Nurses secretive about getting another job

Nurses General Nursing

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We have a Per Diem nurse 'Karen' who also is Per Diem at another hospital where I used to work. There's others from there and a lot of back and forth. Another coworker who also works both places let it slip to me that she thought Karen was now orienting at a 3rd nearby hospital. There's some of our nurses who work there as well, lots of openness, no restrictions from management at all.

So I sent a friendly text to Karen asking how she's doing, that I hadn't seen her in awhile. She said she's been really busy with her daughter's graduation. Mind you, she and I have been workplace friends. I later confirmed with a nurse that went to that 3rd hospital fulltime, staying Per Diem with us, that Karen has been there a lot orienting.

So, Karen is being secretive, which is ridiculous since nursing is a small world where it's going to all come out in the open anyways. No one would ever bat an eye about her picking up another job since there've been fewer of the day shifts that Karen likes available lately.

So, why would someone be secretive about this?

Maybe she's trying to be mysterious and elusive. That shadow in the night, catching everyone's attention with her unknown and secretive ways.

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Get out of her business and mind your own. Nurses like you are why no one ever knows my personal business.

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Specializes in Educator.

I can't believe that this generated 5 pages of responses already...

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Perhaps she;s trying to better herself so she can leave the job she is most unhappy with. Either way it is none of your business.

I have many work friends, that I occasionally text, but I don't share much personal information with them. We are work best friends but it doesn't spill over into real life.

Perhaps you put more value into your friendship than she does; however, listening to/passing on gossip does no one any good, and can be quite toxic not only for friendships but hospital units as well.

If your'e genuinely worried about her, sit her down and talk to her. Otherwise, just stay out of it.

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I actually think Karen may have perhaps ran into some financial trouble herself and this is the reason she got this new job and is keeping it to herself.

Emergent, you mentioned in your post that she looks down on those in a lower socioeconomic status. Maybe she has now become one of those she once despised and is ashamed? I'm just theorizing here, but if she announced she took yet another job, her coworkers might wonder why and suspicions would be raised as they were with you a few others in your unit. Not that this would happen (maybe it would?), but Karen might think her coworkers would make fun of her and shame her.

If my theory is correct, she just doesn't want to admit or show she has to eat humble pie if her economic status has taken a downturn. Also, if her daughter is graduating, she needs extra college cash.

I just think it boils down to her economic status changed and she's embarrassed for whatever reason to bring it out into the open in an obvious way.

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There are many, many reasons people are secretive about a second job. My Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) freaks out when she sees an application pop up for me. For us it’s called a job 2. My ANM is worried about losing more nurses. We’ve had a mass exodus lately because of pay differences between the two hospitals. I want more income, but my ANM seems to know every move I make and it makes me uncomfortable at times. So now my job applications are from another hospital.

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Can you blame Karen?

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If her outside jobs aren't affecting her patient care at the job you work at together, I don't see why this would be a problem.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

There are 4 letters that come to my mind. MYOB.

"Karen" isn't obligated to share her life outside of your shared workplace with anyone. Coming here to talk about it makes me suspect it's also been a topic of gossip at work as well. Gossip is unprofessional, whether in person at the workplace or here in the forum.

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On 6/6/2019 at 2:32 PM, Emergent said:

We have a Per Diem nurse 'Karen' who also is Per Diem at another hospital where I used to work. There's others from there and a lot of back and forth. Another coworker who also works both places let it slip to me that she thought Karen was now orienting at a 3rd nearby hospital. There's some of our nurses who work there as well, lots of openness, no restrictions from management at all.

So I sent a friendly text to Karen asking how she's doing, that I hadn't seen her in awhile. She said she's been really busy with her daughter's graduation. Mind you, she and I have been workplace friends. I later confirmed with a nurse that went to that 3rd hospital fulltime, staying Per Diem with us, that Karen has been there a lot orienting.

So, Karen is being secretive, which is ridiculous since nursing is a small world where it's going to all come out in the open anyways. No one would ever bat an eye about her picking up another job since there've been fewer of the day shifts that Karen likes available lately.

So, why would someone be secretive about this?

Because she is wise.

Why do you care? Why do you need to know her business????

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On 6/6/2019 at 2:32 PM, Emergent said:

We have a Per Diem nurse 'Karen' who also is Per Diem at another hospital where I used to work. There's others from there and a lot of back and forth. Another coworker who also works both places let it slip to me that she thought Karen was now orienting at a 3rd nearby hospital. There's some of our nurses who work there as well, lots of openness, no restrictions from management at all.

So I sent a friendly text to Karen asking how she's doing, that I hadn't seen her in awhile. She said she's been really busy with her daughter's graduation. Mind you, she and I have been workplace friends. I later confirmed with a nurse that went to that 3rd hospital fulltime, staying Per Diem with us, that Karen has been there a lot orienting.

So, Karen is being secretive, which is ridiculous since nursing is a small world where it's going to all come out in the open anyways. No one would ever bat an eye about her picking up another job since there've been fewer of the day shifts that Karen likes available lately.

So, why would someone be secretive about this?

I'm sorry but I am literally laughing out loud at this. "No one would bat an eye..." Except you posting it on the internet ?

I think Karen has the right idea.

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I get you thinking you’d know as most nurses talk and you believe you and Karen to be friends, but take a step back and stop. You’re so concerned of Karen’s jobs, the fact that you didn’t know about one has made you result to posting online about it. I can’t imagine being so pressed about another nurses jobs and business in that way. Nursing and work is just that, it isn’t our whole lives. While many talk and a lot talk too much, some work and do their thing and leave the rest at home with their life. Not being ugly, but do you! Let Karen be. And the other new nurse you find “secretive” because you aren’t aware of all of her employments, let her be too. These two are actually smart and professional in keeping to themselves and obviously so considering the chatty teams they work with. Stay tight with the other nurses talking about Karen and just stick to your own lives and talk about that together.

This is toxic behavior and such a waste of time. Life is short. People are dying. Keep it pushing.

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