irfarmer

Trojan0627, I switched branches because I wanted to return to active duty. I was enlisted for 5 years and got out in 1997. After quite a number of years, I wanted to return and finish out my career. I put in my package for active duty Navy as 2910 med/surg nurse. I was 41 at the time I submitted my package, I needed to do 15 years to complete my 20 years of active duty. 3 weeks after I put in my package, the recruiter called me and told me I was too old for active duty, but not for reserves. The rest of that is a long story, but I opted for Reserves at that point, but I also called the Air Force recruiter. They told me they take me on active duty up until age 48, but I chose to stick with the Navy Reserves anyways. About 8 months ago, the Air Force called me to see if I'd still be interested in active duty, and I started my package for them. I got picked up and I report in a couple of weeks, I'm not for one branch over the other, but the Air Force offered a better deal overall. I would've stuck with the Navy had they offered me active duty, and I tried again for active duty before I submitted my Air Force package, but there was nothing available. Reserves just don't have the retirement that active duty does, and the military offers a far better retirement package than my civilian employer. Rick

Trojan0627 Not sure for the other branches... but the Air Force has a selection board for new grads in June I believe. I would contact a recruiter now if you would want that opportunity to try for this coming selection board. You might have enough time to get your package together. The stipulation would be of course, that you would have your license by the time the selection boards come around. Good luck, and be patient. These things take time. I was previously a Navy Reserve Nurse and just transferred to active duty Air Force, both took a lot of waiting and patience.

Thank you for that information. I contacted AORN, and they told me I wasn't eligible to purchase the certification on my own. I looked up the CNOR and found what you were speaking of, so I'm going to get it done. I only have a month before I have to report to my duty station, so it probably won't happen until after I get there. There is no COT for me, already went through officer training through the Navy. I have some work to do, however, the Colonel I interviewed with said as long as I get it before I'm eligible for Major, I would be fine. Thank-you again.

Air Force has a nurse transition program, where they take new grads and put you through a year of AF nursing school at different locations throughout the US. The boards are in June I believe, and prior service is a big plus for possible selection. Work hard on your grades, GPA is important for selections as well.

Look at your options carefully, if you have aspirations of active duty at all, I would steer away from Reserves. It may prove difficult, if not impossible, to transition to active duty AF. I ran into that issue with the Navy, and this is part of the reason I'm switching branches from Navy to AF. And as Pixie said, do not let them talk you into enlisting, huge difference in many ways.

sm_carter, I am currently in the Navy Reserves as a RN and within the next 2 weeks will commission into the Air Force as AD. I served 5 years enlisted in the Navy in the 90's and 1 1/2 years in the Reserves as an RN, and so far have enjoyed it. I'm disappointed in the Navy as they do not always give credit for experience in nursing as the Air Force does, and it seems as though the Air Force is much more family oriented and takes better care of its' service members than the Navy does, based on AF members I know and have spoken to. I can tell you that the AF has done a much better job with getting me to where I'm at that the Navy did, but that may be that I just got a good recruiter. Deployments supposedly aren't as long with the AF, but are more frequent. As far as promotions go, they appear pretty even from what I've researched. I believe the Navy has some more preferable bases, but not too much difference. I would have stuck with the Navy, had they allowed me to go on active duty as an RN, but would not allow me because of my age, but the AF would. Makes no sense, I would've preferred to stick with what I know in the Navy, everyone I've worked with in the Navy has been great and I will miss them. I would have to say go with whoever offers you the better options, and works for you. If you're in the Pittsburgh, PA region, MSgt Jake LaFine ( AF) has been an excellent recruiter and I would highly recommend him. Couldn't have asked for much better, and he has been on top of things. Hope this helps.

They don't require you to have your CNOR certification to be eligible. I don't have mine and was selected for OR, it is not available to me through my employer and you can not buy it to become certified on your own. As far as the OB route, I believe there are more OR billets available than there are OB, so your best opportunity lies with OR. From there you can switch to different specialties over time, with permission from your command. I was also told that CNOR is required for promotion to Major as well, hopefully it is offered through my command.

Darthshine, There is a possibility yoy could be included with the January selection boards, but you would have to get your stuff together pretty quick. You will need 3 professional letters of recommendation to start with, which I found took the longest to get together. The rest of the application process went pretty quick. You need to get a hold of a health professions recruiter to get things started though, and tell them you want to be included with the next selection board.

Enova, it has taken me 3 years, but I was finally selected. I started out applying for AD Navy, only to be told 3 weeks after I submitted my package that I was too old. I settled for Navy Reserves almost 2 years ago, but knew it wasn't were I wanted to be. The Air Force told me they would take me till age 48 (I have 5 years prior AD), and originally turned it down.They (AF) called me this past spring again, and I decided to go for it. I am a clinical nurse in the Navy, but have been working in the OR for a year and a half. So, I decided to apply for OR this time, and now Im headed to Eglin in February. Don't sell yourself short, you can do it and get where you want to be, you just have to be persistent and stick with what you really want.

From the sounds of it, you shouldn't have any problem. It sounds as though you have quite a bit of experience under your belt.

sbain51, I've been a nurse for 8 1/2 years, and have been working in the OR for a little over 1 1/2 years. I do alot of ortho, and to a lesser extent general and spine. The interviews went great, I was prior active duty and have been a MED/SURG nurse in the Navy Reserves for a little over 1 1/2 years. I wanted to go back in the Navy as active duty, but was told I was too old - I just turned 44 this week. Eglin was my 3rd choice, Langley and Wright-Patterson were #s 1 and 2. AORN certification is very important according to the Colonel who did my interview, and I do not have that yet. I was that I might not have enough of the right experience to get selected... glad I was wrong.

I was selected for OR, going to Eglin in Florida for February, super excited!!!

I recieved an email from my recruiter earlier today that the list has been approved by the Vice, and is now awaiting approval from the General before being released. Should be real soon now : )

I applied for the October boards, I was told there were 18 OR billets available for the October boards back in September. I received an update from my recruiter today, he said the list is compiled and just needs routed for final approval. He said we should hear something very soon.

STEF1443, Is MSgt Lafine your recruiter also? If he is, what's he been telling you? I'm curious what's going on, haven't heard much at all.