FY 2014 Air Force Nursing

Specialties Government

Published

  1. Best shift length for RN's

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I have been following the thread for FY 2013 Air Force nursing and realize that many of the clinical nurses, including myself, were made alternates for FY 2014. The only information I have received from my recruiter is that I will find out sometime in April or May if I am selected or not. Has anyone received more detailed information about the upcoming boards? What is the likelihood of selection for us alternates?

I am also interested to hear from anyone currently serving as a clinical nurse in the Air Force who can describe the day-to-day life and current news regarding the nursing specialty. I am 28 years old, have been an acute care RN at a level I facility since 2008, served seven years in the Army National Guard, and am a family man with two children. My wife, also an RN, and I are excited that I am an "alternate" for FY 2014 because it seems likely I will be selected. We have anxieties about active duty because I have never served on active duty.

Specializes in Pediatrics, critical care.

I am leaving for COT in October and have a few questions. I don't want to buy a mess dress that I will never wear again, where can I rent one. I heard this could be done.

I went to BMT, but it was 16 years ago, how is COT different? I was told to bring snacks, extra clothes for weekend leave, and normal toiletries (all of theses were not allowed in BMT). Any guidance would be helpful.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I would suggest craigslist, ebay, and amazon, but I don't have many other suggestions on buying a used mess dress. The ideal thing would be to borrow one from a friend.

COT is diet BMT. It's more academic then physical. In COT, you'll have a double occupancy room with a bathroom. You can bring a laptop, printer/copier, coffee maker, wifi hot spot (COT wifi sucks), and 2 set of civilian clothes; I would suggest that you bring all of those things.

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Bayern, I'm new to this site. As a "hope-to-be future AF nurse"...I've been reading through alot of these threads and it's been exciting seeing how it's unfolded for everyone! Anyhow, I saw your question about Keesler. I'm in the area now if you still have questions. I don't know much about the base...but could possible answer questions about the area :)

Congratulations to you and all others that have made it! I hope you can all keep posting things and letting us know how it's going!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Free2live... Thank u. What r u doing in Keesler.

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We live about 2O minutes from the base, right off the coast. I moved here from Nashville, TN this past summer. There's a list of reasons I chose this area, but career wise...I thought I might apply as a contract nurse on base as I finish up my BSN. Not sure when and if I'll apply for that because I've landed a great job for now in a PCU unit with opportunity to work in ICU too.

Are you already here? Did you figure out where to live?

It's been fun reading through all these post and at the same time it's made me realize how challanging it is to be selected. I've been working towards this goal for a while...I don't plan to give up. It really is what I feel I'm called to do...I can't imagine what I'll do if I get told "No"...but until then, it's full speed ahead with full determination. :yes:

Btw, do you know if there's a limit of times you can apply...or is it once you're told no, that's the end?

About me, I plan to finish the RN-BSN program August 2015. I guess technically I could apply then, but I haven't decided if I will or if it would be better I spend 1-2 year getting more experience and doing volunteer work to improve my resume'/chances of acceptance.

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Specializes in Invasive Cardiology.

I wonder if anyone out there can advise me: I was selected for a direct commission in the Air National Guard as a RN. I served 8.5 years in this Medical Group as a 4N reaching TSgt ( very hard to obtain promo slots), and 4 years AD Army 91Bravo. I have BSN and have been working in critical care (no CCRN yet) high risk cardiac cath lab for 11 years, 4 of them full time, a lot of extra time and call ( however I have been part time since 2007). I have a deployment with Expeditionary Forces to Operation Northern Watch and one Operation Enduring Freedom. At the least I figured I would be awarded 1st LT but have heard that Captain may be possible. I have reviewed AFI 36-2005 although it is confusing, can someone please advise me on how to go about making sure I obtain the rank I deserve as I have heard stories of those who were not properly compensated. Thank you!

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Specializes in Clinic Nursing, Family Planning, OR.

Congratulations on selection. I can't offer much guidance but I will say I went back and forth with three recruiters (Mine was changed three times in two years), and the final result was only being given constructive credit for full time experience. And even now that I am active duty, my credit has "disappeared" and I'm working with leadership to have it corrected. I understand your diligence though because it has been quite a financial adjustment from civilian pay (negotiated pay, OT, bonuses) to 0-1 pay. Good luck and I hope you get it worked out.

I wonder if anyone out there can advise me: I was selected for a direct commission in the Air National Guard as a RN. I served 8.5 years in this Medical Group as a 4N reaching TSgt ( very hard to obtain promo slots), and 4 years AD Army 91Bravo. I have BSN and have been working in critical care (no CCRN yet) high risk cardiac cath lab for 11 years, 4 of them full time, a lot of extra time and call ( however I have been part time since 2007). I have a deployment with Expeditionary Forces to Operation Northern Watch and one Operation Enduring Freedom. At the least I figured I would be awarded 1st LT but have heard that Captain may be possible. I have reviewed AFI 36-2005 although it is confusing, can someone please advise me on how to go about making sure I obtain the rank I deserve as I have heard stories of those who were not properly compensated. Thank you!
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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Basically, Your nursing experience will count for half. So 11 years = 5.5. Nurses go to captain board at 4 years. I would expect captain. Also you would be an "e" for prior service and yes, all those years go towards your pay.

Congrats on on all your hard work paying off!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I think it may be more complicated than that since all 11 of your years weren't full time (32 hrs per week). You get 1/2 credit for full-time RN experience. I'm not sure what they do with part time experience. The documents you sign to commission will have your total credited time on it.

You're prior enlisted time will count towards your time of service. BUT, you need 4 years and 1 day of service you get the 'E.' That means you won't get it if you didn't sign for at least 6 years when you were enlisted.

My honest guess is that you'll be a plain O2 with 4 years of time in grade.

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Specializes in Invasive Cardiology.

Wow thank you, right, original Army contract was 4 AD plus 4 IRR. I did the 4 AD had a 10 mo break in service then went in the ANG. I have AD deployments (which I have DD214S for) that I thought would bring me over the 4 years, does that not count?

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

My understanding of the guard/reserves is that you need to have a 'good' year in terms of drilling (meaning it counts towards your retirement) for it to count for your time in grade. If you have 4 AD years plus a few good years of guard/reserves, then you should be okay.

You still need the equivalent of 8 years full-time civilian RN experience to make O3E. If you fall a few years shy, you still will get credit for fractional years. If you got 6 years of credit, you would be an O2E that's only 1 year away from promoting to O3E.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

It's interesting - I never thought about the part-time angle. I don't think the Army ever asked for annual hours, they just looked at the total time (years/months/days) since NCLEX. The only time I had to document hours was having worked a minimum number of hours in an ED in the two prior years for my Army ED RN special identifier. Hmmmm.

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