How much to reveal in interviews?

tencat · Nov 4, 2005

I wouldn't think that it would hurt to say that your preference is L&D, but you're a team player and eager to work wherever there is a need, if that's how you feel. About getting married in April....personal affairs don't have to be shared with a prospective employer. Maybe you might want to ask them about their leave policies and what you would need to do to accrue leave...but you don't have to tell them why you want to know that. Their answer should give you the information you need about taking the time off in April, I would think.

KatieBell · Nov 4, 2005

In general, you are going to be interviewed by the Nurse Manager of each of the prospective units the recruiter has decided to submit you to. So, in each of thes areas, it would be worth your while to be very enthusiastic about the particular area you are interviewing in. There may or may not be a general interview with the recruiter-where you can express enthusiasm for the hosptial and your flexibility with positions.

April is a long way away, long enough for you to get hired, and oriented and taking two weeks off then would not be so bad. I once got a job, had an unexpected thing come up, and needed one week off in the middle of my shceduled orientation. I called the manager and begged- she gave it to me. You might be able to mention it casually, after all, you will need that time off.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2005

When you go to your interview you tell them that you are very interested first in a job and if you had your choice it would be to work in L&D. Make it clear that this is in no way limiting your choices. Hospitals know that new grads come in with their dreams and sometimes unrealistic conclusions about how hospitals work. I think they would be more concerned if you told them it was L&D or nothing! When you are given a job offer is the time to negotiate the two weeks off that you will need for your wedding. Most places will grant it and work around it. This is how you bypass the employee rules of not taking any vacation time until you have been a full-time employee for 6 months or so.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2005

There is a difference between having and interest and having a burning desire. If you are a novice nurse you really might change your mind after you practice for a while. I would be open about the possibilities and express that. You can always change your mind later.

bigmona · Nov 10, 2005

thank you everyone, i appreciate your input! I have a clearer idea now of how to approach these interviews.

MIA-RN1, RN · Nov 12, 2005

I was in a similar situation and I went to the interview w/ the recruiter and told her that I had many interests, but one in particular was in post-partum or intrapartum care. I also was honest and told her that I know that maternity can be a competitive area and that I also understood that new grads might need the more traditional route of med surg, and that I would be open to that if it were the case. But I was particularly interested in PostPartum and brought a copy of my grades for that unit of study to prove it.

I had an interview the next week with the NM of the maternity center at the hospital and a job offer that same day. (And I don't even graduate til spring!)

I think its important to be honest and if you have many interests, share that. If you explain yourself carefully, you won't come across as flighty or unfocused. I believe that you may as well go for what you want, you might be pleasantly surprised like I was! :)