Tell interviewer about nursing school??

[Dre2416, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

To make a long story short, I live in a very touristy seasonal area, so making $$ in summer is no biggie doing waitressing and retail. I worked 2 jobs about 12-16 hrs a day 6 days a week.... fast forward to now and i'm on unemployment, winter is almost here which means no more tourists!... I find out for sure in 1 month if I make it into NS which would start in Jan. I have been on several interviews for desk jobs which pay well for this area and I have told them about the chance of me getting into NS and needing to be on flexible hrs once Jan gets here. Nonetheless they have all said, "well you would be great in this job but those hours wont work for me. i need someone 9-5." (working retail full time doesn't pay enough) I am desperate for a job and i need a paycheck yesterday! Should I just withhold my possibly getting into NS and work for the 3 months full time ?? several friends and family said to just not tell them, do the job, and deal with it when the time comes. What do you think?

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

It sounds like nursing school is a maybe, and you need money. Take the job, you can't predict the future. By January you might be crowned Miss America, win the lottery, get pregnant, or be kidnapped by aliens. It would be best for you to get the job before you know about school so you don't have to worry about it. Just tell your employer in plenty of time if you are going to school. Good luck.

[trauma_lama, BSN]

it's a tough call to make...you can set yourself up for bad references if you up and leave for nursing school with little warning (especially after they told you what they needed from you). HOWEVER, and i am not normally a fan of lying but i see the tough spot you're in, you could say you got in as an alternate to the nursing program and that you "found out right before school is supposed to start that you got it, surprise!!" i mean it's not the most honest approach, but they might be less inclined to give you a bad reference if they think you signed on with them with the intention of sticking around...gosh i feel so bad even suggesting that! hah! but like i said, you're in a tough spot, and sometime you gotta do what you gotta do...good luck!!

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

well you havent officially been accepted to nursing school yet, so I wouldnt be asking for time off for it during the interview process. Your family is right. Interview and stay mum about school. Its not even for certain yet, but your need for a job is. Then figure out school and work if and when the time comes.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I would say nothing about school. You need a job now and telling them about school just lets them know that you plan on moving on.

[noahsmama]

I agree with those who say don't tell them. You haven't been accepted yet -- hopefully you will be but if not, at least you'll have a job!

Good luck!