I have read previous posts about this but I was wondering if anyone had any information on Aviano, Spangdahlem, Ramstein, Andersen, or Lakenheath. I will be graduating in Dec 2009 with my BSN and we are putting in our base preferences now for Summer 2010. I would love any advice on whether we should put these bases down because I really want to be a practicing nurse and if I am unable to do that overseas then we will do all stateside prefs. Thank you so much for you time!

I would not put down Lakenheath. It is tough for nurses to get employment here.

But wow, I am amazed you are already being asked for preferences for summer 2010 - that's a long way out.

Moving to Spouse Career at 0600 EST

quote:

Originally posted by dekeoboe:
I would not put down Lakenheath. It is tough for nurses to get employment here.

But wow, I am amazed you are already being asked for preferences for summer 2010 - that's a long way out.

we are already penciled in for Spring 2010 for our next assignment..also OCONUS. won't get hard copies until Like November/Deceber time frame.

OP..not sure how Europe does things but in Japan.. most of the civilian nursiing staff were Host Nationals. VERY few dependents. In fact the Naval hopsital in Yokosuka was a training hopsital for the local Nursing and Dental schools and there were plenty of Interns there as well.

Europe will probably be very difficult too. There is very high unemployment in Europe so preference goes to host nationals, even on base. Off base, basically if you are not an EU citizen then you are not going to get a job. My company is basically a global company but I can't get transferred to any European office because of this. In order for them to hire a non-host national (especially Americans) they have to go through the EU equivalent of an H1B visa and very few employers are willing to do that.

Can't say from personal experience but I have heard that it is tough for Americans to get nursing jobs while over there. Like mentioned above most jobs go to the local citizens before military spouses.

Shoot, we have friends in HI and she could not find a job as a dental assistant/tech. She had worked as one in the continental US for about 8-10 years and couldn't get her foot in the door in HI. They'll be back in CONUS this summer and she's hoping to get back in with a dentist once they have settled.



Sgt Mom