Dependent AF spouse RN questions

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.

I have posted this on the International nursing site, but wanted to post here as well. It seems like mostly active duty RNs are here, but if there are any dependent spouse RNs, please let me know!

We just moved to the NATO base in GK, Germany. We are on the border of the Netherlands and Belgium. I was thinking I would be able to find a job here with no problem, however, when I arrived about a month ago, I was surprised! There is no hospital here at GK or at Schinnen, and the closest one is 1 1/2 hours at Spangdahlem and 3 hours to Ramstien/Landstuhl (the largest military hospital in Germany). Currently, neither of them have L&D positions open on usajobs.com.

I've learned that I cannot work in either community (NL or Germany) because I am not proficient in either language. I have applied for a nursing position with the DoD schools, but there is nothing available there currently either.

Does anyone have any leads for jobs in this area? Besides continuing to look at usajobs, cpol and afpc websites, I do not know where else to look or what other opportunites might be available to me.

My only other options, that I can see currently, is to either go back into the military OR go back to the States as a travel nurse.

Any ideas, suggestions, advice??

Thanks so much for your help!!!

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

I will be curious to see what kind of responses you get. Dh and I are heading to Ramstein in November. I was only going to look for prn or half time, but it sounds like I may be a SAHM for a while. I will really be in a pickle if our house doesn't sell.

I know this is not ideal, but what about travel assignments in the UK? It would be much closer than going to the states. I hope something opens up for you soon. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.

Are you an L&D nurse too? Well, they do have a home visitor position for new moms (antepartum & postpartum work) but you have to have 2 years post BSN and I am just short of that. They will not even consider 1 day short, so that is a bum deal.

I am looking now into the UK to travel - as you said, that is closer than the US. My big worry with going to NYC is that it is a 7 hour away flight and if my husband goes on TDY all of a sudden, how would I get back in time to get our dogs or make sure everything is taken care of? So... UK is only 1 hour away by plane and 6 by car, so that would be better.

I know that they do hire at Spangdahlem (I heard their L&D is not that large) and at Landsthul, which is the largest hospital, but as of now there is only an outpatient ambulatory clinic nurse position available and a FNP position. So... I keep looking there every day hoping something else will open, but in the meantime I'm going to go ahead and get my UK license.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

It's interesting to here about this. When I came back on active duty in 2003 this was the same fate that my wife and I were facing going to Italy. the guy getting me back on active duty said "what will the Mrs. be doing while you're there?" I said "she can get a GS job as a nurse at the hospital." He said "good luck, she'll be waiting 6 months to 2 years." So she went active duty also, was the best move we ever made. We're both nurses so simultaneous deployments are possible, but unlikely. Unfortunately, you don't have much choise unless you become fluent in German or I would look into being a traveler in England. Sorry to hear about your problem though.

LCDR(s) Dan

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.

I was in the Army for 4 years already and thought about going back into the AF (my husband is AF) just so I'd have a job, but although I loved the military, I also like my freedom. We don't have children yet, but plan to in the next 2 years, so that would be difficult. Plus, not sure we would be able to get a joint assignment. My husband is a pilot and there are only 4 military nurses working here at this base. That's 4 nurses total. There is only a one hall clinic here.

I'm looking into becoming a traveler to the UK now. I'm hoping either that will come about or a position will open at Spangdahlem or Landsthul. I would be willing to drive the distance if I could at least find a job! ;)

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Yeah, being in different areas of the military I have heard is near impossible. since we are both nurses, it's a lot more simpler. As for kids, we have three working on #4 as we speak, it makes thingsmore interesting for sure being dual active.

LCDR(s) Dan

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

Yes I am an L&D nurse with 2 yrs experience. I don't have my BSN though, I have an ADN. I plan on going back to school to get it once my dh gets back from Korea.

I guess if I have to work a travel assigment might work. I don't know how deployable dh will be at his new unit. I have a 12 month old so I would worry about childcare. I am now more stressed than ever about the house selling or renting out before we leave.

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

Bumping for an update. Any success finding a job Laura? We are leaving for Germany at the end of November. It sure did sneak up on us.

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.

I'm still in the process of applying to the UK. I'm on my last step and they are awaiting my school transcripts and break down of theory vs clinical hours and 1 more reference. I hope to hear SOMETHING by the end of this month - hopefully! I've applied for several jobs at Landstuhl via usajobs.com but have not heard anything on that front. I'm really hoping the UK travel comes through since the dollar is so low against the pound - I'll end up making 2x as much in USD.

How are you doing? How are things going on your end?

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I was an Air Force dependant stationed at Ramstein. I started applying for a nursing jobs before I ever left the states. When I got to Germany I was extremely discouraged. I had heard alot of stories about dependants who were nurses who either went active duty or back to the states or got a job working at the BX. The best advice I could give you is for ANY spouse of ANY active duty person going overseas is PLAN on NOT working. If you get a job that's great but don't plan on it. Personally I would not take a job in another country, schedules are tough enough why make it tougher.

BUTT ( and there is always a butt ) one can get hired as a GS nurse. They hire based on points. FIRST OFF - VERY IMPORTANT - you get a spousal preference - but only ONCE. If you use your spousal preference and get that job you wanted at the BX or whereever and suddenly they call you for a nursing job at landstuhl - bummer - you lost your spousal preference. They now can give it to the next person. SO,,, don't use it if you don't want it. Dont' even apply. If there is a job you want - volunteer first. They will get to know you and vise versa. THAN - IF/WHEN a job comes open you have an inside scoop. The also give veteran preferance and extra preference if you were injured in a war and so forth. So if an injured veteran who is a spouse is competing against you, they can challenge it and get the job even if the manager wants you. Things can always change and rules are always "bent".

I am sure that is more than an earful. I hope that helps.

OH. They do have a reserve unit there. I don't know much about it. I had a friend of mine who was active reserve while her husband was active duty. It is something else to think about.

Good luck,

Pam

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If you get a job in the UK - where will you live? Or at least sleep when not working? The flight between Germany to England is about 2 hours and pretty cheap. I think about $75. The cost of living in England is very high.

If you are near a base you can shop on teh base if not the economy will cost you at least twice of the states. I was also stationed in England but did not work as a nurse there.

Pam

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.

NursePamela -

LDRNmommy is going to Ramstein, I believe, but I'm in the NWesternmost part of Germany on the NATO base. We don't have a BX here b/c are base is not USAF or USArmy. We are only NATO. The shops that we do have on this base are run by Canadians. I definitely do not want to do something outside my field. I've gone to school for too long and worked to hard to get where I'm at, so I really wan to work as a RN even if that means I have to travel to the UK to do so. We don't have any children, so I think it will work out well. My husband flies the AWACS plane, and he is gone often as well, so if I can work for a year or so, we can get completley out of debt and be able to start a family. We just want to be at a place where all our student loans and bills are gone and I don't have to work. Right now all of my husband's salary goes to bills and the high cost of living in Europe and so we have barely anything left each month to travel or buy things for our house (due to lack of closets, etc.). So, I really need to work for multiple reasons - to get debt free and be able to start a family, to be able to travel, to be able to finally finish our house, to be happy and not stuck in our house! ;-) LOL.

I'll be sure to come back and post how all is going after my license and job comes through. Hope your post helps LDRNMommy, who I believe is going to Ramstein. We haven't been there yet as it is 5 hours away - but we hope to soon!

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