Potential employer wants to talk to CURRENT boss as reference

I would tell them no and I would tell them why. If the position is not already offered to you and you allow this, it could jeopardize your current employment or impact your current relationship with you boss should you decide to stay where you are or the potential employer decides not to offer you the position.

I would state that you would hope that they could recognize that they could put you in a very tenuous position and that you would not feel comfortable with this.

If they say then we won't offer you the job, then say, cool and walk out.

I have found that how a company treats you during the hiring process is the best they will treat you. If they are willing to show you a lack of respect now, it will only get worse in the future!

Just MHO.

Not necessarily , especially if you didn't mark it on your application that you did not want them to contact your current employer. When I worked in retail all we could say is whether the person was eligible for rehire and the employment dates--no details.

Is there a charge nurse or nurse educator that you have a good relationship with who you can be confident will also keep this discreet?