Interview for ER/ school conflict

[JessiekRN]

So after three (very) long years doing ortho/ neuro/ med-surg, I have an interview tomorrow for an ER position. I am super excited. I love my floor- even at its craziest- and the people I work with are my family, but I'm feeling, well, less than challenged lately and am looking for something new and the critical care experience I've always wanted. My question is this- I'm currently in an RN- BSN program that is mostly online but does meet once a week, on Mondays, from 4- 8pm. So obviously, I can't work Mondays, which my current manager was fine with. For interview purposes, do I mention during the interview that I can't work on Mondays? I mean, it is on my resume that I am in an RN-BSN program, so they will see that, and I know it looks good to potential employers to have their employees becoming better educated. All that being said though, does it look bad in an interview to already be making schedule requests (regardless of the reason why)? If my schedule doesn't come up and I wait until after I'm hired to say something, does that look bad as well? Sorry for the questions... I just don't know the best course of action. Any advice would be appreciated.

[happyinillinois]

I would bring it up in your interview. Mondays are the busiest day in ER.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Yes, bring it up in the interview. You may be asked about your current schooling anyway. I used to hire people independently and be on panel interviews. That's something I/we would have liked to have known up front.

[Lifeofanurse]

Absolutely bring it up.

It is much better to be upfront about when you are not available.

Yes, this could be a deal breaker for them....but what would you do if they hired you and scheduled you and then you spilled the fact you can't work Mon.. This would definitely color my thoughts about whether I hired the right person. I mean...I would think of it as deceptive.

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

ER schedules are usually very flexible with people coming in and leaving at various times based on acuity i.e. 7-7, 7-3, 7-5, 9-9, etc. Will your school schedule always be the same throughout the program? I would most definitely be up front about your school commitment, but also offer an alternative, like you will work nights, evenings, weekends etc. to offset any problem with your schedule. It may also conflict with orientation, so they need to know and you need to be willing to offer something in return, maybe even more than you receive for their flexibility.

[JessiekRN]

Thank you all so much for your replies- it confirmed what I had already known- I want this job very badly, but not on dishonest terms. It looks likely that my school schedule will be consistent throughout- and I wont be done until December 2012, over a year from now. I just really don't want my education goals to interfere with this. I was very confident about the interview until I realized this situation- now I'm concerned that it will be a deal-breaker, as mentioned.

I applied for this job on Wednesday evening and heard back from the nurse manager Friday morning; a friend of mine who works in the ER said they are very interested in experienced nurses as they have been inundated with new grads lately. I'm hoping this fact, and others, works toward my best interest, and this scheduling conflict is something they feel they can work around. I would be very sad if this doesn't work out, for this reason!

[merlee]

Don't make a big deal out of this - mention that you are in school, they will ask you about your schedule. Many, many people go to school or have some recurrent appointment that needs to be accommadated.

Do not feel guilty or that you are putting them out. If they want you they will hire you.

Best wishes.

[JessiekRN]

Thank you Merlee. Your post gave me a better perspective on my situation and I appreciate it. I am going to mention it, but as you advised I will not make an issue out of it and I'm going to hope my other qualities make this one small thing a non-issue.

Thanks everyone for your help. I really do appreciate it..

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Like the others have mentioned Monday has typically been the busiest day in the ED. That said our schedule requirement when we have our nurse make out their request for self schedule for the 4 week rotation they are required to work a combination of 3 Mondays/Fridays. IN the OP's instance the inability to work Mondays would mean that she would if working in my ED would end up working Friday alot, on top of that everyone works every other weekend.

[JessiekRN]

Just wanted to update...I did bring it up in ther interview..today I found out..I got the job!! So excited to be an ER nurse. Thank you all for your help..I can't wait to start!!

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Congrats. Welcome to the dark side.

[JessiekRN]

Thank you..it feels awesome!!!