kato10

If you live in a state with a state income tax then they will take their share as well. In order to change your HOR, most of the time you have to live in that state for a year.

The reason I was asking is because my stuff was at the April board which then got pushed to May. There wasn't a designated May board, but they just pushed all the applicants to May and that is the last board until September. I understand just wanting to leave and get started. The money is nice but if you are financially secure then just as well. There will be other bonus programs. Do you just have a 3 year commitment then if you don't take any bonus? Best of luck to you.

Wow, that is definitely news to me about them being out of bonus money. I knew the loan repayment funds have been dry for a while. They usually get leftover money from other programs that don't exhaust them, so there is still hope. Did you hear results from the board last week? The April board got pushed off until May 17th, so they would have just been done last week.

Well, the new fiscal year is quickly approaching and everything will probably change anyway. I wouldn't go to COT until OCT the earliest at which all the new numbers will be out. There is plenty of time for things to change and since the bonus is a recruiter thing we can redo papers. I'm not worried. There is a good chance that I probably won't even accept selection at this point as things have changed a bit in my world. I certainly wouldn't want to subject myself to an eight year commitment for both and be stuck.

It would be an extension onto whatever contract you already have. So, say you took the nursing bonus and owe 4 years and now want the incentive special pay then you accrue whatever else you sign-up for....another 2, 3, 4 years. I have the pdf print out from my recruiter so it is true. He told me to decline the "sign on bonus" as the incentive pay is much better deal. If you are expecting to stay in for 8 years then do both. I've scanned most of the file into my computer, so if you want more info the just send me PM with email address.

there is an incentive pay for certain areas....critical care, ER, flight nurse, nurse admin, NICU, OB/GYN, psych, perioperative, NPs, midwives, CRNAs It is $10,000/yr for 2 years; $15,000/yr for 3 years; $20,000/yr for 4 years. However, you don't get this until you get to your duty station....nothing to do with recruiter.

MaverickEMT, I hear you on the frustration and patience. I think I'm at the end of my rope though. I started this long, painstaking process last June and am finally at the point of waiting for selection. I don't think I will hear anything for several more months as to when and where. The good thing is I have a job and making good money, so I don't really need to go into the service. I was looking to further my career in the military but am not willing to wait forever. In reading all these posts it sounds like any of us selected from here on out would most likely be going to COT in 2011....I have no desire to be pushed that far off. As for now, I'm keeping my package in as I know they still need NPs but probably will decline unless something changes drastically.

No, I don't know anything besides my application is being reviewed. As far as I've understood the NPs do not meet the "nursing board". Our applications are reviewed as they come in since there aren't nearly as many of us looking to enter the AF. However, we still have to go through the rest.....selection then COT date and assignment. The assignment doesn't come from the board but rather Randolp AFB based on the needs of the AF. We do go to COT as well as MDs and clergy staff. I did hear recently that they are looking to waive COT for prior service since they are so far behind on COT classes. It might be that prior would go to COT later after the big wave this summer. I don't know how true this all is.....rumors.

The COT classes are full from my understanding up to August. You won't be alone on the list of people that are anxious to go and ready to go sooner. There are quite a few that are getting pushed to 2011 already, so if you get to go in 2010 consider yourself ahead of a lot of folks.

No, I am not in yet....final stages of getting back in though. From what I gathered during the interview I did with a NP was the load is about 20pt/day. They have gone to a new initiative where there will be 1 MD and 2 mid-levels per 1500 patients. If I remember right there is a few months of orientation and mainly to learn the computer system and break you into their system. I think the appointments are spread out farther for a certain time and then get to 20 min. The continuing education is available as it is required for your licensure/certification. It is up to you to get conferences scheduled and find the funding well enough in advance to be sure your schedule is cleared. As for any other military duties I'm not sure. I think there are committees that you might have to participate on.

First, let me say best wishes on finishing up your degree. Your prior 6 years of service will absolutely matter....you already know how the system works. The best part for you is the pay. You would come in with the "E" indicator for prior service which ultimately gets you more for housing allowance. Over a period of several years this adds up quickly:)

If your goal is to get critical care experience then why not start out doing that? If you have the opportunity to get into critical on the civilian side from the beginning that is what I would recommend. Why waste a year doing med/surg? The way the time frames are for getting into the AF these days you might get a year in before you would possibly leave for COT. I agree military experience would look great on the resume but it depends on what you do with your time. Most CRNA programs require at least one year of critical care experience and a lot of them don't count the ER as such. Like WTBCRNA said there is a lot to consider with choosing a program. The biggest advantage with going through a military program is it is paid for. If you go on your own it is going to cost you....school and living expenses as you won't be working.

I just asked my recruiter about the age limit as I have a friend interested in joining who will be 46 in July. He said it is 47 and must be on active duty by 48. Of course, if there would be anything to come up during the physical then a waiver might not come through as the need for nurses has decreased significantly.

Also, something to keep in mind from the Air Force end. I've heard healthcare admin jobs are very competitive compared to nursing slots. The military needs a lot more nurses than it does admin folks. As previously stated, as you move up in rank you move into admin. It is always nice to have RN behind your name.

What branch are you looking at? I had problems initially with my recruiter and actually got a number for the office manager. She then got me a new recruiter who has been great.