Current co-workers asking where your new job is.

[NurseFrustrated]

I have just accepted a new nursing position at another hospital. I have been very unhappy in my current job and have been wanting to leave for a few months. Where I work now I really don't trust the management as far as I could throw them. I live in a fairly decent sized city here in Michigan and there are tons of hospitals and clinics for nurses to work at. Some hospitals make you give a month notice upon resignation and unfortunately my job is one of them. On my application for my new job, when asked if the new organization could contact my current job, I checked no.

The day I found out I got my new job I gave my unit manager my resignation (not mentioning where I was going to go work and she didn't ask) but didn't tell anyone else. Well news apparently travels fast and by the end of the day, I had about 3 coworkers saying to me, "I heard you are leaving. Where are you going to go work?" The problem is...I don't want to tell them. Maybe I am paranoid but I don't trust my current managers to not try to ruin a new job for me, or some of my co-workers, who don't want you to leave or are just being catty to be saying, "Oh I heard that's a terrible place to work. You'll regret going there." I have seen my bosses try to get people in trouble for any little thing (which is one of the main reasons I am leaving) and I just don't want them to know where I am going because I don't think it's really any of their business.

I have a month to be asked this same question. How would you handle it if you didn't want your current bosses or co-workers knowing where you were going to go work?

[Blackcat99]

Yes, I know what you mean. I hated it when people would ask me where my new job was located. Perhaps you could say " I am sorry but I really don't want to tell anyone where I will be working." Be firm and keep repeating this over and over no matter who asks you. Be persistent. Yes, it will be a big hassle but well worth the piece of mind in return. Good luck;)

[caliotter3]

I prefer not to discuss that on this job. Or, I have been told not to discuss that here. Either way, be firm.

[shoegalRN, RN]

I would just say to them: "I rather not say" and leave it at that.

You are not obligated to tell them anything. You gave your notice. That's all that matters.

Good luck!

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

If you don't trust the management of your current workplace it's a good idea to get out. If anyone asks you where you're going, tell them that info is on a "need to know" basis, and they don't need to know. But if it's nice there and if it's someone you like working with doing the asking, promise to let them know where you're going after you've tested the water.

I often think about leaving, largely because I despise our top management. But wrenching myself away from my colleagues...sigh.

[Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP]

Just pick somewhere far away and say that's where you'll be. Or say you're moving out of state or something. Then, if in the future you bump into anyone from your current job, it really doesn't matter if you tell them then. Or you could say that the other job just didn't work out for you or some such thing. Or maybe that before you went to the other job you got a different offer from the place you will then be working at. Get creative!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I prefer not to discuss that on this job. Or, I have been told not to discuss that here. Either way, be firm.

I do this. And, probably they are more than just curious as they all want out of "the prison" too!!! Their next question would be, "are they hiring any more nurses now?" But, I'd still not discuss it.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

You don't have to disclose this information, and you don't have to make up a story to cover yourself. Just say something like, "I'd really rather not share that information" and go on about your day. The good and decent people will understand, and the others are ones you don't want knowing your business anyhow. :)

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

You don't have to disclose this information, and you don't have to make up a story to cover yourself. Just say something like, "I'd really rather not share that information" and go on about your day. The good and decent people will understand, and the others are ones you don't want knowing your business anyhow. :)

ITA w/ this. Be maddeningly pleasant and vague.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

You could tell them that you haven't decided on anything yet. Maybe you want to take some time off in between jobs and have some time to look around more before you decide. It doesn't concern your co-workers and you aren't obligated to tell them your plans. Whatever you do, make sure it sounds like you leaving is a positive thing. You need a new challenge - nothing wrong with that!

[headinsandRN]

in a short amount of time these questions will probably bother you less and less if you are ecstatic about leaving a job you hate. :)

[rn/writer, RN]

Don't let peer pressure back you into making up a story. Instead, give a limited version of the truth. "I'm not comfortable sharing that right now." Then change the subject. If you can field the question and move on without appearing the least bit bothered, they should get tired of asking.