Ettiquette for Quitting Nursing Job

[beccayaker]

Leaving the field, for lots of different reasons. But I'm trying to figure out the most tasteful way to go about leaving. I am loathing the idea of being open about it because I don't want to have the conversation about why 1000 times a day, and I don't want people to transfer onto me their doubts (however unintentional that transfer may be) when I explain my various back up plans. Would it be terribly offensive if I only told a select few of my coworkers? Or none?

My second question is how long should I give them? In other fields we say two weeks. But nursing is not like other fields as we all know, and I'm an ICU RN. We have contracts with travelers as well as per diems (although it's like pulling teeth to get our upper management to approve them to work). We're not terribly short staffed as we recently "over hired".

Thoughts anyone on how to do this gracioulsy while protecting my privacy and peace of mind?

[caliotter3]

It is nobody's business but yours and your employer's. Tell no one if you don't want to have those conversations. While two weeks notice is considered sufficient for most jobs, you might want to give one month notice in the interest of good will on the way out.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Your employer might have a policy about how much notice is required -- so look that up, just to be sure you are following that policy. Follow that policy (if there is one), notify your Manager (or whomever) in writing and remain up-beat. That them for the employment and for anything else you can think of that is reasonable (learning opportunities? friendship? support? etc.) and be specific about your last date of availability for work.

You are not required to give a reason or to describe your plans. However, I would prepare a few general remarks in advanced to use when people ask. Because people WILL ask ... and your response will be spread around as gossip. Smile, be up-beat and say something general if you don't want to be specific. Since you haven't mentioned your reasons for quitting or your plans, I can't suggest specific things to say ... but if you work at it a bit, you can probably think of a few general comments you can make without being so specific that you draw many comments.

[AceOfHearts<3]

My old job required 4 weeks notice of anyone that holds a professional license (Doctor, nurse, OT, PT, pharmacist, PA, NP, etc.) so as somebody stated check the policy of where you work. Many people were surprised I had to give 4 weeks and not just 2 weeks notice.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

We technically didn't have to give any notice, however I wouldn't recommend that. I was however beyond fed up with the crappy management at my job and the way they handled a few things. So after securing 2 other jobs, one PRN and one full time I wrote an email to my manager, I had to delete it 5x and finally it said;

Ms. Terrible boss lady (name changed for privacy )

March 23rd will be my last day. (was 4 weeks out)

Sincerely,

Mi Vida Loca

[Lady_Leijing, BSN]

one hospital I worked for had a policy of 4 weeks notice. I gave them 6 and the manager tried to talk me into staying longer because "we're short-staffed". (They had been chronically short-staffed for the last 2 years and were not hiring anyone.) They had to call and negotiate with the manager of the new unit I was starting at to determine when my last day on my old unit would be.