What to tell nosy boss...

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

I posted this in the pre-nursing student forum but that I would try in this forum for more responses:

Hi All,

So, I've been accepted to nursing school in the fall :yeah: I'm in A&P I now and will be taking A&P II and Chem this summer...fun...:bugeyes:

Anyway, I presently work in legal marketing (talk about a switch) and I work 9:30 - 5:30 M-F. I haven't had a problem with getting to my A&P I class this semester but A&P II will be a summer course..so that means class is every day except Friday..from 5:30 until whenever. Big problem..I don't get off work until 5:30 and it will take me time to get to campus (and park).

So, I need to request my hours to change. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. My boss is the "motherly" type..and somewhat nosey..and she would definitely ask what is the reasoning behind the change (not that she wouldn't let me change my hours..hopefully).

Also, attorneys are NOTORIOUS for waiting until the last minute to request something from us. So, to help with that..I am the one that stays a half hour later to cover such requests (even though they are few and far between).

I don't want them to know I'm pursuing nursing because I will be quitting in June and I don't want to warn them beforehand (seriously, do employers warn employees they they are being fired or laidoff beforehand? No).

But, I need to tell them something so I can leave a half hour early for these next few weeks (from May 4 - June 22).

One suggestion I got was to tell them I'm taking a nursing assistant course so I can make more money in this economy. I think it's good..but a course that lasts almost 2 months..and is EVERY day except Friday?

I dunno..what do you guys think?

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Specializes in LTC.

Today I gave my boss a five week notice. I don't see nothing wrong with this. You don't have to tell them why you are leaving, thats your right. However, you need to let them know now that your work hours are going to have to change. Good luck, I'm going through the same thing right now ! Accept I love my boss.

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Specializes in Family planning, med-surg.

I don't know but I am the type to wear my heart on my sleeve. Everyone knows what I'm thinking and doing all the time. I wouldn't want to ruin my working reference, you have put in good time there. Are you worried they will fire you if they find out you're leaving?

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

No..not at all. Even if they did..I would be ok with that because I'm leaving anyway..I also would have another source of income (I also have my substitute license and could do that until July). So, it's not that. It's just that I don't want them in my business.

I wasn't going to give a month's notice...especially since they laidoff a good friend of mine..but my direct boss had nothing to do with that..and I know she appreciates me. So, it's not that I don't like her..it's just..why can't i just change my hours and keep the reasoning to myself..lol.

It would be a big notice...almost two months notice. Considering how much I'm responsible for the department..that's good for them. However, I don't want to sit her for 2 months..answering all types of questions with her in my business..ya know?

Here are the dates:

Class starts May 4th and ends June 22nd

My last day would be July 2nd (two weeks notice would be June 18th)

I would request for my hours change on next Monday (the 20th).

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So you want them to accomodate your schedule change and when they are nicely accomodating you you are going to quit? I dunno.

I think you should be honest and just suck it up and accept what happens. You don't have to offer information that you dont feel like it, but I DEFINITELY would not lie about it. You never know when that kind of thing will come back to haunt you.

Just tell them that you have been taking college courses for awhile now and that you next one on the list is AP2, and due to it not being available at any other time, you will need to take off at x time to be there. Let them know that you will come in early (or whatever other concession you are willing to give) and leave it at that. Just say that you are studying nursing if they ask. Most people dont realize that nursing school is a full time and then some, rigorous crazy schedule sucking endeavor, so you may be able to leave it at that.

To be quite honest, everyone I have dealt with has been more than supportive of my going back to nursing school, going as far as to let me work when they should have let me go (I kept cutting my hours due to school) and letting me go when I asked without hard feelings when I had no more hours left to cut.

You of course need to get your ducks in a row, but you may have to accept that you could end up without a job earlier than you may think, and its only fair that they get some time to replace you. I know you think its unfair that you need to tell them and they don't tell you before hand, but its not like they are mistreating you and that is why you are quitting or like you don't have enough warning to let them know.

