JayBSN

Definitely ok to get carried away! : ) Its a really exciting choice. But a lot of people on this site have quite a bit of insight and perspective. I like to borrow it from time to time Thanks guys.

Don't have my uniforms yet. Not even sure we they come from. I'm getting measured on Thursday on base. As far as COT, I'm driving, with as much of my stuff as I can fit since I will be close to Keesler.

August: Keesler. The August COT has a facebook group. Maybe you could start one for your COT. : )

When are you going to COT?

Does anyone at Keesler use a PDA and/or find it helpful to have one? I'm considering selling mine as I have never used it but maybe some of the nurses there will have some direction on what programs are good and where to get them? Or do you think the clinical support is sufficient enough not to need this type of gadget? Thanks : )

Can anyone tell me about the mother/baby unit? And is NTP different for Ob/gyn than it is for med surg?

There are many options out there depending on the lender. I had all my loans reduced or deferred for an extra 6 months following graduation due to "economic hardship" ei I couldn't find a job. There are other things they can do. Ask for your options. And good luck! If he has Sallie Mae start calling now. The lines fill quickly.

I hope someone can answer your question realistically, maybe someone already in, because I'd like to know too. What I was told however is "expect to go to Iraq" however (and here comes the worst line ever, "my recruiter said" as an Ob/Gyn nurse, it is very unlikely that I will be sent to a combat zone. Who knows? As a nurse serving this country beginning in August, I will be honored to deploy, if not for the opportunity to really serve, then for the amazing experience I will gain. : )

Nobody's going to Keesler for NTP or first duty station?

http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/OTS/documents/SignedHolmCenterClassSchedule-FY10.pdf COT dates Congrats everyone : ) Facebook search: US Air Force COT 10-06. Anyone planning on driving? Anyone going to Keesler after COT?

Anything about L&D there? Or NTP? *Shakin' in my boots* : )

See you in Alabama in August :-) From there I'm headed to NTP and Duty Station at Keesler. I opted not to put my RN experience on my paperwork before commissioning because with nearly a year since graduating (5/2009) currently and working in a nursing home after 7 months searching for a job, I think I need NTP : ) Did anyone start a facebook group yet or should I do it? I met the November 2009 boards and didn't hear anything until February. And from what I hear, new grad placement for COT and NTP is out to March 2011. Best wishes and speedy acceptance and ship out for all you hopefuls!

Any news about Keesler?

Honestly, I don't know. I applied for the November board back in August but something prevented my app from going in. I can't get a straight answer from my recruiter. He promised me January COT and February NTP and now he's saying March COT but from reading the boards that doesnt look promising either.

So this is an email my recruiter sent me: can anyone verify they've heard similar? I was also told this is for March COT and NTP... Board Cutoff: 12 Dec 2009 Suspense Cutoff: 29 Dec 2009 Board Date: 8 Jan 2010 Estimated release Date: 27 Jan 2010

Yea, I just figured that out. My recruiter is a liar....

Anyone still waiting to hear something about selection/rejection?? I've heard nothing and my package went out in August for the November board.

Anyone on the East Coast hear anything? 10 months waiting....and counting

You need to see an ophthamologist for failing depth perception? Are you looking to fly? No one in my MEPS group passed the depth perception portion. The said 1 wrong is failing but that test isn't a DQ for nurses. Hmm...I hope my app doesn't come back. My vision is blahhh. I was the girl that always got hit with the ball in high school : - )

Can we clarify? I've seen November 6, 11, and 17th as dates for the USAF nursing board. Here's what I heard: The board met last week and it could take 2-6 weeks for a decision to be passed down?? Also, there was a huge number of applicants so a second board meeting is set for December?? I've been promised January since last March and now I'm being told March 2010. A little frustrated about that, a year for an app? really? Has anyone heard any selection results since/if the board met?

The royal me eh? Confused? I do not know why I am told time and time again that I will not qualify with a weapon. I was so disappointed I went to Smith and wesson and trained and applied for my Class A. I will see air craft training? Really? Sounds fun...

