ladyviola

Hi, I'm a 49 yr old, M46N3, 1st Lt, Married, no kids (none anticipated). My career started in 1982 in the Army as an ambulance driver and I progressed to Army medic (awarded EFMB), Army combat medic, Army LPN, Civilian LPN, Civilian ADRN, Civilian RN, 2010 Air Force RN, Air Force certified Med/Surg RN, and now I'm trying for the Air Force FNP Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with the next board in June 2012 (AY-13). I am building my resume, CV, Recommendations, ADP, Essay, Transcripts, GRE, and so on that all go into two separate applications. One to the University and the other to the Air Force. I understand the goal is to go to Grad School for 3 years at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland. I need to hear some advice, discussion, conversation so I can pull all of this together. I am wondering about timing, interview, Academic Evaluation, quotas and if any are unfilled and why, etc. I am stationed in Aviano AB, and have been here for almost 2 years now.

Carolinapooh ~ from one carolina girl to another THANK YOU!!! You have been and continue to be such a blessing to those getting ready to CROSS INTO THE BLUE. What a positive impression you leave on those who have no prior expererience and an affirmation that us ole priors who have been out for a while can do this "thang". I for one and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say your information is priceless and I am grateful for every piece you are willing to share. You did not come across as a jerk at all, as usual you are honest and upfront. Thanks for all of your inputs throughout this blog you have helped more people than you could possibly realize. You da bomb Pooh!!!! I will see you out in the BLUE.........can't wait!!!!!

There will be a party in the house that day!! But seriously it really happens like that. I've been military as a dep. or member my entrie life and I have a ton of those stories. ie: activated from Mesquite, TX as a medic during Desert Storm, sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, pulling guard duty one night in the hospital (we were very short staffed so we all pitched in with a variety of duties) and down the hallway comes the night janitor on a zamboni sized floor polisher and we look at each other and viola ~ this guy is from my old unit 8years earlier when we were both on active duty status stationed at Ft Hood, TX. No bullsh** it really happens like that. So be on the look out!!!!

midinphx ~ people in high places..... let's hope this guy can do something for you!!

Carolinapooh ~ that is exactly what we love about you....your passion for the branch and all who serve it! Keep it up woman we wouldn't want you any other way!

midinphx - we are still pulling for you girl!! Saving you a seat next to me in COT 10-03!!!!!

midinphx - hang in there kitty.....we are hanging with you!!! carolinapooh - are you gonna take that standing still. we got your back girlfriend.....I think we can take him (rghbsn that is)

I second that DITTO! What an awesome group of people. I must say I love the company I keep......every one of you! And I am one of those that carolinapooh has helped and I will remain eternally grateful! Thanks!!!

midinphx - glad you had a good time in vegas. when you mentioned you got to witness our National Anthem being played with the water dancing to it....at the risk of sounding like a weenie....it made me tear up. welcome back!

midinphx - good for you! Go to vegas have a blast! I know it's painfully difficult to wait (we all have been there) but know in your heart of hearts it is well worth the wait. Your time and energy will be rewarded ten times over. Keep the faith sista your time will come! :hpbday:

Hey Fraz605 - I'm an experienced RN so I will not be going to NTP but straight to my duty assignment. I'm sorry to hear about your joint spouse issues. Are you both RN's looking for the same duty station?

midinphx - woooowhooooo!!!!! yeah!!!!! :yeah:keep us posted!!!

Hey Jazzy...I don't know if you heard but we have a facebook page USAF COT Class 10-03. Come visit us if you haven't yet.:)

Hey fellow COT classmates - we have a facebook page under groups USAF COT 10-03.....Get plugged in!

carolinapooh-thanks so much for all of your advice, tips and information. I for one am MOST grateful. for all March COT people there is a facebook page USAF COT10-03 where we are connecting. lets get the word out there.

yeah... our very own facebook page. looking forward to joining!:) midinphx....we all understand as we all have been there. you will be with us....keep the faith sista!!

Hey midinphx... you hang in there. They are not about to turn their noses up at an experienced nurse such as yourself. You will be with us in Mar COT.... BELIEVE!!!

Just updating... finally got the call - March COT with duty assignment at Aviano in Italy! It was my second overseas duty choice. I am prior service and some say that helps. I also wanted to comment on the class acts hanging out on this blog. You guys are awesome giving this young lady such great advice about her upcoming duty assignment. Way to take care of our own!!!

I received word last night. March COT with Aviano Italy as duty assignment. Looking forward to it ALL!! Does anyone know how to start a facebook page for our COT class? It would be great to get to know each other and provide support where needed before we get there.

I finally got the call too!!! We are sooooo excited.....March COT with my friends here and first duty station is Aviano Italy. We couldn't be more pleased. Looking forward to meeting everyone face to face.

OK, I'm looking for a roll call of AF, EXPERIENCED Nurse candidates (46N3's) from the November Board who have either got their acceptance notification (when), or are still waiting. Please make editorial comments about waiting, what your recruiter is saying, etc. Just check in please, I feel like I'm twisting in the wind..... My recruiter has 5 candidates and is saying 48 hours.

I have already bought all my uniforms and associated gear, equipment, etc. I had to go to both Dover and Andrews AFB's to do so, but it's all done. I had the dress uniforms tailored and prepared. I had the luxury to make sure everything fits and is in good order. My sweet husband got me all new Air Force ABU luggage and I have a lap top and small printer. I'm driving down and plan to store my extra stuff in the car so if/when I need it, bingo! Don't forget ribbons, watch, clock, small radio, Ink and paper for the printer, badges, name tags, rank insignia, sport bras, toiletries, writing paper, stamps, pens, paper, folders etc.:loveya: Regarding being commissioned in your uniform. YES!!!!! That is what it's all about. You can't put that new set of butter bars on a T-Shirt. Put them on a new set of Blues. As far as the flowers for the recruiter, get em. There is nothing against saying thank you after the fact. Those folks work really hard for the Air Force and on our behalf as new Lt's.:redpinkhe:yeah:

working with my recruiter: i am being accepting my commission at the air force memorial in washington dc. my husband is a retired marine officer and he is administering the oath of office. my father, who is a retired air force master sgt, is helping "pin on" my butter bars. i have my silver dollar, a 2009 new silver dollar, for the first salute i accept and return. i am wearing my dress blues and i am stoked to the max. my recruiter's wife is taking the pictures. i believe that your own personal memories are born of cherished history and traditions. our air force and our us military customs and courtesies are time honored, forming the foundation, in part, for the way we will act as officers in the united states armed forces. any version, from a single officer reading the oath to an elaborate parade and music is fine as long as you respect that oath upon which you place your hand and heart and swear your allegiance. what a cool adventure we are all embarking upon.

What did Col. Moore have to say? This is really interesting. Did she tell you that your were accepted?

my application pkg is on the desk for decision. i have been working on my application for 18 months. each step was important but secondary to the one that is about to happen. i took the $30k accession bonus but the air force was out of tuition reimbursement dollars. now i am like most of us at this stage, waiting on pins and needles. our position as guardian angels for those wounded warriors is our highest calling. when that hero opens his/her eyes and is in pain and confused, we are the ones at the bedside that they look to for empathy and concern. everyone on the team is there to help and alleviate pain but we are there to advocate for that warrior. from when their medic or corpsman reluctantly lets go and we get them at balad or bagram, or we get them at landstuhl, or we receive them at andrews, or sadly we pass them to the loving hands at dover, and after they are assigned to one of the various specialty hospitals, we are the ones who have the honor, privilege, and obligation to provide care. we are their bed side angel. i can't wait to take up that mantel again. combat nursing awaits us............