RN work as an LVN mil spouse

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Specializes in MedSurg.

Hi all,

my husband is in the military and we recently moved to the UK. We'll be here 2.5 years. I'm not interested in working off base in a civilian hospital because I would like to utilize my Texas RN license to work at the hospital on the military base. They don't have any RN positions but I was offered an LVN position. The company sent me over an employment agreement and through out the agreement I am referred to as an LVN (“The LVN agrees to perform the duties associated…”). To add insult to injury, the position pays crap ($18/hr). With all this, I'm still thinking about taking the job because I don't want a three year gap on my resume. From what I've read, I am able to work as an LVN with my TX RN license but I will be held to the RN standards which makes me think I might be taken advantage of (working as an RN, asked to perform RN duties, but in an LVN position for crap pay). Does anyone have any experience with a situation like this? What would you do? Will working in an LVN position even benefit my resume?

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A three year gap can cause  problems in the future.   Most employers won't even look at you. HR at the base knows this and are low balling you. Work the minimum hours. Check into getting your UK license while you do that.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Working as an LVN with a Texas RN license in the UK could be a potential liability.

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nsyncope said:

... They don't have any RN positions but I was offered an LVN position. The company sent me over an employment agreement and through out the agreement I am referred to as an LVN (“The LVN agrees to perform the duties associated…”). ...

When you say "the company" are you saying that you did not find and apply to this position through the USAJOBS site?  if you're not familiar with this site it's the federal government's consolidated job search site.  You can search for nursing jobs using 0610 occupation code.

nsyncope said:

... To add insult to injury, the position pays crap ($18/hr). ...

I agree, $18 hour seems insulting.  However, based on a 40 hour week this would be $37,440; which is consistent with some LPN positions available on USAJOBS.

nsyncope said:

... From what I've read, I am able to work as an LVN with my TX RN license but I will be held to the RN standards which makes me think I might be taken advantage of (working as an RN, asked to perform RN duties, but in an LVN position for crap pay). ...

If "what you've read" didn't come from the TX BON website you might consider contacting them.  I've no experience with the TX BON, but I know RNs in NC that worked as LPNs on their RN license.  If you accept this position, you will need to be cautious that you don't exceed the scope of practice of position you're working.  If you have any questions regarding liability you might consider making an appointment with legal services on your husband's base.

nsyncope said:

... Does anyone have any experience with a situation like this? What would you do? Will working in an LVN position even benefit my resume?

If it were me I think I would take this position, and keep searching for an RN position on base.  This keeps you from explaining a 3 year gap on your resume. 

Best wishes, and thank your husband for his service.

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Specializes in MedSurg.

Thank you for such a thorough response! The job is with a government contractor so, it's not through USA Jobs. The jobs here are so few that there's only been one  job posting for an RN on USA jobs in the past 9 months. 
 

The information did come from the TX BON.
 

I think I probably will take this job. I've already been out of work for months and  beggars can't be choosers. I just don't see many choices here. 

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

My opinion: working as an LVN covers the employment gap. But there will still be a 3-year gap without paid RN experience. You might/will come face to face with that rigid employer that will scrutinize the resume, looking for RN experience ONLY.

My colleague faced that very thing as a fulltime agency LPN when she bridged to RN. She and I both were acute care agency LPNs with years of med/surg experience. Even her own agency would not give her an RN position, but said she could stay on as an LPN (the reason being that the clients required one-year of PAID experience as an RN, even though said clients were familiar with her acute care skills.

As planned, keep searching for that RN position on usajobs and drop the LVN job as soon as possible. 

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Specializes in Peds.

My experience is a one of caution.  I was an LPN for many years and as soon as I completed by RN my manager had to tell me to find an RN position as soon as possible because they could not keep me in an LPN position for liability reasons.  The pay they are offering is low because it is a LVN position and not for an RN and you will have to be cautious to stay in the LVN scope while in that position.  Legal ramifications can be a problem if you overstep with your knowledge.  Good luck in your adventure!

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Specializes in ER.

You could also get your UK RN license and work locally, which will retain your TX RN license because its reciprocal.

Lots of military spouses do that, at one point my floor in a hospital in Cambridge had more American spouses than local nurses!

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