is it considered abandonment if no call no show?

TazziRN, RN · Apr 29, 2008

It might not be abandonment since you don't show up to accept the assignment, but it's grounds for termination. Do you really want that on your record? Better to resign effective immediately.

jessiern, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2008

Maybe not abondonment, but it is immature IMO. Not a good idea to burn bridges that you may need to cross later. Not to be harsh, If you do not want to work there, turn in a notice like a professional. IN the end, the patients and your co-workers will suffer from your absentism, not management.

CHATSDALE · Apr 29, 2008

a resignmation is alway better than a no-show

i have had nurses call me and at 8p and ask me to but on the callin boat that she was quitting and she was due to come to work at 8am

the kicker: a year later they hired her back

but it is not really the business way to do things

Dolce, RN · Apr 29, 2008

You will still get a feeling of satisfaction to resign but you will also not feel guilty for having short-staffed your former co-workers. Everyone suffers from a no-show and it is a really unprofessional way to quit a job.

allnurses Guide · Apr 29, 2008

Giving a place at least a two week notice is always the absolute best way to do things if you can, but if your mental and physical health just cannot take it another night, then turn in your immediate notice and do so at *least* a few hours before your shift begins. SOME notice is better than none at all, ie not showing up.

Ginger45 · Apr 29, 2008

No, it is not abandonment but it hurts the pts. It also depends on what you job title is. If you are not a direct care staff but managment it wouldn't be as harmful but it is always best to just be honest and tell them that you are not coming back and why.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2008

It's considered disrespectful and irresponsible.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2008

Ms.Rn I can totally understand your wanting to just not show up and the "I will show them" attitude. It is fun to play those scenarios out in your head. I had a mental list of 101 ways to make a clinical instructors life miserable once. But in reality, I never acted on it!!!

I think you will get more personal satisfaction in writing a resignation letter and delivering it to your mgr. You can never go wrong by taking the high road.

bollweevil · Apr 29, 2008

I don't think it's abandonment but you really should get the definitive answer from your state Board of Nursing.

Never seek to punish Management. Somehow, they always win and tricks backfire on you, the little peon. And, as everyone here has said, your coworkers suffer, your patients suffer, and your own reputation and reference suffer from not giving notice. I know it's tempting but resist.

Just give 2 weeks' notice. You can call off a couple of times during those 2 weeks if you really can't cope with going in.

Or, maybe will say, and put in writing for you, that they do not want notice or want only a week.

If you think it might be possible to talk with them openly, why not let them know what is bothering you and see if things can be altered somewhat more to your ability to cope with conditions on the job. Have you ever tried to sit down and have a calm, mature, frank discussion with Management? You might be pleasantly surprised and they might realize you are a gem and they will want to please you and keep you. It's happened before. Hey, what have you got to lose?

Do you have another job?

Hey, good luck.

bollweevil · Apr 29, 2008

No, it is not abandonment but it hurts the pts. It also depends on what you job title is. If you are not a direct care staff but managment it wouldn't be as harmful but it is always best to just be honest and tell them that you are not coming back and why.

I think Managers are expected to give even more than 2 weeks' notice, aren't they?

Where I am, they want us to give 2 weeks (staff nurse) or the equivalent of how many weeks of vacation you get, which is at least 4 weeks for Managers. Some of ours get 5 weeks so they'd be expected to give 5.

In reality, managers usually give many months' notice and help elect and train their replacements. That is the professional way to do it, I'd say.

Nightbloom · Apr 29, 2008

I'm not a nurse yet. However, I can certainly tell you my experience regarding work environments. I worked as a legal assistant for years before I went to law school and became a lawyer. I now cannot find a job as a lawyer. I believe it is in part due to the fact that I burned several bridges in the legal community and the legal community is not that big. They talk.

I believe the medical community isn't that big either. Its a limited enough field. There are only so many nursing homes, clinics and hospitals in a community. Word eventually gets around that "so and so" has quit a job or x number of jobs without notice or that "so and so" did this or that at the last job. And, there is still a way to burn your bridges even if you give notice.... by blathering on to your employer and all your co-workers about how much you hate the place.

Do yourself a favor and your career a favor. Submit a resignation that gives 2 weeks notice and simply say effective the date of the letter, I am resigning from my position and my last day will be 2 weeks from now. Nothing more, nothing less. I would also get a reference in writing from the employer so that you can submit the reference with your resume at further jobs instead of this employer having to be contacted.

Oh, and if they expect a closing interview, I certainly wouldn't go into HR and tell them you hate everyone there and the job, and by the way... bite it... blah... Give the letter to your supervisor. Then tell your co-workers your leaving (don't give a reason) and then move on in a professional manner.

Just my :twocents: for whatever its worth.