1) I wish I could delete postings. 2) Nurses (except in a couple special cases) do not get trained with or issued a weapon therfore we lack the most basic (and at the same time, the most technical) warrior training in the Air Force. The Army...Boot Camp/Officer training for nurses or whatever it's called....includes far more warrior training than what the Air Force includes in the 4.5 week COT. Not complaining...Just saying. And I'll reiterate: I'm not a soldier, nor do I ever want to be. I'd rather not be put on the front lines in combat and I don't expect that I'll be trained to do so. 3) Feel free to give the run down on the air force because as it stands now, there aren't too many Active Air Force Nurses that want to give any input anywhere on this site but there are a whole bunch of aspiring airmen with a whole lot of questions that no recruiter can answer. I'm aware that they are busy. Military life.. 4) I asked the nurse I interviewed with this same question: What are "additional duties?"

Now I also have questions for those of you who are already nurses in the Air Force (or those of you who know the answers). What are the odds of getting deployed overseas? ( if this is even able to be estimated), what kind of say do you have in where you are stationed and what nursing specialty you get placed in?, and as a nurse in the Air Force, is the focus still on patient care and patient advocacy, or is it more about competition to make rank? Those are some good questions. And, you'll have more as you go. Start researching now. Go on the AF website and look at COT information including ship out dates and determine what your goal is. If you want to leave in August after graduation your planning will be much different than if you want to leave in October or January including NCLEX prep and physical training. Also, please don't join the military just based on our cruddy economy. As I'm sure you have experienced, the military is a lifestyle, not a job. And please don't take that as rude, I know some people respond rudely to posts and I'm definitely not trying to do that. that was just was the nurse I interviewed with told me. Army vs. Airforce Army has better bonus' usually but you are trained to be a soldier first and foremost. In the air force, the bonus' are typically less, there are less hospitals, however, you are only a nurse. You're training in significantly different in the air force than in the army. I chose the air force. I'm not a soldier nor do I ever want to be. : P Both branches claim/require patient care is the focus however, you should definitely seek out some nurses who are in the military. Of course in both branches there are many types of nursing. The nurse I interviewed with has a desk job. She runs a clinic but doesn't see patients but is still patient focused. Again: I urge you to talk to a nurse in the branch of your choice and the recruiters should be able to put you in touch with one. They may tell you more about their experiences. In the airforce: As a new grad, you have two choices when you enter: OB and MedSurg. From there, after completion of Nurse Transition, you can make goals and choices and and talk to your supervisor about schooling, certifications, and experiences you'd like to try. Still the military's needs come first. As far as bases, as a new grad, you are most likely to get one of the NTP locations however, you have choices of a bunch more bases that have hospitals. Again, I've been told, you are pretty likely to get one of your top 5 however, military needs are #!. Lastly: "YOU WILL BE DEPLOYED."

Please don't worry about your interview. It's really not anything like a job interview. They tell you what you are getting yourself into which is something really awesome as I'm sure you're aware, then ask you a few questions. Think about your toughest patient, why it was tough, and how you handled it. Also think about ethical dilemmas you've faced. Think about why you are choosing the AF and why you chose nursing. I never had a telephone interview. Some of the nurses have to go in front of the board but as I hear, they aren't doing that either. I know for a fact, NP's get a call from an NP but I didn't, nor did anyone at my school that has considered the USAF. Sign on bonus' are still a question for this coming year but no, non negotiable. They were 30K last year without loan repayment, and 20K if you took the loan repayment. They will not finalize the details until October. Keep in mind that thhere are always "incentives" to stay in the USAF and the bonus' apply to certain contract lengths and agreement. You probably won't receive orders until November, around when I do....because all your application packet and interview info goes to the board in TX I believe. They review it and get back to you. You don't sign the dotted line until you get your orders for your base. As far as bases, if you're a new grad, you are more likely to get the NTP locations as your first base, if not...No clue: ) AF needs come first, but you still have the choice of signing or not. I hope that helps. Good luck at your interview!