Nurses looking into AF Nursing..

USAFhopeful · Aug 5, 2009

Oh Dear!

This is not good news. I have my chief nurse interview tomorrow. However, it sounds like I may not even have a chance of earning acceptance (

kkcrank · Aug 5, 2009

Good luck! =)

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2009

Word to the wise - don't believe everything the recruiters are told. If the USAF were that full already, they'd simply stop taking nursing applications because processing them would waste valuable manpower and other (already scarce) resources. While the state of the economy probably dictates that (a) more apps are being submitted and (b) they probably have fewer slots to fill because some RNs are choosing to stay in rather than resign their commission, the state of the DoD budget and the Air Force's in particular leads me to believe there's a grain or two of salt to be had here.

Last year alone they were short 268 nurses. Any of these slots left unfilled will go onto this fiscal year's tally - and even with the crappy economy we're still fighting a war on two fronts which will keep MANY people from even thinking about applying.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60635 (They used this program to attempt to fill forty of these slots and I don't know how successful they were.)

And then there's the kicker - "qualified". Just because a package is submitted doesn't mean the board will ever even see it - the packages are screened and weeded through before they ever even hit the board. Having worked for a major university and seen how many college apps get trashed before even hitting the reviewing table, I can imagine there's an awful lot of chaff that gets dumped down at Montgomery before it even reaches the committee. It's not out of possibility that only a hundred of the first five hundred apps would ever even SEE a board according to everything I've ever been told.

So be wary of what recruiters tell you - including the good ones.

kkcrank · Aug 6, 2009

Not sure why she would lie to me since I'm already "in," nor am I saying it was definitely true, just passing on info in case anyone was interested.

kkcrank · Aug 6, 2009

Also, I'm talking about the NTP program for those with no experience, not experienced nurses.

USAFhopeful · Aug 7, 2009

For what it's worth, although the information may seem valuable I have to say the following quote,

"they only have 180 nursing positions that need to be filled. They've already gotten over 500 applicants... before the FY has even started. It's only July!

is very discouraging to others applying for FY 2010. I had to ask my recruiter my odds of getting in after reading that post because I was so disappointed. Just be careful what is said on here. It's wonderful that you have been commissioned, congratulations, but now you don't have to worry any longer. However for the rest of us who would like to get in... we are crossing our fingers and saying our prayers...

kkcrank · Aug 7, 2009

LOL. Wow. It wasn't meant to disappoint anyone. It was meant to encourage those who were thinking about applying to the NTP program to do it sooner rather than later. I know nurses who didn't get picked up their first time. It wasn't the end of the world. Your application can be resubmitted.

I would think this quote

"And then there's the kicker - "qualified". Just because a package is submitted doesn't mean the board will ever even see it - the packages are screened and weeded through before they ever even hit the board. Having worked for a major university and seen how many college apps get trashed before even hitting the reviewing table, I can imagine there's an awful lot of chaff that gets dumped down at Montgomery before it even reaches the committee. It's not out of possibility that only a hundred of the first five hundred apps would ever even SEE a board according to everything I've ever been told."

would be more discouraging. I'm sure if you are qualified, you will be selected. Your "odds of getting in" aren't dependent on how many people apply, rather on how qualified you are to do the job. Good luck.

karenTRN · Aug 8, 2009

Hi All......Afer reading these posts, I am already discouraged! I am 48, an RN for 2 years with Wound/Isolation experience and Tele experience......and I will be asking for an age waiver. All I have started thus far is making contact with a recruiter! Anyone have any helpful hints ---- or can you tell me what the process is all about? All I have been told so far, is that he will put my resume and certs together, and "see" if I would be able to get an age waiver. What is entailed in the process? What can I expect? Is it true that different areas of the country, the recruiters have different quotas to meet? Or do that they not have quotas? It appears that I am starting out behind the 8 ball already ----- and I am not even on the pool table yet? What happens once I turn in my resume?

Boy....and help in this would be great...........oh, and I am trying to get into the AF......Will have BSN in 30 days.

USAFhopeful · Aug 8, 2009

Hi,

My recruiter explained that the "board" meets around the second week of October to select nurses for fiscal year 2010 so there is still time. You have just as good a chance as everyone else applying! For what it's worth, I had a preceptor in her 40's who was just commissioned into the Army. She also required a waiver. The application process has several components and once your medically qualified through MEPS it seems to roll along a little faster. I would say to be persistent with your recruiter... the squeaky wheel gets the oil, right? Lol. Good luck and take care!

karenTRN · Aug 8, 2009

I take it that once I get a waiver, my file will go before the Board........then MEPS, then the interviews...........?

Thanks for replying......I really do appreciate it.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2009

Not sure why she would lie to me since I'm already "in," nor am I saying it was definitely true, just passing on info in case anyone was interested.

Not saying she lied - it's just that they aren't always given accurate information as AFPC doesn't always have it together.