aktexas

@laneyg, my recruiter said the same thing. Only 22 were selected.

I've heard that the next Board is in April, but it is only to backfill any positions where someone backed out. Other than that, the next Board does not meet until next fiscal year, which is October, 2011.

I can tell you that no new nurse graduates went before this last board. The AF decided to have a separate NTP board. Our board was rescheduled for January and then cancelled altogether. They are not accepting any more applications for graduate nurses this fiscal year. There is a board in April, and they will back fill any NTP slots where people have dropped out for whatever reason. My packet is at the board, but the chances are very slim that I will be selected in April. I graduate in May 2011. My recruiter told me that if I am not selected there will be an NTP board in October for the next fiscal year, and we can resubmit my packet. I am in the same boat with a lot of you. I just turned 41, and joining the Air Force is something I have wanted to do all my life. It just took me a while to get here. Best of luck to everyone!

Scary that there are nurses who don't know the difference between Type I & Type II!!!!!

I spoke to a Navy recruiter today, and she said they have an urgent need for Psych RN's so that should be good news for you! Good luck!

I would not even mention the asthma dx if I were you, especially if it was rescinded and you do not have asthma. In my experience, they only need copies of specific medical records if you have any red flags in your past medical history. For instance, I had a DVT postpartum, so I got copies of my latest venous doppler that cleared me. The Board for new nurse graduates is only meeting once a year now. The next Board meets in January 2011, so I would recommend calling a health professions recruiter soon. I graduate in May 2011, and I started my application in May of this year.

Yes, that is true. The AF decided to have only one Board for new nurse graduates, and it is set for January 2011. My recruiter said that the earliest I will probably go to COT is August because I do not graduate until May, and I have to take the NCLEX and get commissioned first. If you graduate earlier, then I think you can go to COT earlier if there are spots available.

Good luck!!! I hope to be there this time next year.

On a somewhat related note, does anyone know what it is like to be a single mother and a nurse in the AF? Reading all of these posts, I am starting to get worried. My son will be 12 when I get in (hopefully) next year. I'm just worried about going to a new place, knowing noone, and having no family in the area.

Not sure how accurate this is, but I was told that it is very difficult to "cross over" from the Reserves to AD. I had thought about going that route and was advised against it. As for AD Air Force, I do know that you just have to be eligible to retire by age 62. With your years of experience as a nurse, I'm sure you would go in at a higher rank, but unless you had prior military service that would count toward retirement, I don't think you would be eligible for retirement by age 62. It wouldn't hurt to talk to a health care recruiter for AD to get specifics.

That's odd. I went to MEPS in Dallas and wore a black sports bra and had no problems. For the neuromuscular part, I felt much more comfortable in my sports bra. My recruiter told me that I could wear scrubs, so I did and was very comfortable all day. They did get on to some people for wearing shorts that were too short or tops that were cut too low. Also, if you are there as a nurse candidate, you should be a VIP. When I checked in, the guy wrote VIP on my tag and I had no problems all day. Everyone was very nice. I was so worried after all of the horror stories I had heard, but my experience at MEPS was good. Good luck!

In my opinion, I would join the AF first and then go back to get your MSN. That way the AF will pay for it. I think they are really big on education. I am graduating in May of next year with my BSN and hopefully will be selected this January. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. My plan is to get a few years under my belt and then apply to graduate school.

My recruiter's email address changed about a week ago. The 'rs' in the email address became 'randolph'. Maybe all of them changed. I was worried when my email bounced back.

Yes, I have it in writing. You're right in that there are less funds for loan repayment, and you have to wait for it to be approved. I waived the bonus and applied for the loan repayment, although I have been debating whether I should change it or not. If I am not mistaken, I was told that the August Board is the first board for FY11 and that I should have no problem getting the loan repayment approved.

According to my recruiter, the current bonuses/loan repayment options for nurses are: $40k loan repayment - 3 year commitment (Your loans are not paid off in one lump sum. You provide the AF with all of your loan info, prioritize which loan you want paid first, and they make payments to your loan each month. The $40k is taxed, so it won't actually pay $40k of your loans). $30k bonus - 4 year commitment, paid in lump sum (minus taxes) $40k loan repayment AND $20k bonus - 6 year commitment Of course these are all for FY10, so it could change. I just completed my packet this week, so I know these are valid.