a relatively new RN get a job working as a civilian with the Army?

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

The reason I ask is because the only RN openings I find on the cpol website want graduate level education, yet aren't NP's. I've found 2 LPN positions and wonder if I can apply to those as I REALLY want to try to get my foot in the door to my local Army Hospital as they've finally been approved to start building a new hospital. Do they even hire new RN's or just contract ones?

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

the title of the thread should have the word "Can" first.

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Specializes in Psych/Travel.

Try Medcell for information about civilian nurses working for the Army. Right now the web site is down but keep trying. Also, when you look at the listings go through the whole page, there are listings you may miss if you're not careful. http://medcell.army.mil/

Steve

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Specializes in Trauma/ER.

A few questions came to mind when I read your post. What Army hospital? Some still hire contractors, most however strictly hire via the GS system (NSPS is being phased out). The act of getting hired is long and difficult at times. Some will take a chance on a new grad some will not. What is “ a relatively new RN?” I am currently in a job that requires me to do hiring action of Nurses for the Army hospital I work at, I have had several RN/BSN apply for my open LPN positions; I do not and will not hire one. Getting your foot in the door is great for you, not so great for the unit that is hiring you.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

The hospital I'm interested in is Ireland Army Hospital. As for relatively new grad, I graduated in 2008 with my ADN but still don't have the experience needed to apply for postings that want one year or more experience for RN's. I have 13 years as an LPN, but it doesn't count...I do understand why believe me I do.

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Specializes in Trauma/ER.

I believe that most the positions at IACH (Ireland Army Community Hospital) are going to be GS positions, there may be some NSPS left but they are going away and are normally reserved for your Nurse Managers. Contracting positions there are going to be the Medical Assistants and CAN’s in the clinic side not the inpatient side. Here is a small secret…. Get to know with out being a pain or harassing the CNOIC (Clinical Nurse Officer in Charge) of the particular unit within IACH you would want to work… I suggest the Family Care Ward or Medical Surgical what ever they call it. Bring him or her a professional resume, and openly answer any questions they may have of you. Have all your certifications, transcripts ect available they are required for CPAC/CPOL to offer the job. The more certifications you have valid at the time the RPA (request for personnel action) drops the higher the points you will have. (BLS, ACLS, NRP, PALS) If or when they have positions face to face time will greatly increase your odds.

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all those sites are great but i just was hired for a job by emailing my resume to the hospital i wanted. look online for an employment point of contact. in addition, fill out the cpol, medcell, ect applications. i did it all but they never saw my cpol, medcell request. they did get my email right away and responded back within a day. it still took some time for things to go through. be patience!

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I worked at Ireland (Ft. Knox) in L&D a few years ago as a GS employee. It's a nice hospital. Most GS jobs won't even look at your application if you don't have one year of experience in the field that they are hiring for. They hire through an outside agency who forwards qualified applicants to the manager. The government can be very detail oriented and not so detail oriented at the same time. All of the nurses I worked with full time were GS at Ireland. The prn nurses were contract.

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I had applied through USAjobs.com

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I keep looking, but all the positions I find are for GS 10 or GS 6-7 which wants more than 1 years experience in "specialty" area. So I'm out of luck. Even the ones in other states require 1 year's experience. It's so disappointing really, everyone wants 1 years experience but no one is willing to let you get a job to GET that experience.

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Drive to Louisville and work for Norton. I worked there too and it's a great place to work and only about 45 minutes up the road. You'll get really good experience.

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