Will I find work if I quit for 1-2 years?

[gotlib]

I've been working as an RN on a telemetry/stroke unit for the past two years out of school. My wife is from Japan and appears intent on keeping her job there, at least for another year or two. Up to now we have been spending significant periods of "long distance marriage", but we decided that within the coming months one of us will have to quit so that we can finally live together.

As I am a nurse my tendency has been to think that I may be able to more easily find a job in the future as long as I keep my nursing license. For her finding an equivalent job in the US would not be as likely (she works in a large company's HR department as a recruiter).

Working in Japan as a nurse doesn't appear likely, at least from what I gather from nurses' input on this website (US military jobs there are not so many and appear to be mostly hiring either active duty nurses or spouses; knowing Japanese, a challenge in itself, may not be enough for working in Japan as a nurse)

I wonder if anyone here has some idea on whether it would be a likely ordeal for me to find work in the US if I quit for a year or two.

Thanks in advance for any input

[favthing, APRN]

In the current economy the responsible thing to do would be for one of you to try to invest in financial security for your family.

As for two years ahead, we are all hopeful that jobs will be more plentiful. You are at an advantage in that you DO have experience. Whatever you do, at least try to get involved in the health care side by volunteering or SOMETHING while you are away. Make use of the opportunity by trying to find ways that this adds to your career, or at least be able to show the effort for when you come back and begin searching for a job.

You may want to attempt for licensure and a job in Japan. None of my business, but one wonders what will be different from now that in 1 to 2 years your wife will WANT to leave her job/home?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Meanwhile, keep your continuing education current

[pcbnurse]

I quit Nursing for 2 years several years ago. It did take awhile for me to get back into hospital nursing. I applied for several jobs and was turned down because I had no recent experience. I worked for a doctors office for a year and then took a travel assignment to get my nursing experience back, and that was lucky in that they were desperate for a nurse and I was willing to work split shifts.

If I had to do it again, I would have stayed in it!! Not worth the aggrevation and the begging for a job!

[Jules A, MSN]

Have you looked into VA?

[chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

At the risk of stating the obvious, it's impossible to predict future economic trends. That said, while I wouldn't expect the job market for new grads to signficantly improve in 24 months, my guess is that with 2+ years of experience, you should not have a great deal of difficultly in finding a nursing job.

[Zookeeper3]

I'm going to butcher it, but are you in okinowa? or the main land? This makes a huge difference as one is primarily military based and the other for civilians. Since you are married, you can apply for a work visa there, once you are there... use the US consulate office to assist you.

The little I know is from my daughter moving there next month with a military guy. But you can't apply for a visa until you get there and I don't know from there. Be warned this is just from what she's told me when I asked, so utilize the US consulate in Japan now to get the correct answers.

But as far as moving home after... I can't predict the economy, it's tough in many areas, if you are going to move back to the states in two years, and want to be gainfully employed, you'll be forced to move to the "needed" areas to assimilate back faster and you rate of pay may take a hit as you'll choose areas that are slightly less diesirable as mine, but I have security and that right now is worth it's weight in gold.

it all comes at a price, you both need to sit down and calculate out short and long term goals with dates and work from there. Wish you the best.

[gotlib]

I am unaware of VA hospitals in Japan. The military hospitals may serve this function there, but they are not likely to be hiring civilian nurses.

As favthing and classicdame suggest, I am planning to keep my continuing education current and participate in some health care related volunteeer activities (looking into the Japanese Red Cross)

Perhaps the reason I am seeking information on this is in an attempt to avoid pcbnurse's experience - an experience I've had before entering the nursing world.

With regards to favthing's question, either of two things are likely to happen within two years:

1. My wife gets tired of working/commuting on trains in Japan and/or will become tired of being a primary income provider. In this case returning is likely if I find a job in the States.

2. I find some sort of job in Japan that I can live with and/or my wife wants to keep her job. In this case we could stay there longer, of course.

There are some places in the US where knowing Japanese may hopefully be useful for patient care (primarily Hawaii)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Some things to do in Japan:

1. Teach English - always a biggie for native speakers

2. Volunteer at the military hospitals - Yokota AB has a large hospital - located in Fussa

3. Visit Mt Fuji - everyone must do so

4. Might check into a US embassy job if you are located in Tokyo.

I'll be honest - Japan is very very crowded - everyone is used to the trains and the pushing/shoving/crowds, no green space etc., - that is their lifestyle. They don't "get tired of it."

Hubby and I were both on active duty in Japan, married there and our oldest son was born there.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Some things to do in Japan:

1. Teach English - always a biggie for native speakers

2. Volunteer at the military hospitals - Yokota AB has a large hospital - located in Fussa

3. Visit Mt Fuji - everyone must do so

4. Might check into a US embassy job if you are located in Tokyo.

I can only imagine the awe of Mt. Fuji!

Also- while you're there. Visit Mt. Midoriyama and see Ninja Warrior!