Some bad news...

allnurses Guide · Nov 20, 2007

I just received word that I was not selected for the AF Nurse Corps NTP program. I was absolutely shocked. I have been told all this time that my packet looked great and that I definitely should have no problem getting in (passed MEPS, interview went well, high GPA). This is the reason they gave me for not being selected: There were over 250 applicants and the ones they chose for the NTP program graduate this December. I graduate in May. If I had known that I never would have had a chance, then I wouldn't have applied. I feel like I wasted all these months for nothing. If they would have told me that they prefer December graduates over May graduates, then I would have been a little more prepared about possibly not being accepted, but to tell you the truth that never crossed my mind and it was never mentioned. I thought they looked at the whole package, not just when someone graduated. My gut feeling also tells me I am not being told the whole reason, but maybe I am reading into it. I don't know.

Why not just resubmit your package in a couple of months? I never went through NTP, but do they only take 250 new nurses a year in the AF?

There is a saying in the AF, "grow where you are planted". There are so many options for you. 1. Get a year of civilian experience. Especially if your ultimate goal is working in a speciality area like ICU ( it would take 2-3+ waiting on the AF to train for ICU). You can do one year at a civilian hospital go through a nursing residency program and then go right into the AF, and into ICU.

2. Roll your package over into the Navy, Army or USPHS. I personally, would take one assignment with USPHS then switch over to the AF, if that is your ultimate goal. You would skip one rank entirely and in two years you would be an O-3 (two years ahead of your AF counterparts), and at the end of your 3-4 yr contract with USPHS you could switch over to the AF as an O-3 with 2yrs time in rank! You would be 2yrs ahead of all those nurse that started in the AF when you wanted to.

3. Just wait and reapply with AF next year with the other canidates.

My AF package was a pain in the butt to get done! Don't give up!!!

The most important thing is that you are going to be an RN soon! You will have tons of opportunities as RN, and the AF is just one of them.

Good Luck! Try to make the most out of potentially bad situation (grow where you are planted).

Miss Mab · Nov 20, 2007

Oh Jazzy, I'm so sorry. This must be a blow right now. I think it is perfectly okay to wallow for a little bit and grump around.

BUT, then you can hopefully see this as another opportunity. Sometimes accessing in after you are experienced can give you much greater options and benefits as Capt. E has alluded to. Try this first year out in an area you know you're dying to try that you also know you wouldn't proably get in the NTP. Some people, ahem, used their delayed entry time as a means to get two years experience and a MSN, thus allowing for higher rank upon entry. You'll have less time in then your almost classmates but at the two year mark you will actually be a year closer to O-3 then they are! And, if you like the specialty or 'ties that you've experienced, you can be assured in your contract that that will be your identifier. USPHS is also another grest idea.

I know this seems like a loss, and it is of some current plans, but it may turn out to be one of those blessings in disguise.

I hope so and wish you luck,

Mab

PS. Since you guys were thinking about moving anyway--I might also suggest you can on out here to CA--near Travis as a matter of fact. CA has great new grad pay, many opportunities to do new grad residency in specialties and just a fun place to be.

JazzyT · Nov 20, 2007

I have actually been looking at USPHS. Tried to get on their web site today but was having technical difficulties, so called and left a message with a recruiter. I know it is not the end of the world, but it still hurts to be rejected. I was so psyched about this.

And to answer the question about how many are accepted for the NTP program, it is 60 for the med-surg track and 20 for OB. They only accept 80 altogether which I know isn't alot.

Thanks wtbcrna and Miss Mab for your encouraging words. I'm a tough cookie, I will hold my head up high and move forward. I know there are many opportunities out there, I was just set on this one, but life will go on.

allnurses Guide · Nov 20, 2007

I have actually been looking at USPHS. Tried to get on their web site today but was having technical difficulties, so called and left a message with a recruiter. I know it is not the end of the world, but it still hurts to be rejected. I was so psyched about this.
And to answer the question about how many are accepted for the NTP program, it is 60 for the med-surg track and 20 for OB. They only accept 80 altogether which I know isn't alot.
Thanks wtbcrna and Miss Mab for your encouraging words. I'm a tough cookie, I will hold my head up high and move forward. I know there are many opportunities out there, I was just set on this one, but life will go on.

Jazzy if their is something particular you want to know about USPHS I will forward it on to the two USPHS officers I go to school with.

Good Luck!

Graduation is just around the corner! I wish I could say the same thing we have already lost two students one of them this week, and we still have two more years to go....

mommy3k · Nov 20, 2007

:scrying: Sorry to hear you didn't make it this time Jazzy. I was non-select last time (for very different reasons), so I know how you must feel. I'm still waiting to hear this time around. It is so nerve-wracking. Thanks for leting us know, and for sharing what information they gave you. I have a friend on another board who was non-select and doesn't graduate until next August, so that may be why. 80 slots for 250 applicants is pretty tough!

I'll give an update when I have one. Take it easy.

JazzyT · Nov 20, 2007

I have put a call into my recruiter to see exactly what I would have to do to reapply for next year. I hope I don't have to go through the whole process all over again. I think he said my MEPS physical is good for two years, so that is one thing chalked off! I think I am going to sit down with my husband and look at all the avenues I can take and what I think would work best for me. I don't mind reapplying if it is soley for the reason they gave me, I just don't want to go through all that again to be rejected a second time. I have been seriously considering the USPHS and thought about it while I was working on my packet for the AF; however, joining the AF is my heart's desire. Does anyone know if the physical is the same (for the USPHS) or do they do something different? I imagine it would be the same since it is just another branch of the military, but I am not sure. One other quick question, if I were to reapply and be accepted into the AF as an experienced RN would the bonus and loan payoff be the same, or does that all change if you are no longer considered a new graduate? Just curious.

