Will hospitals hire those in the National Guard?

Nurses Job Hunt

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I may be getting ahead of myself, as I do not start working on my BSN until this September, but I want to know if Hospitals hire people in the National Guard.

I would imagine it would hurt your chances of being hired to say in an interview that you will not be available one weekend every month and two weeks every summer. Do hospitals frown upon active National Guard?

A little background, I will be attending UMass Boston and will be looking for a job in an ICU in the Boston area. I joined the guard as a medic to pay for school, and hope it doesn't prove to be a detriment to my future Job Search.

Thanks in advance!

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Be honest and open about it during the interview and that should help. 1 weekend a month can easily be scheduled around, and 2 weeks off could be used for your vacation time. Many places will like that you have medic experience and a few will not like that you need to take 1 weekend off a month. Apply and be honest and in due time the right job will hire you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I do believe it is illegal to withhold employment based on military service. Of course that doesn't mean that a prospective employer would be honest about telling you that is reason you didn't get a job.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Yeppers - completely illegal to discriminate due to military obligations. Read about your rights HERE.

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Be honest and open about it during the interview and that should help. 1 weekend a month can easily be scheduled around, and 2 weeks off could be used for your vacation time. Many places will like that you have medic experience and a few will not like that you need to take 1 weekend off a month. Apply and be honest and in due time the right job will hire you.

I recognize that it is certainly a different day and age since I was in the Guard. However, legally you cannot be denied employment solely on the basis of your military status. I worked for a private hospital the entire time I was in the Guard and one of my peers gave me constant grief telling me my AT time should be my vacation... I just ignored her! You are not required to take vacation time for military service. However, if you want to do so, think of the extra money.

I've found that either federal or state government might be the best place of employment for a Guard member. Typically, the support is there for the employee. Best of luck!

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Yeppers - completely illegal to discriminate due to military obligations. Read about your rights HERE.

I had a job give me crap when I was in the Navy Reserve about having off a drill weekend so I told my CO, the Navy contacted them Monday morning and I never had a problem again. I also got calls from our Battalion head quarters periodically to ensure I wasn't having a problem. I was pretty impressed. I think hospitals especially are aware of the laws. In any case I never had a problem getting a job when I was in. Good luck!

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I recognize that it is certainly a different day and age since I was in the Guard. However, legally you cannot be denied employment solely on the basis of your military status. I worked for a private hospital the entire time I was in the Guard and one of my peers gave me constant grief telling me my AT time should be my vacation... I just ignored her! You are not required to take vacation time for military service. However, if you want to do so, think of the extra money.

I've found that either federal or state government might be the best place of employment for a Guard member. Typically, the support is there for the employee. Best of luck!

Wow I did not know that! See, OP. Don't get discouraged!

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Thanks for the responses everybody! Your answers are encouraging.

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Specializes in hospice.

Another resource for you that helps explain the legalities:

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve > Home

My husband had no problems with his civilian employers, but we also knew the law so we could fight back incase he did.

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