new Army Nurse going Landstuhl, Germany

twantland · Sep 27, 2009

I am not positive this is a possibility however my brother who has been a DOD/DOA employee overseas for 15years stated that it is a possibility. We are going to try to make this happen. Besides MAMC seems to always have openings and since we already work there and are familiar with it we should be able to get back here without too much trouble. At least that is our hope. No matter what we are not going to pass up an opportunity to live and work in Germany if we are blessed enough to be offered jobs.

SusanneCollins13 · Oct 7, 2009

Alright, in less than a week I will be at OBLC!! So excited! So tired already thinking about all that training and having to give up my afternoon naps. I am praying I get a good roomate. Is anyone else from here going to be there before the 14th of October? I am scheduled to arrive on the 12th at nine pm.

hopeful_army_NP · Oct 7, 2009

Alright, in less than a week I will be at OBLC!! So excited! So tired already thinking about all that training and having to give up my afternoon naps. I am praying I get a good roomate. Is anyone else from here going to be there before the 14th of October? I am scheduled to arrive on the 12th at nine pm.

Best wishes with everything. Please post when you get a chance.

zenman · Oct 7, 2009

Hello. I'm new to this but I just wanted to get some get some more information. I am a nursing student (RN-BSN) and Army ROTC cadet on my last semester of nursing school and Army ROTC. In May, I will be graduating as a nurse and commissioning as a 2nd LT in the Army. Anyways, I just found out that I got my first choice for my First Duty Station and it's Landstuhl, Germany. Of course, when I found out, I completely freaked out and it's probably the best early Christmas gift ever!
I don't know anyone who has been to Germany as an Army nurse and was wondering how the area was and if you liked living there. So far, I've read only good things. Are there things to do around city? Is there a beach or something? How's the weather? Is it a big city? congested? Also, how was working in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center? I know there will be a lot of injured soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan so maybe a lot of critical care cases. Was it stressful? big? Did you feel lost? Did people help you? Are the native people there friendly? do they speak English? Do I have to learn how to speak German or is English good enough? Is housing easily available and is it affordable? How about the cost of living there? I know the Euro is more than the American dollar. Will I have enough time to travel through Europe while working as an Army nurse? How about a car? Do I need to buy a car? a little off topic, but are Mercedes or BMW's cheaper there? Is there anything else that I should know? Anything that I need to steer clear of?
I know these are a lot of questions but I've never been too far from home and on my own, plus living and starting out a whole new life in a foreign country (I'm single, so no family or friends in a big, foreign place! lol.). Just really want to know any information that you have or any of your own personal experience living there. I kind of need to prepare myself for this whole new life and adventure before it happens. Thanks!

This is so funny. Have you learned yet to ask all these questions about a base BEFORE you put it down as your first choice?

Pink-Rated · Oct 11, 2009

Alright, in less than a week I will be at OBLC!! So excited! So tired already thinking about all that training and having to give up my afternoon naps. I am praying I get a good roomate. Is anyone else from here going to be there before the 14th of October? I am scheduled to arrive on the 12th at nine pm.

Hey SusanneCollins13!! Just wanted to wish you luck on OBLC! Have a great time in TX and then off to Germany. Tell me all about it! God bless you!

twantland · Nov 5, 2009

yes the military does hire civilians. You can go to the on the internet and post a resume, search for jobs and submit your resume for positions. You are federal employees of the DOD. It is awesome. Just type in CHRA, this is the civilian human resources website. hope this helps.

stevefl · Nov 5, 2009

If you are interested in working for the Army as a civilian try these web sites rather then USA Jobs. These are Army specific and not DoD. the first is Medcell I couldn't get the job listing to open for me but you might have a better chance medcell.army.mil or the CPO at http://acpol.army.mil/ even if medcell isn't showing jobs there is a lot of useful info on things like Med facility locations worldwide and benefits.

Good luck to you

Steve

Tiff14RN · Nov 7, 2009

I also graduated from ROTC and Landstuhl was my first assignment. This was back in 2002. I lived there from 02-06 and had a blast. As a new nurse you'll either work on med-sug, peds, or post partum. I did peds, but i wish I started out on the med-surg wards. Sorry, but it won't be your choice. You can request one, but it's where ever they need you at the time.

