Nervous Nellie

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

So I'm stupid and broke a cardinal rule: never tell anyone at work anything important.

I applied to another hospital. I was told that I was hired after they check my references and get my background check, etc done. I do not have the written offer yet.

I have never pictured working anywhere but at the hospital I am at and have been there for my entire nursing career. I am incredibly nervous about the new place and how I might fit in there IF they are happy with all of my checks which have yet to be told to me. I confided my nervousness to a friend/coworker. Last night some random person says "so the word is that you are leaving to X hospital..."

Now I'm terrified that the new place will not hire me (even though I have no reason to believe that they won't) and that I will have to stay with the current place with everyone knowing I wanted to leave.

So really, I'm just looking for someone to tell me that I'm overthinking things and everything will be fine. I have big girl panties, but I can't find them right now.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

So I'm stupid and broke a cardinal rule: never tell anyone at work anything important.

I applied to another hospital. I was told that I was hired after they check my references and get my background check, etc done. I do not have the written offer yet.

I have never pictured working anywhere but at the hospital I am at and have been there for my entire nursing career. I am incredibly nervous about the new place and how I might fit in there IF they are happy with all of my checks which have yet to be told to me. I confided my nervousness to a friend/coworker. Last night some random person says "so the word is that you are leaving to X hospital..."

Now I'm terrified that the new place will not hire me (even though I have no reason to believe that they won't) and that I will have to stay with the current place with everyone knowing I wanted to leave.

So really, I'm just looking for someone to tell me that I'm overthinking things and everything will be fine. I have big girl panties, but I can't find them right now.

It sounds like the made a conditional offer - they will hire you if your references and checks come back ok.

Of course it is best not to say anything until you have the offer letter and agree to it but I would not be too nervous. If somebody approaches you just say "I have been looking around" and leave it at that. There is nothing wrong with looking around nowadays, people always look for chances to better their career (and who can argue with a person who wants to better their career???).

Avoid talking about why you want to leave the place because people take those things personal. If somebody asks you why you want to leave just say something like "This is a great job - I am just looking for a change and other opportunities". You could also add something like "I know I would miss everybody" .

And just move on.

Your manager might be a bit miffed if she hears it through the grapevine instead from you but nowadays employees are afraid to say they are looking around. Economy is not that great and you want to keep a job until you have the next one...

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Did you give your manager and other referees the heads up that they will be contacted? Your manager is the main one you should let know or they will be caught off guard when they are contacted. As for the grapevine gossip, it is better to have started it yourself and know what is being said. It doesn't really matter if you do or do not get the job, your colleagues are more concerned about their own lives than they are about your career choices.

[more coffee]

You are over thinking. Even if this job offer didn't come through (hypothetically), you have experience and will have opportunities elsewhere. I would echo the previous poster about saying you are just looking around & make a mental note to avoid sharing any more details.

[Farawyn]

You are overthinking. Everything will be fine.

Best of luck in your new position!

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Thanks guys! I can always count on you!

[MPKH, BSN, RN]

Don't sweat it. People will talk. Managers talk. Things will get skipped. You can always say "I'm looking to see what's out there" when approached--on my unit, whenever one of us gets a new job, everyone knows. Plus it's not anything bad that you're looking...everyone looks.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I agree with what others have said. I think too many of us do a disservice by not looking around once and awhile.