I've had a somewhat rocky start to my nursing career. I've been a nurse for over 2 years now. I strongly disliked my first few nursing jobs. At several points, I considered leaving the profession. Recently, I just started a new job outside of acute care that I like much better. I'm happy in this position, but I don't plan on staying for more than a few years because I also have finally found a graduate program that I really enjoy. I spent a semester in an FNP program and decided that wasn't a good fit for me, so I transferred into a different program. I now love my classes and what I am studying.
The dilemma is that my husband has had an opportunity come up that would require an international transfer. We would be living abroad with all expenses paid for two years. It is really the opportunity of a lifetime. I would not be able to obtain a work visa, so it would be like a vacation for two years! We would learn another language and experience a new culture. It seems great, but it just happened at such a bad time. With my career, things are just coming together and I'm finally in a good place. If my husband takes this job, I'm not sure I could find a job when we return. I've had 4 nursing jobs in just 2 years and I don't think anyone would hire me again. I will definitely NEVER return to the bedside. Also, I don't know what I would do about school. I could probably take a leave of absence, but I'm not sure for how long.
If anyone has any perspective or advice to offer, I would appreciate it.
Someone told me that U.S. military bases overseas are required to hire a certain number of U.S. civilians, and that nurses are a shoe-in. I don't know if that's true or not, but you might want to check it out. Last I heard, the U.S. still had military bases in Germany.
I'm a military spouse who has put my career on hold throughout several years of various overseas adventures (3 1/2 years in Japan, 3 years in Spain, 2 years in Korea). My career is important to me, but my family is first always!
Don't count on working at military bases. Believe me, there are tons of military spouse nurses wanting those very few jobs and preference is given to them. When I lived in Korea, the military spouses had to "bid" on jobs and the cheapest bid got the job. My friend was a level III NICU RN who worked in the nursery for >$5.00/hour.
I would go, enjoy, and worry about the future when you get back! Take care and good luck.
Specializes in CNA - starting LPN school January 2009!!.
I agree with the poster who said there has got to be an option 3.
If your hubby's expenses will be paid while he is abroad, could you stay here in the U.S. and finish your degree? Travel back and forth a few times to see him?
HealthyRN
541 Posts
I will look into this. Thanks for the info!