2nd Degree BSN Student Considering Airforce Nursing

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Hello;

I am currently in an accelerated 2nd degree nursing program I graduate Aug 2011 and I am really considering becoming an nurse in the Airforce. I did speak to a recruiter and he briefed me on somethings such as 4 week COT training and 10 week new grad training etc. However, I have been reading the boards here and I noticed that several people mentioned that its best to start the paperwork a year in advance. The recruiter I spoke with I called him back the same day because I had more questions to ask and he texted me back and asked me to send him an email..I did just that and He has yet to respond. He also mentioned something to the effect of me possibly flying out in March 2011 to take a physical examination. I really dislike to assume anything, but I wasnt sure if he was implying that March would be the time for me to start the paperwork for the airforce... He also discussed that with me graduating in Aug that I could take the boards a couple weeks later and they could have the results back in time for me to start COT training in October, Dec or January..

With saying all of that I basically would like to gather insight from an actual nurse who is in the airforce working as a nurse.

I would like to find out what your experience is like in the airforce?

Will I have an interview and physical the same day and where does the physical and interview take place?

Once your stationed and working at a hospital for the airforce, are there alot of travelling away from your base?

What is COT and what does it entails?

Do I need to train physically before going into COT?

As a single woman do I have a choice to live on-base or off base?

How are the work relationships between the nurses and doctors? Does everyone work together as a group?

As a single woman would becoming a commissioned officer hinder me from having/starting a family?

Does health benefits start the day you go to COT training?

I thank you in advance for taking the time out for answering my questions I beleive getting insight from other nurses who are in the airforce or who are just starting out would be very helpful!

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Anyone with some insight or advice please feel free to respond!

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hello;

i am currently in an accelerated 2nd degree nursing program i graduate aug 2011 and i am really considering becoming an nurse in the airforce. i did speak to a recruiter and he briefed me on somethings such as 4 week cot training and 10 week new grad training etc. however, i have been reading the boards here and i noticed that several people mentioned that its best to start the paperwork a year in advance. the recruiter i spoke with i called him back the same day because i had more questions to ask and he texted me back and asked me to send him an email..i did just that and he has yet to respond. he also mentioned something to the effect of me possibly flying out in march 2011 to take a physical examination. i really dislike to assume anything, but i wasnt sure if he was implying that march would be the time for me to start the paperwork for the airforce... he also discussed that with me graduating in aug that i could take the boards a couple weeks later and they could have the results back in time for me to start cot training in october, dec or january..

with saying all of that i basically would like to gather insight from an actual nurse who is in the airforce working as a nurse.

i would like to find out what your experience is like in the airforce?

i'm not active duty yet. i go to cot in august. from what i hear it is just like a civilian job except you will deploy and possible have more meetings/committees to do. i haven't heard a bad experience yet.

will i have an interview and physical the same day and where does the physical and interview take place?

af physicals are not done the same day as the interview. interviews are one of the final steps. they try to make sure you are qualified before taking the time of a member to interview you. physicals are done at meps except army also does them at walter reed and i know some people interview and did physical in the same day. you can google meps centers to find locations but more than likely your recruiter will take you to the closest one to him. you can also google to see what they will do when you get there. they are pretty standard physicals.

once your stationed and working at a hospital for the airforce, are there alot of travelling away from your base?

they aren't sending people away from their home base too often except for deployments which are generally 4-6 months.

what is cot and what does it entails? there's so much to this one, you'll have to look it up. there is a website that has videos and is officially from the af. it's basic officer training to teach you military customs and leadership qualities. http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/ots/cot-rcot/index.asp

do i need to train physically before going into cot? yes, there is a pre pt test on day 1 or 2 of your arrival and since cot is only 4.5 weeks long, you won't have much time to improve. there is some time for improving, just not that much.

as a single woman do i have a choice to live on-base or off base? officers can live on base if married or live off base.

how are the work relationships between the nurses and doctors? does everyone work together as a group?

i've worked civil service and have to say the relationship is what you make it. they do have a rank structure which may give nurses an advantage if they have been in a long time but you still have to do your job and you still have to follow orders. i never saw a doctor (that wasn't a nurse before) empty a foley cath. you know when to call a doctor and when not to. use good judgment and you'll have a good relationship with them. this is getting better in the civilian world as well. we use sbar as a communication tool.

as a single woman would becoming a commissioned officer hinder me from having/starting a family?

you can have a family but you do have to have a family plan in place for when you deploy. the kids have to go somewhere and they don't have to give you much notice. one good thing is you get unlimited sick leave if you are on bedrest during your pregnancy.

does health benefits start the day you go to cot training?

yes

i thank you in advance for taking the time out for answering my questions i beleive getting insight from other nurses who are in the airforce or who are just starting out would be very helpful!

good luck

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Shapely thank you so much for responding to all of my questions it has helped me gain better insight...Congratulations on getting in and I wish you much success at COT training next month.

If you dont mind me asking how long was the process for you(including paperwork, physical, interview) before you were told you would be going to COT training? Ive been trying to get in contact with my local recruiter and I emailed him back again, but he has not responded. Is there a high demand for Air Force nurses? Im hearing alot of nurses are going into the military now... I have 3 more semesters left of nursing school and that includes 1 semester intership so I want to make sure I get started as early as possible.

