military wives have trouble getting RN jobs?

[cokegal19]

Just curious about this because my husband is contemplating going into the coast guard. I am taking my pre-requs right now, so if he goes into the coast guard, I will be taking my nursing classes wherever he get's stationed. I;ve heard that they move about every 4 years, so is it hard to get nursing jobs when you tell them your husband is in the military? or do you just not say anything?

[SmilingBluEyes]

It depends on the State. Some have "agreements" whereby licensure good in one is good another. You need to check w/the BON of the state you plan to practice to see if they participate in such an agreement. If not, you will have to gain licensure in that state, meeting IT'S requirements to do so. In any case, check w/the BON to find out what needs to be done, WELL IN ADVANCE, so there is no delay when you go looking for work. You want your license IN HAND when you do!

[webbiedebbie]

I work in a military town, although the hospital is not military. Our turnover is high because of nurses leaving to go with their husbands. So....in answer to your question, we don't have a problem with hiring RN's whose spouses are military.

[CHATSDALE]

nurses travel all over and have dual licenses...i don't know how the travelers nuses agency handle but i know people who lived close to a state line and they worked both states w/o a problem

only one problem that i can think of and it may not even be in affect anymore..at one point some states had a higher passing grade for gaining license...ie one state could have a 500 overall score if state b had a 700

minimum score you could be required to retake board to give yo a chance to move up before being sent back to clinicals

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Stick to the facts about you...not him.

(PS, you may get moved more than every 4 years)

[rollingstone]

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. :)

Agree. No one has ever asked what my spouse does for a living during an interview.

[missmercy]

Keep in mind that while a state may have a "reciprocle agreement" with another state ie: MI and Ohio have a reciprocle relationship, that merely means you do not have to retake a state Board exam. It does NOT mean that your MI licensure will allow you to have practice privaledges in OH! You still have to get an OH license to practice there. BIG SNAFOO around this area when a couple of management level RNs did not have correct state license and were overseeing the practice of nurses -- jobs lost, offices packed up in haste and people were GONE overnight!!!

I keep a current license for both states -- just in case we move back home -- it is cheaper to keep it current than to reinstate it and that way it is there when I need it as opposed to taking the 4-6 weeks to get a new one. REMEMBER! If you are not licensed to practice in that particular state -- do not touch a patient until you get that license!! I have seen it get rather ugly when one assumes that any reciprocle license will cover their nursing practice.

[lupin]

I am a coastie wife and have not had a problem finding a job due to my marital status. Most employers do not ask about my husband's status. If they did, I would be truthful and tell them of his military service. Most places where military stations are, are familiar with military dependents. If a place does not hire you based on the possibility of your husband's transfer, you do have the right to seek legal action thru JAG or legal services. In the family service centers on military bases, there are usually lists of jobs for that area. If a particular business is not hiring military dependents based on that, they find out about it and circulate it pretty quickly. And we all do look after one another.

[LPNtoBSNstudent, BSN, RN]

It is my understanding that if you work as a nurse on the military base hospital that you just have to be licensed in any of the 50 states.

My dh is military and it has never gotten in the way of me obtaining a position. I've been licensed in 3 states so far from various moves. But now I think I am going to try to work on post when I graduate in December.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

I don't know if the Coast Guard does this, but my SIL gets job assitance from the Army whenever they relocate her husband. Even got her a job overseas!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Yes the Air Force has transitioning programs for dependent spouses, too. Our family support centers can be of enormous help! I am sure the Army has similar spouse services.