Hey everyone! When you find out when you're going to COT and where you get stationed, let everyone know!
I just found out today! I'm going to COT in January, and got stationed at Travis, which was my second choice! I'll also be doing NTP in Scottsdale, AZ, only 2 hours away from where I live - which is really really convenient!
Good luck to everyone! If you haven't heard today, I'm guessing you'll hear by Monday or Tuesday... if you're an NTP candidate, at least. I think maybe people with experience are going to hear later than us, according to some other posts I've read?
How many more hours a week are you working in the army? What is the standard? Is 4 12 hr shifts a week standard? Cause if it is thats 50hr weeks which could be tuff to do for 20 years. The other thing that seems annoying is the constant rotating night shifts every 3 months. The extra hours and nightshift are definetely worth more money. Not to mention when you deploy I hear they work 6 12s every week. Anyone concur?
I'm in the Air Force at Wilford Hall Medical center. I have no clue what the Army does.
I work four shifts every week, two days on, two days off, unless I choose to do three in a row. Deploying is not a big deal to me; I've done it before when I was enlisted - four deployments in four years as a military working dog handler doing six out of seven, NONE of which was only a 12 hour day. You're there to work, not to hang out.
We don't rotate shifts on my unit. I'm straight days. Not all units or hospitals rotate shifts.
I only owe the Air Force fourteen years to retire, not twenty, due to my prior service. I'll be off the floor long before then and in a staff slot since my goal is to either make full bird colonel or retire as a lieutenant colonel in the process. Also, once I get my FNP I'll be in a clinic anyway, doing regular duty hours.
I have free health care, free tuition (provided I give them time, which I will anyway), all my student loans are gone (the deposit to the lender is currently pending), my housing is paid - the only bills I have are two credit cards and my car payment. I can assure you that wasn't the case before I came back in.
Trust me - the money's still crazy. I worked STRAIGHT NIGHTS at my civilian hospital and I STILL clear in one check now what I cleared in a month working in NC.
When you sign up for the military you really can not try to figure out an hourly wage. I was prior service and had days that lasted from 0530 until 2330. A civilian would not tolerate that. It is just part of serving. USAF will be good pay, but you can make more in civilian sector. I may make more money, but I still want something more. Decide where your grass is greenest, because there are bugs in everyone's grass.
This is true. And the kick is, if someone coded at shift change (because they always did, God bless them) when I was a civilian, I had days that went from 0600 to 2200 - for crap pay. That's just the nature of the job.
This is true. And the kick is, if someone coded at shift change (because they always did, God bless them) when I was a civilian, I had days that went from 0600 to 2200 - for crap pay. That's just the nature of the job.
So if someone codes during shift change you still get to go home at your nomral time in the AF?
So you work regular 4 12s? I think at 50 hrs a week its still a good deal. And I hear ya bout the deployments, were there to work...
Ok I just got my 1st assignment and its... Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage Alaska... I am terrified!!! Does anyone know anything about this area/base???? I don't leave for COT till 08/23/2010. My anxiety level is through the roof!!! This was my next to last pick for OVERSEAS. I thought they did not send new nurses here???? I am so scared that I'm going to be so SOL up there... in no man's land
I am jealous! That is the assignment I wanted. I have heard wonderful things about Elmendorf AFB. I do not know anything about the hospital there. However, the base and the area are great places to live. Especially if you are into outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, camping, fishing, etc. Some of my neighbors just moved to my current base from Alaska and had only praises about it. Count yourself lucky to get that assignment. Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities in the area during your three to four year stint there. If you end up not liking the base, you WILL move after three to four years. It'll go by faster than you think.
I know some hospital personnel are able to TDY to remote villages all over Alaska (in a group) to provide medical care. Maybe you can try to get on one of these teams during your time at Elmendorf. That would be a great experience.
Most importantly, you made it into the Air Force Nurse Corps!!!!
Ok I just got my 1st assignment and its... Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage Alaska... I am terrified!!! Does anyone know anything about this area/base???? I don't leave for COT till 08/23/2010. My anxiety level is through the roof!!! This was my next to last pick for OVERSEAS. I thought they did not send new nurses here???? I am so scared that I'm going to be so SOL up there... in no man's land
You are so lucky! Anchorage is beautiful and actually pretty well populated. A friend of mine is stationed there now and he loves it! I'm hoping to PCS there this summer. It's an amazing opportunity...I'm sure you are going to like it there.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I've been thru Elmendorf and I've had friends there. They loved it. There is a real city there. It's is absolutely gorgeous!! there is so much outdoor things to see and do in the summer. In the winter, I understand you should get one of those UV lights that simulates sun. It's a great station. Enjoy!
I was stationed at Eielson, which is much more COLDER and DARKER than Anchorage and I LOVED it. If you are an outdoors person, you are going to LOVE Alaska.. That is where I want to retire
Specializes in Med/Surg, PCU, Geriatrics, Family Practi.
Just updating... finally got the call - March COT with duty assignment at Aviano in Italy! It was my second overseas duty choice. I am prior service and some say that helps.
I also wanted to comment on the class acts hanging out on this blog. You guys are awesome giving this young lady such great advice about her upcoming duty assignment. Way to take care of our own!!!
Thank you Everyone for your words of encouragement and advice! I'm still a little nervous because I have never really been the most 'outdoorsy' type of person. Actually its been a loooooong while since I've even had a tan! lol I'm from an area which is only about an hour outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I do like snow and the cold doesn't scare me at all. Its actually been said that there are times where it is colder here than it is there. I've never been a 'tropical' person. The thing that scares me the most is the fact that I'll be so far away from my family. My mom about blew a gasket when she found out about it and actually started crying because she won't be able to come and see me. She and I are very close. I am the youngest of 3 and the only girl. (and the only one going military) My other family members and friends have been very supportive though.
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carolinapooh, BSN, RN
3,577 Posts
I'm in the Air Force at Wilford Hall Medical center. I have no clue what the Army does.
I work four shifts every week, two days on, two days off, unless I choose to do three in a row. Deploying is not a big deal to me; I've done it before when I was enlisted - four deployments in four years as a military working dog handler doing six out of seven, NONE of which was only a 12 hour day. You're there to work, not to hang out.
We don't rotate shifts on my unit. I'm straight days. Not all units or hospitals rotate shifts.
I only owe the Air Force fourteen years to retire, not twenty, due to my prior service. I'll be off the floor long before then and in a staff slot since my goal is to either make full bird colonel or retire as a lieutenant colonel in the process. Also, once I get my FNP I'll be in a clinic anyway, doing regular duty hours.
I have free health care, free tuition (provided I give them time, which I will anyway), all my student loans are gone (the deposit to the lender is currently pending), my housing is paid - the only bills I have are two credit cards and my car payment. I can assure you that wasn't the case before I came back in.
Trust me - the money's still crazy. I worked STRAIGHT NIGHTS at my civilian hospital and I STILL clear in one check now what I cleared in a month working in NC.