If you like to party, you should look for an apartment in down town K-town. If you'd rather live in a little quaint village, look at places like Queidersbach, Weilerbach, and Vogelweigh. The housing there is awesome!!!!!! I think you'll be impressed. I'm now currently station in Korea, but I regard Germany as the time of my life.

Pink-Rated · Dec 28, 2009

Hey Renee4christ! I got your message but it wouldn't let me message you back so I had to post the reply up here. sorry about that!! anyways, thanks for the info. I'm not an experienced nurse but working at a nursing home since september while waiting for OBLC in March and I def. don't consider myself an experienced nurse at all. haha! So far, all i know is that I'm still going to OBLC 29 March and to Landstuhl, Germany, afterwards. I'm praying that it's still going to be as planned!!! i'd be so upset if they change things again, esp. the Germany part. LOL. I even spoke to my nurse counselor a few weeks ago and she didn't tell me of any changes so lets hope not! but thanks again!! much appreciate =)

midinphx, BSN · Dec 28, 2009

I spent 3 years in West Germany back in 1986 as enlisted army. We were not far from Lahnstul and spent alot of time there and in the area. There is so much there! Keiserslatern is a huge military area with a big px and we were so excited when they built the Burger King down the street. Mind you this was 20 years ago, and it must be even more stuff now. Ramstein is right there and so much more. It's beautiful! Make sure you travel, see the travel office and don't be afraid to see it all.

Congrats and enjoy!

Renee4christ · Dec 29, 2009

Hey Renee4christ! I got your message but it wouldn't let me message you back so I had to post the reply up here. sorry about that!! anyways, thanks for the info. I'm not an experienced nurse but working at a nursing home since september while waiting for OBLC in March and I def. don't consider myself an experienced nurse at all. haha! So far, all i know is that I'm still going to OBLC 29 March and to Landstuhl, Germany, afterwards. I'm praying that it's still going to be as planned!!! i'd be so upset if they change things again, esp. the Germany part. LOL. I even spoke to my nurse counselor a few weeks ago and she didn't tell me of any changes so lets hope not! but thanks again!! much appreciate =)

Sounds like you are good to go and got a sweet deal! When you put in your duty choices and were contacted by the assignments manager, did she just tell you that you got your first pick of Germany and that's where you were going or were you still given an option of where you wanted to go even though Germany was open? I know, weird question! I ask because when I originally put my choices in with my application, I listed Fort Lewis, Wa, Eisenhower in GA, and Ft. Bragg in NC. However, when she emailed me, I put down Germany, Hawaii, and Fort Lewis. It's crazy, because now I'm stuck between Hawaii and Fort Lewis :bugeyes: OMG! I'm making this so hard!! Please help! What were your other choices?

Pink-Rated · Dec 29, 2009

i went through ROTC so when all of us cadets wrote down our duty choices, i put germany as #1, hawaii #2, ft. lewis, washington #3, and etc. can't remember the rest, but we had up to 14 choices (for nurses only). i never spoke to an assignment manager. i found out by my rotc commander that i got germany as my first duty assignment and as of now, i keep in touch with my nurse counselor. From what I've heard, overseas assignments, like germany and hawaii, are pretty hard to get b/c everyone wants them. Fort Lewis is nice, but it rains a lot and is pretty cold, but it's actually the most requested duty station, I don't know why tho. LOL. but their hopsital, Madigan, is pretty nice. Never been to Hawaii, but i've heard it's beautiful but very expensive to live. Their hospital there, Tripler, is HUGE, and pink, so you can't miss it. LOL. I've been and worked in Ft. Bragg for 3 weeks for cadet nursing summer training program, and the hospital is nice, but the area around it is pretty bad and dangerous. nothing really much to do around, but i had a great time with the other nursing cadets. it's a pretty HOOAH base too. And for GA, its super hot there. Good luck deciding! i'm sure you'll pick the one that is right for you!!