Nursing in Germany

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Hello Everyone,

Does anyone out there have any insight regarding nursing opportunities in Germany. I am planning to move there and was wondering how difficult it is to apply for a job as civilian nurse in Europe. I Have almost a year of experience in a 50 bed telemetry unit. Any suggestions and opinions are welcomed. Thank you!

Sharkasurf:)

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

In a German hospital? Do you speak fluent German? If not then it would be almost impossible for you to get a job. If you mean as a civilian in an Army hospital well that's a different story. I might be able to provide some insight, as I currently work as an RN at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. However, I am NOT a U.S. hire. I am what they consider a "local hire" what that means is that I am a command sponsored military spouse. Honestly, it just means I earn my salary and that is all, no other allowances that the U.S. hires are entitled to. I simply contacted the manager of the unit I wanted to work in, where I had experience. It was kind of a long process. I am not sure if it works the same if you are coming over from the U.S.

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Specializes in med surg.

I talked to a recruiter for the army for a position in a germany hospital and I have to tell you the perks they offered were great. I would have been a civilian and I think there was a 2 year contract. I would contact a recruiter if I were you at one of the Army hospitals and see what they offer.

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.
I currently work as an RN at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. However, I am NOT a U.S. hire. I am what they consider a "local hire" what that means is that I am a command sponsored military spouse. Honestly, it just means I earn my salary and that is all, no other allowances that the U.S. hires are entitled to. I simply contacted the manager of the unit I wanted to work in, where I had experience. It was kind of a long process. I am not sure if it works the same if you are coming over from the U.S.

Hey LDRNMOMMY - I'm at LRMC, too. But I was hired from CONUS. From your tag I'm assuming you work in L&D?

To OP, LDRN is right, unless you're fluent in German, I don't see you getting a job in a German hospital - they also do things a LOT differently and the scope is practice is more limited. But if you're looking for a job anywhere in ERMC - which is the European command area, check out or the ARMY CPOL site at:

It can be a drawn out process, but they are actively seeking RN's across the board here as the Navy rotation's are being scaled back and/or stopped altogether as the Navy moves their personnel on to other missions (we're a tri-service facility, Army/Air Force/Navy & Marines).

Good luck!

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Hi everyone !!

Thank you everyone for your reply. LDRNmommy, I would like to find a position on a military base. I am looking for a position that is available in a hospital and or clinic. If you have any information or tips I would really appreciate your guidance. I did hear that it is difficult to find a position and the process is long. How do you like Germany?

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.
Hi everyone !!

Thank you everyone for your reply. LDRNmommy, I would like to find a position on a military base. I am looking for a position that is available in a hospital and or clinic. If you have any information or tips I would really appreciate your guidance. I did hear that it is difficult to find a position and the process is long. How do you like Germany?

I have LOVED living in Germany! However, we are ready to go back to the U.S. and we will later on this year. I have really enjoyed my time at Landstuhl. Their labor and delivery unit is so much different than the one I worked at in the U.S. and that is not a bad thing.

It actually didn't take me long to find a position. I simply called the nurse manager of L&D and told them I had L&D experience and would love to meet him if wanted/needed a nurse. I did not start working until about 6 months after that. Part of the wait was waiting for the funding to be approved for the job. The manager had requested additional civilian nursing slots so technically at the time there was not an available position. The hiring process took a few weeks as well. It was not too bad for me since I used to be active duty military and had a secret security clearance at one time. The pay is a bit lower than doing the same job in the U.S. (well at least in L&D anyway), but I was so thankful to have a job and it's nothing to shake a stick at. Being a U.S. hire you will be entitled to additional monetary allowances that I am not such as a housing allowance.

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Is it possible for a new RN to get a job at Landstuhl or will they not hire a new graduate? I have been looking at USAJOBS.GOV and everything I have seen says at least a year experience. Thank you.

PS. Will be in Germany over Christmas and would love to interview with a nurse manager there if any are on this forum. I have 20 years leadership experience, although am a brand new nurse. I will take the NCLEX in Jun/Jul.

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Hello! I'm a new grad and applied to Landstuhl. What do you think is my chance? Any advice or tips would be helpful..!!

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Hi!! How can I find contacts of those hiring managers?? thank you!!

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Would you mind sharing more of your experience at Landstuhl? Not just the work experience, but the culture, what it was like living in Germany, etc. do most people who work there just do short contracts, or do some people stay on indefinitely? Are you eligible to apply for EU citizenship after working there a certain period of time, or are you disqualified since you are still working for the US Army?

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I know this is an old post but I was curious if you ever got anywhere with your quest to be a nurse in Germany??

I'm a Veteran and was stationed in Wiesbaden for 2 years, was treated at LRMC, and now that I am an ICU nurse, I would like to get back out there and help those patients, just as some helped me while I was there.

Any advice?

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Just found his post about nursing in Germany.... I'd be interested in volunteering at the LRMC. My husband currently has a work assignment in Germany. I've been accepted to a nursing program at Columbia University in NYC, but I'm not going to be able to start until next year. In the meantime I'd love to volunteer in a hospital, and LRMC would be the best given that it's a U.S. hospital.

Does anyone know if volunteering at LRMC is possible? If yes, who should contact?

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