AndyRN

Hello All, I am currently a Clinical Nurse in the Air Force Reserves and yes we are required to work at least 180 hours a year. There is a form that has to be signed by your supervisor/NM verifying this, just as LTinAK stated. It is my understanding that you currently have to be working as a nurse before the Air Force Reserves would even accept you. SRNA, you being in school may be a different situation. If I were you, I would contact a medical reserve unit to find out for sure. The recruiter doesn't seem too sure on this.

Hi UCAF, I understand your desire to be an enlisted member first, but I would suggest you go in as an officer. My experience: I was enlisted for 11 years, as a mental health technician, prior to getting my commission. I was an ADN RN (5 years);however, I wasn’t eligible for a commission until I received my BSN. Once I got my BSN, I thought it would be an easy transition; but it wasn't. No recruiter was willing to help me make that transition because there was nothing in it for them....remember, I was already a member of the AF Reserves. They would rather bring in NEW individuals who may or may not stay.... (depending if they really like it or not) than to help someone who has shown dedication to the AF Reserve by serving 11 years. The recruiter’s suggestion to me was to go “inactive” (meaning NO Drills, NO participation, NO PAY) for about 5 to 6 months just so he can bring me back in as a new member. NO WAY!!!! A recruiter finally agreed to help me because my Chief Nurse made a deal with him to accept one of his recruits as long as he was willing to help ME. It should never be that difficult (in my opinion). I know of at least four other individuals who have had the same experience as me. Good luck with your decision. AndyRN

Meriwen, Thanks for the input... it's good information to know. When I relocated from MS (compact state) to TX (compact state), MS just change my licence to single state. This whole compact licensure really confuses me... or is that every state does there own thing. Again, thanks. AndyRN

Pacu No I haven't... I recently applied for a VA license and itwas at that time I found out that my Texas license was inactive and has beensince Aug 18. So, I've been without an active license for 1 1/2 months:wideyed:. I'm sure that's why I didn't get theinterview (I just wish someone would have at least asked if I was aware of it).I spoke with someone at the Texas BON asking why my license was inactive sincethey were good through Sept 2013. I was told that once I updated my address toa Virginia address that automatically made my Texas license go inactive. THATIS JUST CRAZY!!! And makes no sense what so ever. I explained that at the timeI updated my address, I hadn't applied for VA license. I was told "itdoesn't matter, you are now a VA residence and you must apply for VA license" :poop: While I do understand you can only hold onecompact state licensure, my Texas license should have been change to a singlestate instead of becoming inactive. I applied for VA licensure Sept 26 andreceived them in less than a week. I have applied to another job; just waitingto see what happens. Thanks for the concerns. AndyRN

808Diva, Thanks for the reply. I applied to both of the hospitals you mentioned. Same results; spoke to nurse recruiter and were told it would be forwarded but never got an interview from either. Thanks for the encouragement... I really need it at this point. I will continue to apply and play the waiting game. I'm sure it will eventually happen but I didn't expect it to be like this. Thanks, AndyRN

missnurse, Thanks for replying. Although, I did include my previous pay; I stated"open" for preferred pay. This was only because it required me to putsomething in the space. The area I moved from did indeed pay more (exactly $4more than this facility); however, the cost of living was so much less.Regardless, I need a JOB. It's hard to get anyone. I experience this before I applied. I had a fewquestions but the automated message would direct you back to the website andvice versa. I don't know what to do here. The same thing has happen at anotherfacility I applied to... Same specialty. I am so confused.

I recently relocated to the Hampton Roads area and I'm having the hardest time getting an interview. I don't know what to think... I have 7 years experience (in a specialty area), I'm certified (in that specialty), and have a BSN. I'm also currently pursuing my MSN. I've applied to two positions in my specialty(I figure it would be easier since most of my experience is in this area). I received a call from the nurse recruiter on the first try and was told my information would be forwarded to the hiring manager and at least 2 of my references would be called. To my surprise, none of my reference were called and when I checked the status of the job, there was a blurb stating someone else's qualifications matched their needs rather than mine. I thought I met all of the qualifications but I guess someone else's were better. I figured I'd at least get an interview. NOPE!!!! I applied for another position (same specialty, same hospital)... this one part-time (I figure something is better than nothing). The same day I applied, the status of the job change stating someone else's qualifications matched their needs. What other qualifications do I need???? Has anyone else experience this? AndyRN

Never mind...I found the thread where you provided detailed information about the VA process. Keep up posted!!!! AndyRn

Wife&mommy, Can you tell me how the interview process works for the VA? How long was the process from start to finish? Thanks, AndyRN

pooshx2, did you appy for and get this job? I'm really curious since I'm interested in doing the same but would like more information. Thanks in advance.

I'm also looking to move to the hampton roads area next year. I've looked at all the hospitals websites... Mom_to_4, can you send me a PM to let me know why one should stay away from Maryview. I'm currently working at on a rehab unit but will be willing to try something different. Thank you.

