Great interview!

[mommy3k]

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to share about the interview I had with the CNO at the Air Force hospital I visited yesterday.

The day started with me being sick (respiratory/cold from hell) and my DD needing me to stop at the store for "candy for her locker buddy", both of which I had not planned for!

Anyway, I had about a 1 hour 10 minute drive to the base according to Mapquest. It ended up taking about that long with me flying down the highway and getting a bit turned around toward the end. Luckily, my recruiter was waiting for me. I got off at an exit (not where I was supposed to be), called him, and he came to get me. We ended up in the Colonel's office about 10 minutes late. Never been late for an interview in my life!

No one made a big deal about it and we proceeded with the interview. Remember, here I was with runny eyes, stuffed nose, chapped lips, and scratchy voice...how embarrasing. I never call in sick at work, but probably would have that day.

Even with all that, I think the interview went pretty well! I had a lot in common with this almost 35-year Air Force nurse. Mind you, I am almost 40, so it's not like I'm a new grad, and I have a PhD in nursing. He's been hoping to get a PhD-prepared nurse to do research at the hospital there...which is what I really love doing. I am a psych nurse, and so was he when he was doing bedside nursing. I was really impressed with his attitude toward mentorship and helping others get where they want to be.

Next, I had a tour of the facility--very nice. We toured several units including med-surg, OB, SICU, and ED. Every nurse I met was very accomodating and seemed to like what they were doing. There was no "why do you want to do this? Are you crazy?" like I have heard from nurses in civilian hospitals. The morale seemed very high...higher than I expected.

After the tour, the recruiter and I stopped back at the Col's office. He was with someone, but his door was open, so I stuck my head in the door to say bye and thanks. He said he had called his commander and told him/her that he WANTS me there. I said great, thanks!

Then the recruiter was driving me back to my car and asked how it went. When I told him what the CNO said about making a call, he said, "Really?!" He said that is really unusual for them to "make a call", and it is a really good sign!

So, all in all, I feel very positive about my chances of getting in and maybe even getting assigned close to home doing something I want to do! Now, if I can just lose 3 pounds I can take the physical!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Good luck - sounds terrifc. Maybe you answered this is an earlier post and please excuse me if I'm being nosy - why do you want to join the military at the age of 40?

I was prior enlisted (USN in the 1970's) and truly thought about returning to the guard in the past two years but decided against it because I just couldn't take the pay cut. Plus (and I'll be very honest here), after 27 years of being a military member myself and then married to a military career man, I just didn't want to move anymore.

So...I eventually gave up that idea. I want to wish you the best, thank you for your service and I hope you will get what you want. Take care.

[mommy3k]

Good luck - sounds terrifc. Maybe you answered this is an earlier post and please excuse me if I'm being nosy - why do you want to join the military at the age of 40?

I was prior enlisted (USN in the 1970's) and truly thought about returning to the guard in the past two years but decided against it because I just couldn't take the pay cut. Plus (and I'll be very honest here), after 27 years of being a military member myself and then married to a military career man, I just didn't want to move anymore.

So...I eventually gave up that idea. I want to wish you the best, thank you for your service and I hope you will get what you want. Take care.

Thanks TraumaRUs! It is good to hear from someone with experience.

Why? I have wanted to do this forever. I did AF junior ROTC for 4 years in high school, and then 2 years in college with Army ROTC. Met a guy (now my hubby) and decided that having fun was more important than getting up in the morning for PT.

Anyway, now that the kids are older, and I am wiser, I'm thinking the military is a really good way to go. I like my current job, but don't love it. I need a place where I can make a real difference, and still support my family. My husband is totally on board with it also. He's a great guy.

We've not moved from our home of 14 years! We actually are looking forward to the change. We have no relatives here (never have). By the way, it's not really a pay cut for us...if you figure the taxes, health insurance, housing allowance, etc. My DH is practically a stay at home dad, so we're living on my salary only.

Hope that answers the questions you asked! I'm glad you asked! The more I am questioned about this decision (by unrelated individuals) the better!

By the way, I love your screen name Trauma-R-US. I have a dear friend who was a life-flight nurse (now an academic researcher). It reminded me of her.

Thank you for your service and God Bless you.

[Gennaver, MSN]

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to share about the interview I had with the CNO at the Air Force hospital I visited yesterday.

...So, all in all, I feel very positive about my chances of getting in and maybe even getting assigned close to home doing something I want to do! Now, if I can just lose 3 pounds I can take the physical!

Congratulations!!:balloons:

If you are only three pounds away I would bet that those will melt and then some once you start building up your running/jogging!

As a fellow 40 year old who has hopes of joining, (minus the PhD!) I wish you much luck.

There is another poster here that I recall was 39 and she just got the official news for herself too.

I look forward to reading more as it happens.

Hope your cold is better too.

Gen