recommendation letter from manager

[sunshine32]

I am a recent BSN new grad and have only worked for 8 months. I am considering pursing my master's this coming spring. I am weary about asking my manager for a recommendation letter. I fear he will regret hiring me because I want to further my education and that I will eventually leave. I feel that I may be treated differently from management as well my co-workers. I currently work 36 hours and plan to decrease my hours to at least 24 hours once I start the program. Regardless I have to tell my manager I am in the program because he will want to know why I need to decrease my hours and have a set schedule. Or should I even tell anyone at work. I would appreciate any advice you have.

[caliotter3]

Personally, I found out the hard way that it would have been better if no one at work found out about my school situation, unfortunately it was almost impossible to keep a secret. My DON knew, because one of the reasons she hired me was because I was going to school.

You have to ask someone for a recommendation. Since your higher education is in nursing, they will want nursing recommendations, so I don't know who else you would ask. I don't think your manager will hold this against you. If something is said, just state that you do not have any future plans to leave your current position. You will be telling the truth. Don't let what you think other people will think about you hold you back from following what you want to do. You will never accomplish your own goals if you worry about others and their opinions.

BTW, the era of people spending their entire working life at one employer is long gone. Nobody expects you to stay there forever. Furthermore, if your employer decides to cut their staff, and you are cut, they will not worry one iota about what you think about it. So don't worry so much about this. Follow your own plans. Good luck.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I think you will find that there won't be a problem. Few managers expect new nurses to stay for 20-30 years anymore. Going to school shows determination, initiative and knowledge expansion. These are all qualities that good managers look for in nurses they hire.

[Meow's Mom]

I understand your situation. I am applying to grad school as well and am also trying to figure out how to approach my manager for a recommendation, as well as let her know that I plan on going part-time. I have heard through the grapevine that she does not react well to these types of situations. I work in cath lab and it is very time consuming to hire/train someone to the level where they can function independently. I plan on starting classes in the fall and plan on letting her know within the next month so that she will have time to plan accordingly but I am very apprehensive. I think part of this comes from many nurses innate fear of disappointing someone else. How many times have we sacrificed what we what due to this fear? Good luck with your mangaer. Let me know how it turns out. By the way, my husband tells me that my manager cannot hold this against me, I have an excellent jop record etc. However, we do work in the real world where things that shouldn't happen often happen.