Discussing scheduling problem during interview

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, all,

I recently applied for a day job on a stepdown unit; the manager called me and asked if I would consider night shift. At this point, absolutely! However, it does make scheduling more difficult for me because my husband works Fri-Sun shifts and we have young children. So basically, I would only be able to regularly work Mon-Wed nights (I do have a friend who is willing to help out with childcare - for instance, every third weekend if required - but she works in LTC and has an irregular schedule).

I have 8+ years experience. I did med/tele/stepdown for about a year, but that was 10 years ago. Then I worked in a dialysis clinic. My last job was acute dialysis in the hospital until last year. For various reasons I haven't started to seriously look for work again until just a few months ago (if I had known how difficult it has become I would have started a year ago!)

I suspect I didn't get the other job I had applied for because I had hinted that I might not be able to work weekends (at the time, I had not yet asked my friend if she would be able to help), because until that point the interview seemed to go well. However, I realize that being unavailable on most Thursdays and Fridays might be even worse than not being able to work weekends.

Should I just write the off? Is there any chance a manager might even consider an applicant with this kind of scheduling difficulty? Of course, you never know just what they are looking for and how flexible they might be. I recall night shifts used to be very difficult to fill (until 1-2 years ago there was a $5,000 sign-on bonus!)

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading this,

DeLana

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personally, I never mention scheduling issues when interviewing for a position. I find out what shifts are available and the weekend requirement and then I either accept or decline the position.

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I agree with meganmo27, especially in the current job market. If you really want the job, try to find child care arrangements that you feel comfortable with. Maybe there is a student who could sleep over and babysit your children?

regards

dishes

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.

Or, if after learning what is available, you may inquire of the possibility for a set schedule since you are willing to consider working night shift. You never know until you ask! Best of luck!

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I agree with meganmo27, especially in the current job market. If you really want the job, try to find child care arrangements that you feel comfortable with. Maybe there is a student who could sleep over and babysit your children?

regards

dishes

Unfortunately, this would be extremely difficult for various reasons, which is why my husband and I really need to coordinate our shifts as much as possible. His schedule is regular (Fri-Sun) and I need to find something on weekdays (occasional weekends can be arranged) - at least for while. 12-hour shifts do not leave a lot of options for childcare, unfortunately.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Step-Down, Psych, Recruiting.

On my unit, we always ask for schedule restrictions when we interview. We also make it known that nurses must work four weekend shifts in a four-week period. You may want to try to find some creative childcare arrangements for weekends -- a neighbor, a neighborhood teenager who would come to your house, etc. It seems like the weekend-bonus options that drew many nurses to work only weekend shifts have dried up. I'd be prepared to do some weekend shifts if you want to work in a hospital.

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On my unit, we always ask for schedule restrictions when we interview. We also make it known that nurses must work four weekend shifts in a four-week period. You may want to try to find some creative childcare arrangements for weekends -- a neighbor, a neighborhood teenager who would come to your house, etc. It seems like the weekend-bonus options that drew many nurses to work only weekend shifts have dried up. I'd be prepared to do some weekend shifts if you want to work in a hospital.

This hospital still has weekend-bonus shifts (my husband is on the plan), but if they're not completely staffed they may require the weekday nurses to work every third weekend or so. That's not a problem, I have childcare for that. However, would it be considered a problem if a nurse requests to primarily be assigned to certain weekdays (Mon-Wed in my case, since this is a nightshift)? An occasional Thur or Fri would be possible.

Thanks for your input!

DeLana

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Specializes in Cardiac, Step-Down, Psych, Recruiting.

I used to do a weekend bonus option when I first started nursing -- it was the best of both worlds for everyone involved. The weekend nurses were paid well for committing to weekends and the other nurses had weekends off. It seems that although pay has gone up a lot since then, hospitals are less interested in options that make hospital nursing more flexible for nurses.

I know on my unit, the weekend requirement is pretty much set in stone unless you find people to trade with you, but you could choose which weekdays to work. It never hurts to ask about scheduling during the interview. If they still have the weekend option, they may have a greater need on weekdays. Good luck!

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Specializes in med-surg, hospice, wondering units,.

Hi there, wow a lot of great suggestions. But remember your are first a human being with a life. How is your stress level at home? can you decrease some stresses by taking this position? Always look at the bottom line: what will decease your stress, today or in the future?

If you would like more suggestions or help please feel free to contact me,

Ellen

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I'd def. wait till I got the job and then discuss if they would be flexible with scheduling. Never want to come off as "this is going to be an issue..."

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IT IS NOT WISE TO DISCUSS SCHEDULING DURING THE INTERVIEW. (this paints you as a needy, undesirable applicant). IT IS A VERY BAD IDEA TO BRING UP SCHEDULING PROBLEMS DURING THE INTERVIEW, ESPECIALLY WITH IN OUR STATE OF ECONOMY. I would take the job, just work and see if she's will to work with you on your scheduling problem. Chances are she won't like it. Quite honestly, it's not fair to the other employees either. "Why does SHE get to pick her days and WE do not!?" Saying you aren't able to work this day, or that day, is doable. But asking for several days off all the time every time isn't fair. I'm not sure where you are going to find a hospital nursing job that's going to work with that type of restriction. Have you thought about dumping work for now and staying home with your children full time? They'll love having their mommy around all of the time and you'll be so happy you stayed at home with your children when you're older, too! Win-Win!

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

First, in this economic climate, nurses are not in the power position to demand anything. This is a "buyer's" market, and you are selling. Granted you have 8 years of experience, but it wouldn't matter if I were the manager being placed in that kind of position. I would be glad to train a new grad who is more flexible with his/her schedule.

If I were you, I would look for a per diem position where you can dictate what days you will work and what days you won't. Otherwise, you can forget bothering to apply.

There are many, many nurses out there who would take your position in a heartbeat--without any strings attached.

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