Unsure what to do

Hello all-

As my topic states, I am unsure about what I should do. I have a lot of questions, so I apologize before hand.

I have not yet graduated nursing school, but I will in May. My husband is currently serving in the military overseas. He will return to the states this summer, but we are unsure where he will be. His contract is done in September and he has not yet decided if he should re-enlist or return to civilian life. His indicision limits my choices now and after graduation. Many of my classmates have applied for and even gotten jobs, and I am worried I am falling behind.

At this point, what should I do? Should I begin searching for jobs, even though I do not know where we will be in 3 months? Are there good websites or other resources to find nursing jobs?

Are there any nurses out there who are also married to men in the military and could offer some advice?

I am afraid to even get a job because of the instability we will be facing throughout the next year.

Any advice? Thank you.

If I were you, I would begin searching for a job. You never know what will happen in life; life situations change from day to day.

I know my friend who's husband was stationed in IRAQ, she was in nursing school when his troop was sent to IRAQ, unfortunately he passed away due to friendly fire.... she ended up finishing school, and now she is the head of the family. THey had one son together. But regardless, she finished school, and now is taking care of her son on her own.

I'm not saying that, everyone's situation is the same.

but find a job, and if he happens to be stationed in another state, then you will have to move. Inform your employer and go with him back to civilian life.

thank you

Your first year is very important in the nursing field because you gain experience. Quite a lot of new grads land that first job knowing that they might be somewhere else in a year or two's time, so I would advise you to just go out and get that job and not say anything about the possibility of moving. If things are as up in the air as you say, you won't be fibbing.

Also, there's always the chance that you could love it and stay, so don't limit that possibility.

Best wishes for you and your family.

No you're not falling behind. I graduated in December and most of my classmates already started applying and being offered jobs long before finals and graduation. I decided to wait until after graduation to apply and I found a job within 1 month of being out of school. My only advice would be not to offer up the information about the possiblity of moving in any interview unless directly asked. If they ask you by all means do not lie to them, but do not offer any info unless asked. I took a job and have aspirations of grad school so may only be around for a year or 2. I told them I have grad school aspirations, but did not offer that my search will include schools outside of the city/state which I'm employed. I did not lie b/c I was not asked! There is nothing wrong w/waiting til after you graduate to get a job. There is nothing wrong w/taking the summer off even. Some of the people I graduated w/just decided to take the semester off and will job hunt this summer they said. Nothing wrong w/that.

"There is nothing wrong w/taking the summer off even. Some of the people I graduated w/just decided to take the semester off and will job hunt this summer they said. Nothing wrong w/that "

Also you could spend a couple months studying for your NCLEX and then take it . Then maybe you would have a better idea of where your family will be located. I know I started work before I took the NCLEX and it's good and bad. You do learn alot at work like more familiar with lab values, some drugs but I was worried about if I failed how that would look . Maybe less stress to take NCLEX first before going to work. Also you deserve a break after school. It is such a huge relief to be done! I graduated in Dec. Well good luck and thanks to your husband for his service

I am married to an active-duty military guy, but my problem is that we are getting a divorce.

My advice to you is that go ahead and see what your options are, so you'll have a good idea what to expect, but unless you need a job for financial reasons, I'd say wait and take the time to study for NCLEX (what if, God forbid, you fail the NCLEX and then what?) and by then, you should know what's going to happen.

There's nothing wrong with waiting. I graduated in Dec, took my boards in Feb and passed, and am looking for a job now.

Good luck!