CISCOPATRICK06

What info do you need?

Hello, I know the 30,000 sign on bonus. However, the ISP is offered once you're already in. Basically, an incentive to become CEN cert and extend your time while you're in. I am unsure about incentives for CCRN though.

Hello, I know when you deploy you will get some special pay. As far as just getting a yearly bonus, I don't think so. I also know that the AF is offering an ISP bonus for CEN, right now it is 80,000 is you sign on for 4 years. Basically, 20,000 a year - taxed, of course.

Hi, I work at Travis AFB and we do have a Panama schedule with 3 day weekend off, usually every other weekend. We do have some admin and holiday days off that fit into our schedule as well. Expect staff meetings and commander calls on some of your days off as well. Each base varies as well as each unit in the hospital. S

Hello SandyD8, I just received your thread. COT was not too bad at all. I went through last year from March - April. You will expect to PT at least 3 - 5 days aweek. You will get a PFA or PT test twice while you are at COT. Expect alot of lecture time or death by powerpoint. You will get yelled at during your time at COT just like any basic training. This was my second time through basic (I was prior enlisted Navy). There is a good website that can prepare you for COT if you haven't accessed already. The site is http://www.afoats.af.mil/. Go to OTS and then you will be able to select COT. This site will provide you with what you will need to bring to COT and what to expect from COT. That is the site that I accessed prior to arriving at COT. There is a video that explains what to expect during your 5 weeks at COT. It was a good tool that did prepare me for COT. I am stationed at Travis right now and have been here since April. I work at David Grant Med Center in the ER. Travis is a pretty cool base and I do enjoy working at the medical center. I do not live on base but currently rent a house in Vacaville which is about 10 minutes away from the base. They are currently building new housing sites on base and the waiting list is quite long. However, there are some nice neighborhoods off base. Another very useful site for finding housing is www.AHRN.com site. You register based on your location and it will list apartments and homes available in the cities/towns around the base. That is where I found my house. The weather is quite chilly right now (no snow though). However, I am from the Midwest and this is heaven to me. I can't stand the snow. You have San Francisco and Sacramento 45 minutes in either direction, plus Tahoe and other interesting places. I hope this information is useful for you and will help prepare you for COT and your time at Travis. Where will you be working at when you arrive? If you have any other questions, feel free too write. Take care and best of luck to you. Sonya

Thanks so much. I am not sure if I want to do a conditional release since I did receive an incentive bonus. I wasn't aware that you could do that.

Hello all, Currently, I am a LT working as an ER nurse for the Air Force. I believe I signed for a 3 - 4 year-contract. I do like it so far. However, I have some questions regarding switching branches. Would I be able to switch to the Navy Nurse Corps upon completion of my service time with the Air Force, if I chose to do that? What would be the process of doing this? I do have 6-years of enlisted time under my belt as well. Is this a difficult process to do? I would really appreciate as much info as possible. Thank you so much. ER

Hello, I just commissioned in the Air Force Nurse Corps as an ER RN in February and completed COT on the 10th of this month. I graduated from BSN program last May and began working in a great hospital ER in Chicago. Now I am back in sunny California working in an ER at an Air Force hospital. I guess I loved the military more since I am prior enlisted Navy. I spoke with my recruiter today who informed me that due to nationwide hospital hiring freezes, he and many other recruiters have had a huge influx of new and experienced RNs submitting packages. It is beginning to become more competitive to come in now. I would suggest that if you are truly interested in joining, start your package ASAP. I wouldn't wait for a recruiter to contact you. Look on the Air Force website and look for a health professions recruiter in your area and call them. Be proactive with getting your package together and submitted. Be careful though. Make sure you are working with a health professions recruiter and not a regular enlisted recruiter. There are some recruiters out there who will try to enlist you regardless of whether you are a registered nurse. You want to be commissioned instead. Keep in mind of the prospects of incentive bonus and/or loan repayment as well. The longer you wait, the less chances of receiving a decent bonus if you commission. I will be getting 30,000. Good luck!!!

Oh, I forgot to add that there are scenarios which I thought were pretty enjoyable and allowed us to perform as professional RNs, MDs, etc. I enjoyed that..

Yes, I finished COT on the 10th of this month. It's definitely much more strict than I've heard from many who attended in the past. However, it's definitely doable. Yes, there is early AM PT about 3 - 4 days a week. You will have to do a baseline PT test shortly after arrival and complete and pass another PT test toward the end. There is alot of lecture time (death by powerpoint), class time, marching. Yes, there are obstacle courses as well a few that involve heights (which is a huge fear of mine). Please don't let the video scare you.. I completed it and so can you...

I agree.. I did the same thing last year and did get selected in November 2008. Definitely make sure that you complete all paperwork, make copies, stay in close contact with your recruiter with any issues or questions. Good luck to you!!!!

Hello, I will try to answer your question from my viewpoint. I just commissioned in Feb and completed COT this month. However, I graduated last May. Now if you consider signing prior to graduation, you could potentially go to COT shortly after you take NCLEX which is good as far income. If you wait until after you graduate, you have to worry about an income, starting a new job and quitting shortly after to go to COT. In my opinion, I think it is better to do it prior to graduation. Just be sure that this is what you want to do. Good luck with school and your career..

Hello, My opinion is to wait and get your BSN and then get commissioned. Think about it, you'll be doing the same job as a commissioned nurse, alot of work but with lower pay. Plus, depending on your unit or command, you may not even get a chance to complete your BSN. Just think about it though. good luck with your decision.

Hello, Alot of great replies, I see. I graduated last May and began working in an ER in Chicago. I didn't have a sign-on bonus at all nor did I have to sign a contract. I figured that I could begin working for income until I officially went in. I found out this past November that I was picked up by the Air Force as an ER nurse. I told my job 5 days before I left for COT. They were cool about it but sad to to lose a new nurse. I started COT in March and just finished 2 weeks ago. I just arrived at Travis AFB to begin my career. Signing a contract can make the situation sticky but it is doable. If you want to avoid all of that, look for a job that won't require a contract. Unfortunately, informing a potential job that you are considering the AF may result in the hospital not hiring you. It all depends on what you really want to do.. I hope it helps and good luck with your decision.

Hi, Just adding my 2 cents here. I agree with all of the comments. You have to be realistic about the timeframe. 2 month timeframe is unrealistic. Just understand that this process is often a long and time-consuming one with so much paperwork involved and so many people handling it. I began my process in May last year prior to graduation. The board met in Nov and I was told in Nov as well. I plan to leave for COT in March, have been commissioned already and am waiting for orders. Other individuals have experienced longer waits than mine. You may or may not go to NTP, but most new grads do. I will be skipping NTP and going to ER at Travis AFB following COT. As devious as it sounded, I began work in August as an ER nurse with full knowledge of my departure, but didn't inform my job until last week (2-week notice). I wanted to work for the experience and pay, I have a family to help to support. My job was sad but very understanding and even offered me a position should I return. You will start getting paid until the personnel aspect is handled in COT, therefore your status is as a reservist until then. Overseas assignments are highly unlikely as a new grad. I didn't even attempt that yet. However, your best bet is to focus on graduating and passing NCLEX. That's the most important thing. You can start your AF process as well, but just remember each task at hand. Good luck on whatever you decide to do..:nuke: