How much info should you give regarding your career?

[thyme39]

I will be a GN in a couple of months. I have an interview for a step down unit. My ultimate goal is to be in ICU but Hospitals around here usually require you to be a nurse tech for 6m-1yr or do an externship, both of which I do not have. So I am thinking of a step down unit which can then lead me to a job in the ICU. My question is should I even tell them I am interested in ICU? Will they not want to spend the time training me just to have me leave in a year? suggestions are welcome.

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you are too definite and too specific about your ICU hopes in your interview, they may indeed be hesitant to hire you. Few managers or preceptors want to make a big investment in someone who has no intention of staying very long.

On the other hand, if you really mislead them, hide your intentions, lie to them, etc. , they may feel betrayed and abused when you request a transfer -- and you don't want them to feel that way about you. You want to maintain a positive reputation.

My suggestion is to avoid either extreme. Be honest, but vague and flexible. Instead of saying "I am definitely considering this job as only a temporary job until I can transfer ASAP to the ICU," say something like ... "I am considering the possibility of working in the ICU at some point, but I don't really know for sure. I'm just taking my career one step at a time for the moment and this step down unit seems like a great place to start my career."