Air Force Nursing 2013

[JillyRN]

Hi everyone,

I just recently started the process to apply to be an Air Force nurse. I'm trying to complete my packet for the January 2013 (Feb 19-Board, Mar 08-Decision). Anyone else currently starting or in the process? Any advice with gathering my information?

Any current Air Force Nurses that could give me insight about their experience, especially regarding their first assignment?

My husband is about to separate from the Army and we are used to that way of thinking and doing things (i.e. lots of misleading information, less family oriented, less options regarding career). My recruiter had mentioned that everyone goes into a general clinical nurse slot, but is given the opportunity to specialize into a department of their choice after one year. My initial response was "Yeah... riiighhhttt." I don't actually believe that I would be given such a choice so soon, but I'm not sure if that is only because of our experience with the Army. Can anyone enlighten me??

Thanks!!

[kalechip]

Anyone know of a recruiter I can contact in NY region that they can PM me ?

[Jazzyjazz]

Hello everyone. I am in my last year of completing my BSN. I will graduate in May 2014. I've tried to get in contact with a recruiter here in MA and I just received an email today. I was just curious as to what the process is like, what are my options, requirements? I tried to read the prior post but with 33 pages of information I figured that I could just ask.

-Jasmin

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/fy-2014-air-824631-page5.html

This links you to the thread "2014 AF Nursing." It has some good info.

[SN2013]

It was directed toward you, Dreaming1007, sorry I didn't reply to your post!

[JillyRN]

Any other clinical nurse alternates out there? I was placed at #3 so I'm not very optimistic. Just curious if any others have been called up.

[bogielea]

Hello JillRN

I am a clinical nurse alternative as well. I was placed #6 on the list. I have been trying to get a hold of my recruitor since he left me the voice mail about being put on the alternative list but have been unsuccessful. It been almost two months with no contact from him. I have however been receiving calls from a recruitor in Los Angeles. We have been playing phone tag for about a month now and I am not sure why I am getting calls from a different recruiter?

I know a little bit about being on the alternative list from posts on here and from research I have been doing. What I am really curious about is if being #6 on the alternative list means I will more than likely have to apply next year or if I have a good chance of being selected for COT in 2014. I was also informed buy a gentleman in the Air Force reserves that they are not doing a selection board for 2014... Anyone know if this is true?

Has anyone else been having problems getting hold of their recruiters?

[JillyRN]

Hi Bogielea,

I experienced the same situation. I wasn't able to reach my recruiter since he told me about being an alternate. Then I, too, played phone tag with a recruiter in LA until I finally reached him. He informed me that he replaced my recruiter and would be working with me from now on. He spoke in terms of "when" we are switched from alternate to select, not "if". Not sure if that is his way of being optimistic and making sure I stay prepared. But I'm doing my best to stay positive. I've been working towards this since October 2012 so I really hope 2014 is our year!

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I was an alternate for the Feb 2013 board, and I too was told alternates automatically become selects the next go around. I was forced to completely reapply for the Oct 2013 board, where I was eventually selected. There were people who applied twice and didn't get selected (see the forum responses from 2014). Applying again and improving your application in the interim may demonstrate commitment, however I don't think that practice of guaranteeing alternates a spot is currently in use. There are far too many good applicants right now to do that.

[JillyRN]

Jfratian,

You are correct about not guaranteeing a spot to alternates. I remember from applying October 2012 that there was a lot of confusion for the alternates who ultimately had to reapply. According to my recruiter, the only difference this year is that there will not be another board for clinical nurses until FY 2015. If I do reapply at that time, it'll be application #3 but at that point I'll see about going in as a specialty or into the reserves. What a long process it has been. Good luck this year as you transition in!

[tinap311]

I was a #2 (critical care)alternate for the October 2013 boards. I was contacted by my recruiter a week before Christmas. I was informed that I am a select now. I leave for COT the end of May and after COT I'll be stationed at Ft. Sam in San Antonio Texas. Awaiting my security clearance and oath I believe at this point. So you guys have a pretty good chance of already having spots. Maybe the recruiters are changing over.

[mullinsm5]

To the person that asked if my recruiter was at Wright Patt, yes he was. lol I sounds like we had the same recruiter! And I didn't make it in. The recruiter that I ended up with who sent my packet in (the best one of the 3 that I had) told me that too many people applied so after they got to the 205th applicant, they started sending the packets back to the recruiter so he told me to get 6 months of experience and apply as a clinical nurse. I have a job now and am waiting to take my boards. But now I'm thinking about getting my NP but I'm having trouble finding information about NPs in the Air Force. It looks like they don't have many.

[JillyRN]

Found out today that I was switched from alternate to select and attend COT in August. So I hope this means good news for other alternates!