Calling all AF nurses

Hello BrtBr,

I am an OB nurse in the Air Force. When I commissioned five years ago as a new RN with no experience, I was given two choices to pick from for my specialty- med surg or OB. The Air Force will most definitey train you to be an OB nurse. A few months after COT and NTP (NTP won't apply to you because of your experience) I was sent TDY for six weeks to a course for new OB nurses called PNC (Perinatal Nursing Course). From the time I commissioned until the time I was off orientation and on my own as an OB nurse was about 10 months. This is factoring in COT, NTP, PNC and unit orientation. If you come into the Air Force with two years of nursing experience you will probably make 1st LT within your first year service. Keep in mind, once you have the specialty code identifier of being an OB nurse (46N3G) it can be challenging to move out of OB. Its not impossible, but it can be difficult. Hope this helps!

Hi clarabow,

thanks for the help. I took the first step, contacting a recruiter but they haven't gotten back to me yet. I know their motto - hurry up and wait. I just wish I would get some kind of response soon.

Be prepared for a lengthy application process. Once it is completed and submitted it can still be months before you hear anything. One thing that will work in your favor is the fact that you WANT to go into OB. OB is a "critically manned" area of nursing in the Air Force. If you get your certification after being an OB nurse for a couple years, the Air Force will pay you a hefty bonus depending on how long you commit to staying in OB. The big drawback to that though, is that you can't apply for AFIT (graduate school on the USAFs tab)until your bonus commitment is over. Keep in contact with your recruiter- make sure you speak with a healthcare professions recruiter which is different from a regular recruiter. Your persistence will pay off. If it is your dream, you should pursue it!

Thanks Clarabow, I just got off the phone with my recruiter and he pretty much told me that I can't go directly into OB as an experienced nurse. It's a little frustrating. I am totally willing to do the extra couple of years, its just setting my goals back a little. I would rather get into my specialty now. It's too early in the process for me to be this frustrated.

Hi BritBr:

I'm also just beginning the process of applying to nurse corp. Is contacting another recruiter an option? From what I've been reading on several posts, people have been saying if you're not happy with one recruiter or don't have a good one, move on to the next. As for me, I called my in-state recruiter several times with no response. Fortunately for me, I'll be moving in three months. So, I emailed the recruiter in that state. They called me back today, Tuesday, and phone-interviewing me tomorrow.

Good luck!