How much notice?

sjoe · Dec 8, 2002

Technically, if you are an "at will" employee, you don't have to give any notice (and they don't have to give you any notice when they can you). If, however, you leave in the middle of a shift without arranging for adequate coverage of your patients, that is patient abandonment, which can cause licensing problems.

If you have a contract, then that piece of paper spells out the leaving conditions.

The generally-accepted rule of courtesy, however, is one pay period. If you are paid every two weeks, then two weeks' notice, etc.

TiggyBee · Dec 8, 2002

I meant formal notice, not leaving during a shift (yipes!). I heard it was four weeks for a two week pay period. Hmmmm.....

Anaclaire · Dec 8, 2002

In my experience:

as a staff nurse--- 2 weeks written notice

as a manager--- 4 weeks written notice

Sometimes when transferring from one department to another the manager of the unit you are leaving from will make a deal with the manager of the unit where you are going to either let you go to your new job sooner or make you stay at your old job longer. I've been held up before due to staffing issues...

Check out your employee handbook if you work for a hospital or other company that has one...

emily_mom · Dec 8, 2002

I'd say the standard is 2 weeks.

Kristy

Nurse Ratched, RN · Dec 8, 2002

Check your personnel policy - there is probably a handbook somewhere on your unit. My facility was 30 days even for staff nurses in order to leave in good standing.