military wives have trouble getting RN jobs?

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 2, 2004

MY husband's career is a separate issue. I don't bring it up because there is no need. I am busy asking questions, too, cause I am interviewing THEM as well they are ME. So, I have enough to talk about w/o discussing my military husband and his career. And as a military wife, I have never had a problem getting jobs, ever. :)

MQ Edna · Aug 2, 2004

I was a military wife and LPN, and had no trouble getting a job because of his status. (as an LPN, now that's another story!) You shouldn't have any problem, especially since you'll be living in a military-rich area. Being a military wife is a tough job, but with lots of perks and benefits. In fact, I miss it...it's a great way of life.

cokegal19 · Aug 2, 2004

I realize that your husbands job is a separate issue, but right now, I'm in the office, administrative assistant job area, and almost every time I get interviewed they ask if I am married and, very non-schalantely they will say "oh, and what does your husband do??" maybe it's different with nursing.

Jailhouse RN · Aug 2, 2004

SmilingBlueEyes has it right. My ex wife who is a nurse never had a problem. She just stuck to the facts about herself.

Trauma Columnist · Aug 2, 2004

Well - coming from a spouse of a career Air Force guy (retired in 1995) my biggest problem was finishing school - I went to seven different colleges, got my LPN in 92, had to move before I could finish the RN, got my ADN in 94, moved again in 96 and now I've got my BSN and am working on my MSN. No problem whatsoever about hubby's career - its HIS career. It is illegal for people to ask ANYTHING about your family! Just act noncomittal! Good luck.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 2, 2004

Back when I was an Air Force wife, I never had a problem getting a nursing job. Never ever. Four years is longer than most people seem to stay in jobs these days anyway!

Katnip, RN · Aug 3, 2004

I believe it's still illegal to ask your marital status, whether you have kids, and such things when you apply for a job. Those are questions that are in no way related to your ability to do you job. Having kids might pose a problem when childcare emergencies arise, but they still aren't allowed to ask.

As far as getting a job, I doubt it's a problem in nursing. Nurses move around so much I think most places are used to it.

military spouse · Aug 3, 2004

Hello,

My husband has been in the Army for 19 years and I've been a nurse for about 10 years. I've never had trouble working as a nurse (took some time to get a school nurse job in Germany). I don't know what Coast Guard cities look like, but in the places we've been stationed, it has been incredibly easy to get a job with an RN license. We currently live in a city of about 50,000 people in AZ and I didn't think I would be able to get a job (only 1 hospital), but it was easy. Good luck!!

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 3, 2004

I realize that your husbands job is a separate issue, but right now, I'm in the office, administrative assistant job area, and almost every time I get interviewed they ask if I am married and, very non-schalantely they will say "oh, and what does your husband do??" maybe it's different with nursing.

I repeat; It is none of their business. You have the right NOT to discuss this with them. It's irrelevant to your applying for the position and you don't have to get into any personal area such as this. Examine REALLY closely a place asking a lot of personal questions like this. You may not want to work there too badly. And of course we are speaking from a nursing standpoint as we are nurses. But I fail to see where anyone has to answer questions about their family lives or husband's occupations. It's irrelevant.

cokegal19 · Aug 3, 2004

Thanks for answering my question. But now I have another one! When moving from state to state, do you have to get your RN license all over again in a different state? ARe there different certifications to have? Do you have to take some tests?

missmercy · Aug 3, 2004

I believe it's still illegal to ask your marital status, whether you have kids, and such things when you apply for a job. Those are questions that are in no way related to your ability to do you job. Having kids might pose a problem when childcare emergencies arise, but they still aren't allowed to ask.
As far as getting a job, I doubt it's a problem in nursing. Nurses move around so much I think most places are used to it.

Our HR department steers totally from asking any family/private life questions!!!

If an applicant OFFERS the information, they may jot it down -- but they sure don't ask!!

Even if they did ask you -- as someone else mentioned -- 4 years in one location is a decent stretch of time for just about anybody these days -- we are a highly mobile society -- 4 years isn't bad!

My friends whose hubbies are military rarely have trouble gettting jobs -- usually have more trouble choosing between offers!!