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

[6412nurse]

Update on my process: Scroll was approved at the end of March and I took my oath at the beginning of April. Waiting on my appointment letter, but will be unofficially drilling with the medical squadron as I need my appointment letter to outprocess of my current sqd.

[Danish, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am in the process of commissioning as well. I submitted my initial paperwork about a month ago and received a call from my recruiter yesterday that I will be interviewing next month. He told me from start to finish, I should expect at minimum a year long process.

[marcieD.]

I've been at this since December 2017. Went to MEPS beginning of August and just had my flight physical last weekend. My interview is set up for 9 Sept. anyone have any experience on how long it's been taking to get your physical approved? My recruiter told me between 3 months and a year. I'm just wondering if its realistic to think I'd be taking my oath by March or April of next year?

[Becbec1424]

Yes, unfortunately it's a very long process. Somehow I didn't even get my flight physical before I commissioned (still not sure how I got through that loophole) and the process still took a year an a half. My recruiters kept changing and I had to resubmit all of my paperwork 3 times before it was all said and done. But even after you commission, the wait isn't over! I just now finished all of my training (COT, SERE, Water Survival, Flight School/AEIQ, and Prog) and I raised my right hand 2 years ago this coming Friday. It's absolutely worth it, but just be patient! Verrrryyyy patient.

[6412nurse]

Had my flight physical Dec '16 and had the approval Feb '17.

[marcieD.]

That's fast. Just had my flight physical 2 weeks ago. Hoping for approval by the end of the year.

[InquisitiveAPN]

Yes, unfortunately it's a very long process. Somehow I didn't even get my flight physical before I commissioned (still not sure how I got through that loophole) and the process still took a year an a half. My recruiters kept changing and I had to resubmit all of my paperwork 3 times before it was all said and done. But even after you commission, the wait isn't over! I just now finished all of my training (COT, SERE, Water Survival, Flight School/AEIQ, and Prog) and I raised my right hand 2 years ago this coming Friday. It's absolutely worth it, but just be patient! Verrrryyyy patient.[/quote

Oops. Nevermind!

[bk79]

Can anyone give more detail on what to expect for the class III flight physical? What blood work and physical exam do they complete? I have heard that they require an ECG, vision and hearing tests beyond those completed at MEPS and the pre-screening can include some of these items as well as a urine drug screen. Thanks!

[marcieD.]

I just had this done at Wright-Patterson. I had pretty extensive blood work, about 12 tubes. Beyond your normal stuff there was a lot for communicable disease, blood type and several others I can't remeber. Chest X-ray. EKG. Full vision exam including having your pupils dilated. Hearing exam was the same as MEPS. Measure your functional sit and reach. I think the urine was just a UA and Preg. They didn't watch me pee so I'm assuming it wasn't a drug screen. After all that is done I sat with the flight surgeon for an exam, he let me know most of my results and if he thought there was anything they would flag.

[marcieD.]

Oh and dental X-rays and exam. Forgot about that.

[6412nurse]

Off the top of my head: vitals, ECG, vertical arm reach, CBC, CMP, Triglycerides, chest xray, color vision, depth perception, hearing test. Im sure there is more that I am forgetting. Hope this helps a little.

[softenny]

That was definitely fast. I had my flight physical done last year in August. Many mistakes happened and I failed my depth perception exam, I have then repeated the exam but my packet has not left the physician's office. This is so frustrating