Are Military Contract Nursing Jobs a Great Career Option for You?
Military bases are hotbeds of employment for civilian nurses. There are significant military contract nursing job opportunities for all RNs, especially those with specialized training. Pay is attractive, the perks and benefits are generous, and you’ll be serving your country without being part of the military headcount.
Here’s all you need to know to help you decide whether life as a civilian nurse on a military base is for you.
What Is a Civilian Nurse V a Military Nurse?
Military nurses have formal military rank which can range from private through general officer. Some military organizations also use enlisted personnel (US Navy Nurse Corps) to serve as senior nursing assistants. Military nurses may also be authorized uniformed personnel who are stationed outside of their countries’ borders.
Civilian nurses work in hospitals and public health facilities. They provide care for patients of all ages, including newborns, the elderly, and those with complex medical needs.
Both civilian and military RNs must pass the NCLEX exam. However, as a nurse in the military you will have all your education paid for, while as a civilian nurse you must fund your own nursing education.
How Civilian Nurses Help on Military Bases
It is common for military bases to employ civilian nurses. In fact, almost every military base has a cohort of civilian nurses, usually supplied by nurse staffing agencies like Loyal Source.
For the military, hiring for military contract nursing jobs is more effective and cost-efficient than employing permanent staff directly. The military’s need is constantly changing, and with this change the skills required alter, too.
This said, most of your work will mimic what you would do in a civilian hospital, except you will be providing care for military personnel, their families, and military veterans. You will work in facilities that include general practice and outpatient clinics to specialty clinics.
When you work on a military base as a civilian nurse, you are referred to as Civilian Corps.
Benefits of Working as a Civilian Nurse on Military Bases
Civilian nurses are often employed in the military to provide care for patients stationed at a base, of which there are more than 400 in the United States alone.
There are various benefits of working as a civilian nurse on military bases.
As a civilian, you can work on any type of base, be it an air force base, naval station, or army camp. You don’t need to worry about security clearance, and you also get paid by the hour; not by the day, like in the military.
The hours can be very flexible, too, which is great if you have other commitments outside of work.
You will also have free access to many of the base’s amenities, such as free, state-of-the-art gyms and educational facilities.
You may be able to purchase discounted tickets to events and entertainment spots near to the base, take advantage of low-cost rental opportunities, and be invited to base fun days and other events. You should expect to be welcomed into the military’s active social scene.
Other benefits include:
- Competitive salaries
- Stable work conditions
- A great work/life balance
You don’t need to worry about being deployed overseas. If you would like to taste work and life in foreign countries, you can apply for an overseas contract – but the military has no right to deploy you.
There’s another benefit that is often overlooked. Having a Department of Defense entry on your resume is very advantageous. Not only will you be welcomed by other military bases more readily, but civilian healthcare facilities recognize the qualities that working on a military base instill: trustworthiness, capability to cope under pressure, and great time management, to name only a few.
How Can You Find Work as a Civilian Nurse on a Military Base?
There are a few ways to find a nursing job on a military base. For example, you may search the usajobs.gov website to find what jobs are being advertised direct to the public.
Another way to find civilian nursing jobs with the military is to volunteer with the base’s Red Cross Chapter and network your way in (though this strategy takes a lot of time and patience).
The most popular strategy for being employed on military bases in a civilian nurse capacity is to register with a specialist agency. At Loyal Source, we have access to a huge range of civilian nursing jobs, with a wide variety of contract lengths. You’ll find our experience and expertise will help match you to a role with a great fit for your own experience and expertise, areas of specialty, personal growth ambitions, and career objectives.
How to Excel as a Civilian Nurse on Military Bases
Having taken the first step and spoken to Loyal Source, you’ll find that we can move quickly to place you in a nursing role on a military base. But we don’t stop there. We understand that the way the military operates is very different to how civi-street works.
We want you to be successful, every bit as you desire success. That’s why we are always only a phone call away from our candidates – you can approach us with any questions, concerns, or queries you may have (like, for example, how on earth do you address your boss on base?).
To help you hit the ground running in your new contract, and to ensure that your work is career enhancing, we’ve complied these five tips:
1. Be Prepared for Variety
No two days on base are ever the same. Some days will be high-pressure, others will be slower. You’ll need to get used to the hierarchy, and be prepared for a lot of variety in your work. Bases often house hundreds or thousands of personnel and their families. One moment you could be treating an injury suffered on an assault course, the next you may find yourself consoling a worried young mother.
2. Get Certified!
There is no such thing as too many certifications. Most civilian nurses will require a bachelor’s degree and American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider certification. Other certifications that are welcomed include ACLS, PALS, and TNCC. In short, the more certifications you have, the more attractive you become to the military.
One other thing – bases will usually accept a state nursing license as a licensure, no matter which state you are licensed in.
3. Take the Opportunity to Learn
The military is a learning organization, and they certainly like nurses who are into self-development and career progression. You’ll also find that the military run many courses that can enhance your career – and you will most likely get free access to these. Make the most of the opportunity.
4. Be Sociable
Being sociable is an important part of your job and it can make the difference between a good day and a bad day at work. Be polite and professional, and take the opportunity to make friends and contacts. Not sure how to be sociable? Here are a few small steps to take:
- Get out and walk about
- Pick a service member’s brains
- Accept invites to the base’s social events
Predominantly, be you. Take advantage of all the base has to offer, but be courteous and gracious as you do so.
5. Ask Questions
If you are not sure about something, never be nervous of asking. If you have never worked in a military facility before, you may be in for quite a culture shock. That’s not a bad thing. Variety is the spice of life, after all. The secret is to learn about accepted norms quickly. Asking questions is the key.
How to Obtain Civilian Nurse Jobs on Military Bases
You don’t need military experience to obtain a job as a civilian nurse on a military base. If you have the necessary qualifications, experience, and determination to succeed, it’s a fantastic way to serve your country without joining up.
There are some amazing perks and benefits of working on a military base, and your experience will enhance your resume and future career opportunities.
Contact Loyal Source today. Our expertise will help you obtain the perfect nursing job for you on a United States military base.