30 Day notice for resignation??

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a new grad that just got off orientation and currently work in ICU. It has been a nightmare. I have decided with all the caos that is going on there (short staffing, 3 pt assignments, pulling our staff and leaving us short, along with a ton of new hospitalists who barely speak english and write weird orders) that I don't want to do critical care.

Well 3 weeks ago I went to my supervisor and told her all of this and requested to be transferred to med-surg. She said she understood but wanted me to try CCU for 2 weeks to see how it went. I tried and still didn't like the critical care part of nursing. I went back to her and again requested to be transferred...well she just isn't hearing me. She says I just won't like med-surg and I am better off staying in critical care, and that I don't want to be one of those "med-surg" nurses. She even talked to the director of med-surg and said that they don't think I will be happy over there either..blah..blah..blah..so basicly they won't transfer me.

I am sick of not being heard!!! I don't like codes, having pt's with no BP, and just the sickest of the sick. I have only been there 6 months and feel like I am burning out! I dread going to work everyday and dream that I am still there on my days off!!!!! I just want to take a step back and just learn my basic nursing skills...

So, I put my 2 week resignation letter in her box last night when I got to work and got a call today...she informed me that as I nurse I had to give a 30 day notice ...and reminded me of what I would be doing to my co-workers by leaving and not to burn any bridges. (Also not to mention that 2 other nurses just quit and she is prob freaking out). but I have gone through my paperwork and have not found anyhting saying that I had to give a 30 day notice if I quit....what do you guys think???? I just want OUT!!!!

Specializes in Utilization Management.

Isn't it ridiculous that, rather than let you transfer to another unit, they're willing to lose you completely?

Maybe this is the time for you to go have a tete-a-tete with the Med-Surg Unit Manager and offer to transfer again before you quit completely.

Specializes in Not specified.

2 weeks for non management is fine. 4 weeks for manangement positions is professional. Just be aware that they can let you go well before your resignation, so if you give them 30 days, they can kick you out the next day so you have to think about it from a financial cover your a$$ standpoint.

My facility (as well as others in the area) use the criteria of non-professional staff giving 2 weeks' notice, and professional staff 3 weeks. All RNs are professional staff. Administration requires 4....essentially, the amount of time you have in vacation is the amount of time they want to replace you.

Smiling, though, at the idea of the ICU manager saying that the OP wouldn't want to be "one of those med-surg nurses" . What, like we're required to grow pointy heads or something? ;)

I find it absurd that they won't let you try out a transfer. Your manager shouldn't be deciding for you that you won't work out in another area. That's not her decision. And if the Dirtecor of the other area said you wouldn't like it without even meeting you that is wrong as well. Where is your fair shot in all of this?!

Sounds to me like she is desperate to keep you at all costs. Not even sure I believe she spoke to the Director versus just making some crap up. I woud either try and meet with the head of that department to see if a transfer could be worked out or have the 2 weeks notice be final. It isn't your fault others quit as well. If there is no contract for 30 days then I wouldn't feel obligated to give it especially under these particular circumstances.

I would try to speak to the manager of the department you want to xfer into yourself and explain your position.

Otherwise, give whatever notice the employee handbook requires. I wish you luck.

Specializes in med-Surg, ICCU, ER and Nurse Manager.

Hi All

This is Kitt. someday I will figure out how to do the auto signature:D

I worked all my career in a union hospital and the contract requires 30 day notice for contract nurses.

I have been on both sides of the table as the co-chairperon of the negotiation committee and the last 10 years as a manager.

We hold to the 30 day rule but do everything we can to entice the nurse to stay with us. If they have aready taken aother job we do allow the to use their personal time and vacation time to count toward the 30 days so they can start their new position.

Working together we have had many nurses return to us, so we keep the door open and don't act like little generals.......................not that anyone would.

Sincerely

Kitt

Specializes in Cardiac.
2 weeks for non management is fine. 4 weeks for manangement positions is professional. Just be aware that they can let you go well before your resignation, so if you give them 30 days, they can kick you out the next day so you have to think about it from a financial cover your a$$ standpoint.

On the other hand, if they kick you out the next day, you are eligible for unemployment benefits, at least in the state where I live.

It never ceases to amaze me that we, as professionals, are required to give at *least* 2 weeks notice. But it is just fine for an employer (at least in a "right-to-work" state) to let someone go on the spot, with no notice and no recourse, for no clearly stated reason.

I'd be OK with it either way, as long as employer and employee were bound by the same rules. But it just does not work that way. That's my vent on the topic :angryfire

At my facility our handbook states that floor nurses give 3 weeks notice and management give 4 weeks. There have been nurses give 2 weeks notice and then been told to go ahead and finish their shift and not to bother to come back, that their resignation was accepted immediately.

Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.

If you liked your job, you would not resign from it...

This happened to me before I found a job in the ICU...

This is so unfair....talking about torturing yourself for 30 long days.

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