nick7331

Thanks for the info rndiver! Definitely thinking a car would be nice to have while there! Random COT question, do they do another medical processing/exam/immunizations upon getting there? I've heard the MEPS physical is good for 2 years but wondered if they do extra. One of my family members asked me about immunizations and all that and I'm trying to find out since I didn't know. Thanks for any info!

I'm doing Med/Surg. How about you? I head to COT in Jan and then to Tampa for NTP after that!

Thanks for the replies everyone! Sure is nice to have some feedback from you all. Definitely getting excited to get things started!

I've heard different things from my recruiter so I just was curious to if anybody has any advice on having a car at COT and/or NTP is beneficial/hassle/not needed? I've seen we can fly in for COT but was wondering how things would work for those who drive. Does the Air Force move your car from place to place or if you have a car, does that mean you have to drive it there? I live on the West Coast and will be stationed at Langley AFB Virginia so it would be quite the road trip if that's how it plays out!

Good to know somebody else is looking for the same information! If you find anything, let me know! I'll do the same if I find anything out. I'm extremely excited for the area, on and off base! I'm counting down the days to COT and can't wait to get started!

Thanks!

I'm a new grad RN and was just selected in the July NTP board. Headed to COT in Jan and after NTP will be assigned to Langley. My first choice was Lackland due to being more familiar with their setup. Looking for anybody with insight about - Hospital/Units at Langley- pt load, experiences, etc. - How the base is- recreation, housing, etc. - Any advice/guidance to help get the most out of the transition. Thanks for any info!

Haha. I'm not really looking forward to it but it fits well with waiting on the Air Force. Turned down a job at my capstone site due to a contract and turned down a job at a prison just because I couldn't totally bring myself to do it. I'm med/surg as well! That's twice what my recruiter told me months back so I like that number much more!

Is that newly released information? We've all seen varying numbers and I'm just curious as to if your recruiter gave any indication on if that is the official number we've been waiting for?

The company does start with a M. Pretty much, if you're felony free and licensed, you're hired! I'm worried I'll be bored out of my mind.... Any advice? I didn't hear anything after mine was submitted until my recruiter changed and my new one just called to introduce himself and check in with me. I think mainly, unless you contact them after everything is in, they are just waiting for the list from the board and working with the next group of applicants. Hopefully we'll be talking to our recruiters about a month from now CVA311 and signing a few more papers! :)

I'm in a similar situation. I turned a job down a few months back due to a contract commitment. I haven't looked into it much but I have read things about some HR/equal opportunity type thing where military service can't be counted against violating a contract agreement. I really didn't feel like it was the right thing to do either way at the time and am trying to play things out as professionally as I can until I hear about the Air Force. I also read about people paying a fee for leaving contracts early. I guess mainly it just depends on your situation. I found a job working in flu shot clinics that is temporary/seasonal and would work perfectly if I do get accepted. Granted, this is not a really interesting/great job but it is a paycheck and time filler while waiting. Not sure if this really helps but mainly want to let you know that I am also between that rock and a hard place! Sure isn't super fun but it will really be worth it if everything plays out like I hope it does!

I hear ya. Just talked to my new recruiter today. Guess my previous one is moving on. He reiterated the same info of finding out the end of August. I've been waiting for 8 months so whats an extra few weeks!

I've heard the same from my recruiter. I've seen a lot of late August/September though from others. Sure wouldn't mind knowing August 10th! The days are moving by slowly......

Did med-surg as well. I second what LN75 said about the numbers. Really is hard to go with any of the numbers we're hearing. I sure like to see the higher estimates though. I've also see that for the most part you'll get your info on when you go to COT with when you get all the acceptance information. The days just keep dragging by..........and dragging.

So I'm a recent graduate and have a RN job possibility in a state correctional facility. I was just looking for advice from others on experiences of working with this given population. We went on a tour during my last semester of nursing school with a head nurse at a facility and it seemed interesting as well as more sketchy than your typical RN job. So I definitely am interested in working in this area and as a new grad, can't be too selective it seems at this point. Just have a few mixed feelings about working in this given environment and looking for any info, advice, past experiences!

