Leaving!!!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I will be leaving my job in less than two weeks... found a job better suited for me and my family. I've only been there for about 7 months, but I do like some of the nurses/techs/secretaries/and manager! My manager actually sent me a card in the mail that I received today expressing how much she appreciated me working there, good luck, etc! I thought it was nice :)

I thought about maybe bringing bagels to work on Friday (on my day off.. after my last day) for everyone. Do you think this is weird to do?

Has anyone ever done anything before they left? Write thank you cards, letters, bring in food, anything?

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I was thinking of giving thank you cards to my manager and assistant nurse managers for sure.. before I leave.

Just wasn't sure about others I liked... I don't want to spend a lot of money or anything, but bagels or donuts might be ok. I don't know yet :p

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Specializes in Trauma/ICU step-down.

It's standard practice on my unit to throw a last-day potluck and the leaving party usually leaves a card or personal message on the white board. I think bagels would be greatly appreciated and nice. Nurses are always hungry!

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Specializes in ER.

sure, that's a nice gesture. Wouldn't be a bad idea, in case you need that job back one day.

I just heard (get this) of ORIENTEES, after orientation is done, to give their preceptors GIFT CARDS - and not cheap ones, either, over $100 each! Shut the front door!

Apparently I wasn't notified of this... or I should have known and have bad manners! I would never do that. Maybe buy them a coffee, but GIFT CARDS in that amount???? Seriously. That is ri DONK ulous.

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sure, that's a nice gesture. Wouldn't be a bad idea, in case you need that job back one day.

I just heard (get this) of ORIENTEES, after orientation is done, to give their preceptors GIFT CARDS - and not cheap ones, either, over $100 each! Shut the front door!

What?! Craziness... as a new nurse, no way could I afford that :p

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Seriously, as a preceptor myself, I'm just happy if I have a A. good orientee and B. get a verbal thank you. I would never expect more and would feel uncomfortable with getting a gift like that.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I think that is a fine idea and like others stated its best to stay on good terms in case you want to go back. I know someone who kept in close contact with our manager over the years, even to the point of going out to lunch (I'm not the touch feelly person), but it is smart if you can do it because when she was frustrated with her job and feeling trapped she was able to go back and get a job from her old manager.

It's good not to burn your bridges cause you don't know if the new job is going to be better than the old one and I've known many nurses who left for greener pastures only to find out it was an illusion or mirage (ha, ha) and come right back to the good, old job (think part of that is related to being a union hospital which helps protect us re working conditions and staffing ratios). Our staffing ratios remain better than many other places in the city and I'm sure the union is the reason it's not worse.

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Specializes in FNP.

I'd bring whatever you think they would like. I can only give you the example that I would not eat either bagels or doughnuts, :nono: but I'd love a veggie tray, especially with humus! But you know them, I don't. If you are stuck on the notion that it must be carbohydrate and/or fat laden, lol, I'd suggest baking it yourself. Homemade is always better, and more thoughtful, than store bought.

Congratulations on the new job!

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Specializes in Home Health.

I've never given any gifts to anyone when I left a job. I didn't think they owed me anything, so I didn't owe them anything either.

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Specializes in ICU.

I don't think of food as a "gift." We all eat, and if everyone is invited to eat the donuts, bagels, or whatever, I personally think it would be a nice gesture.

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Specializes in LTC, M/S, CCU, ER.

Agreed. Doughnuts, bagels, veggie tray, whatever...it's a nice gesture that everyone can enjoy, and totally appropriate. Always a good idea to leave on as high a note as possible, you never know when the connections from your last job will come into play for a new one.

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
sure, that's a nice gesture. Wouldn't be a bad idea, in case you need that job back one day.

I just heard (get this) of ORIENTEES, after orientation is done, to give their preceptors GIFT CARDS - and not cheap ones, either, over $100 each! Shut the front door!

Apparently I wasn't notified of this... or I should have known and have bad manners! I would never do that. Maybe buy them a coffee, but GIFT CARDS in that amount???? Seriously. That is ri DONK ulous.

Sheesh. I'd be out $700 if I did that.

When I left my last CNA job, I had about $80 worth of pizza delivered for the CNAs and RNs on my floor. It was a bit overboard, but I cannot tell you how much support I got from those folks. I'm still really glad I did that.

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