Is email acceptable for resignation?

PANurseRN1 · Jan 23, 2007

No. I would send a letter, preferrably certified. Resignation by e-mail just seems...tacky and unprofessional.

You could give her a head's up and call and let her know you're resigning and to expect your resignation in writing to follow.

nuangel1, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2007

no .it would strike me as unprofessional.unless you are bed bound.i would make the effort to hand deliver it.you want to leave on good terms and professionally.

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2007

I am out on an loa, and wont be returning to my full time job. I work in an OR, so to hand deliver a resignation letter would mean , going in, dressing in scrubs to get it to my manager in her office (which is in a restricted area). I know it is less than ideal, but would an email be acceptable in this circumstance?

Nope. Suck it up. Give your manager the professional courtesy. You never know when you will cross paths again. Also, it's just respectful.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 23, 2007

I have to agree. Ending the relationship as professionally as possible is in your best interests in the long term. Good luck.

maolin · Jan 23, 2007

I have to disagree with the popular opinion...just as you can be hired via electronic application and an emailed "cover letter" and attached resume, you can terminate an employment relationship via email as well. It's a paperless world anymore. It's perfectly acceptable within other industries (tech & telecom, from personal experience). My electronic resignation was no less valid. It goes without saying that the email should be as formal as a traditional paper letter would be - certainly no smilies or netspeak. :nono: As a courtesy, it should be preceded or at least followed up with a phone call.

kimmie518 · Jan 23, 2007

I don't think I've ever heard anyone being hired soley on their transmission of the resume via the computer- they may have gotten an interview though.

It may be acceptable in other industries, but that's other industries.

Even though it is legal to hand in a resignation or any formal document via internet/intranet (e-mails are considered a form of written communitcaion), it is unprofessional.

SK-222 · Jan 23, 2007

IMHO, it would be acceptable. The point came to where I was honestly burned out at a job a few years ago, and this was before email was as widely used as it is now. I sent a very tactful email and in my case, something along the lines of "due to a change in my circumstances, I am unable to continue employment . . . when would an appropriate time be for me to turn in my ID badge and/or conclude with an exit interview?" Perhaps something to that effect for you but pertaining to your situation. The willingness to come in for an exit interview and share whatever creative excuse you need to in order to keep the separation from your employer on a positive note.

As an above poster mentioned, it is a paperless world.

Of note, the particular job I had left via email and exit interview a week later - when they were in desperate need of employees two months later, they called asking if I was interested in coming back (uhm, no)

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 23, 2007

I would call your manager on the phone and discuss it with her. Then, if she is OK with e-mail, I would compose a very nice e-mail. Another option is a snail-mail letter. I might choose the snail-mail letter, printed on good paper. That way, you can be sure to have a nice, professional-looking letter for you file.

I would do it that way ... but only if you are on good terms with your manager. If there is any problem with your relationship, I would definitely go in and see her face-to-face.

whartonjelly · Jan 23, 2007

My sister oriented one day in central supply, no one oriented with her so when she left she told the Guild Ladies she quit!

allnurses Guide · Jan 23, 2007

Um, I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a related question...

I will be taking a leave of absence starting around the 16th of February, which is supposed to last until the 1st of April. During that period of time, I plan on doing some interviews and hopefully landing a new job. At this time, I haven't mentioned to my employers that I will be searching for a new job. Would it be okay to give two weeks notice while on my leave of absence?

See, technically while I'm on leave, I don't think I'll actually even be an employee here anymore, TECHNICALLY. Meaning, I'm not FMLA eligible so they don't have to even hold my job. However, employee policy says that anyone who has been employed six months or more is eligible to take a leave of absence BUT will not receive benefits during that time and is not guaranteed the same job when they return. However, when and if I come back after the six weeks, everything will be reinstated as it was when I left.

So, am I making any sense? Probably not. Basically, I don't really want to mention anything to my employer, but since they aren't expecting me back until the 1st of April anyway, shouldn't it be okay to give two-three weeks notice sometime in March? (I think this employer only requires two weeks).

caliotter3 · Jan 23, 2007

RealNurseWitch: Your plan sounds o.k. to me.

Had to say something about this subject. I guess you could say I got shown the door a couple of months ago. The final conversation was not clear, except that I was told to expect a phone call concerning future work. To date, no phone call. I've finished reacting to the situation pretty much. My opinion of the person telling me to wait for a phone call, and then not following up, well, it's bound to be changing. Now, I get to be creative when I apply for new jobs. I've thought of clarifying everything from my point of view. Not by e-mail. But I don't know what to say, other than have an attorney write a letter. Just one of those things. Fired, but not fired? Laid off, but not laid off? I'm not of a mind to call or visit the employer anymore.

If you want to communicate via e-mail, o.k. But if I were you, I would follow up with a snail mail letter, and keep a copy. Down the road, you don't want to have this turn into something negative. Be above board and proper.

In my case, I think being proper would mean a letter from my attorney, but I really am perplexed!