Military spouse and new grad?

rn_happy · Sep 1, 2006

Hi Tia. You will be able to work at a military hospital if that's what you want which may benefit you b/c sounds like you may be moving around some due to your military husband. For instance, if your were to get orders overseas, you would not lose your seniority by working at the military hospital and always have the option of working there. My husband is a military doc too and I'm a nurse, but based on what I've been thru as a military nurse do not ever want to work in a military hospital again.....personal preference.

Hope that helps!

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 1, 2006

Depends on where you are and how big the hospitals are. I never had trouble finding a job wherever my USAF spouse traveled. Interestingly, it was NOT in the military hospitals, just the local ones as a per diem nurse. It has worked well for 9 years now. My dh just retired in May, so I am really enjoying not having to move and change jobs anymore. It's when you go overseas that it CAN get tricky. You most likely will have to try and get on with a military hospital in those cases......but remember:

Nursing is very flexible. It travels well and can be perfect for military spouses!

Don't worry, opportunities abound. If you want to work fulltime, try to get on w/the military hospitals in the GS system, if you can. It can be a really good deal! GOOD LUCK.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 1, 2006

Hi and congrats on starting school. My hubby was in the Air Force for 23 years...we travelled overseas to four countries too. I didn't become a nurse until 1992 (due to all the moves) and worked in civilian hospitals when stateside. Overseas its kinda of a crapshoot as to whether they hire civilian nurses or not. In Korea (121 Evac Hospital - made famous in MASH), only hired contract RNs and you had to bid for the position and needless to say the lowest bid got it. The pay was ridiculous and I worked as a medical transcriptionist while there. In Alaska - I worked as a medical clerk and there they didn't hire any civilian nurses. In Spain - there was no military hospital so no options.

Spouse preference programs are a good route to go also - they are called various names at different bases.

I did work for the VA and found them to be a great place to work - really enjoyed it.

ArmyMSN · Sep 9, 2006

My Army Medical Center only hires new graduates with 18 months or more experience. I'm not sure what the other military hospitals do. It could just be a policy of my Chief Nurse (DSN equivalent).

I'd recommend that you gain experience in a civilian hospital - enter the military system as a civil servant. This would allow you to gain seniority over the years and likely have an easier time transitioning to other hospitals where your husband is assigned.

Most military hospitals have contract nurses - another option for you. Gives you more flexibility with your work schedule.

Military posts have a variety of nursing job opportunites in civil service (WIC programs, care managers, community health nursing, school nursing, clinics, hospitals, wellness centers, etc.). Just have to get your foot in the door.

good luck

Gennaver, MSN · Sep 9, 2006

My Army Medical Center only hires new graduates with 18 months or more experience. I'm not sure what the other military hospitals do. It could just be a policy of my Chief Nurse (DSN equivalent).
I'd recommend that you gain experience in a civilian hospital - enter the military system as a civil servant. This would allow you to gain seniority over the years and likely have an easier time transitioning to other hospitals where your husband is assigned.
Most military hospitals have contract nurses - another option for you. Gives you more flexibility with your work schedule.
Military posts have a variety of nursing job opportunites in civil service (WIC programs, care managers, community health nursing, school nursing, clinics, hospitals, wellness centers, etc.). Just have to get your foot in the door.
good luck

Hello again,

Is it also that your Army medical center would not take ROTC nurses who are new BSN graduates?

My recruiter has said that my application looks, (knock on wood) very good and that he thinks I will be assigned. I have 9 months towards graduation in my generalist entry to nursing MSN. Even though I will be an MSN/RN I will still be a new graduate nurse with no empolyment RN experience.

Oh, I've worked as a tech, medical assistant, and CNA for the last 18 years off and on, EMT too but, that is not as a nurse.

Gen-hmm, my first preference was Basset Army Medical Center and I didn't even think to check if they hired new grads