In all honesty

OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN · Mar 30, 2012

Don't mention that you'll need x day off until you are hired. I'll need x amt of days off for my wedding in August, you bet I'm not mentioning that on the interview. They know that we are not robots and some people need certain days off for whatever reason.

jdcri · Mar 30, 2012

Also many states have laws requiring employeers to allow employees to take days off for medical requirements of themselves or immediate family... I live in RI and in my state my employer is required to allow me to take time off to see my kids school activities!!! It can be paid with vacation or pto time or unpaid but they have to allow the time.

PrayeRNurse, ASN, RN · Mar 30, 2012

you are to becommended for being a great mom. iencourage you to look for flex hour jobs such as pools that would allow you toaccept a job one day and decline a job the next. if not i would be honest. in some states not telling would allow theemployer to dismiss you! present astrong picture of all you bring in to the job and how you see yourself as ateam player. show how you can compensate for the days you will need off byaccepting more days when the children are between treatments! let us know howit goes! i also am a mom with two special needs children one who is always ill,i do understand your situation.

cally527, RN · Mar 31, 2012

I suggest that when you are filling out your "New Hire" paperwork, you give your supervisor a list of dates and explain that you want to let him/her know in advance that you have several appointments already scheduled for your children and you will be needing those particular days off. Since you schedule the appointments several months in advance, continue to give your supervisor plenty of notice for each of the appointments. You do not need to explain what type of appointments they are unless you are comfortable telling your supervisor.

Do NOT tell any prospective employers about the time you would need off during an interview. If an employer is going to choose between you and another candidate, they may choose the other candidate if they know you may need time off.

Good luck with your job search!

stephanie2012 · Apr 14, 2012

hello, i am sure there is a job waiting for you.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 19, 2012

This is just the sort of situation that FMLA was created for. I am sure you can work out an acceptable accommodation with your future employer.

pecanpies · Apr 22, 2012

Unfortunately, you won't be eligible for FMLA until you've worked for an employer for at least 12 months - that's one of the provisions of the regulations. As a new hire, you wouldn't be guaranteed sick or vacation time right away - often you have to work a for a particular length of time before you accrue any. What I would do is be very upfront - explain that you need one day off per month due to your children's medical issues. Let them know that you'll be scheduling these days off well in advance, so you can give them plenty of notice. Once you begin to accrue paid time off, you can then schedule these as vacation/sick/personal days, as you would any other days off.

stephanie2012 · Apr 26, 2012

Hello, how is your situation now?

I guess i answered your question before, also i care .

Blessing you!

Im not sure how honest I should be. I should have my phlebotomy certification by May and hope to start looking for work at that time.
My last job was more than 9 years ago, and at that time, I didnt have my current situation, so Im not quite sure what I should do.
I have four children, and three of them have a chronic disease that needs treatment at a hospital a distance from my home, an infusion taken every 3-4 weeks. Its a 140 mile roundtrip, and a 6-8 hour infusion on a good day (times 3 kids). I will have to ask for that day off every month....I have to make these appointments several months in advance in order to get all 3 kids into infusion on the same day. It isnt something I can "just change".
Im the only one to take them, and they HAVE to go every month. Its also a possibility that one of them could become quite ill and need to be hospitalized at any given time.
I want to be honest with a future employer....it doesnt quite seem fair if I take a job, and then go, "....and then I need this day off, and this day off.....".
On the other hand, I don't want to kill any chances of a good job I would be good at bc of my kids disease. Their condition wont change.....so its something Ive got to somehow work with for the forseeable future. I can't help it. I can't change the situation. And I really, REALLY need to find a job.
what would you do?

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 26, 2012

Discussing that you have previous appoints for your childrens health needs will send the red flags waving as "not a good fit" for the organization. You should only do that AFTER you have received a written job offer to avoid discrimination. You need to place a counter offer to what days/shifts you WOULD be willing to pickup in exchange for this accomodation.

Most health systems Vacation/CTO accrual starts at 6 months employment,.

Please consider looking at 3-12 hr shifts/week versus 5-8hr shifts as this may be easier to schedule around.

Best wishes on landing a position in this tight economy.

wish_me_luck, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

Don't mention it. If it's a constant thing, then I would find someone to take them for you. I know this post was almost a month ago but this applies to any job. Places offer assistance for pts needing to get to doctor's appts. I know you said that they could be hospitalized at any time. I would have someone take them and if they need to be hospitalized, then have them contact you.

If it is only one day a month they need it, it shouldn't be an issue. Just schedule it on your day off.