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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, ED.

Hi all!

I graduated in Dec 08 and I'm currently an ER RN in a level II trauma center, I love it. I'm an AF brat and love the military lifestyle. I decided last year I want to join after earning my BSN, but I wanted the ER identifier & experience before joining. I'm still deciding between reserves vs active duty but ultimately I would love to be active duty. I owe the hospital 1 year, which is why I would want to do reserves now.

I've contacted ALL 3 branches (health care recruiters) for more info, I feel like I've been stalking the AF and Navy, both active and reserve depts. I've called, left messages, called again, even emailed a recruiter, with no luck. I only got a hold of Army, who was nice enough to answer my 100 questions over the phone, I'm going to meet with them Thursday. Every active duty/retired in my family is AF, it would be nice to carry the torch with the AF but I have my sights on Navy.

Is it normally this tough to get a call back from AF and Navy health care recruiters?!! Do you think they've made their quota for the year? I understand they're super busy, I just didn't think it would be this tough to get someone to call me back.

I love reading through these posts, you military RNs give great advice. Hopefully I will be able to get in touch with SOMEONE soon and make a move towards the military!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Go to the Navy.com site and do an only line chat & fill out a request for info. They seem to answer that way within 30 days or so. Find out where the HCR are & if not too far for you stop by and see if they are in. They are not found all over as the enlisted recruiters. I know in my area the HCR also did all Naval officers out of that office. If you have problems finding the office, stop at the local enlisted recruiters and ask them if they know or can find out the info. Most of them are willing to help. I do not know if they made qouta for the year, but with a time frame of 6-8 months to get everything done you would be into the next fiscal year which starts Oct. 1. If they are meeting goal you want to get your paperwork started as soon as possible so if they make the qouta for FY10 you do not have to wait to FY11. Hope this helps you out.

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Specializes in Psych NP.

I'm currently applying to the Navy Nurse Corps and I can tell you it took about a month to finally get a hold of the HCR I'm working with. I found that leaving a phone message doesn't do you a lick of good; you have to catch them in the office and while they're not busy helping other recruits. This may mean calling at different times. I've found email is easier for my HCR. Fill out the online request more info form like Jeckrn said. The application process takes alot of patience and alot of persistence; HCRs get busy with lots of recruits (especially right now) and they often have to travel to take their recruits to tour Naval hospitals.

In regards to the AF: I filled out the online request form and had a recruiter at my door within a week. He was an enlistment recruiter but he got me in contact with a HCR very quickly and once I was in contact with the HCR I was hearing from him twice a week.

Out of curiousity, what state are you in?

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, ED.

Thanks for the advice guys! I am in GA, I filled out the online forms for all branches awhile ago. I also called those 1800 #s but the online help seemed to know only about enlisted opportunities. I am going to continue to call this week!!

I didn't know Navy did tours of Navy hospitals! I have always wanted to see a Naval hospital. Is there an interview with a "Chief Nurse" like the AF?

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Specializes in Family Med, Mental Health, Public Health.

Hello,

Just a little info..if at ALL youre looking for loan repayment or sign on bonus, AF is not the way to go right now. Well at least until the new fiscal year begins. I spoke with a Healthcare AF recruiter today and he told me all the money for these programs have been exhausted for this fiscal year, and Im in GA too :) Just a little FYI...

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Specializes in Psych NP.

I'm in AZ so I don't know of any contacts you can try. Loan repayment is a no go with the Navy too until next fiscal year but if your applying now there's a good chance your application will go in for the next fiscal year (starting in Oct) anyway.

As for interviews you'll do two interviews; you'll likely do your first over the phone and your second in person when you tour a hospital though I don't know if it's with a Chief Nurse or not. The tour is a part of the application process but you'll do that well into the process. I haven't even gone on one yet and I'm nearly ready to sumbit the packet!

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