Handing in Resignation

[fyrephish, ADN, RN]

I have applied to my local community college's ASN program and I am hopefully awaiting an acceptance letter in the coming weeks. I've been working for a company for just under 10 years and I am planning to resign before the fall semester starts so I can focus on my studies, and also because the schedule is incompatible with my class schedule. I've already made my decision about when to give my resignation, but I'm looking for some feedback or personal anecdotes about when to resign from a job. The earliest I would resign would be 4 months ahead, and the latest would be 1 month ahead.

If I resign too early, will I be treated differently? Will there be more responsibilities passed my way?

These are some worries I've had. It has been extremely difficult for me not to share what my intended major is up until now. I wanted to keep it a secret to prevent it affecting my review or raise. But it bubbles up constantly and I keep running into nurses during my work day (I work with the public), and I love to ask them questions about their own experience becoming a nurse.

So, if you had to resign from a job to pursue school full time, how did you handle it? Thank you!

[Wiggly Litchi]

It all depends on what's written in your contract - many employers require two weeks notice, but if you're leaving on good terms to pursue other things, you can let them know well in advance to sweeten the pot.

There's many reasons to leave a job; it doesn't have to be a negative experience for you or your employer - just remain professional and be as honest as needed (sometimes we don't have to give too much info). Say that you need to prioritize your studies - it's a valid reason, and thank them for the opportunities you've had while working with your current employer.

[fyrephish, ADN, RN]

We are employed at will, so no contract. My main concern is giving enough notice to ease the transition without shooting myself in the foot while doing so. Thank you for the feedback and advice!

[Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN]

Personally, I would only give 2 weeks notice, unless it is customary in your line of work to give more., and certainly don't give notice unless you get accepted!

I gave a month's notice once, thinking I was doing them a great favor by giving extra notice, and it was just a drag for everyone. I wouldn't ever do it again! 2 weeks is ample for an employer, and is the expected practice in most places. Additionally, in the event your workplace *does* decide to load you up with additional work before you leave, this way you will only have to suffer that for 2 weeks. If you give 4 months notice, that could be quite unpleasant!

One thing I have learned is never to burn your bridges. Never, ever, leave on bad terms even if you have to grin through gritted teeth and can't wait to get out of there. It doesn't sound like that's the case with you though - you must be reasonably happy to have been there for 10 years after all. But suffice to say, whatever your reason for leaving, always do so with grace and dignity and on a positive note; this could be reflected in your resignation letter.

I really wouldn't worry to much about this; employers lose staff for a million different reasons all the time. It's an expected part of doing business, and as long as it is handled well, is just another day in the office, so to speak.