Requirements for Experienced Nurse in AF

[danegerous]

Hey guys, I was wondering. I graduated in December, 2009; passed the boards January 15, 2010; and began working in the ICU/CCU March 1, 2010. I will have my six months experience as of September 1, 2010. I am just wondering when I can apply? I'm also ACLS and EKG certified. Can anybody offer any advice for going in as an experienced nurse?

Thanks!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

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

The NICU course, as I remember, is separate in the Call for Candidates. I did my Peds rotation in a NICU and it's WAAAY different from an ICU (because of the patient population) and is thus a separate specialty.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

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?

Not blowing you off - I answered this in another thread a bit earlier; I'm just too lazy to type the same answer twice!

The overall answer is no to the bonuses and the loan repayments are allocated differently and DO tend to run out before the end of the fiscal year. But they told me that as well - and then at COT I got offered the loan repayment after I was told I wouldn't get it. Many RNs did.

[HNELLA]

5 letters of reccomendation? Geez, I only gave them 3 and one of those was written with a sharpie.

[danegerous, BSN, RN]

5 letters of reccomendation? Geez, I only gave them 3 and one of those was written with a sharpie.

Did you get in?

[HNELLA]

my app finally went in for the May boards. I am not worried about getting in - I have been a nurse for 1000 years...My concern is when and all the other details with loan repayment or being placed somewhere in the evil state of Texas.

[danegerous, BSN, RN]

my app finally went in for the May boards. I am not worried about getting in - I have been a nurse for 1000 years...My concern is when and all the other details with loan repayment or being placed somewhere in the evil state of Texas.

Well, keep us informed, I am really hoping it all works out for me, this would be the absolute best route for my family and I.

[AnnyRN]

Hey HNELLA, I'm in the May boards too. Any word? Probably way too early but you never know who has the info.

[HNELLA]

Anny, Funny thing - my recruiter shot me an email today saying word should come out any day now. I find that hard to believe after reading this board and hearing about all the delays, but I will take it with a grain of salt...

[AnnyRN]

That would be fantastic! Unlikely but wouldn't we be lucky? Technically the release date is this Friday. We'll see.

[danegerous, BSN, RN]

So, if I read correctly, I can apply from now til October, go before the board in November and actually have my assignment changed as I complete more work experience? I wonder if I could request a 1 COT delay just so I can get my needed 2 months to make it a year in ICU...maybe I better not ask the US Air Force for special accomodations, haha.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Chances are you wouldn't go to COT until late in the next year anyway. Your assignment doesn't change, your time in grade will change, and you won't have to go to NTP.

[danegerous, BSN, RN]

Oh really? Last year when I was applying for the january '10 boards, my recruiter said it was possible I would have left for the March boards.

I'm primarily concerned with making sure I get to work in ICU once I'm in. So, that'swhat skipping NTP implies, right?