Again thanks for the insight

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

I have just entered the USAF. I finished COT and am now at my first duty station. I can answer questions about COT in depth. lol. But I can't say much yet about active duty nursing as I havent' started my job yet, I'm still inprocessing.

I'm single. I just got an apartment offbase. You'll want to live off base and have a more private life, most likely. Most places don't have single officer housing from what I here. They don't here. I could get a place on base since I do have a child. Military women do have families and normal lives. Being in won't stop you. You will have to make a family plan when it happens to deal with deployments. It is doable.

I would get in shape before going to COT. You get tested on pushup, situps, and 1.5 mile run. It is a military standard that you will have to keep up for the entire time you serve, so make that a priority. If you go to military.com, you can find the PT standards (it is based on gender and age.). There are some physical challenges at COT, but I think it is more mentally challenging than physically personally.

It took me almost a year to get in, with no problems and no waivers. There are alot of people wanting in right now with the economy the way it is. Plan accordingly and start early. The commissioning process is slow and step-by-step. It is frustrating and we have all complained how we had our lives on hold while waiting. Be prepared and keep busy. If you go out in March for your physical, then your paperwork will have to be at that point (transcripts in and lots of paperwork done already).

Being a new grad RN you will go thru the Nurse Transition Program (NTP) which is like 12 weeks long. That will follow COT. Then you go to your first assignment (which may very well be in the same place NTP is, but not necessarily). It is a really supportive way to transition to being a nurse. You will be given lots of resources, unlike in most civilian hospitals.

My working schedule will be 7 shifts in 2 weeks. Rotate every 3 months from nights to days, though someone may want to stay on one or the other and you can trade with them. We where scrubs that are provided.

You need to be aware that you will have to buy all your own uniforms. Expect about $1,500. You get a one time $400 reimbursement after you get in. The best bet is to get your uniforms before hand and get them altered and names/rank sewn on.

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Thanks midinphx for the reply I have been hearing that it takes about a year for everything to go through before COT training. I spoke with the nurse recruiter today and he told me that my situation is a little different since I graduate in Aug 2011. I may not be able to go for COT until Jan 2012 because once I take my boards and they recieve my transcripts, it will be the beginning of October and by that time they would have already chosen their people to start COT in October 2011. I would love to graduate and go straight into it without having to wait, but everything happens for a reason. I guess that could give me time to prepare for the COT and start running and working out more.

Were you able to be stationed at one of your top three bases? Im not sure exactly where I would want to go, Im going to go to the airforce website and look and the location of their bases and decide.

Also, were you able to find off-base housing easily or do they help you find apartments thats not far from the base?

Congratulations on making it through COT I wish you much success with you Career in the Air Force.. Im also looking at the Navy as well, the time frame is the same it looks like with the paperwork etc. It seems like the AF and Navy Nurse Corps and what they offer are kind of on the same line..

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Butterfly-it took me from August to Novemember to get my packet ready for the board. I didn't get a result until March. and now I'm leaving in August. And they still come back saying they need forms filled out. It's a long, long process. Definately start 1 year before graduation. I wish I had known that. I've heard the nurse is 120% over their recruitment numbers and they did turn down a few applicants this year but considering the number that apply 95% get in. I got my 3rd choice of assignments. Your recruiter will give you a list because certain nurses are only at certain bases.

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

I got my 2nd choice of assignments. Which I am thrilled about now.

I did not get help on base. My sponsor was no help. A member on here helped me out TONS! Thanks Pooh and your hubby. lol.

Once you know where you are going, just start searching the area and ask everyone questions. Finding a place wasn't the worst thing of this adventure. :)

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Specializes in all.

i got my second choice and I am so dreading it. I wish I had never put it on my list as now it is covered with oil ..thanks BP! I should have put an overseas selection...oh well 3 years and hopefully I can get to somewhere closer to somewhere else

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Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

i got my 2nd choice overseas base.

so for those of use who heard it was impossible to get an overseas assignment their first time (like i did), i have proved them wrong. it happens.

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Butterfly-it took me from August to Novemember to get my packet ready for the board. I didn't get a result until March. and now I'm leaving in August. And they still come back saying they need forms filled out. It's a long, long process. Definately start 1 year before graduation. I wish I had known that. I've heard the nurse is 120% over their recruitment numbers and they did turn down a few applicants this year but considering the number that apply 95% get in. I got my 3rd choice of assignments. Your recruiter will give you a list because certain nurses are only at certain bases.

Yes, this is what I have been hearing so thats why im starting now because I graduate next August...Thats good you did get 1 of your top three choices..Im excited about applying Im just ready to get the process going

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I got my 2nd choice of assignments. Which I am thrilled about now.

I did not get help on base. My sponsor was no help. A member on here helped me out TONS! Thanks Pooh and your hubby. lol.

Once you know where you are going, just start searching the area and ask everyone questions. Finding a place wasn't the worst thing of this adventure. :)

Thats great that you got your second choice...Thats very unfortunate that you didnt get any help thats what they are their for, as long as you received the help that you needed thats all that matters.

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