Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program USAF

[mariafeldpausch]

I was wondering if anyone had any recent information regarding their process in the NECP. I've been in the Air Force for almost a year now and I am interested in learning more about this program as I want to commission as a nurse. How difficult was it to be selected? (how competitive is the program?). What was the process from start to finish? - I understand you must be a Senior Airman, finding a school to accept the prerequisites, applying to get in to the NECP, getting accepted, finishing a BSN in 24 months plus a nursing examination, attending commissioned officer training and Nurse Transitioning Program, and then further training.. What else did you have to go through, perhaps in the beginning, in order to get accepted? Any extra recent info would be appreciated!

Thank you.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I did not come in through NECP, however many of my coworkers (who were everything from security forces, air traffic control, to 4Ns) have done it. I can tell you it is less competitive now that they instituted the 10 year of service hard cap. It used to be that you'd have retirement eligible E-6s and E-7s applying for NECP. Now it's mostly E-4s and E-5s.

It's a great program, but, depending on your goals, the PA program or MD programs might be more beneficial to you in the long term. You still get your 911 GI bill after doing NECP, which means you can transfer to your kids or spouse.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

So, yes. Everything you said so far is right. The pre-req classes are truly the weed-out tool. A lot of people can't finish them within the 5 years of application that most nursing schools require.

Oh, and your pay back period doesn't start until you set foot on your first base following nursing school, 5 weeks of COT (basic officer training), and 12 weeks of NTP.