the internship requires a 20 month commitment but my husband is in the military

[alyson1234]

Hi. I am in an accelerated nursing program and am supposed to graduate in 1 year. I have many friends a year ahead of me who are graduating now and they all have internships at the local hospital, which they tell me is the best way to break into the profession. So far my grades are good, and I'm planning on trying to get an externship soon to improve my chances. I think I'd have a shot at one of these internships when I graduate, but I notice that all of them require a 20 month commitment afterwards or you have to pay the hospital a lot of money. I understand where they are coming from since they would be investing their resources in me.

The problem is my husband is active duty military, and I don't know when we will be moved. I don't want to ask these hospitals directly about this possibility because I don't want to give them a reason not to hire me. There's lots of laws that offer military protection-- IE our landlord can't sue us for breaking the lease if we are ordered to move. Does anyone know if there's protection like that for an employment agreement in a hospital? I don't want to ruin my chances of getting a job after all of my hard work, but the idea of having to pay thousands of dollars-- well, I don't like it!

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I don't want to ruin my chances of getting a job after all of my hard work, but the idea of having to pay thousands of dollars-- well, I don't like it!

A lease isn't really a voluntary contract as it's very hard to find a place to live without one.

However, most employment doesn't require a legal contract, so you may not be afforded any protection there.

You still have a year to go in school, so we're talking almost 3 years from now before the contract would be fulfilled. I'm guessing you may be moved before then. Is the money you'd pay a flat rate, or pro-rated? Meaning, would you pay less after a year vs after a month?

You'd need to factor in that potential cost vs the potential benefits. You don't like the idea of reimbursing thousands, they don't like the idea of spending even more than that hiring and training a new nurse who then leaves.

You can go ahead and apply so you can learn the financial details (or squeeze it out of your friends), but you may be better off focusing your efforts elsewhere.

[studyingmom]

I am a military spouse also and my husband and I have had to discuss what our options would be if he was suddenly given PCS orders. Together we have come to the decision the best solution would be for me to finish the commitments I have and for him to fill the obligations he has. Meaning two different households. Although it is not ideal, sometimes it may be the only "good" solution. At least it is generally a temperary one...He also may have the option for a "request for personnel action" which could potentially defer his orders until you are done filling your obligations. Being a military spouse is hard, but I firmly believe the spouses must believe in and find a way to do things for themselves. There is always a way to make a situation work, it just might not be what we like. I truly wish you the best of luck!!!