Tell interviewer I'm in grad school? (Or how to not...)

[Elinor]

I just started looking for a new staff RN job. I also am in grad school, and will be done in May 2018. After that, I will look for new work as an clinical nurse specialist -- possibly with the same employer, possibly not.

Ethically, I think it would be nice to tell interviewers that -- but if I tell them, I don't think I will be hired, and I need a job. And while I think telling them would be the nicest, most ethical thing to do, I don't think I HAVE to tell them. I think I have a right to keep it to myself, just as I would have a right to keep it to myself if I intended to become pregnant, or had cancer, or was in the military reserves. Sure it might affect them, but it's my business.

So I guess my question is... when I go to an interview, and from then on, what's the best way to keep this to myself in a practical way? I need particular days off each week, and they vary by semester.

Should I just say "I would need off these two days every week for personal reasons" and leave it at that? And then deal with each new semester as it arises? How flexible are most hospitals to demands like that? And what should I say if they ask me for details?

On the plus side, I'm available all weekend every weekend. Maybe I can "trade" that for more flexibility...?

[Boomer MS, RN]

It is better to be honest. You may not get all your requests, and it is better to let the manager know you are in graduate school. If you can be available every weekend, that might be a huge plus for a manager. Have you thought about per diem? Different units within hospitals have their own specific requirements. I've seen some requiring as few as two shifts a month to others wanting six shifts every two weeks. It might be to your advantage also for the employer to know you are increasing your education, which the employer may also benefit from in the future. Good luck.

[Elinor]

Thank you for your reply, Boomer. You might be right. I suppose whether it's seen as a plus or minus will depend on the person I'm talking to. But I probably would be really uncomfortable feeling like I was hiding something in an interview anyway... and interviews are scary enough without having something extra hanging over my head. I have thought about per diem for the flexibility, but I need guaranteed hours and benefits.

I'd appreciate anyone else's thoughts -- what are the chances this information would stop someone from hiring me? And have you ever been in this situation, where you knew in advance that your time at a job would have an expiration date, and how did you handle it?