Should I tell the Nurse Recruiter

[surfgirl1679]

Hello,

I just graduated from school and passed my boards, I am currently waiting to be interviewed in September by the hospital I work for as a tech. I also just recently signed up for the National Guard and I have put off going to boot camp and OCS till March of next year, training is going to be 21 weeks long. I put off training so I could interview and hopefully get a nursing job. My question is do I tell the nursing recruiter and when I interview with the managers of the floors hiring that I will need to leave in March? or Do I wait till I am hired and then tell the manager of the floor that I have recently signed up for the National Guard and I have been given my training orders and need to leave in March and will be back In the end of July.

[ladytopaz]

"21 weeks long" Personally speaking, but I would really hesitate in even hiring you knowing that you would be leaving for that long of a period. And, if by not telling them, to me would be dishonest and upfront of your job requirements, ie., can you fulfill the requirements of the position. I have worked in HR and can see both side of the situation. But put yourself in their shoes. Would you want to hire yourself? Knowing you would be leaving for such an extended period of time? Probably not,

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

If you choose to do things that way, the likelihood is great that you will not be able to keep your job during your leave. Most hospitals have a probationary period (usually 3 or 6 months) where you can be terminated at any time. You also will not be allowed to use your sick time or vacation time during this period. Furthermore, very few employers will just let you take an extended leave of absence without medical reason, especially if you don't have saved PTO to cover your absence.

If your hospital has a six month orientation, you will not have completed the orientation period by the time you leave for the National Guard. You won't have enough paid time off or vacation time to take 21 weeks from work, and it's unlikely the hospital will allow you such an extended absence. I wouldn't be surprised if the hospital said they were replacing your during your leave and asked you not to return.

I personally don't feel it would be ethical to accepts a position knowing that you only planned on staying for less than 6 months. However, the fall is a very popular time for seasonal clinics, like immunization clinics. Perhaps you could look into being hired into a temporary seasonal position during these next few months and looking for something more permanent when you return in July.