Questions about Army Civilian Nurse

Specialties Government

Published

I've been thinking about becoming an Army Civilian Nurse, but I don't know anybody who's done it and I have a few questions...

-How long is the hiring process- including the interview process, the background check...? (once your application is accepted, how long until you actually get to work)

-Do you have to sign a contract like if you were in the military? (where you can't break the contract)

-Can you get deploy at any given time?

-Do they pay for relocation?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

KuriousRN,

I was a civilian Navy Nurse during the first Gulf War, and worked at Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. I remember the hiring process being about as lengthy as any other, but keep in mind that there is usually more paperwork when you work for the military vs. civilian hospitals, in general. I lived in the area at the time, and there was no contract to sign.

When you are a civilian contracted nurse for the military, you work on a military base, but for the third party company that hires you. So it's a job like any other in that you can leave at any time ( you should give adequate notice, however).

I highly value my experience at the Naval Hospital and would recommend the experience to any RN. You get to have the best of both worlds-provide nursing care to patients in a world-class facility while serving your country, without the contract experience (being moved around PRN to different areas of the country/world), etc.

Hope this helps!

Sunflower3

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

I used to be an Army Civilian nurse. Best nursing job I have had to date! I have only worked one other nursing job though. :) The hiring action for my job took a long time, almost 6 months. Part of that was waiting for the hospital to approve the funding for the position. The manager had requested additional RN positions for the floor. I did not have to sign an employment contract, but I am a military spouse so if I had to relocate due to a military change of station it wouldn't be a problem. That being said, I was a local hire. Meaning I am a military spouse stationed overseas and they did not pay to move me over here. Also, jobs are very limited so it's not like there was any where else I could go. :lol2: You do not have to worry about deploying, you will not deploy. They will pay your moving expenses if you are a U.S. hire going to a position overseas. I am not sure if they will if you are relocating from a different state. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for replying to my message. I've been looking at some jobs on USAJOBS and I'm going to send an application :)

Have a great day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

Good luck! The resumes that you have to submit are quite different than a "regular" resume. Let me know if you'd like some tips. If it isn't written a certain way it may never get seen by a hiring official.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also looking to go to Germany as a civilian nurse, what tips do you recommend for my resume?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Good luck! The resumes that you have to submit are quite different than a "regular" resume. Let me know if you'd like some tips. If it isn't written a certain way it may never get seen by a hiring official.

Hi LDRNMommy,

I am also interested in working as a Civilian RN in the military. Any tips on resume writing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Peds.
I used to be an Army Civilian nurse. Best nursing job I have had to date! I have only worked one other nursing job though. :) The hiring action for my job took a long time, almost 6 months. Part of that was waiting for the hospital to approve the funding for the position. The manager had requested additional RN positions for the floor. I did not have to sign an employment contract, but I am a military spouse so if I had to relocate due to a military change of station it wouldn't be a problem. That being said, I was a local hire. Meaning I am a military spouse stationed overseas and they did not pay to move me over here. Also, jobs are very limited so it's not like there was any where else I could go. :lol2: You do not have to worry about deploying, you will not deploy. They will pay your moving expenses if you are a U.S. hire going to a position overseas. I am not sure if they will if you are relocating from a different state. Let me know if you have any other questions!

This is an old post, but ANY info on how to set up my resume is much needed!! I got stamped "unqualified" with 6 yrs RN and 2 semesters away from BSN and KNOW it was because of resume not being detailed enough! Position still open and can resubmit

THANKS!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.
This is an old post, but ANY info on how to set up my resume is much needed!! I got stamped "unqualified" with 6 yrs RN and 2 semesters away from BSN and KNOW it was because of resume not being detailed enough! Position still open and can resubmit

THANKS!!

Repeat the key words in the job listing over and over and over in the resume. That is one of the big things I was told in a federal job class when my husband was stationed overseas. Initially a computer scans the resume and if it doesn't get enough hits on the key words it will never be seen by human eyes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Peds.
Repeat the key words in the job listing over and over and over in the resume. That is one of the big things I was told in a federal job class when my husband was stationed overseas. Initially a computer scans the resume and if it doesn't get enough hits on the key words it will never be seen by human eyes.

THANK YOU!! I realized I didn't update the USA jobs stuff either!! Oh dear....think I still have a chance?? Also, if you would be soooooo kind...is there anyway you would just have a look at my resume before I resubmit??? I will post me secondary email if so....i would SO GREATLY appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Peds.

OR...could you tell me how this sounds???

Duties: * Advanced cardiac monitoring * Care of emergent and non-emergent patients * Phlebotomy skills * Critical thinking to intervene with appropriate intervention for urgent/emergent care * Care of the acute and chronically ill patients * Knowledge of hemodynamics * Basic IV and central line care skills * Arterial line monitoring 
 *Identifying and managing life-sustaining physiologic functions in unstable patients *Triage: five level * Delegating tasks to support staff (PCA/nurse aide) * Discharge teaching and instructions * Transfers to other facilities * Other duties as assigned

Any idea what they like to read as a "goal" as well?? Can you tell its been a while since I have had to go through this?? :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a nurse with the civilian army in Germany the work on the floor is fine great patients and staff but the support staff who are there to help with housing , settling in,tax VAT,car registration etc etc are a nightmare who do not care one bit about you, will not help you and many times hope you make mistakes so they can justify their jobs. nurses have gone home in tears frustrated that they wanted to help injured soldiers only to be driven to insanity by small minded vindictive federal employers who should support the mission but destroy it.As i said the nurses,and staff in the hospital are the finest people...but be very careful of the rest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment