Should I tell my manager I'm looking for a second Per Diem job?

[dma13]

Hi,

I recently switched to part-time status so I could focus on school. I work in ICU and love what I do and hope to always keep this job as my core. However, now that school is becoming more manageable I would like to search for a second Per Diem job to make up for the lost income. I am still new to nursing and would like to explore other fields and always thought it would be interesting to work in either Cath Lab, PACU, or GI endoscopy. I think I would learn something new and make me a more well-rounded RN.

Only problem is that some of the jobs I have found online ask if they can contact my current employer. I am hesitant to do this because I don't want my boss to think I am planning to leave. Quite opposite I see myself staying in ICU for the long haul, just would like to have a second Per Diem job to make up for the lost income while allowing me to explore a new field.

Some co-workers have second jobs but I am afraid to ask how they went about things for fear they may say something. Personally, as long as it doesn't interfere with my current job, I would prefer not to tell anyone.

Do any of you have a second Per Diem job in addition to your full time job? If yes could you offer any advice in how you went about applying for that second job? I have read that you can choose to mark "no" if they ask to contact your employer but it does not necessarily guarantee they won't contact them. This makes me hesitate even trying to apply.

Should I just communicate my plans with my manager and see what happens? I don't completely trust how she will react.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Why would you not just pick up an extra day at your current job if it is available? Then if they say "no, we don't have that" then would be the time to think about floating to another unit a couple of days per week?

I get that you want more experience in other avenues. But if you know ICU is your "long haul" then would stick with it. Perhaps you could do the ER once a week or something of that nature?