You just never know what the future may hold.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.
So you want them to accomodate your schedule change and when they are nicely accomodating you you are going to quit? I dunno.

I'm going to be doing that anyway. I could just quit now. It would be in their best interest to accomodate my schedule because if they don't..I have no problem quitting on the spot..in fact that way, I don't have to worry about!

Just tell them that you have been taking college courses for awhile now

Not going to work. I already have a bachelor's degree. Her question would be..why are you taking college courses if you already graduated. You see how this goes..she will be asking questions upon question..and the less I say..the better.

Just say that you are studying nursing if they ask. Most people dont realize that nursing school is a full time and then some, rigorous crazy schedule sucking endeavor, so you may be able to leave it at that.

Again..that begs for more questions. Trust me..I know this woman..

its only fair that they get some time to replace you.

Technically, all I have to give them is 2 weeks..and that's not mandatory because I'm an at-will employee..and they are an at-will employer. Which means..they can let me go for any reason at any time without warning and I can leave anytime for any reason..without warning. Again..if they wanted to fire me..they can at the drop of the hat..without warning.

You just never know what the future may hold.

You're right..I don't. But, I do know..I won't be back here..

I just know Corporate America because I've been in it for the bulk of my post-college career. Everyone is replaceable so you must do what's best for you..not for the company. Because they are going to take care of the company first..not the employee..

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Specializes in med/surg.

Sounds like you've already made your mind up... But, what is stopping you from telling them you are taking a college course and leaving it at that... you don't have to tell them "Nursing"

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Well, you do need to let your boss know about the change in your hours. Does she not know at all that you've been going to school? Just tell her that's the only time the school had available for that class. Hopefully she won't ask 'what class?'

Another piece of advice: DON'T tell them any of your future plans if you don't have to. I made that mistake of telling some people at work. Ever since then, I feel that I haven't been treated fairly by management, and that's why I haven't been promoted in a while. They have this attitude towards me, 'she's leaving and doesn't want to be here anyway..." :down:

Try to be candid, but you do need to let your boss know about the change in hours. Hope it goes over well, and she's not too nosy!

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

The problem is I can't leave it like that. Because she will come back and ask the who..what..when..where..why. Not saying that she's rude or anything like that..but she's "naturally curious"..especially in our lives outside of work. She gets away with it because she asks in a motherly kind of way..and almost like she wants to be a friend. If it was my other boss (her boss)..would have no problem..because he's just about business. But, not her.

And you're right..I think I'm pretty much set on what i'm going to do. Just go with the "taking a nursing assistant course because I may be interested in pursuing nursing" spiel. And then 2 months later..I"m going to pursue it full-time.

That way..they can't say I didn't warn them..

Besides..I've been here 2 years..they don't promote from within..my boss' boss already stated he can't see anyone staying in the department more than 2 or so years..they really shouldn't be surprised..but that's another forum all together..

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

No..she doesn't know I'm in school. Which is especially why she'll have the questions. Outside of work..what I do is not my jobs business..unless it's going to affect the job..which is why I'm just telling them now.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Well, I talked to my boss today (I was going to wait until Friday but she's taking a half day taht day..and will be out of the office tomorrow).

It wasn't bad..she did have some questions (where - as far as city..dates starting..date ending). She was more concerned about the coverage for the department..which ended up being fine because one of my coworkers agreed to cover on the days I have class.

Now the new thing that "sucks" is I planned on taking the first week in June off (to work as a sub to get some extra money..and to use up my vacation days) but another girl in my department will be at a conference that week and I'm her backup person..so I am changing to the next week (week of the 8th). However, the week after I get back from vaca (week of 15th)..I planned to give my 2 weeks notice. By then I really won't be caring..but I may come in on my vacation to give my notice..that way..they'll have 3 weeks notice instead of two. And it won't seem so bad..coming back from vacation..and giving notice.

But, by then..I really won't care..because I'll be off to nursing school!!:yeah::yeah:

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