FY 2014 Air Force Nursing

Specialties Government

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  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.

I emailed my recruiter about that and waiting to hear from him. I plan to call him tomorrow. I would still reapply if that is what I need to do but would that mean, I have to wait for 1 more year before joining? It is almost 9 months since I applied.

I am alternate # 1 and have not been called up. I applied in Oct 2012. My recruiter called me to see if I am still committed...this was 3 days ago. I said YES...I just rented my house and moved to an apartment waiting for The Call.
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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You should be eligible to apply for the very next FQ board: September 2nd, 2013. The waiting period is for those who were denied. If they select you, your COT date could be as soon as January. I am eligible to reapply and I am in the same boat that you're in: started the application in August 2012...decision in March 2013. I just finished my re-application (except for the stuff my references have to do...they switched to narrative letters instead of those forms for this cycle).

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Specializes in Med-surg.

I am applying for FQ Clinic nurse. All info I'm giving is in regards to this position.

Just met with my recruiter. He said that all alternates must reapply if they wish to, that goes for NTP also. Applications must be completed and submitted by 2 September, Board reviews them on 1 October , with a release date of 21 October. There are approximately 35 FQ clinical nurse slots for FY14. That's the entire year. With a board in October, January, and April...I Believe. The professional/peer evaluation forms are now letters of recommendation. My recruiter gave me a form with an outline of how these letters should be completed. Ugh, I'm feeling pretty terrible asking people to do this again! Oh well.

That's pretty much all the info I got. It isn't knowN whether or not the bonuses are going to be available for FY14 yet. I'm hopeful though.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I talked to my recruiter today and he told me he has never heard of this new rule...abt reapplication. He told me he read my emailed, and talked to his boss and his boss did not know about this rule either.

I am applying for FQ Clinic nurse. All info I'm giving is in regards to this position.

Just met with my recruiter. He said that all alternates must reapply if they wish to, that goes for NTP also. Applications must be completed and submitted by 2 September, Board reviews them on 1 October , with a release date of 21 October. There are approximately 35 FQ clinical nurse slots for FY14. That's the entire year. With a board in October, January, and April...I Believe. The professional/peer evaluation forms are now letters of recommendation. My recruiter gave me a form with an outline of how these letters should be completed. Ugh, I'm feeling pretty terrible asking people to do this again! Oh well.

That's pretty much all the info I got. It isn't knowN whether or not the bonuses are going to be available for FY14 yet. I'm hopeful though.

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Specializes in Motherbaby/Gyn.

Is anyone here FQ who has applied? How does this work? Will the board pick a few from each board date? How long does it take to get an application ready? Sept is here soon.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

jcbcrane,

I am applying for the 2nd time. Hard to put an exact number on it. For me, I would say 20 to 30 hours of solid paperwork, essays, etc. There is a lot of additional time spent on "phone tag with your old doctor from 10 years ago" or "emailing back-and-forth with references to explain what they need to do." There is also a lot of calling/emailing/meeting with your recruiter. Expect a 2 hour formal interview, a day-long medical physical, and many months of waiting. Best case: 5-6 months from start to hearing a decision and 1 year from start to COT (commissioned officer training).

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

bayern,

You may be a different case since you are alternate #1 for your specialty. However, I will say that everything aliseel25 just said is consistent with what I was told on Monday afternoon. From what I understand, the auto-selecting of alternates was not really a formal policy to begin with...more of an understood behind-the-scenes thing...just like how people drink underage in college or drive faster than the speed limit. I think you owe it to yourself to dig a little bit deeper on this.

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Specializes in Motherbaby/Gyn.

Is this for NTS? I will be applying as FQ. I don't have a healthcare recruiter here in Alaska to talk to so closest one is in Washington whom I've been talking to. I already work as a civilian nurse on base so he feels my interview with CN should be no problem and same with my physical since I can schedule it with flight med here on base. It's just so hard because I know recruiters are not always the most informative or even truthful at times. He emailed me a packet to fill out but I don't see any essays....

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

jcbcrane,

I'm FQ (although I think the apps are similar) as well. It's 9 short answer questions titled "applicant questionnaire." It is a part of the main packet. First question is "why did you choose this specialty/profession?"

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Specializes in Motherbaby/Gyn.

Okay yes I do have that in my packet. Jfratian, what is your specialty and how long have you been trying to get in?

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Specializes in Motherbaby/Gyn.

Also, what's the medical exam like? I had to do one here at flight med for my civil service exam but it didn't seem to comprehensive really. My recruiter said I would do this one with flight med also.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

"Clinical Nurse," which is the Air Force designation for med/surg and outpatient clinic nursing. 11 months at this point. Physical is really an over-the-top version a regular routine exam. They test for alcohol, drugs, HIV, hearing, depth perception, vision, and orthopedic range of motion. They also review all of your significant medical records (all hospitalizations and surgeries of any kind). If you have any condition that requires daily pills, then you pretty much fail: pepcid at bedtime for GERD is a DQ.

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