Military Spouse RN

Trauma Columnist · Dec 25, 2017

Getting a job overseas can be difficult as US military bases have active duty staff. For a new grad it will be even more difficult as you don't bring a specialized skillset to the job arena.

Open yourself up to volunteering (probably not as a nurse), getting a non-nursing job or realizing that sending your hubby remote (1 year tour) and you stay stateside might be an option.

We were dual military (USN/USAF) when we married and i was a military wife for many many years. I sacrificed my career for my husband's which was fine at the time. However, we have been together almost 40 years now and I'm still working and working and working....

PookieBaby_RN · Jan 31, 2018

Hi,

Just wanted to share my experince with being a new grad and living overseas. My husband is Navy and we are stationed out in Japan, it has been very diffocult for me to find a job here. i have been here since June 2017 and have been looking and applying to every sigle job opening with no luck. I have pretty much accepted it, its depressing that ky career is on hold. I miss working and I am counting down the days til we PCS out of here.

In Japan all wives are the same regardless if you were educated and had a career back home... theres only a small percentage of wives that work here. Here in Okinawa there is only one hospital on the island so its very competitive I have been denied every single time.'i think some of the recruiters dont even bother reading my application becuase the denial messages that they send are pretty standard and generic... its the same each time. I moved to Japan for my husband and sacrificing my career was difficult but it will still be there for me when I get back. I cant imagine if I stayed behind for 3 years it will be difficult for a marriage who knows if we wouldve survived. If you have any other questions feel free to PM.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 31, 2018

My husband served 23 years in the Air Force. We were both active duty when we met, married and had our oldest son. I wasn't able to go back to school for nursing until I was 30, became a nurse at 32.

Now, 25+ years later we are still married, endured many, many separations and our marriage did survive (coming up on 38 years now). Its not easy being a miitary wife. Believe me we've all been thru these frustrations.

saramarie · Jan 31, 2018

Hey! Thank you so much for the response. I tried PMing you, but I haven't had enough activity on this website, so they won't allow me to. Do you know what you will do when you move back to the states? I'm worried that when I move back and look for a job, I won't be eligible for new graduate nurse residency programs and won't have the experience needed to apply to regular positions. It's a bit of a predicament! In your opinion, was the experience of living in Japan with your husband worth the hit your career took? Right now, my mindset is that this experience would be more important than finding a job right away, but I'd love to know yours!

PookieBaby_RN · Feb 9, 2018

I believed I was able to PM you. For experience there is redcross that you can volnteer for I am actually in the same boat I am fearful of not being able to get a new grad position when I go back to the states. We are stationed here for 3 years and have 2 more years left. Its very difficult to find a job here even with military spousal prefrence, the military wants a bachelors so you have one ip if you have that. I have been applying even before we moved here and I have no luck. I believe going to japan was worth it because we never gone overseas befoew and I just figured it temporary. My marriage was not something i even considered sacrificing if it was between my marriage or my career i chose marriage in a heartbeat. Dont get me wrong there are times where I question myself why didnt i just stay behind in the states but at the end of the day im with my husband.I remember being depressed when I wasnt with him to finish school so itssomething you have to consider. My plan is to go back to my previous job because they count my previous lvn experience towards a RN position. I am sure many career women hve gone thru what we have and they were able to adjust back in stateside. Its not the end of the world most facilites will understand the gap in employment due to the military... well at least im hoping. Japan is nice its good to experience but i find myself counting down the days. Okinawa is small and well they dont call it okitraz for no reason. We are isolated from mainland but its a great experience. Hit me up if you have any other questions.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 9, 2018

If you are PCS'ing back to the states with your husband, military towns are used to a transient population. I would think you would be able to get a job. It might not be your dream job but take whatever and after a year or so, look for something else.

We were fortunate, we were on mainland Japan - Yokota. It was very pretty, VERY VERY crowded but the nationals were friendly and we had a great time.

jcgarc · Apr 13, 2019

PookieBaby_RN · Apr 13, 2019

Nope, still unemployed here. Good thing is we are getting ready to move! 9 months left and I am excited that I will be able to finally use my RN license.

jcgarc · Apr 13, 2019

PookieBaby_RN · Apr 13, 2019

yes PM me!

jcgarc · Apr 13, 2019