How does quitting without notice really look?

Published

Specializes in Nursing Student - LAST YEAR!.

I NEED help!!! I am a nursing student working as a PCA right now. I've been with this hospital for 2 years. My new manager scheduled me to work the weekend before my exam (even with R/O on those days). I explained to her when she first came on that this was the arrangment that I made with the previous manager and I would like to keep it that way so I can have a clear mind and study all weekend the weekend before exams. I assumed she agreed when she said ok. So I had to call out. Because it was for three days I need a Dr's note to come back.

Problem.. I have clinicals/class all week and cant get into see a Dr. to get a note. I was originally going to hand in my two weeks notice this week anyway to take time off for this last semester and help take care of a sick family member but now I'm stuck with two options: 1- quit without 2 weeks notice and risk future employers seeing that or 2- get fired for not having a note. They said if I call off Thursday I'll be fired and I can't get into a Dr until Friday.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm really not sure how to handle this professionally. I want to give my two weeks but in this situation I don't think it's possible...

:crying2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you need a doctor's note, go to one of those minor emergency clinics if at all possible. You can study while you wait to be seen.

I have never and would never quit a job without giving 2 weeks' notice. Sometimes your employer won't hold you to the 2 weeks, but most of the time they really appreciate it. You don't ever want to burn bridges if you can avoid it. You will want a good reference, especially since you have worked there for 2 years. You may someday really want a different job at that institution, so if at all possible, leave on good terms.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Why and how are you going to get a doctor's note? Correct me if I'm wrong but you weren't sick...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Any doctor's note you get Friday will not cover your absence that's already happened, since you won't be sick Friday, even if you were sick when you called off.

Talk to your manager and explain things in case she doesn't understand it already. Put it in writing. Do not just not show up. That will make it definite you'll never work there again, and if someone asks for a reference, imagine what the reference will say. I think you have to let the chips fall where they may and at the same time be totally honest about what happened.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

It sounds like you don't have a very good relationship with this unit at this time, so what I would do is present a letter of resignation giving a 2 week notice, then at least you have done the right thing. then you will just have to wait and see what they do to you. Perhaps they will accept the 2 week resignation, or perhaps they will tell you that you are resigned immediately. I would hand deliver the letter ASAP. This way you have done the right, professional appropriate thing regardless of what they say or do to you. If you get that letter of resignation to them right away, they can always say that they fired you, but you can always then say "no, I resigned".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I personally am not big on offering 2 weeks. At-will employment means that and 9 times out of 10 these days as soon as you hand in two weeks, you are asked to leave.

If you think you can't make it, just think twice, but then do what you need to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.

Two ideas here:

1) Is your doctor understanding? Could you call them up and explain the situation? Maybe they'll fax something over to your boss. It just seems weird that she'd be asking for a Doc's note... I mean, she knows why you called out, right? It seems like asking for a Doc's note when she knows you weren't sick is setting you up for failure here....

2) Check your facility's policy about resignation/termination. Read between the lines... often it says that 2 weeks notice is "requested" but they don't say that it's required. My suggestion would be to hand in your resignation in writing ASAP. Then, no matter what happens after that you can say that you voluntarily left (and not have to check off that dreaded "have you ever been terminated by a previous employer?" box on those job applications when you finish school!)...

Best of luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Do you really want to resign? Maybe this can be worked-out.

If you do the doctor-note thing, I'd fired you for dishonesty on the spot since as the manager, I'd already know why you weren't there. Please don't do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

Talk to someone in the HR department. There should be someone that can help you mediate this issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah I am a bit confused here. If this was already "approved" by the prior manager then I would be bringing HR into this. And how do you find a doc to write a note to say you were sick when you aren't and weren't. ????

Up Vote Up Vote ×

quitting or being fired in this employment environment is huge, in a bad way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Forget the whole doctor's note thing... let's not make a joke of what nurses do for a living- there are truly sick people that need to be seen by doctor's (check out the thread about ER nurses saying what they really want to say)

Try to talk to the manager first, I'd prefer face to face.

If that doesn't work, hand deliver a letter of resignation, even if they "fire" you your resignation was in first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion