kkcrank

I'm on a neuro/tele floor. We see a lot of statins, ace inhibitors, beta blockers, hydromorphone, oxycodone, nimitop, ativan, insulins, cardizem/heparin drips, mannitol, coumadin, depakote, dilantin, gabapentin, lamictal, aspirin, tylenol (fevers), etc...

I relocated from Toledo to Cbus 2 months ago, and still haven't found a job. University Hospitals won't hire without at least a year of experience, unless you are in their internship program. It sucks to be a nurse in Columbus right now. I'm only here to pursue my Master's at OSU but I'm probably going to end up waiting tables or something!

For those who have been to COT/officer training, I have a question from one of the nurses that I am going with: Are you able to change whether or not you accept loan repayment during COT? Our final contracts haven't been signed, and she is under the impression that if we take the student loan repayment, she is not eligible for the GI bill to finish her graduate schooling. She would rather take the GI Bill money than loan repayment I guess, but this would change her AD commitment from 6 years to 4. Can you make this change at COT, or no? Thanks!

Andrews, although that will probably be eliminated soon. Lackland, Keesler.

I'm a little late, but NTP should be for anyone with 12 months of experience or less.

LOL. Wow. It wasn't meant to disappoint anyone. It was meant to encourage those who were thinking about applying to the NTP program to do it sooner rather than later. I know nurses who didn't get picked up their first time. It wasn't the end of the world. Your application can be resubmitted. I would think this quote "And then there's the kicker - "qualified". Just because a package is submitted doesn't mean the board will ever even see it - the packages are screened and weeded through before they ever even hit the board. Having worked for a major university and seen how many college apps get trashed before even hitting the reviewing table, I can imagine there's an awful lot of chaff that gets dumped down at Montgomery before it even reaches the committee. It's not out of possibility that only a hundred of the first five hundred apps would ever even SEE a board according to everything I've ever been told." would be more discouraging. I'm sure if you are qualified, you will be selected. Your "odds of getting in" aren't dependent on how many people apply, rather on how qualified you are to do the job. Good luck.

Also, I'm talking about the NTP program for those with no experience, not experienced nurses.

Not sure why she would lie to me since I'm already "in," nor am I saying it was definitely true, just passing on info in case anyone was interested.

Good luck! =)

I was getting commissioned at Wright-Patt yesterday, and the Healthcare Recruiter told me that for the next FY (2010 --starting in Oct) they only have 180 nursing positions that need to be filled. They've already gotten over 500 applicants... before the FY has even started. It's only July! So if anyone is looking to get in for next year, I suggest getting your packet started... yesterday.

Depends. I graduated May 2009, and was accepted into The Ohio State University's AHNP program for Sept 2009. They don't require RN working experience.

Enjoy MEPS, it's a long day. Expect to get yelled at a lot as soon at you get to COT. It should ease up the 3rd week or so.

In Ohio, it changes you from "pending" to "passed." Or if you fail, I think you stay at pending until you pass.

75, passed, about an hour... a little less.

For the NCLEX, I think you know it or you don't. You can't really study because there are so many topics! I know there were meds and diseases on my NCLEX I hadn't even heard of! Yet, I passed with 75 questions. I just took 100 question exams in the 2 weeks before NCLEX to get into test-mode. Like I said, it's either stuff you know or don't. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to cram.

I'm going to COT in about 3 weeks. I was selected for Andrews AFB, but they are changing the med-surg into a clinic, so my assignment has just been changed to Lackland. Lackland is supposed to be a big base for trauma and ER. When making your "dream sheet," look up bases you are interested in. Most of the hospitals have websites with their specialties. Haven't been to COT yet, so I can't offer any advice, but there are several forums out there, like an Air Force OTS forum where people share their experiences. I am taking advantage and starting my Master's as soon as I'm put on active duty. I was already accepted to Ohio State, and will be doing online classes. This is going to be covered through the AF's tuition assistance program. My GPA was around 3.5, GRE above 60%, 3 references, an essay on why I wanted to be an AHNP, ect... You can be deployed at anytime after NTP from my understanding. They PROBABLY won't want to send a brand new nurse immediately after NTP, but you CAN be deployed whenever. I'm going to be doing 3 12's, I'm pretty sure. I was offered both a bonus and repayment, but it depends on the fiscal year. I should be receiving my bonus soon after NTP. That's the info I can offer up so far. Have you begun your application yet? It usually takes around a year to complete everything. I started June 08 and required no waivers...

I'm in the NTP program, and my base was switched from Andrews to Lackland because the med-surg part of the hospital is closing and being turned into a clinic.

Got it. Thanks for the info!

So is this incorrect? "Band C. Those in Band C can expect to be deployed for 6 months every 24 months. Band C includes medical personnel (except behavioral health ), supply, communications, weather, public affairs and logistics planning." I'm just curious because during my interview, I was asked that question and that's what I said... the 6 months/24 months and wasn't told that was incorrect. Is there a difference in deployment time for enlisted/officer medical personnel?

Something I haven't really seen on these boards... Everyone who is an active duty military nurse, what is your typical nurse to patient ratio? Where are you stationed? What department do you work in?

AF should be around 6 months every 24 months for their medical personnel.

I submitted everything at the end of April... graduated May 9th... got my ATT the middle of June... tested the first available date which was the end of June. On the plus side, it was only like 3 days after that I got my license in the mail. Oh, I'm from OH too.

1. Ohio State University 2. Adult Health and Illness NP 3. Working full-time 4. Part-time 5. I'm actually doing distance education for now as I found out I'm being relocated to Lackland AFB in Texas.

I know for the Air Force it took me about a year to get my packet reviewed and a date for COT.

Lackland is apparently one of the best for trauma. Andrews will probably not be an option since they are changing med-surg into a clinic (that's where I was supposed to go).