Recruiters

With the current economy making it hard for nurses (especially new grads) to find a job, recruiters have had an easy time of filling their quotas thus allowing them to be very selective. When the new fiscal year begins (Oct 1) they'll have new numbers and can begin the process with new recruits.

Give them another shot next month and you might get different results.

I'll be starting the process next summer (with the AF) so I hope things will have changed!

Best of luck!

Hello all,

So does anyone know if the Navy and AirForce are in need of Critical Care RNs for this coming fiscal year? Have tried to call 3 different AirForce healthcare recruiters and not even a return call. Had a hard time reaching a Naval healthcare recruiter and when I did was told that they are not offering bonuses for Critical Care RNs, only OR and CRNA (implying not a high demand). Now the Army has been outstanding with info and communication, but I really want to sit with all 3 branches before I make my decision.

Is this the norm for AirForce and Navy, or is it just because it is the end and beginning of fiscal years? I'm located in Florida if anyone has prior experience with an AirForce or Naval recruiter they would like to recommend.

My personal experience... in January 2009 I decided 99.999% I wanted to go active duty military. At that time I was debating between navy and army. I contacted Navy first(left all my information, including the fact that I had 13+ years nursing experience, MSN and APRN-BC). I contacted Army 2nd. With the Army I had an immediate meeting with an AMEDD recruiter and by May the Army sent me to Ft Sam Houston/BAMC for physical and tour. After returning from that tour- towards the end of May, a Navy recruiter finally left me a voicemail.!I just had to laugh-literaly out loud! I had already decided that Army was what I wanted 100% for a many reasons but if I was still been considering Navy, moving foward with my military life would have been on hold that been much longer.

No matter what branch you choose you will need to be patient. Again like I stated, my process started in January 2009, so I don't think it had anything to do with the fiscal year, but the Navy took 5 months to call me back. Possibly my paperwork was lost or something?

Best wishes! No matter what branch you choose, I know you are needed!

Thank you. I appreciate the info.....

by july of this year the af had 500 apps turned in for 2010. recruiters are not returning phone calls or emails because they are overwhelmed in this down economy