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

[milos2019]

Rob,

Max age is 47 .

[RobdRN]

Hi Milos2019,

Is that maximum age 47 goes for prior service also?

[RobdRN]

Hello 6412 nurse,

Thank you for sending the link. I read ikr few times. If I understand it correctly, I should be eligible. 51 y.o. - 13 years prior service would make me 38 on adjusted age. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Again, thanks for the info.

Rob

[6412nurse]

That is my understanding as well. I think speaking with a recruiter would give you a more definitive answer.

[RobdRN]

Hello 6412nurse,

I submitted my application to my recruiter about 2 weeks ago. Hopefully, i hearing something soon. Hows your process coming along? Any update?

[6412nurse]

Just got word last Wednesday that my Scroll was finally approved. Been a long time waiting for me. First contacted the CNO 2 yrs ago, just before hitting my 1 year mark as an RN. Submitted multiple versions of my package to FSS, at that time a recruiter was not required to gather and submit anything just the FSS. Finally last year the rules changed and I got a recruiter who got everything together and in August submitted the final package. NOW just waiting to oath and get a COT date.

[RobdRN]

Wow, it takes that long to process, huh. So, you're all done with your physical? Both MEPS and flight physical? Did you have an a phone or face to face interview with the Chief nurse? Anything you can share about the process will be much appreciated. Which unit / base are you going to be attached to?

[Guest374845]

Just got word last Wednesday that my Scroll was finally approved. Been a long time waiting for me. First contacted the CNO 2 yrs ago, just before hitting my 1 year mark as an RN. Submitted multiple versions of my package to FSS, at that time a recruiter was not required to gather and submit anything just the FSS. Finally last year the rules changed and I got a recruiter who got everything together and in August submitted the final package. NOW just waiting to oath and get a COT date.

Your whole commission package has been awaiting a quality check and HQ approval since AUGUST?

[6412nurse]

RobdRN, BSN, RN; I am currently enlisted reserves so my process was/has been different than those who are not currently serving; because of this I did not have to go through MEPS again. When I started the process there was no recruiter to help me, I had to do all of the leg work myself; I made the calls to set up the interview and flight physical, I collected all the necessary paperwork (security clearance, unit transfer, transcripts, etc.). It wasn't until April 2017 that the rules changed and I got a recruiter to help me out, by then I had most everything done, the recruiter just helped polish it up and submit for approval. All the forums that Ive read suggest that process can take up to a year and a half for various reasons. My biggest tip is to not lose contact with the recruiter. At least once a week or every couple of weeks, depending where you are in the process, call, text or email them. Be proactive, its your career not theirs. Good luck to you.

[6412nurse]

Euro_Sepsis: Somewhere along the process it got bottlenecked. In November the recruiter told me the package was sitting at HQ AF, being the beginning of the holidays I expected some delays, then we had the Govt shutdown. In Feb he told me it was still at HQ AF and he had to make some calls to find out why, I assume thats what got it going again because a few weeks after it was approved. He did have me resubmit a few minor things; my PT scores and transfer paperwork were outdated. I doubt that those would have held me up so much though. Since I went through the process somewhat out of order I dont have to wait for a Flight physical or security clearances like others I have read about.

[RobdRN]

6412 nurse,

Great news there. are you AF enlisted right now? I thought it would make it a lot faster to process and commission when you're actively drilling. Instead, seems longer. Well, at least you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. What unit/ base are you going to? Where did you do your flight physical? I assume everything went great. Can you share some info about flight physical process....I am just a lil anxious about my physical because of my mild right ear hearing loss. I hope it's not a DQd issue.

I just contacted my recruiter again but seems like I have to send them few messages before I can get a response. I know that they are pretty busy but it is frustrating when after few messages and no response whatsoever. Anyways, good luck to you.

[6412nurse]

The light is starting to shine bright. I am actively drilling but not in a medical AFSC. I think in my case since the staff at the FSS was not familiar with the process it delayed a lot of things; now with the recruiters involved it has help with the confusion. Im stationed out of Lackland now and will stay there with the 433d. I did my flight physical on Lackland; it was a days long process; EKG, CXR, fasting blood work, eye exams... im not sure what the limits are for the hearing but Im sure they just want to make sure you can ear the normal speech on the headset. Some recruiters are more responsive than others, but keep bugging them, they cant ignore you forever.

I hope the best for you. Good luck on your journey.