Civillian nursing on base hospitals

Specialties Government

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Can anyone tell me about working as a civilian nurse on base hospitals?

Originally I wanted to be a military nurse but was medically disqualified.

Currently I'm a travel nurse with 2.5 years of experience in critical care. I recently married a soldier, and currently the base he is stationed at has a job opening for my specialty. I did put in an application because I want to be closer to him instead of traveling.

Im just curious about anything and everything. Any info would be much appreciated.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Depends on the branch, depends on the hospital. In the Army, we have larger hospitals (medical centers or MEDCENs) and smaller community hospitals (medical activity or MEDDAC). At a MEDCEN you will find many specialties and a wide variety of patients. At MEDDACs there are fewer specialties and lower acuities for inpatients. Like I said, it really depends on location and branch. I work with a lot of civilian/GS nurses - they even have a union.

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This is specifically what I've been looking into. At Fort Bragg's Army Womack Medical Center:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/391727400

I don't know much about working as a government employee. Or the GS system. Will I see much difference in heiarchy? Do I have to become more Army-like to fit in? Do I have to take orders from military nurses because I'm a civilian? Do I salute anyone?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
This is specifically what I've been looking into. At Fort Bragg's Army Womack Medical Center:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/391727400

I don't know much about working as a government employee. Or the GS system. Will I see much difference in heiarchy? Do I have to become more Army-like to fit in? Do I have to take orders from military nurses because I'm a civilian? Do I salute anyone?

Womack is a MEDCEN - you'll see a wide variety of patients there, and probably stay fairly busy. The GS system is good to get into as a military spouse because it's likely you'll be able to find a job no matter where he gets stationed, as long as you've been in the GS system for a little bit. It's likely that there will be military personnel in your hierarchy - your nurse manager will probably be active duty. The good thing is that if you don't like them, just ride it out because they always end up going somewhere else. :) You do not have to be "Army-like," just be the usual professional that you probably are. Civilians do not salute anyone. You don't really have to "take orders" like you're a soldier, but as I said, you will likely have an Army Nurse Corps officer as your supervisor.

If you apply within the GS system, be patient - it takes a long time to get hired due to several layers of bureacracy. However, the pay and benefits are usually competitive. Good luck!!

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Thanks PixieRN! I've read your posts on here for the last several years. Your advise is always great. Thanks for all that you do :)

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