"Soon to be Military Spouse" NEEDS advice

allnurses Guide · Nov 30, 2013

Honestly? I would advise you to stay put while he is in training and cross the one year mark.

douxmusique · Nov 30, 2013

I agree. Leaving a job before 1 year for a brief 4/6 months is a bad idea. As a military spouse of 11 years and one who had my soldier leave for Bct two months after our wedding and then multiple deployments I also dont think its necessary but totally pointless. If he is in the reserves I am ASSuming you will be staying put in the civilian world except for his trainings? Meaning no moving every two years etc? Dont go to training with him. Job problem solved.

courtneyyyBSN · Nov 30, 2013

I've thought about it. I'm researching free clinics in Arizona that accept volunteers. Many of the management people that I've talked to said that employers would look highly into someone who volunteered during that time off. The only reason I'm looking into it so much is because shortly after his training, they've mentioned how deployment could be in the near future. Of course, you know that is ever changing.

My employer also understands why I'm leaving. She respects it. I worked at that facility for a year and a half prior to becoming a nurse. Therefore, if I need a good reference, she'd be a good one.

Thanks for all your input.

courtneyyyBSN · Nov 30, 2013

Thanks for your input!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

IMO, you should try to wait until you have at least a year of experience. Without it, you remain in the new grad black hole: too experienced for new grad jobs but not experienced enough for most other jobs.

Also, keep in mind that as a fiancee, you do not qualify for any military spouse hiring preference at any government facilities.

Actually, you do not qualify for any spousal privleges--that's a biscuit that the military hands out only after you show them the marriage license. So that may make things tough for you, especially when your fiance deployes. My advice: find your command's ombudsman and get to know him/her, as they will be a source of information for you, especially during deployments when information released is usually restricted to family members only (parents, children, spouse).

courtneyyyBSN · Nov 30, 2013

We're getting married in December, so we'll have all our paperwork changed prior to February. I currently have been emailing nursing recruiters at the hospitals to where we'll be located after training.

You're right though. The good ol' "new grad black hole" haha I'm going to see what these individuals say at the hospitals and we'll go from there. Thanks for your advice.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

We're getting married in December, so we'll have all our paperwork changed prior to February. I currently have been emailing nursing recruiters at the hospitals to where we'll be located after training.
You're right though. The good ol' "new grad black hole" haha I'm going to see what these individuals say at the hospitals and we'll go from there. Thanks for your advice.

Then that will definitely qualify you for spousal hiring preference, as you'll be married and uprooting your career to PCS with him.

What spousal hiring preference does is that all things being equal, military spouses are given preference for hiring at military/goverment facilities. It does NOT make up for lack of experience or required skills (so you'd still be a new grad with less than 1 year of experience). Nor does it guarantee you a job: you may be competing against another military spouse or a non-spouse applicant who has the required skills that you lack...and if there's no job there, they don't have to make one for you.

What it essentially is is that you'd be given preference over applicants with comparable experience/skills. I wouldn't depend on it for getting a job IMO, but still worth checking out.