overseas civil service nurses need your advice!

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Hey guys I'm currently about to enter an ADN program at my community college and have been researching going overseas and hopefully working in Italy again. I was curious what's the best route for me to take? I've researched it a bit and I believe it's favorable to have a year experience in nursing spec. so I was thinking the lpn tract may be better to get the exp. and finish the ADN while working. Then I could submit a resume a few months prior to completion and with me being prior service AF I could maybe get the job. Opinions/suggestions?

Ohh yeah I heard civil service nurses over there get COLA, BAH, and a paid move. If this is true the pay cut wouldn't be that terrible I assume?

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Specializes in L&D, FPC, MedSurg, Ortho Trauma, ER, Onc.

I was GS in Germany, but it was pretty different for me since I separated from Active Duty while over there and just stayed at the same hospital! They will only relocate if it is a critical need/shortage job...I know at LRMC the only civ nurses that got Stateside Hire status (which gets you the megabucks housing allowance!) were Cardiac Cath Lab nurses, Onc nurses and I think a Trauma Coordinator position.

You get some COLA, but it's nothing compared to what it was when I was in! It does help offset costs some, just not as much.

I'm not sure if that was much help, now that I go back and look at it! Sheesh.

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Well i'm more informed now, thanks. Maybe I'll just submit a resume and see what happens.

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Specializes in MED/SURG ICU, CT ICU.

Hello nursemae! It sounds like you are one of the people I should talk to. I am currently debating joining the reserves as a critical care nurse. I have about 23 years cc background so no doubt you have guessed I am getting up in age. I just really need to know what it is like to be a military R.N. I will continue my 2 part time civilian nursing jobs and am very lucky to be able to pick and choose what days I work. Working 12 hour shifts doesn't bother me that much any more but must say sometimes my legs feel like lead when i'm done. I agree about the professionalism in some civilian hospitals. Lets just say that sometimes its not there. What really bothers me is the laziness. Anyway, back to the real questions: What are the hours / week,? What is the housing like both state side and when deployed? What was officers training like? I heard it is mostly classroom education on the military. Do you ever get time off once deployed to either travel or have family visit? As you can see I have no idea what I am getting into just that it is hard work and I need to get back in shape in the next couple months. Wish me luck and I hope to hear from you soon!!

Thank you for your service 2soldiers44

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