Complicated situation, is this possible?

[Vanillanut]

I am a Canadian citizen, married to an American citizen (E6 in the navy). We've been living seperately for awhile but I would like to move down to the states with him. I have a BSN and work in Emergency.

The only problem is, where he's relocating to the jobs are few and far between (Oak Harbor, WA). I *might* be able to land a job doing some sort of home health/public health, which for me is snoozeville but I'd do it. I've been looking for awhile now and there are no FT positions of any sort available for that area. However, there is a hospital on the base at Whidbey NAS. So, providing I obtain my WA license:

-Is it possible for me to work at a hospital on base as a civilian?

-I have also been considering the possibility of joining the navy for 3 years as my husband will be there for at least that long- is this possible?

-Is the TN visa applicable for military hospitals?

FYI I am happy to give up my Canadian citizenship in exchange for an American one, as my plan is to move permanently with my husband.

Anyone with any advice/insight -thanks in advance.

[ArmyOfficer]

An Army nurse with a BSN or Associate's Degree in nursing from a US accredited nursing school is an officer. And a non-citizen can be an officer in the Army Reserve. So it is indeed possible for a person to be a non-citizen nurse and officer (but only in the Army Reserve). Once in the Army Reserve, a person is eligible for expedited US citizenship.

[Kathyporter]

"MAVNI nurses enlist first, become officers, and get expedited US citizenship. A Canadian who is married to a US citizen can apply for a green card. A Canadian TN status holder can apply for MAVNI."

The MAVNI program was through 2009, if not continued this won't matter anyway. Its a program to get more health professionals into the Army. If a person is a legal resident and has a green card, they don't need MAVNI, they can enlist. If a person goes thru MAVNI, they are eligible after a certain point to fast track their naturalization and citizenship and then being an officer is fine. But all this is can be answered by the health care recruiter and the AKO.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

And to add a bit more food for thought:

If you're married to a US citizen, you can apply for your citizenship three years from the date of the issue of your green card. I know this because my husband is a green card holder and a British citizen.

If you're married to an active duty military member, you get expedited citizenship as well - just for being married to the AD member.

[redraccoon, BSN, RN]

Oak Harbor is a great place - very beautiful. The Navy hospital is pretty small..so limited jobs... but they do hire civilians. Oak Harbor has a public hospital as well -Whidbey Island General Hospital.

There are lots of military families that live in commnities other than the base - especially if the active duty member spends a fair amount of time underway or deployed. You may find that it is suitable to live somewhere in western Washington other than OH.

Anacortes, Sedro Wooley, and Arlington are possibilities.

Everett, Edmonds, and north Seattle are accessible via ferry. Its not a bad drive if your Dh doesn't have to commute daily. And if you were living in that are there are several hospitals you could consider.

There is another Navy base in Everett - so you would still have access to all of your military benefits such as commissary, exchange, and medical.

Just something to consider

[Kathyporter]

The MAVNI program is closed to nurses. It's docs and dentists only.

[Hbombers]

Vanillanut,

I am curious if you ever found work in the emergency setting. I am an experienced ED RN looking to relocate to Whidbey. Curious about pay and ease of getting hired on either Whidbey or Fidalgo. Any assistance would be great! Thanks.