Esh570

My bad, thought they were AF. Get your recruiter to take you to a base then, that's what I did.

I am Air Force, I been through COT stationed at Lackland/ BAMC. .been in 4 yrs and I am a Captain. Prior service army for 7 years.

I got my CNOR, ACLS, PALS and NRP. Never got reimbursed for CNOR, but ACLS, PALS, and NRP were pretty much covered by our facility. It definately helps you to keep some of your nursing skills.

You will have time to get uniforms when you get to COT. There aafes does nothing, but sell uniforms to officers and if you have issues you can exchange things there as well.

I have some years ago as a traveler. Worked at good ole Schneider hospital. Even met Dr. Schneider himself. Do a search under the travel nurse speciality the info there is pretty accurate.

So is it pretty easy to come back active Air Force after being in the Reserve?

Hey congrats! I am here at ole WHMC, welcome to the family!

I recently finished COT. Super busy here trying to in-processing Lackland, but I will give you some tips. Money: Make sure you have enough, uniforms are pretty expensive, and you're going to have to pay for food daily. You may not see a paycheck form the military for awhile, so be prepared. Plan on $2000 at least for uniforms. Computer: If you have one bring it. A printer with lots of paper would be helpful as well. Internet access will be limited, personnel email is off limits. So make plans to have bills taken care as much as you can. Exercise: If you are not in shape get there. If you are below standard, you might not have enough time to improve while you're there. Uniforms: If you can get them, get it. Have you name and rank put on as well. More things you can take care of before COT the better. Study: Academics are pretty important in the AF. Take it upon yourself to learn about as much as you can. AF History, military customs and courtesies etc. The more you know going in the easier it will be for you when you get there. Last make sure you get with your sponsor and be sure to ask a lot of questions, not only about COT but the AF in general. Good Luck!

It was a breeze for me, but I was prior Army. . . I would say try to get your uniforms taken care of before you come. Bring a computer and printer if you have one, and be in shape!

Congrats, I am in COT right now, Finish up next week. Do you know where you are going yet?

Congrats! I'm finishing up COT now. Where will you be stationed?

Get a job at a hospital! I was a tech and the hospital and the military payed for my education. Try a state school or community college. I did the 2yr and then went back for the 4 yr. In all I payed less then 10,000 for my education.

Why did you have to come back at a lower rank?

Hi LA40, Preoperative nursing doesn't count for critical care experience. I am a civilian OR nurse, and newly commissioned Air force nurse. I have been around the OR for about 10 yrs, first as a tech(military/civilian) and then a nurse. The RNFA is something that I was looking into. On the civilian side, it gives nurses the ability to work independently and bill patients insurances like the doctors. RNFA's come from a strong scrubbing back grounds, and have several years of experience. On the military side I would not be to sure how they would be used. Usually there are more then enough techs to help assist the doctors if they need it. Not to say it is impossible, I am sure you could figure out a way to do it if you wanted it.

Hey thanks everyone for the posts. I guess I'm gonna have to get use to military life again. Bought some ABDU's and some corcoran boots. Thinking about ordering some name tags and I guess I'll pick up the rest when I get to COT.:wink2: