Complicated situation, is this possible?

Specialties Government

Published

Specializes in Emergency, Internal Medicine, Sports Med.

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. :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L+D, ambulatory surgery, Womens Health.

There are civilian nurses in military hospitals. You can't be an officer unless you are a citizen. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You don't need to give up your Canadian citizenship; you just need a green card. I'm married to a Brit and we had to go through all that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Incorrect "absolute" comment above.

Recent years health care initiatives in the Army have afforded X slots to NON-citizens to serve as Commissioned officers. With the navy... unk if they have a similar program....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

You might also want to look into these hospitals within reasonable commuting distance: Whidbey General Hospital and Island Hospital .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know if anything has changed, but 8 years ago you did have to give up dual citizenship if you were an officer. I had a couple of friends who had to surrender their second passports. This may have changed in all that has happened since.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To be an officer, yes - I only read she just wants to work in an American facility and live in the United States.

I missed the whole thing about possibly joining the Navy.

Yes - to do that, you have to denounce your Canadian citizenship - and by the way, volunteering to serve in the US Armed Forces is a great way to get that started.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L+D, ambulatory surgery, Womens Health.

Ref the citizenship and Commissioned Officer comment...here is the Army's email reply to that question:

Michael,

Thank you for your interest.

To become U.S. Army Officer of ANY kind, you MUST be a U.S. citizen.

I hope I have answered your query.

Respectfully,

Mr. Larry G. Purifoy, Contractor

Cyber Recruiter USA, (RET.)

U.S. Army Recruiting Command

Halfaker & Associates

Email: [email protected]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd recommend a bit more searching on your own before purely relying on a civilian operated cyber recruiter that likely is not within a health recruiting capacity and probably does have as much as a vested interest in things then the person trying to get in..

There are lots of resources out on the net and knowledge within the forum.

Not sure if this meets your needs but found this on a google search.

Best of luck,

v/r

The Armys New Non-Citizen Recruiting Program For Foreign Health Care Professionals

On February 23, 2009, the US Army started a new recruiting pilot program for foreign health care professionals. Titled “Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest” (MAVNI), the new pilot program allows certain non-citizens who are legally present in the United States to join the Army and apply immediately for US citizenship without first obtaining lawful permanent residence. The US Army MAVNI recruiting program will recruit up to 333 health care professionals (doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, nurses, and others) nationwide. The Army will also run a separate part of MAVNI in New York City to recruit up to 557 persons who speak certain critical foreign languages; some health care professionals may want to consider that program if they speak one of the critical languages but do not meet the specific MAVNI health care professional program requirements. The Army’s MAVNI program can accelerate the path to US citizenship while MAVNI health care professionals serve in the active Army or the Reserve.1 The pilot program is scheduled to end on December 31, 2009, or whenever the Army meets its projected recruiting needs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L+D, ambulatory surgery, Womens Health.

right, that article does not say that a person will be an officer. Lets try to stay above the fray and not get testy. My response is that this person can be a nurse (as your article states) but can't be an officer. Your article says it may fast track their citizenship, and then I would guess they could apply to become an officer. Military service has been linked with citizenship attainment in the past also.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here is a link within "goarmy.com" 's MAVNI program listing of MOS (Jobs) they are recruiting for.

Browse All Discussions: Appendix 2, Professional Medical ...

The 66 series is 'nurses' and the following letter is the 'sub-speciality' all of the 66 series are officers. (They don't list 66 they just say "nurse corp: all specialties" but the nurse corp are all commissioned officers...)

The forum that this is within has some additional FAQs on the program as well. If interested I'd glance through the FAQs to see what stipulations apply and if you are eligible and then interested.

From there I'd contact a recruiter specific to the MAVNI program as a standard recruiter 1. won't be trained, 2. might not be aware, 3. would need to get you to a MAVNI recruiter.

I'd also keep in mind that since its a small program as a 'flagship/test' that there would be limited slots.. if they are full I'd try to coordinate / prep to get onboard for the next fiscal year (october) when new slots might be available.

v/r

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Green card holders can join the Army Reserve as nurses (and as officers) and get expedited US citizenship. 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.

For more information on how non-citizen nurses can join the US Army, I would suggest checking out the GoArmy website or the "Ask A Recruiter" Army message boards under "MAVNI HCP" (HCP=Health Care Professional). There is also a Facebook page for MAVNI nurses where a person can learn about the MAVNI process.

In this person's case, however, it looks like she may want to think about having her husband apply for a green card for her, and then joining the Reserve, and getting her US citizenship through service in the Selected Reserve (Navy Reserve will work).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment