disclose CRNA dream/goal on nursing interview??

RNBEAUTY2003 · Feb 4, 2004

I found myself in the same situation, jellybean. I was not 100% honest with my long term goalsduring my interview, fearing that she would not want to hire someone that is planning to leave in a year or so. She does know, however that I am starting grad school soon. Luckily, she did not inquire too much on that!

So yeah, I feel your pain. But what are we to do? :rolleyes:

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2004

This topic has been brought up recently in a thread entitled "Why Shouldn't I Tell". I encourage to look at that and examine your options from a couple of different angles...

I can relate to you as far as getting educational assistance from an agency. My experience might be atypical, but throughout my nursing school career, I have disclosed my goal of becoming a student in Nurse Anesthesia. I choose to disclose this goal for a variety of reasons:

1) I strongly believe that advanced practice nursing should be encouraged. You will find nurses and administrators who have professional jealousy, and will give you a hard time with your goal. Unfortunately, these are the same people who still think that nursing is a blue-collar, skilled-labor job. The agency I signed on with promotes higher education and encourages nurses to get advanced degrees. They have asked me to work for one year in the ICU before applying to anesthesia school, after which they will pay for my nurse anesthesia education. My advice to you: Facilitate conversation with the agency about the type of nursing that you would like to go into, i.e. critical care. After experssing that interest, inquire about opportunies for professioanl growth, i.e. advanced degrees.

2) Get your guns loaded... it sounds like you are dedicated to getting your advanced degree. I've seen a lot of my peers in nursing school who want to become CRNAs for the six-figure salary. It's an insult to the profession if you don't know what CRNAs do - be sure you know. It's appeared on this board frequently, and I'll say it again-- DEDICATION is what it takes to appreciate the art and science of anesthesia. Whenever people "fire" questions at me about this rather extreme goal, I've got my "guns" loaded-- I know exactly why I want to go to anesthesia school, and I know what to expect.

3) Be genuine... I'm very enthusiastic nursing student, and believe me, there are advocates out there for students who are genuinely interested in learning more. My agency has paid for additional classses (that anesthesia schools require), I've been offered an internship this summer at the Mayo clinic's SICU, research opportunities with pt. simulators, and I'll be shadowing a grad school in a few weeks. Just today, the dean emailed me with this message: "I know you are a very forward looking person and I complement you for it."

As I said, I choose to share my goals with others. If you can prove your dedication to the profession, along with the enthusiasm to learn, you will gain respect from others. I've been a nursing student for two years; I haven't run into too much "red tape" other than unprofessionals. If I can give you anymore advice from previous experiences, I'd be happy to! Good luck

jemommyRN · Feb 4, 2004

There was a thread on the CRNA board that discussed this very situation. The thread was advising not to disclose your future plans because it may hurt your chances of whatever you are applying for. Some employers WILL see it as just a stepping stone and they don't want to train you just so that they can give you to another hospital after graduate school. Personally, I feel that if you are not sure then maybe you shouldn't say anything because you don't want anyone to give you a hard time behind it.

TraumaNurse · Feb 4, 2004

I agree. Read KMchugh's post. Especially since you are not sure, I would not mention it. It costs a lot of $$ to bring a new grad into ICU and train them only to have them leave after 1 year. Sure it happens all the time, but you may find you will either be turned down for a position or experience flack from your manager or other staff nurses. The best approach is to tell them that you would eventually like to go to grad school but you have not decided in which direction to go. Telling them up front may damage your chances for getting a good reference if you need one from your manager for school. It is also very manager/unit dependent.

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2004

Don't tell. If they ask, be vague and say that you are very motivated and hope to continue to advance in your career. Phrase it in a way so that they know you are a go-getter, but they aren't afraid you are going to leave in a year or are too cocky/ just using the experience as a stepping stone.

Ether, I LOVE your avatar!!!

kc_jellybean · Feb 4, 2004

Thx for all the good info, I will definately check the thread, "Why Shouldn't I Tell?" LOL - unfortunately, I **have** looked into the responsibilities of CRNAs and find it more than a bit daunting :eek: ...if I decide to continue that path, I already have my mind made up to spend at least 2-3yrs in ICU for my own personal comfort level. :idea: Besides, it sounds like CRNA school is extremely competitive, and that it's common not to get on one's 1st try. :rolleyes:

Thx for all the good advice!!!

elkpark · Feb 4, 2004

show up and do your job NOW, it isn't any of the hospital's business what your future plans may be ... I would avoid answering a question like that (or give a very vague, generic answer, as suggested here in another post, because I would be uncomfortable actually lying) in a job interview. It's no more relevant (or any of the employer's business) than questions about marital status, children, etc., which have been made illegal to ask.

Besides, who knows, if they turn you away to hire someone who swears that she/he plans to spend the next 30 years as a bedside nurse at that specific hospital, that person may leave in a year for some other reason that has nothing to do with grad school ... As Mark Twain said, "Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future ..." Since no one knows what is going to happen, I wouldn't engage in any conversation about hypothetical future events.