OR Air Force nursing

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Hey everyone!

I'm currently waiting for the selection board for the Air Force nurse Corp. I have a good packet and 4 years of OR nursing experience. My recruiter told me that this cycle, they are looking to select or fill 8 OR nurse slots. I'm wondering if anyone has any insight on what my chances are of being selected. I'm nervous for the selection process lol

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I would say you are almost a shoe-in. OR is the most critically staffed nursing specialty in the Air Force at somewhere around 70%. Even though they say 8 slots, I doubt they will turn down any candidate with at least 1 year of full-time experience. It's routine for the Air Force to pre-authorize a number of slots and then raise it once they look at the candidate pool.

Right now, they are allowing any active duty Air Force nurse with at least 1 year of experience and 1 year of time spent at their current base to re-train as an OR nurse, sending them to a 3 month course. It used to be that you needed 2 years of each.

Even still, I would hedge your bets and get your CNOR before applying.

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Specializes in OR.

I am getting my packet together, and am also applying for OR. My recruiter wanted me to submit for the August board, but I'm sitting for my CNOR this month so am delaying until next board selection (January?).

Good luck!!!

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Thanks for y'alls comments! I'm applying for the October cut off and selection is first week in December. Officer training would be January.

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Pet peeve (said the Air Force nurse) - it's CORPS, with an "s"... :)

When you get selected (and yes, we need you desperately - they've been trying to get me to cross over for the last three years!), I just want to be sure you get it right...we're the Nurse Corps. ;)

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Thanks for the correction! And thanks for the confidence boost. I had another question since your already in and may have an answer. I asked my recruiter about sign on bonuses and also if there is incentive later on to get my CNOR. I've heard from Air Force nurses before that they got a bonus for getting certified. Any info?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Pet peeve (said the Air Force nurse) - it's CORPS, with an "s"... :)

What??? It's not a corporation?! :D

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Yes, CNOR nurses working in the OR are eligible for up to $20K per year for a 4 year contract ($80K total). This is called incentive special pay (ISP). You won't be eligible right away though. You can only do it if you have less than 1 year of retainability left. You will have to sign up for 3 years minimum no matter what initially. Therefore, the soonest that you could get it would be after you've served 2 years. Keep in mind if you take a sign-on bonus or loan repayment, you must serve that commitment prior to taking more money.

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You have to be certified to make major. You don't need a master's (you do for lieutenant colonel), but you have to be certified.

So ISP or not, if you want to stay in, you'll get certified. (Not all specializations get ISPs, but you don't need an ISP to have your certification recognized and put on your record. Me personally I don't want to take an ISP because I don't want to give the USAF the ability to send me back to the inpatient ward when I'm working on applying for AFIT - an Air Force program that funds your master's degree - to be a provider. I find myself re-explaining this to a different chief nurse every two years....)

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Pet peeve (said the Air Force nurse) - it's CORPS, with an "s"... :)

When you get selected (and yes, we need you desperately - they've been trying to get me to cross over for the last three years!), I just want to be sure you get it right...we're the Nurse Corps. ;)

Hey I was just wondering if I could chat with you through email or something about the Air Force? I'm working on my packet to be submitted for the board in Jan 2018 for an OR position. I currently have about 11 1/2 years nursing experience along with my MSN so my recruiter said most likely if I'm selected I will come in as an O-3 which would be awesome :) Anyways just trying to look into finding some people to talk to and pick their brain. Feel free to PM me as I don't have enough posts to PM anyone yet. Thanks again!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Hey I was just wondering if I could chat with you through email or something about the Air Force? I'm working on my packet to be submitted for the board in Jan 2018 for an OR position. I currently have about 11 1/2 years nursing experience along with my MSN so my recruiter said most likely if I'm selected I will come in as an O-3 which would be awesome :) Anyways just trying to look into finding some people to talk to and pick their brain. Feel free to PM me as I don't have enough posts to PM anyone yet. Thanks again!!

Unfortunately she hasn't been active on the site for more than a year. Look for posts from jfratian, he is currently active duty AF.

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Thanks!!

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