interviewing with NP and Chief Nurse (air force)

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I'm in the process of applying for the Air Force as a new BSN/RN grad, and I'm anxious about the interviews (as well as MEPS and COT). From what I have read and heard, the NP is a phone interview and the chief nurse is in-person. How are the interviews like? What kind of questions do they ask? Are they the same kind of questions that are asked at civilian hospitals? Is it more or less intense? Please tell me any pointers as to what kind of questions I should focus on thinking about so that I don't fumble during the interview. Any pointers will be great!

I thank you all in advance. I love allnurses.com. It helps relieve at least half of my anxiety that's been fast approaching as I try to find my place in the nursing field.

:redbeathe soL

Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

go to airforce.com to find a medical recruiter near you.

They take you straight out of school with your BSN. There is a Nurse Transition Program (NTP) for new grads so you can learn how to be a nurse and start transitioning into your new role. So first is COT for 4.5 weeks in Alabama, then like 3 months in NTP before you go to your first base.

There is nothing specific you need to do to prepare. But I bet that volunteering would look really good on a resume, if you can work for free. :)

Good luck.

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Hi Carolinapooh - I just wanted to ask you a question. I have been selected for the air force but I don't know my assignment yet! The assignments should come on April 13th. However, I was told that I was selected sometime in late March. I have been calling my recruiter once a week just to make sure I was selected. My recruiter's boss (E-8, I think) told me that I was selected twice. My recruiter told me that I would definitely have a job and that I was definitely selected. The assignment folks over at Randolph took 2 weeks off, so the process was put on hold for at least two weeks. Randolph also knows that I am willing to early to OTS, should someone give up their spot. My recruiter said that he should probably know something on the 13th. My question to you is should I expect a phone call on the 13th?

It is a little frustrating waiting for Randolph to make up their minds but I am patiently waiting. I guess I am going to have to get used to hurrying up and waiting a long time. I already have my resignation letter drafted for the hospital that I work for right now.

Any advice will be really helpful right now. Thank you so much for all your advice.

Maverickemt

I pm'd you. :)

Hang in there...

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Carolina Pooh-Please disregard my previous post about the Navy and help with the motivational statement, Even though the Navy will give me a stipend and help financially during school I feel like the air force will be the better way to go, so my question now, is I will have my BSN is approximately in 2 years and I know the process should be started a year out so I was wondering what type of things should I be preparing or activities in school or community should I be getting involved in? Also does it matter that I'll be a new graduate with no nursing experience other than my clinicals during school, and do you know of any medical Air Force recruiters in the Wichita Falls, TX area....thanks for any insight..

Mid's right - you can go to airforce.com and they'll get you set with a recruiter. I would contact one now.

Volunteering's a great idea! Any volunteer experience shows commitment to the community, responsibility, maturity, time management - it's all great stuff. You have all this time - take advantage of it.

See if your recruiter can get you onto the base at Sheppard and set you up with a hospital tour - there's no hospital there but they have a huge clinic. If you ever come down to San Antonio, I'd be willing to take you around Lackland and into Wilford Hall with me.

Experience isn't an issue - as Mid was saying you'd go to the Nurse Transition Program for 12 weeks before you'd go to your final duty station. Most of the time NTP is at your first base (they don't like to spend too much money sending you TDY again) although I have some folks I went to COT with who came here TDY for it (Wilford Hall).

You can PM me any time if you need help, and if you end up in San Antone definitely PM me.

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Carolina Pooh and Mid-Thanks for the replies and ideas..I was wondering also for direct commission right out of school do you have to do the motivational statement??Having a really hard time with this, also probably have to have resume, and references?? For the references, what type do they need to be ie professional such as from previous jobs, teachers and or character references and how many and will they be writing letters or just speaking over the phone, also the interview thing I've been reading about is freaking me out, I never do well on them, I really don't why, is there a way to prep for it to alleviate anxiety??? Those are the only three major things I can imagine that they need not counting the medical, financial and security background???

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oh also I was active duty army for six years in the intel field, honorable discharge, and got out as an E-4, does that matter far as when I put my packet in??

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Specializes in FNP cardiology, ER.
oh also I was active duty army for six years in the intel field, honorable discharge, and got out as an E-4, does that matter far as when I put my packet in??

First, let me say best wishes on finishing up your degree. Your prior 6 years of service will absolutely matter....you already know how the system works. The best part for you is the pay. You would come in with the "E" indicator for prior service which ultimately gets you more for housing allowance. Over a period of several years this adds up quickly:)

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Kato I see you're a fnp. Are you already serving? I'm curious about orientation, continuing Ed conferences, and additional military duties. Oh and patient loads, hours scheduled.

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Specializes in FNP cardiology, ER.
Kato I see you're a fnp. Are you already serving? I'm curious about orientation, continuing Ed conferences, and additional military duties. Oh and patient loads, hours scheduled.

No, I am not in yet....final stages of getting back in though. From what I gathered during the interview I did with a NP was the load is about 20pt/day. They have gone to a new initiative where there will be 1 MD and 2 mid-levels per 1500 patients. If I remember right there is a few months of orientation and mainly to learn the computer system and break you into their system. I think the appointments are spread out farther for a certain time and then get to 20 min. The continuing education is available as it is required for your licensure/certification. It is up to you to get conferences scheduled and find the funding well enough in advance to be sure your schedule is cleared. As for any other military duties I'm not sure. I think there are committees that you might have to participate on.

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Thanks Kato, that sounds about like what I heard in my interviews, but was curious from someone first hand. It is good to know that the same message is going around. I'll be leaving in August. If you get everything in and leave at the same time, send me a PM. I would love to know someone ahead of getting there.

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Specializes in 2.

Has anyone heard back from their recruiters for the latest board that took place on March 5th for the RN selection boards? I heard by word of mouth that I was selected from two recruiters in San Antonio but I don't have any orders yet and I don't know what COT I will be going to. April 13th is when they are supposed to release that. My experience with the Air Force has been not good so far. They give you a date to shoot for and then they postpone it for about a month. I don't mean to sound negative but I am and have been ready to go for about 3 months now and I am getting sick and tired of waiting around. Any advice by anyone on this will be helpful.

Maverick

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Maverick,

I feel your frustration and annoyance. Only advice is to get busy and try to focus on something else. It is really horrible keeping your whole life on hold waiting. I know. I get to go to COT in May. I have no idea when I'll commission. I'm concerned about moving my house and getting uniforms. I have my lists and am preparing all that I can. Everything else.... well, I just have to trust that it will all fall in place.

I'm sorry you still know nothing. It took 5 months from when I turned in packet until I got any response. It isn't just you. Good luck

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Specializes in 2.

What sucks is that the recruiters that I am working with know very well that I am willing to an earlier COT date and they have told me that Randolph knows as well. I don't know what to believe anymore, I really don't. The only thing I know is that the Air Force is really slow and takes forever to do anything.

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