Did a little research last night and there is a Medical Unit at Langley but I'm not sure if they have Flight Nurse positions. I'm going to try and find a number for them and give them a call.

Thanks for responding. I am in the Reserves; have been for 13 1/2 years. I received my commission in May 2010 and just completed RCOT this past April. I love the Hampton Roads area. My husband and I are planning to move out there in a year. I'm just looking to see what's there. I called a recruiter today to see if he could answer my question but I got no answer. If I find out anything I'll let you know. Good Luck to you too. I'm sure you'll receive some positive news soon. You'll love it at least I do.

Check out University of South Alabama. It's a traditional university with an online MSN Informatics program. It's seems pretty reasonable.

Is there an Air Force Reserve Medical Unit at Langley AFB? A few years back, someone told me there was a Medical Unit opening at Langley but I'm unable to find any information on it. I know there has to be quite a few medical people in the Air Force Reserves that live in the Hampton Roads area... where do those people drill? I'm looking to move to that area within the next year and was wondering. I guess I can always call the base!!!! Any input is greatly appreciated

Tahoe77- The hospital has a policy that any weekend that is missed has to be made up (thus me working on my off weekend). Military time shouldn't have to be made up... in my opinion, that's penalizing me for time I need off for military duty/training. I did call HR and was told it was up to my NM. I spoke with my NM about changing my rotation/weekends because I would've always been on the job versus enjoying adequate time off (it never happen). I didn't make a stink about it... but everything worked out in my favor. Often times, I did work only one weekend a month and then there were times when my drill weekend fell on the 2nd weekend which was my off weekend so it worked out. Good Luck with everything and I'm in the Air Force Reserves.

Tahoe77- I say go for it. Never know... you may be that one to get in. A Critical Care nurse with a CCRN (in my opinion) has a greater chance than one without those qualifications. Consider Flight nursing or CCAT (Critical Care Air Transport) nursing… it may make your chances to get in even greater. Research ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve), it should give you plenty information about your rights on the job. There may be a number to call for more info. Your employer CANNOT make anyone use PTO time for military days. It’s your choice. During my interview, I did mention that I was a reservist (it’s on my resume) and the fact that I do more than a weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. Often times, I’m away from my job 4-5 days a month. I was told it was not a problem and they would work with me. I was offered the position the very next day. I immediately gave my Nurse Manager my schedule for the year with details of the extra days I would need to travel because my home unit is 12 hours away (I’d relocated to another state and hadn’t found a closer unit). Her comment to me was…. “You need to find a closer unit” and her tone was VERY negative. I held my tongue…. For the first few months, my NM used my PTO for the days I was away on military duty without my permission and scheduled me to work on my weekends off. When I asked her to stop using my PTO… I was told that anytime missed from work required PTO and since my weekend to work fell on my drill weekend, I had to make that up. Yeah…. I was livid. I did my research and printed all the information from ESGR and gave it to her, needless to say, I haven’t had any other problems since.

Good Luck!!! When my husband and I moved to our current base, I also wanted to work at the bases facility. I was told contracting as well as premanant hire (RNs) were to apply through USAjobs. I applied and was told I qualified HOWEVER... there were no positions available and my resume would remain on file for a period of time. My husband is AD, I'm Reserve so I would've gotten credit for that but I havn't been called and we've been here for a year and 7 months.

SusyQ, yes, I accepted the job at Hendrick Rehab and loving every minute of it. Hendrick is a great place to work and they really care about their people. I hear Abilene Regional is so so, but I can't confirm since I've never worked there. If you have any specific questions... ask away and I'll see if I could be of assistance.

ET CRNA, have you gone to RCOT yet? I'm scheduled for April. If you've gone, can you tell me a little about your experience. Thanks

AMEN...

I, too, have had the experience of relocating to Texas only to find out that my Mississippi license were only good for 30 days. VERY DISAPPOINTING, since I still have another good year to use them. I guess I was one of those few that didn't understand the "true" meaning of the Compact State Laws.

Thanks.... I will check them out.

Anisettes, when applying for the position you now hold, did you have to use KSAs (Knowledge, skills, and abilities) in your resume? I'm very interested in working on an Air Force Base (the job was posted on USAjobs); however, I'm just a little confused about the KSAs and how it should be posted. Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone. I will be relocating to Abilene, Tx in a few months with hubby whose active duty Air Force. I've been doing a little research and I see there's two hospitals there. One has a inpatient rehab unit (Hendricks); I'd really be interesting in that since I've worked rehab for the last 4 years and then there's Abilene Hospital. Just wanting some input on both facilities. What about the medical facility on Dyess AFB. I saw online where there were openings there also. Any and all opinions are welcomed. By the way, I'm Air Force Reserve and I'm sure I'll probably need more than the average 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year off since I'll more than likely travel back to Mississippi to my home base for drills until I can find something closer. My plan is to apply for a parttime position. Thanks in advance