Is it appropriate to ask for time off during an interview?

Nurses Job Hunt

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I am a new grad and have an interview tomorrow (my first one since graduating). My parents have surprised me with a 2 1/5 week vacation in Europe as a graduation gift. The vacation is set for this June. Luckily they have not purchased anything yet. Ideally I would like to postpone the vacation, but I cant because it is also a gift for my sister who is only free in June due to school and work etc. I am wondering if informing the interviewer that I would like time off in the near future will lessen my chance of getting the job.

Thank you for your advice in advance.

Thanks for that information, I did not know that. Why shouldn't a new grad accept a pool position? I just ask because many of my class mated accepted pool positions..

Pool around here is "as needed" staff and most often float to different units around the hospital. A new grad typically works with a preceptor and follows the preceptor's schedule. New grads also work full-time hours because they're learning. Working one shift, then getting canceled for two weeks doesn't help anyone retain information.

Floating as a new grad is typically undesirable, as well. It's hard enough to find your footing when your not shuffled to a new unit from day to day. The hospitals I've worked at have had policies about not floating new grads too soon, usually for at least six months.

Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

I think of all the nursing interviews I've had, and they all inquired about 'needing time off for prior plans", toward the end of interview. I remember being somewhat shocked, that every interviewer posed the question. if they have many candidates to interview, a quick glance through your HR paperwork (resume, application, available start date, etc) might be the deciding factor.

Especially when it's narrowed down to 2 candidates: yourself and another new grad, with all other factors identical, that could start sooner. It seems currently, new grads are having enough trouble getting a job,

As suggested above, is there any way to push your start date to after your vacation? Yes, you haven't seen your sister in a long time, finished nursing school & want to celebrate. For me, the priority would be on getting a job.

When you do interview, be sure to let them know of your plans. Good luck on the interview and congrats on graduating!!!

Just tell them you can start at the end of June, beginning of July, whatever. The previous posters are correct - you cannot ask for that much time off during orientation or nurse residency.

Additionally, PP are spot on about pool positions. Where I started, they did not hire new grads for the pool. Our pool nurses are moved two, sometimes three times throughout a 12 hour shift.

The trip sounds awesome! Congrats!

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