New FNP Military Spouse- Doable or Career Suicide?

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Specializes in ICU.

Just needing some insight from some experienced NP's and/or military spouses!

I am a travel ICU RN with 4 years ICU experience currently halfway through my MSN-FNP program (I have a year left). We just moved to the DFW, TX area and I was planning to start my year of clinicals here so I can network and hopefully find a job out of school without months of waiting.

My husband is currently going through a career hardship and is considering re-joining the military (Navy specifically). I've read about the military spouse placement programs and know from other military family members that it probably doesn't work as smoothly as they make it sound. I've also read that getting the first NP job can be really tough, licensing is a long process, don't mention you're a military spouse when interviewing, etc. Right now, this is sounding rather impossible unless we become ok with lots of separation...which is not an option for me.

So just wanted to pick some brains. Any advice? Red flags? Encouragement? Do's and don'ts? Thanks!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

My husband is retired Air Force and we were both active duty (I was in the USN) when we met and married. Dual military career is difficult.

However, right from the get go - separation is the name of the game. To say that its not an option would be the red flag in your post for me.

That said, is it better that he has a job or that you are together 24/7? Separations aren't the end-all - being a military wife is all about being very independent. I enjoyed many benefits: years of travel, seeing new places, meeting new people. The downside: the separations, the not knowing when you will be separated because the needs of the military outweigh whatever you want ALWAYS!

If I had to do it over (we've been married 36 years now) yes I would do it again.

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Specializes in NP, ICU, ED, Pre-op.

My husband and I were also dual military (Army)! This was a great experience for us until we had children. You don't mention this and it is very important. If you don't have kids now, then things are much easier, however if you have children and both of you are active duty, you must have a written notarized plan on who takes over the kids if you are both, deployed and such. This used to be called a "care plan" and is very serious for those that are dual military......

All in all we had a great experience and would not change a thing.....

Not sure if this is even what you are talking about.....

If you are talking about the military helping you as the spouse get a civilian job....I'm thinking that is much more difficult than it appears on paper (just like most things in the military). Another job option for you could be local tenums jobs (travel). These are local to your area but under short term contract, that way you don't have to "hide" your spouses military career.

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Specializes in ICU.

Sorry, I should have clarified. I am a civilian and he would be the active duty service member. We don't have children yet but were hoping to start a family soon.

I have heard about the locum tenums. I enjoy being a travel RN now & think that's the best option if we choose this path. I've heard being a locum tenums right out of FNP school is tough but not impossible.

Thank you for the insight!

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