How detailed should my resignation letter be?

Nurses Career Support

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Hello all!

I know this topic has been beaten to death, but I am really stressing out over turning in my resignation letter. I recently interviewed for a prn position at a hospital I love that is much closer to home, and they ended up offering me a full time position.

My question is, how detailed should the resignation letter to my manager be? She knows that I applied for a prn position because that hospital required me to ask for a reference from her. Should I explain that they ended up offering me full time and my reasons for taking it? Or should I just write a letter with minimal information? I am afraid she will think I lied about it being a prn position when I asked for the reference.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

Dear Manager:

This letter is to inform you that I am resigning my position at St. Elsewhere hospital. My last day of work will be xxx date. I have appreciated my time at St. Elsewhere.

A resignation letter need not be any more detailed than that. There is no reason to go into the specifics of why you are resigning, where you are going, or the details of your future position. The key elements of the letter are that you are resigning and your last day of work.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I had to do exactly the same thing recently. I thought my second job was only one day a week so assured my manager I would continue on at my main job. However, soon after I was offered the position full-time. I verbally told my manager about the offer and as I had had open conversation with her in the past, she knew it was a dream job that I couldn't possibly pass up.

However, in my resignation letter, I had to address both my manager and the executive manager, I gave them my resignation and finishing date, informed them of my new position and the company and personally thanked them individually for their support and opportunities to develop my skills as a nurse.

Both the executive manager and my manager thanked me for my resignation letter and wished me all the best. I know that if anything happens in the future, I will be able to acquire work at this company due to the positive exit I made. It's always best to keep things professional and formal but to also keep things positive. You never know what the future holds.

All the very best in your new job.

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Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

I endorse what WinterLilac said about trying to leave a positive impression. I have always counseled people to be nice to the people you meet on your way up, since you may meet them again on your way down.

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