Hello everyone. I have read multiple posts about this subject but I wanted to post my own in hopes that some of you critical care air force nurses could help me out. I am married with 3 small boys and a little girl due the 1st of July. I have been a nurse for 4 years now, all in the ICU. My wife and I have strongly considered the Air Force. Several questions. First, any of you Air Force ICU nurses have some insight on how you like or dont like your choice of the Air Force? How is deployment as a critical care nurse? I have visited with a health care recruiter and he said that the likelyhood of being deployed within the first year was high.
I would just like some no BS insight on how things really are. My sisters husband is a LTC in the army and she thinks that I will have a hard time not getting paid to work overtime. It sounds like where I have 4 years experience that they would count that as half time, and that I would likely start out as a 1st LT. How soon could I reach captain after that? Should I sign on for three or for four years? While in the military, could I work on a masters degree?
Anything that could shed further light on this subject would be great. Thanks for reading this.
thanks everyone for your post....really informative. @bryango... just be patience...I know it seems like its forever....i'm actually in the same situation like you....my interview date is set in 2 weeks then wait for the selection board. I'm hoping i could go make the Jan COT but going through these thread, it appears like it's not going to happen but who know....I applied for critical care. I'm an ER/ critical care nurse for 8 years and I'm prior service with 6 years active. I'm really excited to go back to the military after long discussion with my wife and going through pros and cons. In the end, pay and benefits in the military is better considering not paying any premiums, mortgages, utilities and the retirement benefit package is one of the best if not the best. It will be crazy and hectic but once settled in at your first duty station...i think things will get easier for the family. Hang in there...be ready..I'm keeping my self fit, it is always better to start early. I know how you feel about METS....like you said...i'll take interview anytime over METS... keep posting for your progress and who know...we might be in COT together...
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
hubs...
I'm from Phx. Is Sgt Freeman your recruiter? Is your interview out at Luke with Col Eaves? Col Eaves was awsome. He is still keeping an eye on me via e-mail.
I just went through COT. 14 yrs as an RN and 3 years prior. I've been in just 2 months now. It is really different from this perspective. I've just started working on the floor finally. I'm not used to having techs as an ICU RN. There are lots of civilian nurses here too.
I started the process to get in last June. I finally went in May COT, though we had thought I'd go in January when we started the process. It is a difficult, but worthy wait. Hang in there.
thanks for replying...Yes, Tsgt Freeman is my recruiter and I don't know who will be the person interviewing me. I put in my application just 3 weeks ago and my recruiter informed me that my interview will be in 2 weeks. I'm scheduled for MEPS soon before the interview...so wow, I was hoping I could make it to Jan COT but I guess I will be anticipating it to happen for March COT instead. So where are you stationed now? Several questions,,since you are an experienced ICU RN....do you still have to attend NTP after COT? What is like to work in the AF medical facility?, the hours? The patient mix and ratio working in ICU? Any information is grately appreciated....I really can't wait til the day....hey, could I use you as my resource for info since you have been through the process. Thanks...I'm from Gilbert AZ...tired of AZ heat...I need change. you could email me....my email is my user id here at gmail. thanks.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I'm at Lackland in San Antonio. It's hot and humid here, different than Phoenix though. There are trees and it's really pretty.
In ICU here, we generally get 2 patients. There are also techs, which is something I have to get used to. they go through alot of training, but I'm not used to others helping with my patient care. Hours: 36 one week, 48 the next. I think that is pretty standard. Our unit rotates days and nights. I'm on nights for 3 months. There are also civilian nurse and secretaries.
When you come in as fully qualified, you do not go to NTP. NTP is for new grads and nurses with little experience. I think it is a great way to enter the nursing after school. They get a ton of support and a preceptor.
Tell Sgt Freeman that Monica says hi. And if you interview with Col Eaves, say hello for me. He answered some great questions for me. He is the one who steered me to San Antonio, which was great advice. It is going through alot of change here and also I'm pretty much guaranteed to deploy, hopefully to Afghanistan. I'll get my deployment band assignment on Friday. :)
wow, already getting depolyment band? I thought it is too early, you havent have time to settle yet. Lackland is the medical support unit in Iraq I believe, Travis is the medical support for Afghanistan. But whatever and whenever....you guys stay safe...stay inside the gates....that will keep you safe. Hopefully it's only six months as they say it. Is Lackland you 1st choice as duty station? Just wondering how many really get to go to their 1st choice. I put in Travis, Nellis, and Lackland as my first 3 respectively...hopefully i get Travis. I will tell Tsgt Freeman that you said hi....
also....since your work avg is 7 days in 2 weeks...are there other things they require you during your off days...like education...deployment readiness? Stuff like that. Is off base living better than on base in San Antonio? thanks again..
wow, already getting depolyment band? I thought it is too early, you havent have time to settle yet. Lackland is the medical support unit in Iraq I believe, Travis is the medical support for Afghanistan.
