Career Change & Telling Your Boss

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Specializes in Surgical Nursing.

For those of you who came to nursing from a very different background (i.e. business, retail, etc) did you inform your employer what you were going to school for and keep it a secret until your graduation? I'm torn because I do want to keep my employer in the loop, but I also do not want my choice to hold me back from pay raises and/or promotions until I am ready to leave and go to school full time.

Is honesty the best policy in this case or should I keep it to myself until the very end?

The flip side is telling them. My employers are always asking me to take on extra responsibility and I always say yes, but in the end if they're aware perhaps they'll expect a little less of me? For example I have been pushed to get my life insurance license, and notary, and medallion certification and now I'm going to be training new employees and part of that includes a little travel (not anywhere far away just an extra 30-45 minutes in my commute).

I don't know but I wondered if you could share your experiences and perhaps I could weigh my decision with some input of those who have been through it before. Thank you.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It may be possible to keep your educational activity under wraps for a while, but when you begin clinical courses, these will probably interfere with your work schedule. So at that point, you'd have to come clean. Hopefully, your employer will be able to flex your schedule, but if not you'll have to make a hard decision.

Best of luck to you on your nursing education pathway.

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Specializes in Surgical Nursing.

Thank you, I think I can keep it on the down low for the time being. When folks ask me what I'm going back to school for I bubble up with excitement and want to share my aspirations, but I always tell them that I'm going for general studies and the conversation kind of falls flat.

I had to mention I was taking classes to my employer because of the commute time I had to make them aware I could not stay later than a certain time, so they are aware I'm in classes, just not what my aim is.

I have shared on facebook but was super careful to exclude any colleagues from any posts regarding my goals.

I'm just excited, and can't wait to give my notice at this job. The fact I have to wait 2 years is kind of killing me, but it will be worth all my hard work and time.

P.S. Got my first lab grade in Chem this week and it's a 100! Wahoo!

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I told my employers about plans for nursing school, but my managers were always really friendly and supportive. So they get really excited talking about it with me. It all depends on how you feel about your bosses and managers, I suppose. They may be excited for you! All depends on you. :)

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Specializes in Nurse's Aide.

I am in a similar situation, too. I am currently waiting to hear back from an LPN nursing program for the January class, and my plan is if I get accepted, I'll tell my boss by December that I need to cut back hours to just weekends. Nursing school is a priority in itself, and to be successful you gotta put your current job as secondary. I hope your bosses and managers are supportive when you do tell them. I have a feeling they will. It sounds like you're in their good graces and like you.

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I came right out and told my manager. I work at a veterinary clinic. During the beginning of the year, I explained that I was looking into going to school full time for my nursing degree. My manager was not only supportive, she was excited for me! During this summer, I was approached with a promotion, I explained my fears about excepting it and knowing that I will be in school full time. My manager has made it clear that my education comes first and I will be supported during my development in my new role and school. When school started, I needed to go full time (everyday) and maintain full time working hours due to bills and just plain life. Again, 100% support and the encouragement that I will always have that support. I am lucky that this has been my experience and my manager shares in my triumphs and disappointments during this journey. My co workers are somewhat supportive, but also thinks I'm crazy for all that I've put on myself. I know that not everyone can have this experience, but for me, it's been helpful having others know so that, those days they need someone to cover a shift or work later, they are very conscientious about trying to go to exhaust all possibilities because they know I will help and say yes. Before I was the default, but now, they want to step up so that I can concentrate on school. I'm not sure if this helps, but sometimes people can surprise you in a good way!

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Specializes in Critical care.

I quit my job and picked up nannying jobs to pay my bills. I never could have managed my career job and courses together- my job just took way too much brain power and I would have had nothing left for school. My whole job was researching heavy scientific topics and writing legal reports. It took so much out of me and I was so unhappy and stressed (because I hated the job). I was really good at it, but miserable and as soon as I made the decision to leave and go back to school I felt such a peace. Some of my coworkers/friends were/are jealous I took the leap and quit (and some followed in my footsteps to find a career that they really want).

When I was making the decision and after I made it only a select few of my friends knew until I handed in my formal letter of resignation to my boss. I felt bad because my boss was totally blindsided, but I had to make sure I made the right choice for me. Good luck!

sorry for any errors- blame it on my ipad

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I am a senior in college majoring in accounting. I graduate this December so my work gave me a job as an accountant which came with a big pay increase. I like the money but I HATE accounting. I decided to go back to school for nursing and I'm so excited about it!! I put off telling my supervisor for awhile but I finally had to tell her a few weeks ago because I was going to have to go back to part time and I thought she needed to know. She was very understanding and supportive and I'm glad I didn't have to keep it a secret because I was starting to feel guilty about it. Good luck with everything :)

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I would just tell your employer. They should be aware just in case you need to change your work schedule to adjust the nursing school schedule. Also, I told my former boss I was quitting to go to nursing school. He was very supportive and told me I could always go back part time if I wanted or full time if for some reason it didn't work out. Even if your employer looks you over for raises or promotions it is just temporary until you finish nursing school ;)

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