Civilian nurse at military clinic

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Hello!

I joined this website with the hopes of getting more insight on how to apply for government nursing positions.

My husband is in the Navy and we have recently moved to Hawaii. I have been unemployed for almost 3 months! We have been debating whether or not to apply at a civilian hospital or a military clinic. I figured, since we will be with the Navy for years, it'll be easier for me to get a job at our future locations since I will already be in the GS system. What do you guys think?

I have a master's degree in nursing with only about a year and a half experience under my belt. I hope this is enough! I am getting so discouraged with searching for jobs at military clinics. Do you guys have any tips on applying for government positions?? ANYTHING would be very much appreciated :)

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Hawaii is one of the toughest places to land an RN job even for GS. With the furlough and hiring freezes at GS installations I wish you good luck....

It's about who you know, even with the government.

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Usajobs.gov long process. The people in the unit interview you. Fill out a sheet with basic requirements. Example: rn? Yes or no. Degree yes or no. Good fit? Yes or no. Etc. These are then sent to hr and they pick the hire. Long process. You will get spouse preferred though name sure you put that down. Be prepared to wait 6 months.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you can get into a GS job, run with it! However, like Dranger said, it's going to be tough to get into between furloughs and your location...it's not as though Hawaii's like Southern California which is overrun by military bases and thus GS opportunities.

Spousal preference does not guarantee your a job. It can give you a leg-up against candidates with comparable experience as yours, but it won't substitute for required experience/skills/certifications. Definitely indicate it because it can't hurt and can only help.

Best of luck!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Also moved thread to the Government/Military Nursing forum.

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Thank you everyone for your insight! (Also, Meriwhen, thank you for moving this thread. I didn't even notice it the first time!)

I guess I'm still on the fence on whether I should just go ahead and give up waiting for GS positions or apply to the civilian hospitals. :(

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Thank you everyone for your insight! (Also, Meriwhen, thank you for moving this thread. I didn't even notice it the first time!)

I guess I'm still on the fence on whether I should just go ahead and give up waiting for GS positions or apply to the civilian hospitals. :(

Go civilian. Whats wrong with civilian? This is the absolute worst time to try and get into the govt sector.

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Nothing is wrong with civilian, we just assumed it was better for me to get into the government now so that it will be easier in the long run.

I was also worried about getting a job at a civilian hospital and then getting a phone call from a govt clinic soon after. Then, I would have to turn down the govt job because I've already committed to civilian.

Oh, the struggle. Haha.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Honestly...in this job market and given your location, I'd apply everywhere I could, civilian as well as military.

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Thanks!

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