Telling management about interview for new job...

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all,

I've been on this site for quite a while, and have changed my name due to the need for some advice... On my old name, I possibly can be linked to my current job and don't want that now...

Anyway, I'm in the process of applying and interviewing for a new job, but haven't told my nurse manager yet. The way the hospital I'm applying for interviews, you have a phone interview with the nurse recruiter first, and if that goes well, an interview with the nurse manager.

Well, today I had that interview with the nurse recruiter over the phone and it seemed to go real well. She's sending my application to the nurse manager and said she'd be in contact soon if the nurse manager wanted to set up an interview.

This is my first time changing jobs since graduating... when do I tell my current manager I'm doing this??? I don't want to tell her to early and get her worried, but I don't want to tell her too late either... What to do???

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I would first ask the prospective employer what their plans are about contacting work references. If you can get away with it, ask that they do not contact your current employer until after you have accepted a position. Then, if there is a job offer, and you accept it, you can inform your boss when you tender your notice. You don't want to cause yourself any grief by telling the boss unless there is an accepted offer.

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I used my Human resources director as point of contact. By law, they have to tell prospective employers date of hire, what unit/RN1/11/111 etc. and I believe that is it. I did not use my supervisor(s)/manager for fear of reprisal.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

It depends on the situation. At my current place of employment I would tell my unit manager when I was going in for a interview. However, I have worked at other places where I would not tell them until I was turning in my two week notice.

The places that I waited to tell them I was sure that the manager or co-workers that management would tell would make my life miserable. At my current place of employment the manager will not do anything to hold someone back from doing what they want to do.

That being said you will have to assess the situation at your workplace and use your best judgement. However keep in mind that you are not obligated to tell them that you are going for an interview. You only need to turn in a notice when you get an offer of employment and you decide to accept.

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If I were in your shoes, I'd wait until they give me the formal job offer and have accepted it. Then I'll give two weeks' notice (or whatever amount of time is required by the facility as per policy). It's better to be safe than sorry. Also, I won't allow my current employer to be contacted as a reference-----but that's just me.

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

You really need to use careful judgment on this sort of thing. I've worked in places where I would have felt terrible if I hadn't warned my boss at the serious interview point and I've worked in places where anyone who let management know he or she was interviewing for a new job was fired on the spot. So you have to evaluate what you know about your place of employment, its management attitudes, and your boss.

But if you have ANY concerns about reprisals, make sure you ask that all calls to your current employer be held until after you accept the job, as callioter3 and rn4ever? suggested. I have seen people allow a current employer to be contacted, end up fired as a result, and then not get the job for which the call was placed - and that is a major mess. So be cautious - if you aren't sure, just ask them to wait. A lot of prospective employers will completely understand this. And you aren't doing anything unfair by not telling your boss right away; as long as you're planning to stay for the two weeks after you give notice, you're being perfectly fair.

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Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

I was in this exact situation 2 weeks ago. I'm a new nurse, and working for the past 6 months in an ICU - love it. I had an interview at my 'dream' hospital upcoming, and after some thought, decided that it was unfair of me to 'blind-side' my nurse manager. So I told her that I was thinking of finding a job closer to home, and that she may be contacted over the next few weeks by the other hospital. The very day after I told her this, I had an interview in an ICU at my dream hospital, and they hired me after the hour-long interview and a 1-hour shadow that turned into 5 hours. The new nurse manager informed me that I had the job, pending a talk with my current manager. My current manager spoke well of me, and I was really glad that I had done the right thing. I was fearful that she would be angry that I only stayed there for 6 months, but you know, there are lots and lots of good nurses out there looking for jobs. She'

ll find someone else to replace me with no trouble.

I start my new job Monday, and have already begun the orientation paperwork.

Good luck to you - hope you find a great new job.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

The general rule of thumb is to have a new job secured before advising your old job that you're leaving. The professional thing to do is to ensure that you give your job enough notice - most units want you to finish out the schedule rather than just leave after 2 weeks, but it really depends on your hospital policy and the needs of the unit. A new employer should be willing to work with you on that.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

I have no intention of scaring you, but I work for a very large facility where the 'coffee clutching gang', still hangs around. Sure there are laws, sure you are "protected", but there is no proof that can be had from internal calls. I've been in management, been part of it and it exists.

Knowing that may be possible, does it really matter? You boss will possibly know either way, so why not be upfront. Upfront is more threatening to you because you have the conversation face to face, but the back handed route, although an iffy where you are may have worse consequences.

"I'd like to inform you that I'm looking at other opportunities in my career and you can expect calls from competing hospitals, after I've gathered offers and opportunities that exist to me, I'd like to set a meeting and talk to you about my career here". "while I'm pleased with my position here at.......... I'd like to know what's out there for me to grow and compare that to my options here at ........" 'May I count on your support as I compare options for growth?" "may I use you as a reference as I persue this?"

It is one heck of a hard conversation to have as your first time, , but a half way decent manager should respect your honesty, "cough" and be willing to work with that vrs a sneaky attempt, whom the HR director and the manager discuss over bagels.

Now if your in a toxic environment, and you know that, you won't question it... you have no recourse but to "trust" in HR assuming the toxin is management and you have to bolt. Then don't tell the manager, but alert a potential employer that only HR may be contacted. But PLEASE do an exit survey, it may help those you may leave. Just maybe.

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You also should be aware that although you may put on your job application "Do not contact current employer", many prospective employers will do so anyway. So don't be alarmed if your manager approaches you concerning a conversation with your prospective employer. That is why I suggested that you ask the question.

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