New to Forum! Hoping to Commission into the AF.

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Specializes in Med/Surg- Ortho.

Hey All!

New to the forum but have been keeping up on the posts. Especially the ones pertaining to the AF. I'm a new RN, 1 yr experience working at an acute hospital. I started the paperwork late 2009 and I'm pretty much all done. I actually have my interview next week or so. I'm really excited and hope to be able to get in by the end of this year. It sounds like there's a heavy amount of applicants so slots are minimal. Hope I get lucky!

This is probably another thread itself but any advice on the interview? What to expect after the interview? More waiting?!!

I wanted to try and establish a rapport with everybody here. You all seem so supportive! Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

No advice ... you're further ahead than I am! I'll be going Army, hopefully next year. Just wanted to say congrats, good luck, and welcome to Allnurses!! :)

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

I'm glad you are prepared for the wait. It has been torture. I just got my acceptance and still have stuff to do. Get you house and business in good order so that being organized will make it easier.

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Specializes in Med/Surg- Ortho.

Midinphx, I'm so happy for you!!! You have been so patient. I wish good things for you!

As for waiting, I don't mind too much. I'm thankful I have a job so that keeps me occupied. My family's here so it's okay. I'm pretty excited for my interview!

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

Interview advice? Dress nice. lol.

Know the AF values. Read all of the Air Force site. Integrity first. Service before self. Excellence in all we do. Then be sure you can give examples of this in your life/career if asked. Know why you want to join, what is your motivating story.

Address the interviewer by sir or maam. I found out from my recruiter about who the interviewer was and his position.

I also had some specific questions. We talked about where I would be best placed to serve both from a professional standpoint and a personal one. I put Lackland on my list primarily due to his advice, and that is where I'm going.

Don't fidget. Sit up straight.

Don't worry about it too much. If you got this far, you'd have to really blow it badly not to get a recommendation (in my opinion of course).

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Mid - when you get to Lackland, PM me. I'd love to meet you if you're interested!

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Specializes in Med/Surg- Ortho.

Thanks for the advice. I will ask my recruiter for the CN's background info. I know the AF values already and it's good to know that these values are what us nurses believe in as well. I put Travis, Nellis, and Lackland as my top choices hoping to stay west coast as possible (I'm from Hawaii), plus they're big hospitals.

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You'll not put Hickam? Or do you just want off the island (I've lived there so I could understand that!)

Trivia - I was born at Tripler when my dad was at a now-defunct Naval base on the other side of Pearl at Ewa Beach. It was called Barbers Point NAS. When we were stationed there the second time my dad actually worked at Tripler. With all the combining of the military medical facilities, I wouldn't be surprised if there were Air Force RNs at Tripler now. I know I've seen on the board that there are AF RNs getting orders to BAMC, which is another Army medical center here that's combining with Wilford Hall (AF hospital at Lackland, which is where I am).

Don't forget there's an AFB in Washington as well (although I'll admit the weather there's a WHOLE lot different - my brother lives in Seattle!).

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Specializes in Med/Surg- Ortho.

Carolinapooh, you're right. I want to move away from home but still be close to it. The cost of living here is too much and I really want to buy a house. I really don't want to work in a clinic and I haven't really seen any AF nurses over at Tripler. I actually did put Washington as my 4th and 5th choices even though they're clinics. I love Washington. I wonder where I'll be stationed if I get chosen? So many different places!

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The wide number of bases is the reason I came back into the Air Force instead of going into the Navy (which was my second choice). The AF is everywhere.

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

Annie,

It took mine from October 28th until March 15th for the paperwork after the interview.

Funny aside..... March 17th, 1986 I was at MEPS enlisting in the ARmy. March 17th, 2010 I was back at MEPS doing my fingerprints for the Air Force. 24 years to the day. lol

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Specializes in Med/Surg- Ortho.

Midinphx,

Wow! What a coincidence! I wish we could find out faster but I understand that it must be hard to choose with such a limited number of slots. I hope my packet is good enough. For now, I'll just keep busy with work and hope for the best. Mine will be in the May boards.

You must be excited about COT. I know you've been waiting long but now that it's coming up you must be busy getting ready. I can only imagine what Alabama will be like. I'll be a fish out of water. I've never been that far east. Hehe. One of the reasons why I need to get out of the islands...

Aloha, Anny

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