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!
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
Im so sorry to hear that you're unhappy where you're at? is there a way you can put in a transfer for another location or once you get assigned your there for the duration of your contract?
i would like to find out what your experience is like in the airforce?
i've only done cot and am two weeks in my ntp, but i can tell you that the usaf is awesome! just like with any other organization, you will have things to complain about. overall though, i think that the people in the usaf are awesome! there is a stronger sense of camraderie unlike on the civilian side.
will i have an interview and physical the same day and where does the physical and interview take place?
the physical comes first. it's called meps, and your recruiter will schedule that for you. the interview is done after meps, and it is dependent on when the chief nurse closest to you is available for interviewing.
once your stationed and working at a hospital for the airforce, are there alot of travelling away from your base?
as far as what i'm told and have found out, there is not a lot of travelling away from your home base. you will definitely be moving around much as a new grad nurse.
what is cot and what does it entails?
the main purpose of cot is to train you in officership and the ins-and-outs of the usaf. you will learn how customs and courtesies, usaf history, etc.. the physical component side is not too bad. you will have two physical tests, which entails doing push-ups for a minute, sit-ups for a minute, and running a 1.5 mile around a track. the required numbers are dependent on your age...if you are younger than or older than 30 years old. you can find the information on the following website: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/affitnessprogram/componentbaselinescores.asp
do i need to train physically before going into cot?
it will definitely help to get conditioned for cot. you don't have to go all out with training. run at least 20 minutes per day, and do sit-ups and push-ups. build up on it day-to-day. you should be fine.
as a single woman do i have a choice to live on-base or off base?
you will most likely than not live off-base since the on-base housing is reserved for individuals with dependents.
how are the work relationships between the nurses and doctors? does everyone work together as a group?
no idea yet... but from what i'm told, there is more cohesion and not so much ego on the floors.
as a single woman would becoming a commissioned officer hinder me from having/starting a family?
i don't know, but it doesn't seem like it will.
does health benefits start the day you go to cot training?
yes! it does, and i can tell you from experience. three days after arrival at cot, i had a systemic allergic reaction. i had to get driven to the er on a lovely saturday night. i was given all sorts of shots and prescription drugs. i paid nothing. you are under tricare prime not just when you get to cot but right on the day you go active duty. i believe that is listed on your orders.
i hope that helps. if you have anymore questions just ask. i'm a new grad doing ntp right now in scottsdale, az. i'll be able to give you more info about ntp and such as the days go by.
my biggest suggestion for you would be to start the process asap. it took me about a year from the day i started my application to get to cot.
JazzyOneRN
140 Posts
Im so sorry to hear that you're unhappy where you're at? is there a way you can put in a transfer for another location or once you get assigned your there for the duration of your contract?