Future Air Force nurse here with lots of questions!

The Little Greek · Sep 22, 2010

The only way you can come into the AF as a fully qualified OB nurse is if you have at least one year of L&D experience. I had four years of OB but no L&D (only postpartum, high risk ante, gyn) and even I had to some in as a "new" OB nurse. I highly doubt that you will be accepted as "fully qualified" aka 46N3G. I'm not saying your packet will be rejected, just that you might be accepted as a 46N1G (new OB nurse).

fitRNpic · Sep 23, 2010

You would still be considered a "qualified" nurse because you have more than 6 months nursing experience. You shouldn't get pushed back to the next board which is for "new" nurses. Because pediatrics is not considered a specialty on the Air Force, they can basically place you in any area where there is a need. Though you may not have any OB experience, that does not mean that they will not place you in that area.

As for your Chief Nurse interview, it is almost the most important part of the process. That person ultimately does decide your fate. They are the only person who gets to meet you on behalf of the whole Air Force. If you make it known to them that you are really interested in OB, they may make note of that on their interview form that they submit to the board. I myself want neonatal intensive care and have experience in NICU and Pediatrics. When asked if that is all I would want to do, I let the Chief Nurse know that I was interested in OB but that I had no experience. He said that they need nurses in OB and that there are many opportunities in that area in the Air Force. I am hoping that I will be accepted into one of these areas. My packet went in for the October board as well. The Chief Nurse I interviewed with is located at my first choice of where I want to be stationed, so I also made that known! I can only hope for the best at this point, it is completely out of my hands now. Good luck to you, I hope you get accepted into the area you want.

The Little Greek · Sep 23, 2010

Let me further clarify here that the AF uses only one way to determine if you are "new" or "qualified", at least in terms of your identifier. I am not referring here to your prior experience, rather your identifier only. Here was my situation and subsequent progression:

I had three years of RN experience when I came into the AF, but no labor experience. I also have my MSN. I came into the AF as a 1LT (due to my MSN) and was given credit toward Capt. I came in as a 46N1G, which is a new OB nurse. Mind you, when I was accepted to the AF, I met the "qualified" boards because I had civilian RN experience. Being "qualified" meant that I was a nurse with experience and DID NOT earn me the identifier of 46N3G, which means an experienced OB nurse. I did not have to got to NTP, but I did attend PNC, which is training for new OB nurses. After one year in OB and promotion to Capt my identifier changed to 46N3G, and then after taking and passing my certification exam, my identifier changed to M46N3G. Lots of letters and numbers there, but all have significance.

So, what does this mean for you? It means that you can meet the "qualified" boards since you have RN experience and will not have to attend NTP. BUT you will not come in as a qualified OB nurse, because you do not meet the criteria. That just means that you will have to go to NTP.

Please let me know if you have any specific AF OB questions. I am somewhat familiar with how busy each L&D is in the AF (I work at Langley right now which is the second busiest an a great place to learn!) I have also taught and precepted for the PNC course so I can answer questions about that as well.

akellyrn · Sep 23, 2010

Thank you so much for your response! It definitely helped clarify some things. So, are you saying that I can go to the "qualified" board since I have more than 6 months civilian nursing experience, but since I have no OB experience specifically, I will have the new OB nurse identifier? Either way I'm going to NTP? Or do I go to PNC? I was kind of confused about that part. I don't mind going to NTP. My concern is just getting pushed back to the "new grad" board, which will lengthen the time it'll take for me to leave.

What are the requirements to take the PNC course? Do you have to have some background in OB?

Thanks again!

Alyssa

The Little Greek · Sep 24, 2010

Thank you so much for your response! It definitely helped clarify some things. So, are you saying that I can go to the "qualified" board since I have more than 6 months civilian nursing experience, but since I have no OB experience specifically, I will have the new OB nurse identifier? Either way I'm going to NTP? Or do I go to PNC? I was kind of confused about that part. I don't mind going to NTP. My concern is just getting pushed back to the "new grad" board, which will lengthen the time it'll take for me to leave.
What are the requirements to take the PNC course? Do you have to have some background in OB?
Thanks again!
Alyssa

Yes, you will go to the board for nurses with experience, which unfortunately meets less frequently than the new grads board. Then when you commission you will be given the 46N1G identifier which means you are an OB nurse with less than a year of experience. You will not be required to go to NTP but I think you can opt to go if you'd like. It's basically like doing your senior year capstone preceptorship in nursing school. If you come into the AF without OB then you will be required to attend PNC (perinatal nurse course) at some point. The class is for nurses who have never worked in OB or L&D. There are usually six students at a time and it lasts 5 weeks I believe. The course is only held at Langely AFB and Lackland AFB. It's a great course! Way more than you get as a civilian in my opinion.

Mommy of 2 · Sep 25, 2010

Quick question that you might be able to answer.... what if you had 6 months nursing experience from late 2008-early 2009 and have not been working since then... Are you still considered "qualified"?

NursePamela · Sep 27, 2010

Little Greek,

Curious what would be the busiest OB?

The Little Greek · Sep 27, 2010

Little Greek,
Curious what would be the busiest OB?

The top two are Wilford Hall in San Antonio and Langley in Virginia. I would choose Langley over Wilford Hall because there aren't any residents at Langely and you get much more hands on experience.

STICU-ARNP · Sep 28, 2010

I am hopeful to pass my application next month also. We wont definitively know if we are accepted until end of november-beginning of december, right? I'm an ACNP with critical care as my primary background with OR experience. I am hopeful for the March COT but more than likely May from what I understand. I am excited and extremely hopeful and look forward to being an AF nurse. Lackland is my only choice given my specialty at this point, but it was on my wishlist anyway. I wanted the best experience from one of the bigger hospitals. Any insight from anybody with regards to what to expect is extremely helpful!!

Thanks!!

danegerous, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2010

I was told that the Chief Nurse portion of the application process is the single most important. The application itself lets the AF know that you meet the legal and minimum requirements. The letters of recommendation let them know you're a good employee. But the Chief Nurse interview lets them really get to know you. My recruiter told me that whatever the Chief Nurse says pretty much shapes what the boards say.

For instance, I was fortunate enough to have an interview kind of by accident. The Chief Nurse told me that our conversation would count and that he would recommend me. Since the interview was not conventional, the recruiter called the CN and confirmed that he was actually writing me a letter of recommendation. With that, says my recruiter, I'm all but in. Barring something crazy and illegal, I should be golden. Only time will tell if that's the truth, but the CN did say the AF, "would be crazy not to take me", haha.

Hope that is more helpful and less "gloatful" sounding.

tee_byrd, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2010

I was told that I wouldnt know how I did on the Chief Nurse interview because he sends his acceptance in to the boards. And, they are the only ones who will know what he wrote. I'm a bit nervous because I really want to get in. Now I'm going to have to try to keep busy until I hear something. I'm ready to start this new journey in my Life.