<human>: Can you condense the text into three sentences or less?

I have currently been at my job for 4 years, and it is my first job (and only job I have ever had). I am wanting to change jobs and will need references. My issue is that the people I would want to use for references are currently managers at my store or are former managers from my store but are still in close contact with my store management team. I have two lower level managers who I feel comfortable asking, but I am worried about if I should tell the Store Manager or hope those two managers will keep their mouth shut. I have one professor that I would be able to ask for a reference, but that's would only be one reference. 

The job I am currently in is a part time retail position and I am wanting to move to the finance industry, which the jobs I am applying for are in that industry. I know most people would not think this is a huge deal but I am a ver conscientious person and dont want to "burn bridges" and I cant afford to lose my job. It also gets complicated because I had to take 3.5 months of medical leave (very suddenly, and very recently) and the management team was so wonderful about it, and I absolutely love my job (most days....). I also have trained for multiple full time positions and in the past have expressed interest in becoming full time at my current job. My medical issues (and graduate school) make it impossible for me to work full time, but the jobs I'm applying for will get my foot in the door at a company that will allow me more room for growth after the completion of my MBA. So, staying at my current job will really not be a viable long term option. Also, my current job has lost 3 managers and 4 employees in the last 2 months.... things are going south real fast.
<bot>: I dont like hurting peoples feelings. Ask my current managers to be my references and express that I'm job hunting, or ask other people and hope my managers dont find out?