July 2012 Air Force NTP Board

LN75, How was your interview? I go for mine next week and I don't really know what to expect. Was it like a typical job interview? thanks

SLC2010, good luck with your interview, finishing up school, and the NCLEX! It really is such a relief when everything is finished. Have you gotten your interview scheduled yet?

Yeah, similar to a typical job interview, but with some minor differences. I wore my dress blues. You should definitely dress to impress. Show up early...you know...the normal stuff. Be prepared to explain what the AF means to you and why you want to be a nurse in the AF. Also, my CN offered to give me a tour of the base. I was active duty for 10+ years, so I thanked her and politely declined...I've seen lots of bases...but at might be something that interests you. Allow ourself PLENTY of time. I figured on about an hour, but we talked for 2.5 hours!! She let me ask tons of questions and after the interview part we had a very nice candid discussion. Then the offer to tour the base. Had I accepted, it probly would have been close to 4 hours total for everything, so make sure you have no other commitments. My CN had hi lighted things in my resume at she wanted to clarify or get more detail from me about, so be prepared for that as well. I made a list of questions that I wanted to ask, and I'm glad I did because she gave me all the time in he world and answered everything as best she could. All in all it was a very pleasant experience, so don't be too worried. :)

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Good luck you guys!

I am celebrating my first 2 years as an AF nurse this month. I remember well the wait and anguish of waiting to get in. My chief nurse interview was supposed to be half an hour but lasted well over an hour. I remember just what I wore for the interview, still have it. Dress slacks and professional office attire will do just fine. Remember to say "sir/ma'am".

Look up the Air Force Core values and know them. Show you know them by highlighting those ideas in your answers. (yeah, I'm being vague - but it's your journey and I'm sure you'll look them up).

I work in a hospital and we wear our ABU's or blues into work, then change into the provided ugly worn out scrubs, then back into our uniforms to leave. I figure it's less laundry and am happy with it - just hate Mondays and wearing my blues.

Don't be surprised when the wait for an answer takes longer than you were told or think it should be. I interviewed in October, expected an answer in November and a January COT date. 2 rotations of COT went through as I held my breath and felt disappointed. But then I got my answer in April and off to COT in May - 5 months after I was told it would happen. Be patient. It's worth waiting for. (if you don't have a job - go get one. No need to disclose that you are waiting on something better.).

Oh barf. 5 months...that's an eternity when you're waiting for something! Yeah glad I got a job cause that keeps me busy. And theres always another huntin season around the corner :)

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do you guys feel like it is difficult to find people who really know you well to fill out the 1373 forms? i'm getting that feeling...sure, i have professors and clinical instructors i can and have asked to fill them out for me, but i just don't think that they know me well enough to write a good recommendation and feel like it is going to hurt my application. sorry for kind of a random post, but i'm just trying to vent my frustration a little bit...

My CN had hi lighted things in my resume at she wanted to clarify or get more detail from me about, so be prepared for that as well. I made a list of questions that I wanted to ask, and I'm glad I did because she gave me all the time in he world and answered everything as best she could. All in all it was a very pleasant experience, so don't be too worried. :)

Thanks for the advice! My recruiter hasn't told me a whole lot about the interview, so I will have to do some research on AF nursing procedures and such. Did you bring a copy of your resume to the interview, and/or did the CNO have a copy already? I wish I had dress blues to wear, but hopefully in the next few months I will. :)

As far as getting 1373s, I gave them to most of the nurses that I work with on a weekly basis, and a professor from school. About 8 in total. I figure the best one's will get submitted, so the more, the better.

Good luck everyone!

It can be a challenge to find the right references. My recruiter had me find 5 references and we're going to submit 3. I had 2 instructors that I worked with during multiple clinical rotations and research projects projects so they know me well. Then where I work I had the nurse manager and clinical nursing coordinator provide a reference. Lastly my capstone preceptor did a reference. I did my capstone where I have worked the past 3 years so they all know me really well. I was lucky to have more personal interactions with all these individuals for a longer time frame. Good luck! I think the application process is in part to test our patience! Hang in there!

You are lucky you sound like you have a few people who know you pretty well. I've still got two semesters left in my nursing degree, so I haven't had as much of an opportunity to work with the same instructors more than once, and I haven't done my capstone yet. I also don't currently work anywhere, so I don't really have anyone that works with me long term on a weekly basis. Oh well, we'll see how it goes. All I can do is try, and if it doesn't work out this time I'll try again.

Good luck everyone!

just wondering, how many slots will there be for this NTP? I ended up commissioning in the Guard but always wanted to try active duty (I'm also prior enlisted)

Trying is the most important part. Hang in there UCAFblue. Focus on school and getting good grades. LOR's play a part but there are so many other points on your application you can emphasize. Sounds like you have the right attitude for this process and keep being persistent and try to be involved as you can. Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragement SLC2012! I will definitely be trying to emphasize those other areas of my application. Good luck to you too!

HI-5,

I've asked my recruiter how many slots will be available for this NTP, but he told me he really has no idea until the results of the boards come out. I've heard other people on here say around 20 or 25 slots, so I'm going to assume it will probably be similar to last year.

Did you feel like going from enlisted to officer was difficult? I always wanted to be enlisted first, but had everyone tell me that it wasn't a good idea because it's a difficult process to get them to select you for an officer position as prior enlisted. It might still be something I will do (probably in the reserve or guard) if I can't get in as an active duty officer because of low selection rates...