You are usually assigned to deployment during inprocessing.
Bases don't exclusively deploy to one area in the AF. In other words you can go anywhere during your deployment based on the needs of the needs of the military.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
Getting my band assignment is just part of the orientation process. Generally, it is not for awhile. I just am eager to go. There are several from my unit in Afghanistan right now. I'm hoping I can go there. But I'll be happy with whatever I get (not like you have a choice anyway. lol).
I live off base. I don't have my family with me, so I didn't look into info about on base housing. People with kids like the school system on base.
Lackland was my #2 choice. Travis was #3. I think most people get one of the top 3 that they list.
I noticed that no one has posted on my thread lately, so I wanted to get another topic of conversation going. I am now waiting to get my orders and am having a hard time staying motivated on running. I did great the first two months I started this whole process, but have burned out. I run maybe once or twice a week, gym maybe once a week (of note I have lost 2 more lbs and am down to 151). I have read other postings about folks doing P 90X. I have never been one to workout at home. Any advice or tips on how to stay motivated till I go to COT (whenever that may be)? I am also very nervous about not being able to sell my home before I go to COT. That is my number one stressor!!!
I know exactly how you feel about selling the house. I will be leaving for COT in January and I am trying to sell the house before I leave. Everybody says just rent it, but I don't want to. My house was rented before and it was a nightmare. I don't know what I am going to do if it does not sell.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I could not sell my house. I'm renting out my house in Phoenix and living in an apartment in Texas. Just do what you have to do. I would rather be free of the house, but on the other hand, it's nice knowing it's there.
Everyone struggles with motivation on working out at times. I let myself have 1 week off after my PT test. That turned into 2 weeks. lol. I went back running yesterday and I'm nicely sore today. I actually love having sore muscles, it means improvement to me. It's a good ouch!
I'm at Lackland in San Antonio. It's hot and humid here, different than Phoenix though. There are trees and it's really pretty.
In ICU here, we generally get 2 patients. There are also techs, which is something I have to get used to. they go through alot of training, but I'm not used to others helping with my patient care. Hours: 36 one week, 48 the next. I think that is pretty standard. Our unit rotates days and nights. I'm on nights for 3 months. There are also civilian nurse and secretaries.
When you come in as fully qualified, you do not go to NTP. NTP is for new grads and nurses with little experience. I think it is a great way to enter the nursing after school. They get a ton of support and a preceptor.
Tell Sgt Freeman that Monica says hi. And if you interview with Col Eaves, say hello for me. He answered some great questions for me. He is the one who steered me to San Antonio, which was great advice. It is going through alot of change here and also I'm pretty much guaranteed to deploy, hopefully to Afghanistan. I'll get my deployment band assignment on Friday. :)
So quick question. I am currently waiting to be commissioned, I have been assigned a slot in COT for January. I have 1yr 2m ICU experience at a small 14bed unit. My recruiter put me down as fully qualified. I will be stationed at Travis AFB :) after COT, which I think may have read has a small unit. Will I be over my head? I was not offered NTP.
So quick question. I am currently waiting to be commissioned, I have been assigned a slot in COT for January. I have 1yr 2m ICU experience at a small 14bed unit. My recruiter put me down as fully qualified. I will be stationed at Travis AFB :) after COT, which I think may have read has a small unit. Will I be over my head? I was not offered NTP.
Sounds like you and I are in very similar situations. I am coming from a rural hospital that only has 12 beds. We send out all the neuro and open heart. My understanding is that NTP is for brand new nurses. Where you have experience NTP probably wouldn't be very helpful. What I hope is that we get extensive training in dealing with trauma pt's. We dont get very many trauma pt's in our ICU. I put Travis down as my number 2 choice. My recruiter tells me to anticipate going to COT in January, so we may meet then. Keep in touch
I was not offered NTP.
hubs102
6 Posts
thanks everyone for your post....really informative. @bryango... just be patience...I know it seems like its forever....i'm actually in the same situation like you....my interview date is set in 2 weeks then wait for the selection board. I'm hoping i could go make the Jan COT but going through these thread, it appears like it's not going to happen but who know....I applied for critical care. I'm an ER/ critical care nurse for 8 years and I'm prior service with 6 years active. I'm really excited to go back to the military after long discussion with my wife and going through pros and cons. In the end, pay and benefits in the military is better considering not paying any premiums, mortgages, utilities and the retirement benefit package is one of the best if not the best. It will be crazy and hectic but once settled in at your first duty station...i think things will get easier for the family. Hang in there...be ready..I'm keeping my self fit, it is always better to start early. I know how you feel about METS....like you said...i'll take interview anytime over METS... keep posting for your progress and who know...we might be in COT together...
hubs102 from phoenix, AZ.