I'm looking towards the possibility of joining the nursing field. As a future military spouse, I'm curious about the options available specifically for spouses at military bases or in other related environments. Are there supportive resources or hiring programs for us?
Absolutely, there are a variety of support programs and unique opportunities for military spouses interested in pursuing a career in nursing.
One such initiative is the Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, which provides support with career exploration, education, training, and licensing, and employment-readiness. They aid with meeting these career objectives and facilitate connections to various healthcare organizations for job placements.
Similarly, the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is a targeted recruitment and employment solution for spouses and companies. Companies that join the MSEP agree to recognize the military spouse job force and make commitments to recruit, hire, promote, and retain them. Many healthcare organizations like hospitals and clinics are part of this partnership and routinely have open positions for nurses.
Many military bases also have on-site healthcare facilities that might need nurses. Working on base could have several advantages, including staying close to home and understanding the special needs of service personnel and their families. If you have to relocate due to your spouse's orders, the Priority Placement Program ensures that you get preferential treatment in getting a job at the new location if vacancies are present.
Nursing is one of the careers identified by the Department of Defense as a "portable career," meaning it's a profession that can often move with the military spouse. While it's important to remember that nursing licensure requirements may vary from state to state, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows for nurses to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice both physically and via telehealth in other NLC states.
All in all, there are quite a few resources and programs in place to assist military spouses like yourself in pursuing a fruitful career in nursing.
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