Should I tell my manager I applied at another facility?

[nlhnurse1982]

So I am finally experienced enough to interview for a top rated hospital that has a phenomenal ICU and is a level 1 trauma center. This is the place I have dreamed of working for quite awhile. I am going to be interviewing with the ICU manager and I still have not told my current manager.The issue is my current manager has made it hell for anyone to try and transfer in house and has treated other nurses who have resigned to move to another facility like crap not to mention she has lied to other managers about employees. So I figured I would not tell her I applied elsewhere unless I got a call back which I did yesterday. So I am not sure how to approach this with her. And my second question is the nurse recruiter asked me why I hadnt told my current manager and I was honest and told her that she has made it difficult for other employees to leave in the past so I chose to wait, was that a mistake? I really do not have anything good to say about my current manager or the facility to work for except that I love and will miss my coworkers so I am nervous about any questions that I might be asked about my current employer. Should I act like pollyanna and sugar coat everything or should I be try to honest without "bashing" the facility/manager. I dont want to blow this chance so any advice would be so appreciated especially from hiring managers. Thanks so much in advance!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Why on earth would you tell her you applied until you are ready to give notice?!

NO! GAH!

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

I think you are wise to not tell your current manager- I wouldn't tell her until you get a solid job offer. Otherwise she could dis you like she did all of others-as you have seen.

Be honest during your interview-that you love your co-workers and patients, etc, etc. but that the present opportunity is one you had hoped for-focus on the positive not the negative you hope to leave. Most employers don't want someone running away from a not so great job, focus on the great opportunity that tugged at you to seek the other employment.

otessa

[Argo]

With your discription of your current manager I would not tell her anything until you have a formal offer from the new facility and you accept that offer. At that time give your manager a written two week notice and move on with life. If you tell her now she could easily let you go and you would be without a job if they dont offer you a possition. You could also be stuck with a disgruntled manager if you dont get the job. Im a manager and am all for advancement but I have had managers in the past that were [email=Bi@

Dont tell your manager.

[nlhnurse1982]

I guess the main reason I was considering telling her was because I didnt know if the place I applied would contact her about my current employment. I did put my assistant managers name down though since I prefer they talk to her first she is at least honest!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

So glad to hear you are on the verge of making a positive career move! Hooray for you!

Please don't burn any bridges and be very discreet in your comments and actions. You don't really have to say anything for people to understand. We all know that nurses don't leave jobs, they leave managers. Everyone will have a pretty clear idea of what you aren't saying - and you'll come across as a classy professional. Take the 'high road' when anyone asks you about the position you are leaving. Use general comments such as "it wasn't a good fit" or "I felt it was time to move on" when asked why you left. Do not bash anyone! The people who hear you will wonder if you are going to talk like that about them also.

The one exception would be if you are asked to participate in an exit interview by your current employer. If the exit interview is done by internal folks, just keep on being 'classy', but if it is conducted by a 3rd party, I would encourage you to be very authentic and really tell them why you're leaving. Organizations that are paying for an outside company to conduct exit interviews really want to know what is happening and how to fix it. They make sure the information is kept confidential.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

No way!

I just had an interview this afternoon... think I'm telling my boss? Uh-uh!!!

[caliotter3]

I gave notice one time and the manager never let me go to the work area, he took me to his office, did the paperwork, about ten minutes worth, and I was escorted to the door, just like that. Don't give her the chance to do that to you.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I guess the main reason I was considering telling her was because I didnt know if the place I applied would contact her about my current employment. I did put my assistant managers name down though since I prefer they talk to her first she is at least honest!

Tell them that they may NOT contact your current employer. Period. NO ONE does that. They KNOW they can't. It puts you in too much jeopardy and you have every right to tell them that they may not.

[nlhnurse1982]

Wow I am so glad I came here for advice. This is my first time switching jobs since I've been in nursing and I was not sure of the etiquette sounds like CYA is the way to go. Hopefully the manager at the new facilty does not contact my current manager unless she makes me an offer. I dont want to be without a job. I didnt know that this profession was so cut throat.

[nlhnurse1982]

So what if I put on my application that they may contact my current employer should I let her know at the interview that I prefer that she does not contact my current manager?

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I guess the main reason I was considering telling her was because I didnt know if the place I applied would contact her about my current employment. I did put my assistant managers name down though since I prefer they talk to her first she is at least honest!

Usually when they check references they just talk HR. They are very limited in what they can say, mostly they just confirm dates of employment.

Do not tell your boss until you have a firm offer and a hire date. Then you can write her a letter of resignation(not "Go sit on a tack!":lol2:) and give two weeks notice. If she gets mad and fires you on the spot(which I doubt) good riddance!