New NP in the military

Gentleman_nurse, MSN · Apr 17, 2009

I'm not a nurse yet, but I do wish to be a NP in the Air Force too. Could you share with me what you know so far? Other than COT will you get any training? Is there a chance they will assign you to basic practice nursing?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2009

I would post your request in the gov / military nursing forum -

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/

Lots of great posters & info there.

Why AF as opposed to at least contemplating navy/Army?

v/r

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 19, 2009

Thread moved to Gov't/Military Nursing for a better response.

starla76 · Apr 19, 2009

I'm not a nurse yet, but I do wish to be a NP in the Air Force too. Could you share with me what you know so far? Other than COT will you get any training? Is there a chance they will assign you to basic practice nursing?

I'll tell you what route I took: I did a Direct Entry program so I was able to get my RN/NP in one program. The Air Force gave a me a scholarship and stipend under the Health Professions Scholarship Program. During school, your only responsibility is to attend school. After taking my certification exam, I will go to COT and then my first base. I have been verbally told where I will go, but still waiting for the orders.

To answer your questions, an an FNP I was given an AF code which designates me as an FNP. Not to mention they paid for NP training. So I will not be working as an RN. I have spoken to my future colleagues and the Chief Nurse at the family practice clinic where I will be stationed. One reason I chose the military was the additional training I will receive as an NP. I will have either an NP or MD mentor for at least the first 6 months who will review my charts and clinical decision-making. In addition, they will start me out with longer appointment times until they feel I am ready to progress. I am relieved to have this extra training, because as a new nurse and NP, I am not entirely ready to be in practice on my own. The military really emphasizes a team approach and I hope working with a group of providers will be a great learning experience for me.

Let me know if you have any more questions. Talk to a recruiter about the HPSP program for more info.

graceofone · Apr 30, 2009

Starla76:

I am interested in how you went about joining while in school. I am a BSN in school for my FNP. Also what rank will you come in with? You mentioned they paid a stipend, do you still get an accession bonus? Did you have to go through any waivers? I am all ears about your journey! Thanks in advance and good luck!

T-Dasha · Apr 7, 2010

I know this is an old thread but I hoping that Starla76 will reply. I'm completing my prereqs for a direct entry program now and I'm hoping that I can apply to the HPSP otherwise I won't be able to afford the direct entry program. Can you tell me about the application process for the HPSP? What were they looking for?

Thanks!

starla76 · Apr 8, 2010

To respond to graceofone - I began the application process for the HPSP scholarship in my first year of grad school so that year wasn't covered by the scholarship. I advise you to start now if interested. First, get in touch with an AF nursing recruiter. He or she will get the process started for you. The application process takes a long time - close to 9 or 10 months - and includes the initial scholarship application (work history. transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays), two interviews (probably both a high ranking RN and NP), and a medical exam. Once you complete all this, you wait for notification. As soon as you are granted the scholarship, you are commissioned as an officer, a 2nd Lt, and go on reserve duty, meaning your job is to attend school. During school you are paid a monthly stipend and all books and supplies are covered....tuition too of course. No additional signing fee.

Most HPSP students attend Commissioned Officer Training (COT) before starting school but I went after a passed my NP boards since I got the scholarship during school. COT is a 5 week, intensive orientation to the AF designed to make you sweat, both physically and emotionally, and prepares you for life as a military officer. you will graduate COT as a 1st Lt (02). After COT, you report to your first base! During the application process, you are asked to choose your top 5 bases, but really your future base comes down to where they need FNPs at the time you are ready to go active duty. You will have some choice though.

I hope this helps! Feel free to ask me any more questions. Good luck with school!

shapely · Apr 8, 2010

Starla. Did you get the help you needed as a new grad to transition to provider. I'm a GNP commissioning soon, cot in aug, assignment at nellis. What are your days like ie. Pt load, hours?

shapely · Apr 8, 2010

That is FNP. iPod keyboard. LoL

Melissa17036 · Apr 10, 2010

Hi, I also have a few questions for Starla76. I am currently in the HPSP, and in a FNP/Masters program. I will graduate August 2011, and like you I will not attend COT until after graduation.

My questions are:

How far out did they give you a COT date and assignment location?

How much time did you get between graduation and COT?

Where did you get assigned and how far down on your wish list was it?

What type of training did you get at your first assignment and how long the training?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer.

Melissa

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2010

Hi, I also have a few questions for Starla76. I am currently in the HPSP, and in a FNP/Masters program. I will graduate August 2011, and like you I will not attend COT until after graduation.
My questions are:
How far out did they give you a COT date and assignment location?
How much time did you get between graduation and COT?
Where did you get assigned and how far down on your wish list was it?
What type of training did you get at your first assignment and how long the training?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer.
Melissa

I can answer a couple of these for you.

I got my first or second choice assignment (we can't remember if we put Florida or Texas first - I'm at Lackland AFB in San Antonio at Wilford Hall). When I was at COT no one I met got anything that wasn't in their top three. HOWEVER, you're of course not guaranteed that. Usually officers have a bit more leeway with their assignments than enlisteds do.

Your training at your first assignment will vary based on where you're assigned and the discretion of your nurse manager. I was precepted for nine weeks, and I requested an additional week because I didn't quite feel ready. The military loves its paperwork and I wanted to be sure I understood it all. A friend of mine who was assigned to L&D and went to COT with me (and therefore arrived at Lackland at the same time as me) is STILL being precepted because of all the training the AF requires before she's on her own. And she's loving it - the L&D folks get a load of training that would cost a fortune on the outside, and they get it for free.

Your time between graduation and COT will depend on your graduation date and how many slots are in each class. If you're graduating in August, you may go to COT as early as October, or you may not go until February or even later. It will depend on where you fall at the time (so my point is someone else's experience may differ wildly from your own).