Graduating in May & Getting married in September

[butt0167]

Hello fellow nurses,

I am currently a senior nursing student at the University of Minnesota. I will be graduating this May and getting married in September. I am unsure about the ease in finding my first nursing job after graduation given my upcoming wedding date/honeymoon plans (1 1/2 weeks). What makes things even more complicated is that in addition to my own wedding, my sister-in-law and step sister are also getting married this summer (additional time off needed).

I would feel terrible asking for so much time off as a new-grad nurse and recognize that it is not the optimal situation. Nonetheless, it is the situation I am in. Any suggestions as to how to approach requesting this time off when applying for my first hospital RN job?

Thanks,

Concerned Bride/Nurse

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

I guess you ask and hope they give you the time off. You might offer to switch days or to do whatever it takes to get the time.

When I first graduated, I had just started at a hospital and was going to be married in 6 months time. My hospital was generous to me. I didn't have to report to work until Tue, my scheduled back to work. I was married on a Saturday.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you will not be ready to commit to a permanent position until after September, suggest you apply for casual or per diem jobs.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I graduated in Dec. and getting married in August. I plan on putting in my requests very soon so that they will find coverage. I'll be gone for 1 and half weeks as well, most likely. Congrats to us!

[RNperdiem, RN]

I married a few months after starting my first RN job. I took very little time off, just a weekend for a short honeymoon in a town a couple of hours away.

Then with the money we saved up from that first year, my husband and I had a fabulous first year anniversary trip.

Consider postponing the after wedding trips for a later date.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

If you let them know prior to starting to work there, after they offer you a position, you're more likely to be able to get that time off. Chances are you won't have been there long enough to get PTO for it so it will be unpaid. Lots of people start new jobs with previously made commitments like that. The key is to discuss it early on in the process before you start working.

I'm not sure what the job market is like in MN but you might still be interviewing over the summer and up to your wedding.

[boushie87]

I interviewed for a position (Not RN but still similar situation) and during the interview when describing myself/why I transfered to such a small city I told the person interviewing me that I was getting married, etc. I was hired on the spot and still work there. My other qualities were much more important than the fact that I had to take a week and a half off apparently. Honesty is the best way to go however, if there are many ppl being interviewed that have similar qualities/experience, etc it might be the determining factor if you get hired or not. I would not mention all the days you need to take off during the interview as you have no idea what days/hrs you'll even be working. I would however, mention that you are getting married (still though I would not say I NEED DO AND SO DAYS OFF) They will assume by that that you need a week or so off and if not they might ask for more details. It probably wasn't the best time to plan a wedding knowing you would just be starting a job around that time but you'll make do. If it comes down to it you may just need to not take days off for these other weddings. It definitely seems excessive to take off 2 weeks or more during the first 3 months. Good luck with everything.