Lying about wanting to become a CRNA to Managers?

[Hartley]

Well here is my question, i have a few ICU positions that have opened and have scheduled interviews with me. I am between a rock and a hard place, if i tell them the truth that i will begin applying for CRNA schools in 2 years, they may not hire me. I have had one manager say that he wants me to have a time like of about 4-5 years before starting to look for CRNA schools otherwise they can't hire me because it is too expensive.

I know that there is no certainty regarding getting in to CRNA school with 2 years of ICU experience, however, i do not want to wait five years before applying. (not to mention that i would have to retake many classes as schools want recent science

I'm not wanting to leave these jobs high and dry, but i dont want to work 5 years, when 1-2 is required by schools.

So is it better to be honest and see if these positions will accommodate me in regards to my true career goals? Or is it better to say that CRNA is a goal but far down the road (lie basically). I don't want to be dishonest, but i don't want to be discriminated against because of my career goal either. Anyone have any advice? If i do leave before they want me to will a manager give me a bad reference to a CRNA school? Are there win-win situations out there?

Thanks!

[CVICU14]

I actually told my manager up front and was hired. So...

[Hartley]

Well, i hope that my managers are as understanding as yours.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You can't always get what you want ...

You are going to have to choose between some options that are all unattractive to you.

1. You can be a liar and improve your chance of getting hired now in that ICU. But then you will have to live with the fact that you lied to get a job and that might bother your conscience. If you take that route, you may also have to work real hard to get a good reference and/or find someone other than the manager of that unit to write you a positive recomendation when you want one in only 2 years.

2. You can delay your application and work long enough (assuming you hired) to satisfy your obligation to the manager. (Perhaps you could leave in 3-4 years without ruffling feathers, particularly if you continued to work ocassionally per diem after starting school -- e.g. over the holidays, an ocassional weekend shift, etc.)

3. You can try to find another job option -- perhaps another ICU that would not ask you about your career plans.

4. You can tell the truth and hope for the best -- being prepared to look for other employer if that's the result.

There is no getting around the fact that you are going to have to compromise something. Which compromise will feel right to you?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I have been in a similar boat to you. While not a CRNA hopeful, I knew the last time I was job searching, that I was also hoping to start an FNP program full-time in the near distant future. I was not open or honest with my potential employers, and when they would ask me what my career goals were, I would simply say that I was still undecided. My current manager actualy encouraged me in my job interview to consider the benefits of pursuing an MSN. Fortunately, I have been able to swing PRN employment, and can have a very flexible schedule. If I had taken full-time employment I might feel a little guilty as I would have had to soon after quit my job or significantly cut my hours back.

[caliotter3]

If I couldn't find an employer where it didn't matter, I would delay applying until after working for three years. That seems to be a reasonable compromise.

[krisjazzer13]

I was honest and said that I was thinking about it, but wasn't sure about the timeline...once accepted to school after working for a little over a year, I continued to work part time throughout my entire first year of school, so it worked out well since I gradually cut back but still continued on- my manager never gave me hard time about it (I had moved from a less acute ICU to a Level 1 SICU to gain adequate experience for school, so all in all, I had worked for the hospital system just a tad under 4 years) Best of luck!

[jrv100]

4-5 years time for you to be there is ridiculous. Many facilities could care less about their nurses and would give someone the boot without a moment's notice. DO NOT share your desires and intentions. Only say that some time in the near future, you could see yourself going to school part time but you're not sure for what. Ask if the hospital reimburses if you want to go to school after working their a few years...any school...again you don't say anything about CRNA because that means you're gone. Your goal is to show an abstract interest in furthering your education and abilities as a nurse, not a concrete plan from day one. You're lucky to have opportunities.

Get the job and do the very best for your patients, your colleagues and yourself.

I worked at my last hospital for 18 months. I'm now finishing my 1st semester at Columbia.

Good luck!

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I think you should be upfront about it and here is why. When you do start applying to programs, most will require a letter of recommendation from your manager. You can see where this might create a problem. If your manager will not give you a good reference in the future than it probably isn't worth getting the job.

You can be discrete about your future intentions without having to give a definite time line.

[fyrace]

Keep it to your self or say you are just going to continue with education and work towards a masters degree. You are not lying, but telling the story as you want it told. Some places black ball you because they know their units are stepping stones.

[CVICU14]

Honesty is key.:). God's Will for your life will be done regardless:)

[fyrace]

You want honesty or to run the risk of not getting into school? After you get passed up two or three times for being "honest" and you wind up years behind your colleagues who are finished with school, you will regret being "honest." Just don't tell them anything. Get your experience and get into CRNA school. Your not committing a crime, you are thinking about yourself and your goals and doing what is necessary to accomplish them. Trust me, you will be happier keeping your mouth shut.