Mentioning vacation on interview?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 2, 2012

That is a tough one. At some point, the hiring manager should have discussed scheduling, and how orientation is conducted. For new grads & those who will be participating in a formally structured program with specific 'start' and 'stop' dates such as residencies, internships, etc. Accepting the job means that you are committing to those requirements also. If it is a 'rolling orientation' program, without specifically scheduled start and stop dates, you may have more leeway. So I would say that you need to discuss it when the schedule is discussed.. this is generally after you are initially offered the job but before they do the background checks.

There are always acceptable reasons for unexpected absences during orientation because stuff happens but it is another thing entirely to have absences planned in advance. Hiring managers expect that meeting expectations for the new job is your priority - otherwise, they can easily find someone else who will give it a higher priority. It may not be pleasant, but that is the new reality in a world with plenty of applicants for every job.

OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN · Apr 2, 2012

That is a tough one. At some point, the hiring manager should have discussed scheduling, and how orientation is conducted. For new grads & those who will be participating in a formally structured program with specific 'start' and 'stop' dates such as residencies, internships, etc. Accepting the job means that you are committing to those requirements also. If it is a 'rolling orientation' program, without specifically scheduled start and stop dates, you may have more leeway. So I would say that you need to discuss it when the schedule is discussed.. this is generally after you are initially offered the job but before they do the background checks.
There are always acceptable reasons for unexpected absences during orientation because stuff happens but it is another thing entirely to have absences planned in advance. Hiring managers expect that meeting expectations for the new job is your priority - otherwise, they can easily find someone else who will give it a higher priority. It may not be pleasant, but that is the new reality in a world with plenty of applicants for every job.

Which is why I felt it was only necessary to disclose after I got accepted. I didn't want to disclose during the interview. This was a toughie. I'm glad it all worked out though. I think they were impressed with my ambition and willingness to cancel my honeymoon if need be.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2012

Last Thursday I had my interview for a new grad internship. Friday I got the call. Today I went in to sign my offer letter. While I was in HR I decided it is good time for me to tell the recruiter of my planned honeymoon in Sept. She was very understanding but asked why I didn't disclose this info. during the interview.
Honestly, I didn't want that to count against me and I was just flat out nervous about it.
I told her today that I'm willing to post-pone my honey moon as I really, really, really, want this position.
Thank God I got the okay from the unit manager to take my honey moon and I don't have to reschedule it.
So my question is: When should someone bring up a planned vacation when starting a new job?

You have no obligation to bring up a planned vacation in an interview, ever. Certainly if it's taking place in six months (congratulations, by the way) it does not need to be brought up.

However, you have to understand that, once you accept the position, you have to follow the facility's policies in regard to vacation and time off. While most places might be willing to work with you, others will not. Most facility's require that you must have vacation time accrued in order to take paid time off. Depending on the amount of vacation needed, you may be denied time off if you do not have PTO in your bank. Also, you may be required to request time off in advance, and decisions are made by seniority. So if you put in a request after you have already made vacation plans, you could be denied that time off if another employee has already requested the week.

For those reasons, I would mention a vacation during an interview if it would fall during my first couple of months of employment, before I would be able to formally request vacation time. But again, you aren't obligated to mention it until after you are employed.

Good Morning, Gil · Apr 2, 2012

It's not necessary to mention a vacation during an interview since you're not guaranteed the position at that time anyway, and to me, mentioning it then could be construed as you thinking the vacation is more important than the job, and that you'll be one of those people always asking for something (it shouldn't be construed this way, but if they've had that happen once or twice, then it probably would be). You did exactly as I would have done. You disclosed it as soon as you were offered the position, but stated that you would be willing to reschedule it for a later date if that didn't work with the position, so you are flexible. If it's in September, that shouldn't interfere with your orientation since it's only April now (unless this is one of those 6 month orientation deals, in which case, then it would, but you're not going to forget that much in one week :)...assuming it's only a week of vacation and not a month.

