I am looking for another position – when do I tell my supervisor or manager

In the past year I've interviewed for a few positions. One was outside the hospital network, and I was not planning on telling my manager until/unless I got the job offer (I didn't).

A while ago I applied for a lateral position within the same network, and when I was invited to interview, I did tell my manager, because it's a small world, and I wanted her to know from ME that I had applied. I ended up declining the interview and I let her know about that as well.

I have a very good relationship with my manager (she sort of is a mother or aunt figure to me). We're pretty honest with each other. How you handle it really depends a lot upon your relationship with your boss. In most cases, I probably wouldn't say anything until I was offered a job and was planning on accepting.

Nurses change jobs frequently, and most managers are familiar with how this works. They don't expect you to stay forever, they certainly won't stay forever where they are. It does put you in a tough spot to have your current manager 'surprised' by a call from a potential new employer. It's like a professional courtesy and a 'do unto others as you'd have them do unto you".

If the idea is giving you heebie jeebies, you are making a drama out of nothing dramatic. Just talk yourself down from the drama. We're building careers here, not getting married to our jobs. I applied for a lateral position mainly just to talk to that manager, not sure I'd even accept the position, so I went back n forth about telling my manager. Then my right knee blew out and I couldn't work anywhere at all for a time. I applied internally and THEN wondered if I should tell my manager, but my knee made the point moot. I still feel a little creepy about not telling her! Even though I had to resign.

I had gone in person to let a current employer know that I had accepted another offer with another company. I wasn't with the current company long, and didn't want to let things go any further with employment and training, even though the other offer is part time and this one is full time. I'd only been there a week but felt it was in my best interests to go with the other company. I went in to see the DON and the ADON. While I was professional, the DON was not. My badge was grabbed out of my hand and was quite aggressively told to leave with some snide remarks on my way out. I didn't even stop at the admin office to wait for my final check. Was weary of a scene and more comments. Came home, wrote a professional resignation letter to the owner of the company and asked that my check be sent to my home. It isn't easy letting your current employer know that you've found something else, but you have to do what is best for you and your situation. As Gooselady said, you are not married to your employer. If you seek a position though, wait until you have a rock solid offer before you go. I waited, and was offered the position and accepted. The DON's response to me confirmed that I made the right decision to move on to a company that I can grow and be with for a long time. I'm looking forward to my new job!