Thanks for joining our discussion! We've been wondering where other applicants are because we've heard there are quite a few, but who really knows. We all seem to hear different info. Best of luck at the interview and please post any updates in here!

Thanks! Feels great!

Sure makes it hard to get a good feel on the situation. I'm hoping congress approves like 150 spots and takes the pressure off. Haha, wouldn't that be nice. Only two months till August but it feels like it is going to begin to really drag on. Officially got the word this morning that I passed the NCLEX and am officially licensed!

I like the 60-100 a lot better so hopefully that is the case. 32 applicants is crazy from one recruiter! Do you know how many states they cover?

Thanks UCAFblue. Just got back from my interview and checked in here. It went well and was pretty laid back. The CN just asked a few questions about physical fitness, deployments, and family's feelings on pursuing Air Force. Mainly, he shared a lot of experiences about his career path in the Air Force and the went on a small tour of the base. I imagine the anxiety with waiting will just keep creeping up and up. Asked the recruiter again about # of spots and applicants he is working with for the NTP board. He said from his info that they are taking 19 med-surg spots and 6 OB spots. As of now, he is working with 12 applicants for the board but hinted at little things coming up that keep dwindling the numbers. I keep thinking of how awesome it would be to be in the Air Force so hopefully it becomes a reality. Finished up signing and initialing the last few papers today. Back to the original question that I never answered about grades, experience, etc. - 24 years old, no prior military service - Graduated with BSN May 2012 with NCLEX pending, soon to be certified. - Overall Nursing GPA of 3.93 with cumulative GPA of 3.7 - 2 Years of Work experience as glorified CNA on med-surg unit with capstone done on med-surg unit as well. Interests lie in ICU's but pursued med-surg due to Air Force starting in med-surg or OB w/o prior experience. - Various leadership and volunteer positions held throughout academic career - Various academic and workplace awards for academic/clinical/work performance - Can't shoot straight with my Beretta pistol but they don't need to know that Once again best of luck to everybody! I keep telling myself the decision date will be here before we know it but right now it feels so far away! Need to find an RN job to fill the downtime and make some money!

I have my interview Monday and then that is the last big thing. Then a few more papers to sign I would imagine. Also, signed up for the NCLEX in a couple weeks so that is exciting and it will be nice to have that finished. I'm not applying for the HPLRP, I barely made it w/o taking any loans out and skimmed by. I echo the statements of of not enjoying waiting. I need to find a temporary RN gig to help fill some time or go on a major vacation.