Thanks guys for all the kind words. Mommy3K I wish you the best of luck. I hope you get selected this time around. Please keep us posted on what you find out.

allnurses Guide · Nov 20, 2007

I have put a call into my recruiter to see exactly what I would have to do to reapply for next year. I hope I don't have to go through the whole process all over again. I think he said my MEPS physical is good for two years, so that is one thing chalked off! I think I am going to sit down with my husband and look at all the avenues I can take and what I think would work best for me. I don't mind reapplying if it is soley for the reason they gave me, I just don't want to go through all that again to be rejected a second time. I have been seriously considering the USPHS and thought about it while I was working on my packet for the AF; however, joining the AF is my heart's desire. Does anyone know if the physical is the same (for the USPHS) or do they do something different? I imagine it would be the same since it is just another branch of the military, but I am not sure. One other quick question, if I were to reapply and be accepted into the AF as an experienced RN would the bonus and loan payoff be the same, or does that all change if you are no longer considered a new graduate? Just curious.

USPHS is actually not the military it is part of the uniformed services, basically the same overall system but some essential differences.

The bonuses/loan repayment should be the same, if not more for an expeirenced nurse coming in the AF.

Gennaver, MSN · Nov 21, 2007

Hello,

It is good that you came here to vent and process this. Now that you have, TRY again!

My own packet was passed over two times for no reason at all and my recruiters and I were totally baffled.

Try again. It was the third time, (with no change at all to mypacket) that I was picked up.

Was I bothered when I did get in and see that there were folks who had lower GPA's, physical profiles, medical profiles and a decade plus than my 41 years in age? Yes, a little bit. Knowing that I almost didn't get in and then finally getting in and seeing the vast range of people's ages and abilities I was a little upset to realize that the Army "didn't want me" at first.

However, it is NOT like that. The reasons we are passed over in the Military are NOT personal, as you stated.

Go try again! I think it is worth it.

Gen

I just received word that I was not selected for the AF Nurse Corps NTP program. I was absolutely shocked. I have been told all this time that my packet looked great and that I definitely should have no problem getting in (passed MEPS, interview went well, high GPA). This is the reason they gave me for not being selected: There were over 250 applicants and the ones they chose for the NTP program graduate this December. I graduate in May. ....

JazzyT · Nov 21, 2007

After I got over the shock of it all, I sat down and thought about a lot of things. I know there are many avenues I could take. I have decided that I am not going to give up. As I have stated before, being in the Air Force is a dream of mine. I talked with my recruiter yesterday and he said there is nothing to do right now. I have to wait until after I pass boards and then my application could be resubmitted. He said I would still quality for NTP if I were selected next November. In the meantime, I have contacted a USPHS recruiter and am waiting to hear back from them as I have thought about this route as well, but I think I actually have to have a job lined up with one of the government agencies (i.e. IHS) before I can be commissioned into the USPHS.

Gen, it is nice to have a place to come to vent and express your feelings. I am so glad I found this forum. It has been an invaluable source of information for me as well. Thanks, Gen, for your kind words and I hope all is going well with you!

mommy3k · Nov 21, 2007

One other quick question, if I were to reapply and be accepted into the AF as an experienced RN would the bonus and loan payoff be the same, or does that all change if you are no longer considered a new graduate? Just curious.
Thanks guys for all the kind words. Mommy3K I wish you the best of luck. I hope you get selected this time around. Please keep us posted on what you find out.

Thank you for the well-wishes Jazzy. I'll be sure to post when I find out-either way.

About the bonus and LRP, I think they're the same, regardless of experience. However, you could come in with rank (1Lt maybe), and may not need to do the NTP at all.

Gen-It's always good to hear from you! Glad you finally got in!

The Little Greek · Nov 21, 2007

I just received word that I was not selected for the AF Nurse Corps NTP program. I was absolutely shocked. I have been told all this time that my packet looked great and that I definitely should have no problem getting in (passed MEPS, interview went well, high GPA). This is the reason they gave me for not being selected: There were over 250 applicants and the ones they chose for the NTP program graduate this December. I graduate in May. If I had known that I never would have had a chance, then I wouldn't have applied. I feel like I wasted all these months for nothing. If they would have told me that they prefer December graduates over May graduates, then I would have been a little more prepared about possibly not being accepted, but to tell you the truth that never crossed my mind and it was never mentioned. I thought they looked at the whole package, not just when someone graduated. My gut feeling also tells me I am not being told the whole reason, but maybe I am reading into it. I don't know.
I am sorry this is so long, but I have been so upset over this and feel like my world was turned upside down. I was told that I could reapply next year and go in as a new RN but I think I have to work for six months before I would be considered. I really don't know what I am going to do at this point.

JazzyT,

I too am very sorry to hear about this most disappointing news. I am in the process of preparing my packet for selection right now. My recruiter told me that I am lucky to be applying as an experienced nurse since getting into the NTP right now is VERY competitive! Like Gen said, don't take it personal. Who knows why some are chosen and some are not, but this selection process can be just as competitive in civilian transition programs. If you can get into a med-surg position (which won't be a problem I'm sure!) and get a year's worth of experience you'll be in a much better place. I'm sure this is no consolation, but it's a job in the meantime.

After reading your post I've decided to make sure I have a back-up plan just in case. I'm working now but have to leave in the next few weeks due to conflicts with my husband's job and having no child-care. I guess it always pays to have a back-up plan, no matter how disappointing it may seem.

Best of luck to you. I'm sure that you'll have better luck the next time around!!

Enjoy Thanksgiving everyone!