Question for Nurse Managers

[glamgalRN]

Hello all Nurse Managers!

I have a question for you.. I am graduating from nursing school in the beginning of May and plan to start working in June (it seems most hospitals begin orientation at the beginning of each month.) I haven't started applying yet, but I plan to do so right after the new year. My friends are in the process of planning a vacation that I would really like to go to the first week of August, but I think I will most likely still be in orientation. Waiting until after my vacation to start work is out of the question; I refuse to do it. A lot of the people I have talked to said that nurse managers expect you to take a vacation after you graduate, esp since it's the summer time. They told me to just tell the NM right away at my first interview about my vacation plans. I just think that it looks HORRIBLE to be interviewing for a position right out of nursing school and already be requesting time off! Would you be less likely to hire someone who already is requesting time off? I'm a hard worker who hates taking time off and I don't want the NM to get a bad first impression! Thanks!!

[patwil73]

Most places I have seen (and my facility also) will not pay for vacation within the first 6months (you accrue it, just can't use it). That being said, if the managers need more people, and they think you would do well - then your prearranged plans that they know about won't hurt at all.

Most managers just want to know up front if you have time off needs. If they aren't understanding now, imagine having a true emergency come up and what their response would be then. The ones who say no problem are more likely the ones you want to work for.

Hope that helps,

Pat

[glamgalRN]

Pat- thank you for responding. I honestly could care less if I take unpaid vacation time, i actually assumed it would be unpaid. My only concern is that I don't want the NM to think I am a slacker because I'm asking for time off while on my interview! Thanks again!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I hired on to a hospital with similar circumstances and had no problem being off. I requested the time during my interview. I was still in orientation and not counted as staff anyway. Worked there 7 years before going into mgmt myself.

[SarahK73]

When I am going through the hiring process I always ask if there are any scheduling concerns coming up. If I know about prearranged plans upfront it is not a problem with me. In fact I am probably more flexible right off the bat then later on, becuase during orienation I am not counting you as "productive hours" but when you are on your own taking patients I have to replace you.

Sarah

[RN1989]

You need to check the hospital policy. Many hospitals that I have been in do not allow time off except for illness until you have been working a minimum of 6 months. Frankly, I would not want a nurse to start work and 2-3 months later be taking a week or two off. This disrupts the flow of your orientation. Being off gets you out of the groove and it may cost me more time and money to get you back to where you should be after you have been gone so long. This can also cause issues with staff interaction and lots of petty jealousy, etc. among staff. I would not want to promise you a vacation at that time since I cannot foresee the needs of the unit so far in advance.

[St. Patrick RN]

I am always very interested in hiring the right candidate, not necessarily the one can work first. Last year we hired a new grad that had been planning a medical mission trip to Asia immediately after graduation. We hired her. Hiring the right person will save me a ton of time later. I see each hire as a key opportunity to improve nursing here. It is not at all uncommon that after the grueling marathon that is nursing education that one would need a break. Good Luck.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

If I'm interviewing a good candidate and they let me know up front that they have a prior engagement, I have no problem working around that. They can't use accrued vacation time until they've been employed for six months, but I wouldn't not hire them or not start them until after the event.....that's just not a good way to begin a working relationship with a desireable employee.

[lholland]

Glamgal - I wouldn't necessarily not hire someone that asked for time off during the interview process if they interviewed well. As a physician office manager for 7 years, I have seen a lot of staff come and go and to be honest, the ones that are upfront with me hold a higher respect from me. On the down side, if I have two candidates that are equally as qualified for a position I would pass on the one that asked for the vacation time. But it definitely would not be a deal breaker for me.

[glamgalRN]

Thanks everyone for your input! I decided that I'm not going to go on vacation, thus I won't need the time off. I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be trying to find a job when I graduate (at least in my area!) I don't want anything to jeopardize the job of my dreams! Thanks again!