Requirements for Experienced Nurse in AF

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

NOW. Call a recruiter NOW and start your package.

It's a long, drawn-out process - it took most of the people on this board six months to a year from the start of the process to acceptance, and then some folks are having to wait several months for a class date. I'd say the average time to even get the package ready for submission is four months.

This board is a GREAT source of information. Feel free to post whatever questions you have and vent whatever frustrations you encounter along the way; we've either been through it or are going through it now. I've been through it and am now at Lackland Air Force Base at Wilford Hall. However hard the process, it's totally worth it.

GOOD LUCK and keep posting - we look forward to hearing from you!

(Be sure you call a health care recruiter and not an enlisted recruiter. If you need help finding one, let us know.)

danegerous, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

Well, let me clarify a little more and add a little more info. I actually began my application last October. I completed the application and MEPS in November. I decided not to go in as a new grad, so I waited. So, everything is done, all I need now are my new letters of recommendation. The letters I will be getting are from: 1) the head of nursing at my hospital, 2) The head physician at the hospital, 3) My direct nursing supervisor 4) My Shift manager, who was in the AF himself, and 5) My nursing preceptor, who has seen me grow and work very very closely for months and months.

Is it harder for an experienced nurse to get in than a new grad? Or are their numbers simply lower because of the lack ofexperienced applicants? Also, are experienced nurses also elidgable for the tuition repayment and sign-on bonus?

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

The answer could still be "now". You can put your package in at any point, and once you commission, they will determine whether or not you go to NTP based on that date. My time in grade was recalculated once I commissioned because I'd been working several months longer, so I know they do this.

Whether it's harder for qualified RNs (you're considered "qualified" with 6 months experience, not experienced) or not depends on the number of applicants, the number of NTP applicants - in other words, "it depends". And right now there's no lack of any kind of applicant, really, although I believe their numbers are being met more by NTP folks. Most of my COT class last October (COT 10-01) was comprised of folks looking for better work and better bennies, and most of the RNs in my class had experience. The numbers in the summer will shift because of course the grads will be out of school; most of what they call the "summer surge" (classes of 300 or more people in May/June and July/August) is comprised of new grads.

Everyone is eligible for the sign on bonus and the loan repayment, provided they're offered.

I would talk to the people you're getting to do your letters of rec and find out when THEY would be comfortable filling out the form in a way that's going to benefit you. You need straight FIVES in each category to be competitive, and ensure they understand they are only comparing you to other RNs at your level - not to RNs with ten years' experience.

Also keep in mind all your stuff expires after a year from signing, and your physical is only good for a year. You probably already know all this.

Call your recruiter back and talk to the folks who will write your letters.

danegerous, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

Thank you, that is all good info. I just talked to my recruiter and he said to get the "qualified" application in, I would need to wait til October, but I understanding what you're saying, too. I will also definitely talk to the people writing my letters. Thankfully I know them well enough to basically say, "Listen, if you're going to put all 5s, let me know and I'll get someone else". I will be waiting to get the letters until I am on my own a little longer, so they can really see me shine.

I'm just getting so antsy, you know? My recruiter has a 100% acceptance rate, so I guess if he didn't see potential he would have told me already.

One more question, does GPA factor into a qualified nurses app at all? Just wondering. I didn't have a high enough GPA as a new grad, so that's why I waited. I have a BA in graphic design and I screwed around in that program. Well, those gen eds allowed me to complete a BSN in 18 months. So, those gen ed grades (Bs and Cs) were factored into my nursing GPA, too. My nursing courses had a GPA of 3.3, but my overall wasn't high enough. So, I don't want to be caught off guard with that info.

Thanks!

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

I don't know, to be honest with you. I do know they look at it, because my interviewer commented on mine, but since they're not paying you to do the work per se (like the enlisted commissioning programs, where they pay for their schooling and may even have them remain on active duty with full pay and bennies) I don't think it counts the same.

BUT - given the high number of applicants right now thanks to the economy, it may carry more priority.

You might end up having to do your physical again. You'll possibly end up having to redo all that paperwork again. I would get a straight answer from the recruiter on that, because if that's the case, you can start on that in September and not be pushing to get it all done in October.

What I'd do in the meantime if I were you is start working on your PT test; that's one less thing you'll have to worry about when it's time to go. It will also give you something to work on and to occupy your time while you wait - you'll feel like you're doing something constructive toward your AF goal. Believe me - it would feel great to go to COT and know you can ace the PT test, because while my whole class did pass it the second time (a few just missed it the first!) a chunk of us were by the seat of our pants (me included!!!). :)

danegerous, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

That's weird, because I asked my recruiter's boss when they came to our school last year and he said my MEPs stuff was good for 2 years.

Also, I was told by my recruiter that for qualified nurses, the best way to guarantee yourself an in is to work in ER or ICU, since that's where they needed the most help. Thankfully, that's where I am.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

That's weird, because I asked my recruiter's boss when they came to our school last year and he said my MEPs stuff was good for 2 years.
Also, I was told by my recruiter that for qualified nurses, the best way to guarantee yourself an in is to work in ER or ICU, since that's where they needed the most help. Thankfully, that's where I am.

GOOD - I almost posted that I THOUGHT I'd read an AF commissioning physical was good for two years, but I wasn't sure - that's why I said "might".

Actually, the AF won't let you work in the ED or in the ICU unless you're qualified in that area; if you have no ICU/ER experience (and I'm not sure what the minimum requirement is - I'll go out there and say it's a year), you'll be classed as med-surg and will have to apply for the ICU/ER nursing specialty course. I'm here at Lackland Air Force Base and Wilford Hall Medical Center where they run those courses. They put out a document every year called "Call for Candidates" and it specifies the requirements to apply for the courses.

(WHMC is the largest hospital in the Air Force and one of the big mamas in the DOD - we're about to merge with Brooke Army Medical Center and WHMC will become the largest conglomeration of clinics in the DOD and the home of a specialty Eye Hospital.)

It's not that they need the most help there, it's that they need more bodies to deploy - and that's the truth. The ICUs and the ED have the highest operations tempo here at WHMC.

danegerous, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

Maybe that's why good 'ole recruiter told me a year...because I actually want to work in that dept. So, 6 months to qualify as...well...qualified, and a year to actually work in that dept. That makes sense. All of this is pretty overwhelming. I guess I could just as easily wait a year and apply. Are the rumors true about them running out of money for tuition and sign-ons and stuff?

mambojennifer · May 19, 2010

Does the ICU/ER speciality course include NICU?

danegerous, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

Does the ICU/ER speciality course include NICU?

I would definitely imagine, since it is a specialty of ICU.

midinphx, BSN · May 19, 2010

You should find out exactly what qualifies you to be CCU. I'm joining with CCU identifier. But I have years of experience and have my CCRN certificate. I just wonder if 6 months working is enough for the Air Force. They also took my Critical Care Course certificate and all my education certs. and they do look at GPA. There is a minimum requirement. I only know this because when they asked what mine was, I had no idea. No one else has ever asked.