surgeon General to be reevaluated with the new findings so that my disqualification can be over turned. So "NOTE TO SELVES"; if you have any allergies that require you to use an Epi pen (which mine did not) this is considered a "disqualifier" (DQ) for military service. So I would say to anyone going through the process, PLEASE make sure that you have records to back up whatever information you openly provide that might be a disqualifier to save you the trouble of having to do it later!!

My friend was not so lucky, as she recently had her scratch test done last week and found out that she does have an anaphylactic reaction to ant venom and was therefore disqualified!! :-(

But NO MATTER WHAT, ALWAYS be honest!!!

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Going to my first UTA (Drill) on Friday for newcomer's orientation! Very excited!

[mrs27smith]

That is AWESOME! We all look forward to hearing all about it, so "Hurry Up and Share" when it is over!! í ½í¸†

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Since my unit wasn't drilling this weekend (we will have block August 1st through 6th), I had newcomer orientation only on Saturday. It was kind of like orientation for a new job but more abbreviations than I can remember lol. I got my CAC card. I tried on some uniforms (but only for the sizes - I ordered them online for cheaper), I filled out paperwork for pay and they went through everything you need to know about the base (i.e. safety, benefits, local stuff). Wasn't too bad.

[mrs27smith]

Kind of sounds like the GS process! Well hope to hear from you in the next couple of weeks when you have drill. Keep us posted!

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Just got back from a week long block training. It was mostly check-offs for flying but here are some tips/FYI that I found out during this week.

1. Do a PT Test ASAP! COT does not count and a passing score will get you a date for flight school (or any other schools).

2. Constantly email the POC who does your security clearance and dates for schools.

3. COT - Flight School - SERE - Water survival - FTU - PROG is usually the schools you will have to attend. Training/Schools could take up to a year before you are CLEARED AND QUALIFIED!

Let me know if there are any specific questions!

[mrs27smith]

Just got back from a week long block training. It was mostly check-offs for flying but here are some tips/FYI that I found out during this week.

1. Do a PT Test ASAP! COT does not count and a passing score will get you a date for flight school (or any other schools).

2. Constantly email the POC who does your security clearance and dates for schools.

3. COT - Flight School - SERE - Water survival - FTU - PROG is usually the schools you will have to attend. Training/Schools could take up to a year before you are CLEARED AND QUALIFIED!

Let me know if there are any specific questions!

Super glad to get an update from you. Sounds like you had an eventful weekend? So yes, all these school must be completed, and you technically don't get your "bonus" (first 1/3 of it for starters) until they have all been completed!!! So I'm super interested in the hyperbaric training portion of the flight process, have you done that yet?

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Correct! The bonus is after you complete Flight School. I heard the hyperbaric training is just like you are flying...your ears pop...you wear a mask...nothing too difficult. Flight school, which is great for me, is at Wright Patterson for about 4 weeks. Weekends off.

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Just found out that I go to COT in October! Can't wait!

[mrs27smith]

Well lucky me I am not a guy, but I have my labs tested biannualy so I'm good on all of that í ½í¸Š