Questions about the Air Force

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

I am 21, just passed NCLEX on the first try, and have not worked as a nurse yet. I have made up my mind that the Air Force is what I am looking for and figure that it is the safest route because you are always in a hospital (words of my recruiter). I have read many threads on this wonderful site comparing the different military branches. I will be thankful for any responses or insight to my questions below:

What base(s) are you at/have you been to? which would you recommend for learning and quality?

What are you thoughts on NTP/COT? Were you prepared after training?

How long after joining did it take you get into graduate school? What is a good GPA to have if you want to be selected for CRNA/NP school?

When is the earliest you can deploy after attending COT and NTP?

What is your work schedule/hours like (both when in US and abroad)?

Was anything promised that you didn't receive?

What is the most common charting system (paper/computer)?

Do nurses who take the OB route get deployed less than those in Med/Surg?

Thoughts on private sector vs military nursing? Which did you like more?

Did you know if you would get the sign on bonus / tuition repayment before you gave your final word? Did you receive a sign on bonus/tuition reimbursement?

Is the internet available overseas and at all bases? Has anyone tested the speed (is it like dialup, dsl/cable, or T1)?

Oh, and is this pay calculator accurate?

http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/mpcalcs/Calculators/RMC.aspx

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It is not a question of if you will be deployed, it is a matter of when.

As long as you are okay with knowing you will deploy someday, you will be ahead of the game.

Good luck

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

I couldn't find what I might have said to trigger that response, but my recruiter promised me that I would go to Iraq, so I already knew that, hence the question about internet access. Were you referring to the question about OB nursing?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I just sent you a response to your PM.

As far as internet goes it would be considered high speed at most AF deployed bases that have been in place for any significant time. Most of the bases have ethernet ports in your rooms to my understanding.

http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/mpcalcs/Calculators/RMC.aspx Using your link you would come in as an O-1 with 1yr or more accurately less 2yrs experience. The pay is low starting out, but where else are you going to start where your base pay will go up more than 2,000 a month in the 1st 4yrs plus moderate increases in BAH at the same time.

I think what the other poster was trying to convey is that there is no definite on when and if you will deploy, but if you stay in long enough you will deploy at some point. As far as I know ther isn't an AF regulation that states exactly when you will be eligible to deploy after you finish NTP.

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

Thanks want to be crna :D

In order to get into critical care in the air force, I have to start out in Med/surg and somewhere along the line request to be moved to the ICU right?

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I couldn't find what I might have said to trigger that response, but my recruiter promised me that I would go to Iraq, so I already knew that, hence the question about internet access. Were you referring to the question about OB nursing?

Yes, for starters. . .

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Thanks want to be crna :D

In order to get into critical care in the air force, I have to start out in Med/surg and somewhere along the line request to be moved to the ICU right?

The last I heard the AF was encouraging going through their critical care course if you want to go into ICU which is 12months long and which aren't even eligible for two+yrs after TOS. Then after completing the course you would have to wait 2-3more years before applying to the nurse anesthesia program. One of my classmates got around not having any AF critical care experience by getting a part-time job in ER to meet the one year acute care experience that is required to apply to nurse anesthesia school.

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

Can someone give a good description of what a their average day nursing is like? Please include your base and floor/unit specification!

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

yes, please does anyone know? i'm also interested. . .

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I'm going to COT in about 3 weeks. I was selected for Andrews AFB, but they are changing the med-surg into a clinic, so my assignment has just been changed to Lackland. Lackland is supposed to be a big base for trauma and ER. When making your "dream sheet," look up bases you are interested in. Most of the hospitals have websites with their specialties.

Haven't been to COT yet, so I can't offer any advice, but there are several forums out there, like an Air Force OTS forum where people share their experiences.

I am taking advantage and starting my Master's as soon as I'm put on active duty. I was already accepted to Ohio State, and will be doing online classes. This is going to be covered through the AF's tuition assistance program. My GPA was around 3.5, GRE above 60%, 3 references, an essay on why I wanted to be an AHNP, ect...

You can be deployed at anytime after NTP from my understanding. They PROBABLY won't want to send a brand new nurse immediately after NTP, but you CAN be deployed whenever.

I'm going to be doing 3 12's, I'm pretty sure.

I was offered both a bonus and repayment, but it depends on the fiscal year. I should be receiving my bonus soon after NTP.

That's the info I can offer up so far. Have you begun your application yet? It usually takes around a year to complete everything. I started June 08 and required no waivers...

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

Yes, I have MEPS scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Have to be there at 5:30 am...

I was wondering how much yelling you receive during training/average days? I have sensitive ears.

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Enjoy MEPS, it's a long day.

Expect to get yelled at a lot as soon at you get to COT. It should ease up the 3rd week or so.

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