First off, congrats on getting into nursing school. It's a busy but exciting/interesting experience! Put your best foot forward and take it one day at a time, and before you know it, you'll be at graduation. A little about me so that you know for reference. I'm 24 and just graduated from a BSN program and have applied to the AF Nursing Corps. I am submitting an application for their NTP (Nurse Transition Program) board this summer. With the NTP, it is for new nurses as you would be in two years, and we spend ~10-11 weeks at a Level 1 Hospital with preceptors as well as additional didactic time. From there, we would get sent on our first assignment. In response to your questions: When do I need to start talking to a USAF health professions recruiter? Since I haven't even started the program yet (this fall) I did not want to talk to them and make it seem like I am wasting their time when I am 2-3 years away. - I echo the comment of rndiver 82. It is never too early to talk to a recruiter. In the AF, they won't start your application until you are within one year of graduating but I think it is good to show you are interested early. As you mentioned, make sure it is a Health Professions Recruiter and not just a general recruiter. Now that it is 2012 and it seems like a lot more nurses / cutting of jobs from the USAF, how hard is it to get accepted to the USAF fresh out of college? I honestly do not want to work a civilian job after I graduate, I want to go straight to the service! - From what I've heard, for this NTP board, they are taking 20-25 new grad BSN's. We are not for sure on the numbers but the general consensus, is that all of us applying wish there were more positions. It sounds like there is still a high need for AF Nurses but the finances aren't quite there to support the need. It is competitive but they will take some. Everybody says things are competitive in whatever it may be (i.e.- nursing school, jobs, anything in life) and decide why bother. It's competitive but if you really want it, go for it and keep trying regardless of what happens the first round. If I don't get in this round, I will keep applying and figure a year or two of getting experience in the civilian world is worth it for what for me would be an awesome career in the Air Force. - Other Things to Consider- I'm obviously set on the Air Force now as my #1 but don't forget the other branches of the military. We all have our reasons for trying to get into whichever service but from what I've heard, there is more overlap in the medical professions in the military than other positions typically. Don't get me wrong, the Air Force is the best and the coolest of them all. The Navy has a Nurse Candidate Program that if I could do it over again, would do. You can start applying to this program now and if accepted, they pay for school and give a stipend. They guarantee a commission after graduation and you'll know that you have a job waiting for you. I'm pretty sure it is still a 4 year sign on agreement once you graduate which is the same as it is in the AF, but the navy would pay for all your school. One individual in my nursing cohort did this program as well as another the year behind us. They participate some level with ROTC. Considering this would pay for your school, any time spent with ROTC, is viewed as your job while in school. Just wanted to pass this along to make sure you are aware. I'm not trying to talk you out of the Air Force though by any means. The Army as of now is just taking RN's with 2 years or more of experience so for new grads, it is the AF or Navy. My timeline with this process is I graduated this May, application will be submitted in June, board meets in July, and then we find out if accepted in August. From there, we most likely won't commission (Go to Commissioned Officer Training- this happens prior to the NTP segment) until January. It is impossible for us to know or even guess at a possible COT date. In the downtime, I'm trying to find a job to make some money and get some experience. If you were to do for example the navy program, there would be less down time for one and you would know after you apply while still in nursing school, if you're accepted. Most of us are just biding our time post-graduation to even just hear if we're accepted. Essentially, what should I be prepared to do and when should I do it? I don't want to go to the recruiter to early so they think I am not as serious and far away, that's why I am asking here! - I think going to a recruiter now would show them how serious you are at this stage. Finding out information from them and developing a relationship with them, could only I think benefit you more in the long run. You won't be able to start the application until 1 year within graduation but you can keep that in the back of your mind. - Focus on doing as well as you can academically first and foremost. Then if you do work as an CNA/tech, try to get some experience while in school to add to the resume. In addition, you'll need references from nurses at the time when you apply so start trying to establish yourself with nurse managers, instructors, clinical preceptors etc. This way, when it is time for you to apply, they can write the strongest recommendation possible. You'll be busy in school but try to be involved in a nursing school committee or student group if possible. Leadership is always a bonus as well as any volunteer work. You'll have to set priorities with what is feasible with your situation, but try to develop as balanced and strong resume as you can. Best of luck and enjoy your first semester this fall. The Air Force provides a great opportunity to grow professionally as well as personally. I hope that both of us get in when the time comes. My biggest piece of advice from my experience and from what I've see from others, stay patient with the process. It is a long and slow process. Keep thinking about that eventual end point and remember why you're applying. Stay the course, continue the journey, and your goals are within reach.

I second the response of midinphx. LVN is an in between that isn't utilized much in the military. Better off to keep working towards BSN. All branches only take RN's with a BSN from what I've seen.

Trying is the most important part. Hang in there UCAFblue. Focus on school and getting good grades. LOR's play a part but there are so many other points on your application you can emphasize. Sounds like you have the right attitude for this process and keep being persistent and try to be involved as you can. Good luck!

It can be a challenge to find the right references. My recruiter had me find 5 references and we're going to submit 3. I had 2 instructors that I worked with during multiple clinical rotations and research projects projects so they know me well. Then where I work I had the nurse manager and clinical nursing coordinator provide a reference. Lastly my capstone preceptor did a reference. I did my capstone where I have worked the past 3 years so they all know me really well. I was lucky to have more personal interactions with all these individuals for a longer time frame. Good luck! I think the application process is in part to test our patience! Hang in there!