Federal Nursing Jobs and that 1 year of experience...

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In just about every RN job that I've come across for military installations, they have all indicated "Must have 1 year experience."

Can anybody tell me if there is a loophole or a way around this?

Or, is there a way to get your foot in the door -- do military hospitals/clinics hire nurses through agencies and then maybe you can get hired on at the GS level?

I just cannot find a nursing job in the local area. I apologize if anyone has come across my moaning and bellyaching about not being able to find a job here in Utah. But, as the hubby is in the military, my goal is to just get hired on at the base and then when we move, hopefully do an easy transfer. LOL, yeah, I know...it might not be so easy.

Thanks for any suggestions!

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Hey, I work at WRAMC and the civilians there were just talking about this this last week. Apparently there isn't a loophole. They were moaning and complaining because the Army still takes in new nurses (VERY few, I might add, but they still do take in noobs) but they don't hire people with under a year's experience that are civilians. :(

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Since you are married to a military member look into the program which hires spouses which is to give them priority for federal government jobs. Cant say if this will get by the 1 year requirment.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiology.

Get the one year experience and apply again (if it has to be work in a nursing home), sorry the job market is so bad in Utah.

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Yeah, I've applied to many nursing homes in the area, too. Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, schools, home health, county health departments, dialysis centers, plasma collection agencies...I know you mean to be supportive, and I appreciate it, but I have exhausted my search just about everywhere. I draw the line at correctional facilities as I do not want to put myself in harm's way. Trust me, I'd love to be able to get that 1 year of experience under my belt. But, out here, it just isn't happening. And I've realized it because of these simple reasons. 1) I'm not from here. 2) I didn't graduate from any of the colleges here. 3) I don't know anybody here. 4) I don't plan on staying here (military). I'm a realist -- I know any HR person can look at my resume and figure out within 2 seconds that we are military and not give me a second thought because it is easy to assume "Well, they won't be here but for a couple of years." At the same time, it makes me very bitter, as I feel like it is an acceptable form of discrimination. Sorry, I'll leave it at that before I really get up on my soapbox.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiology.

I been there, done it (was also a spouse of an active duty member and I am German :) ) Maybe you can volunteer at the Medical reserve corps or as an EMT on a medic unit (any type of experience would be great). You will find a job, keep your head high!

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You might be able to find the job you want and do volunteer work for them, then when they realize how wonderful you are and there is an opening - it's yours! As a volunteer you would not be working as an RN but a volunteer so therefore it will not get you the experience you need - BUT - it may lead to a job. Good luck!

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