Giving proper notice. What would you do?

[LadyMonteCarlo]

I have been a nurse for 27 years and have always given proper notice when I left a position. However, I signed on as a Resident Services Director for an assisted living facility about 3 months ago. Before I accepted the position I was told "what a contrast it was from long term care", "would be able to go home at night and actually have a life".

Nothing could be further from the truth! ALF is in fact much worse from a liablility standpoint for a nurse. I'm working 11 -12 hour days and usually get my first after hours calls within 3 blocks of the community when leaving. I have had 5 full days off in 3 months. I am dealing with a much less than professional or qualified staff than in LTC and I keep seeing my license flash before my eyes repeatedly. I was deceived into accepting this position. The wool was most definitely pulled over my eyes on this one.

I've decided to throw in the towel before I do in fact lose my license. The company I currently work for requires 3 weeks notice minimum for a person in my position. In my opinion I don't and won't need them as a reference with my extensive experience and long work history with former employers. I plan on returning to my previous employer. However, I do need to give some notice because ethically it is the right thing to do. Just can't justify the full 3 weeks. I was thinking more like days.

The question is: How much notice should I give? They advertised for literally months before I was suckered into accepting the position. I'm sure that they won't replace me in 3 weeks time. I'm ready to go NOW!

[TravelingirlRN]

I always give 1 month notice. I was told in Nursing School this was the professional thing to do. However, I have never been put in a situation such as yours. I would proabably give at least two weeks.

[bill4745, RN]

Either give three weeks or give none. There is no reason to give "days" - they are not going to replace you that quickly. Either comply with their policy or leave immediately if you were deceived so much.

[Bluehair]

Have you earned any vacation/sick leave that you can apply to your notice?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I have always given two weeks notice and think that is adequate. I am an APN now and it is customary to give a one month notice for my position. However, with your position and your concern for your license, I would certainly think two weeks is plenty. Good luck.

[CHATSDALE]

check with your previous employer and find when a opening is expected if you can swing take a week or so off between jobs so that you can be rested and ready to start a new job

give two weeks notice and ask that they feel free to replace you before if they can find someone

write down a extensive outline of your duties and leave for replacement since they probably won't have anyone by the time you leave and they won't have orientation

since you have worked more than was required. the extra days should give you some leeway in the notice dept

good luck

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Aren't the first 3 months considered your probationary period? In every job I've had, you could go or they could ask you to go with out any questions. Most employers tell you you HAVE to give a certain notice. You are not an indentured servant. Give them 2 weeks.

[LadyMonteCarlo]

Aren't the first 3 months considered your probationary period? In every job I've had, you could go or they could ask you to go with out any questions. Most employers tell you you HAVE to give a certain notice. You are not an indentured servant. Give them 2 weeks.

This company has no probationary period. Once hired your theirs and they are yours. However, I am in Texas and their handbook does state that they are an "at will employer" which means either party may break ties at anytime for any reason with or without notice. That's what it says in the handbook in one part and then the other requires 3 weeks notice.

[brendamyheart]

This company has no probationary period. Once hired your theirs and they are yours. However, I am in Texas and their handbook does state that they are an "at will employer" which means either party may break ties at anytime for any reason with or without notice. That's what it says in the handbook in one part and then the other requires 3 weeks notice.

Go with your gut feeling. No job is worth your health and sanity!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If you cannot give a three week notice of resignation, then you should resign immediately.

You will not be complying with this company's policy by giving a resignation notice of only a few days. In addition, giving the workplace a few days notice of your resignation sometimes will anger your employer to the point where they will simply walk you out the door. Since you don't need the reference from this place, you should just leave.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

This company has no probationary period. Once hired your theirs and they are yours. However, I am in Texas and their handbook does state that they are an "at will employer" which means either party may break ties at anytime for any reason with or without notice. That's what it says in the handbook in one part and then the other requires 3 weeks notice.

That means they can fire you but you can't just quit.

Just quit. Call and don't go back.

[burn out]

If this was an upstanding respectable company then by all means give them the 3 week notice. However, it doesnot sound like that is the case here. My sister has worked for companies like these and during her 2-3 week notice period they did everything to make her life hell and looked for ways to take her license. You are right your license is on the line, they can not charge you with abandonment unless your walk off a shift but I would get out of dodge with as little notice as possible. If they have a hard time filling this position then it is becasue they are not a good company to work for and their own fault.