Because they were so accommodating, I definitely wouldn't make any special requests for a while (barring family emergencies or something like that that may come up), but that's just what I would do.

cheri1859 · Apr 27, 2014

This is a long one...but it has been very cathartic for me to write it down (thank you in advance for enduring it you decide to read on)

This is an old thread but figured I'd get it going again. Not mentioning a planned vacation until after I was offered a job blew up in my face. In this climate (at least in NJ), where ADN's are up against magnet status, I knew that getting a full time position in ANY speciality was quite a reach. Low and behold I was offered a full-time position in an ED. I went to an open interview and filled out an application and signed paperwork for a background check before I was interviewed by the 3 nurse managers and nurse educator. This was back on February 22nd, 2014. I didn't even have my license yet figuring that at the very least it was experience in the interview process. Took the boards and passed. I only just was formally offered the position one week ago via the phone by HR. I went in to meet with him and asked him at that point how vacation scheduling occurs. His answer was that the nurse manager authorizes all vacations. I went home and emailed the nurse manager (I've had only one conversation with her since the interview and it wasn't a formal job offer so I didn't dare bring up a vacation at that point....big mistake!). The nurse manager doesn't return phone calls or emails and I felt that if I could put the request in an email it would at least get to her. Well I received my answer (within an hour! and cc'd to HR and the other ED managers)....."I am unable authorize time off until after your 12 week orientation has been completed". My reply was short and sweet "thank you for getting back to me so quickly and I will do what I need to do to be at orientation on May 12th". The vacation is my brother-in-law's wedding in Mexico. The WHOLE family will be there. It is breaking my heart to not be there but I can't give up this job opportunity. I need to mention that the ED was holding a position for me until I passed the boards and got my license in my hot little hand. I feel they already accommodated me by saving a full-time DAY position for me. What more could I ask for. I keep telling myself that although I won't be in the family photos, that when my family returns, the vacation will be a beautiful memory and I will be an ED nurse kicking off my career in emergency medicine just as I had dreamed! (I'm hoping that my kids will see this as a good lesson about hard work and sacrifice and not me choosing work over them...)

This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make. My dear husband and my 2 amazing children are going off to Mexico for a week in paradise and I will be here in NJ. (at least my kids are 12 and 14 and are not toddlers - much easier to manage on his own). UGH!!!

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2014

The Mexican vacation will simply be the first of a few family events you will not be able to attend because of work.

Doesn't sound like things would have been different even if you brought it up before hand. Would they have given you a later start date? If not you only had 2 choices:

1. Job, no vacation

2. Vacation, no job

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2014

The Mexican vacation will simply be the first of a few family events you will not be able to attend because of work.
Doesn't sound like things would have been different even if you brought it up before hand. Would they have given you a later start date? If not you only had 2 choices:
1. Job, no vacation
2. Vacation, no job

Her Mexican vacation is actually a sibling's wedding, which I would also be annoyed to miss.

Perhaps you could talk to your preceptor or educator once you start and see if there is anyway for you to have an extended weekend that week. Years ago when I was a new grad, I also wasn't allowed to take vacation time, but my educator made sure I had a 4 day weekend for my 21st birthday. Since you are not counted in the productivity numbers while on orientation, sometimes they can move you around a bit

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2014

Her Mexican vacation is actually a sibling's wedding, which I would also be annoyed to miss.
Perhaps you could talk to your preceptor or educator once you start and see if there is anyway for you to have an extended weekend that week. Years ago when I was a new grad, I also wasn't allowed to take vacation time, but my educator made sure I had a 4 day weekend for my 21st birthday. Since you are not counted in the productivity numbers while on orientation, sometimes they can move you around a bit

It's worth a try, but if I'd do my homework on it and proceed cautiously, considering the Manager has already put the ixna on it.

I don't mean to sound cold, but that is a hard fact of hospital work. Don't be surprised if you have to work Christmas this year too.

melizerd, ASN, RN · May 1, 2014

I'm going to miss my brother's wedding too. It's Labor Day weekend and I'll be working. That's the life of a nurse. It's the reason my friend loves her clinic job, no nights or weekends and rare holidays. She makes slightly less but she says for her it's worth it.

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · May 1, 2014

I'm going to miss my brother's wedding too. It's Labor Day weekend and I'll be working. That's the life of a nurse. It's the reason my friend loves her clinic job, no nights or weekends and rare holidays. She makes slightly less but she says for her it's worth it.

Seriously? LD is pretty far down the road. There certainly must be a holiday that you have off that that someone would be willing to trade and work for you on LD.

BTW in my neck of the woods clinic jobs pay a LOT less.

melizerd, ASN, RN · May 1, 2014

Nope low man on the totem pole and everyone else has their summer planned out. It's the first holiday I'm required to work and no one is going to give up their pre planned things. It sounds harsh but everyone is great so it's hard to blame them. Of our bees as it gets closer I'll try and sweet talk someone personally but it is what it is.

Here clinics are only starting at $1/hr less, which I get adds up but for no weekends and holidays it can be worth it.

One of my friends started her new job ON Easter because it's not a holiday, just a Sunday. We went into this career knowing we'd miss some holidays, if I wanted something I didn't have to do that I really should have picked something else. Especially the first year it's hard to "complain" about getting priority for things off.