When employer asks about plans for continued formal education

Yukinara · Mar 31, 2014

yeah, when I went to the interview, 2 out of 3 managers asked me about my future plan for education. I think the reason is that they want to see if you plan to advance your career or not. For me, I always answer that I will get to Master degree in the next few years after I've obtained BSN and some experience.

Even if you don't have any plan, it doesn't hurt to say so. Who cares where you are in the next 5 years?

amoLucia · Apr 1, 2014

I see 3 possible reasons for employers to ask prospects about future education plans ---

1 - will the facility be expected to provide tuition assist?

2 - will the employee need special scheduling and/or other considerations while schooling (eg. will empl call out when studying/clinicals come up)?

3 - will the empl just up & leave after graduating? (It happens!)

While continuing one's formal education seems a good idea, the employer needs to assess where an employee's priorities will be. Esp since the employer may have to make financial and/or other accommodations for a nurse with student needs. It's reality. They have a vested interest in a new employee's loyalties and costs (tangible & intangible) to be incurred.

I kind of equate it to when an employer senses an employee's pregnancy. All those possibilities about pregnant mommies become realities then.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 2, 2014

BEWARE! This type of question is crossing the line into the 'forbidden zone' of personal information unless it is directly relevant to the job qualifications. For instance, if the position description says 'BSN preferred' and you don't have one yet... the question is relevant. Otherwise, it is not legit, and it may be best just to provide a vague answer like "I have no plans at this time".

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 2, 2014

I agree that it is best to be vague. You don't know why they are asking that question or what their preferences are in hiring. In some circumstances, a hiring manager might like to hire someone with plans to go back to school. But these are managers, NOT school faculty. While school faculty are trying to recruit you into the world of higher education, a manager may be considering the downside of having to pay for, schedule around your school needs, and replace you when you graduate. Don't assume they want you go back to school like your faculty did.

So be vague. Say that you have no specific plans at this time ... that you are focused on graduating, passing NCLEX, and becoming the best staff nurse you can be. Say that you will start thinking about such decisions only after you have been out of school for a while and accomplished those initial goals.

Then ask the interviewer what she recommends to new grads. That gets her to open up with what her preferences are and you can use that information to tailor your next comments accordingly.