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.
Everything is way up. I think the RN that is coming here is going to Ramstein, so she might have it easier, but we have to shop at Schinnen Army base and it is a small C class commissary where it carries virtually nothing (think shoppette) and is quite expensive. Things are in USD but not the same cost as they are in the US commissaries. Although travel is cheaper than coming from the States, it is still up there. Gas is $6 a gallon ($95 to fill up my tank on the economy) and while Ryan Air is still reasonable (1 euro cent to 49 euros a flight), other things are costly - like trains and other airlines. I think what is most hard is knowing you are paying 1 1/2 times what your dollar is worth, so that is discrouaging. We typically spent $300 a month on food in the US (for 2 ppl, we buy almost all organic). Here we shop for the same things while adjusting for what they sell (only seasonal vegetables/fruit, but still organic) and our food bill is a little over 400 euros a month which is $600 USD a month! It is really outrageous! Twice as much as we spent on almost everything and then with the fact that I can't work - so our income is cut in half, is very depressing. I hope something will break soon (I get a job, our dollard comes back up, etc.) or else I'll have to come back to the US to work.
Everything is way up. I think the RN that is coming here is going to Ramstein, so she might have it easier, but we have to shop at Schinnen Army base and it is a small C class commissary where it carries virtually nothing (think shoppette) and is quite expensive. Things are in USD but not the same cost as they are in the US commissaries. Although travel is cheaper than coming from the States, it is still up there. Gas is $6 a gallon ($95 to fill up my tank on the economy) and while Ryan Air is still reasonable (1 euro cent to 49 euros a flight), other things are costly - like trains and other airlines. I think what is most hard is knowing you are paying 1 1/2 times what your dollar is worth, so that is discrouaging. We typically spent $300 a month on food in the US (for 2 ppl, we buy almost all organic). Here we shop for the same things while adjusting for what they sell (only seasonal vegetables/fruit, but still organic) and our food bill is a little over 400 euros a month which is $600 USD a month! It is really outrageous! Twice as much as we spent on almost everything and then with the fact that I can't work - so our income is cut in half, is very depressing. I hope something will break soon (I get a job, our dollard comes back up, etc.) or else I'll have to come back to the US to work.
Definitely hard as you mentioned, trying to make your dollar stretch the best you can when the dollar is down and not having a job. I feel for you, I was in a same situation and ended up returning to the states working agency 6 days a week to save up money to return for monthl long stretches. Wish you best of luck finding a job. Take care.
I too am looking for a job in Germany as a Family Nurse Practitioner, or peds clinic or community health, or ER, anything a FNP can do which is a wide scope.
I speak fluent German but German nurses make too little ~1000euros/month. If i someday get married that could be something i could consider.
The NP concept is taking place in Germany and i hope someday i can work there as a NP or perhaps at a university.
But until that happens i am trying to get a job at a base ANYWHERE in Germany. I have no military affiliation or spouse.
I have looked and keep looking at usajobs.gov, cpol online and Airforce civilian site. As well as just googling.
I have also called Landstuhl, and Baumholder, have spoke to Chief RN for health clinics and the civilian office in Germany. I have sent my resume to the guy in Landstuhl as well as the civilian office..
no leads as of yet. There is also a recent opening for a Pediatrician for which i called Baumholder to see if they would consider a FNP, but no..
Well if anybody knows of any leads or openings as FNP PLEASE email me!!! [email protected]
Lizzy6
134 Posts
Laura - how are the commissary prices? Bad as well??
Lizzie