I do have to mention this in the very beginning, my career is definitely non-standard and my situation is vastly different from just about any other RN I have seen yet. I don't think it is unique, but additional insight would definitely be nice.
On to the good bits, so as previously mentioned I am a ship RN working aboard military ships. My exact job title is medical department representative, however I am my entire department as the medical department consists of only me. I deliver all medical interventions aboard and my responsibility extends to the health and wellness of all embarked personnel. What makes this even more unique is that this is my first RN job, I am a new grad and got this job directly out of school. Context; I was also a US Navy corpsman for 5 years and it was that experience which got me out here but being an RN certainly helped.
My concern is this; how do I get a PRN/Per Diem job for once I return home? My ship rotation does not allow a standard RN job as I will be leaving relatively often to work aboard military ships as a civilian and employers desire someone who will actually be around more than I. However my job aboard the ship usually does not involve skills I would routinely use in a hospital. For example; urinary catheters are something that is extremely rare to perform out on a ship but very common in hospitals and I fear my skills will degrade if I do not seek employment at a hospital during the time that I am home.
As I am a new-grad, hospitals will treat me as if I am useless and probably will not accommodate one bit. Even tho my ship job has me working as a pseudo NP hospitals care not as I am not licensed to do that type of work anywhere except aboard ships, but I have an RN license in Texas. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I may acquire PRN/Per Diem work in Texas, specifically San Antonio, TX as I have a non-standard job and it may be difficult to explain my situation to potential employers and I fear they will not hire me given my circumstances.
As a civilian, USERRA definitely does not apply to you at all. I wouldn't even mention that — they will flat out deny you. HR is well versed in the laws. I had a friend try that when they went to work overseas as a civilian, they were laughed out the door.
Lunah, MSN, RN
14 Articles; 13,773 Posts
As a civilian, USERRA definitely does not apply to you at all. I wouldn't even mention that — they will flat out deny you. HR is well versed in the laws. I had a friend try that when they went to work overseas as a civilian, they were laughed out the door.