New grad RN vacation time negotiation

Nurses Career Support

Published

Hi all, thanks for taking some time to read this and help me out. I graduated this past May with my BSN. I got my RN, and worked for a couple of months at a camp over the summer as an RN, and am now back in Job Search mode. I am looking to take a vacation abroad for a week or two in January....I don't know if in this job market (I'm in MA) that I would be considered for hire if I requested time off so soon. Is it likely when you're negotiating a salary that a week or two of unpaid time off would be acceptable? I'm hoping to book a flight soon, but I don't know if I would even be able to get a job if they knew I needed that time off. Any good way of working with this or should I just cancel the trip? Is this even a huge problem?

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

In today's job market - you are going to come off as VERY demanding in my opinion. Your request could be seen as a deal-breaker. If you're truly new to the hospital environment, you're still looking at a new grad-type of orientation. You could still be in orientation at the time frame you're looking at.

Good luck in the Job Search - and that trip will still be there in the future.

0 Votes
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Wait till you get an offer, then ask, stating you've had this planned for several months.

However, if it interferes with orientation or with a nurse residency program, you may need to cancel or amend your plans.

Employers recognize that people have lives outside of work, but 2 weeks for a new employee would be pushing it. Also, other employees may already be approved for those dates.

If you buy the ticket now, make sure it's refundable.

0 Votes

Thanks for the replies. I'm also wondering if it is a per diem position... are you supposed to just take whatever schedule the manager wants you to take or is it up to you?

0 Votes
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Per diem sometimes requires a commitment of X shifts per schedule, with other specific requirements, but is otherwise at mutually agreeable times. However, new grads are not usually hired per diem

0 Votes
Specializes in geriatrics.

You could either delay your Job Search until after the vacation, or ask the employer for time off once you're hired. Be prepared that your vacation dates may not work for the employer. You may find yourself cancelling the vacation.

0 Votes

Okay. I guess I'll have to cancel the trip since I want to look for a serious position right now.... Thanks for the advice. I just don't want to regret not getting something I would really want because of the trip....I've just always wanted to go to Thailand and a friend of mine is going so I'm pretty upset about it. I wish someone would just give me an offer so I could know for sure what the right decision would be! :(

0 Votes
Specializes in geriatrics.

You can look for work, and if nothing pans out by mid- December, go to Thailand. However, getting an offer should be the priority over going to Thailand, unless you don't need to work that soon.

0 Votes
Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

First, jobs are very hard to come by, especially in MA. I am working now with at least 4 recent (within last 2 yrs) grads from MA and 3 from NY, here in MD because of lack of jobs in MA.

Second, if you get a new grad position, there is often a residency and/or orientation involved. You could find your vacation landing at a crucial point in it, and leaving for a nonemergent reason will be an issue.

Third, as a general rule, new grads do not usually get per diem positions ( as they really need good, scheduled orientation) and if they do the first few months will be scheduled to allow for a balanced orientation.

And as a general rule, there are no real salary negotiations involved for inexperienced nurses. Most facilities work with a set pay scale, though extensive experience/professional activities may allow it.

0 Votes
Okay. I guess I'll have to cancel the trip since I want to look for a serious position right now.... Thanks for the advice. I just don't want to regret not getting something I would really want because of the trip....I've just always wanted to go to Thailand and a friend of mine is going so I'm pretty upset about it. I wish someone would just give me an offer so I could know for sure what the right decision would be! :(

This question comes at an interesting time. My new daughter-in-law is looking for a job and found one where they really want her. She told them in the interview that she has a two week trip to Thailand planned for a belated honeymoon (they were married last month). They were fine with that. So, she starts the new job next week and then takes two weeks off shortly thereafter.

I dunno - if it were me I'd do the trip if I could. It certainly couldn't hurt to ask that question during the interview.

edited to add - do you HAVE to find a job right away? January is just around the corner. I guess I'd really like for you to be able to go.

0 Votes

Hi, There could be provisions for your vacation time off or might be your organization has some good time off software so as to comply with policy rules and for smoother functioning.

0 Votes
Per diem sometimes requires a commitment of X shifts per schedule, with other specific requirements, but is otherwise at mutually agreeable times. However, new grads are not usually hired per diem

Depends on where you are. They are hired per diem in CA

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment