How does quitting without notice really look?

Nurses General Nursing

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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:

Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

I think it's kind of late to handle if professionally. In my opinion you were already unprofessional for calling out those 2 days before your exam. It's not your employers problem that you need 3 days off to study for an exam. I think your only recourse at this point is to hand in your resignation or clarify if you can go back to work without the doctors note. Why do you need a doctors note if you only called out 2 days?

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Do NOT quit without notice. You will be labeled as a "no rehire" without any kind of explanation from HR because they are not required to give one.

It sounds to me like you have already burned a bridge with your NM. Why is she telling you that you will be fired without a doctor's note upon your return from work? Were you already in trouble with your attendance?

If you can meet with her, do so. She probably already knows your position, but a meeting with her may be a last ditch effort to save yourself.

Let me share a similar story with you: I work with a peer who is in nursing school. She is trying to get her schedule arranged so that she can have certain days off for school, and certain days off to study. The scheduling manager could not give her days off to study, but did so for the classes itself. This co-worker threw an absolute fit and called out the days that she needed to study. Bad precedent. I have another co-worker that needs time off for chemo tx. She was granted this, although sometimes her txs make her very ill, and she has to call out. THAT is a reason to have a doctor's note.

Do you see what I mean?

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Specializes in Nursing Student - LAST YEAR!.

I made a mistake. I shouldnt have called out for studying but my rationale was that my passing and getting a good grade on this exam was more important than work that weekend. I really wish it didnt turn out this way. I should have made the professional move and resigned before the semester started. I really thought I could handle school, work, family, and caring for my aunt. Guess not. I am trying to make the best of a bad situation.

There are different views on this: as a student I have to pass, as an employee I have to show up for my shift, from a manager's point this isnt her problem but from my future career stand point I need to pass to get my license and I need to not burn bridges for a good reference down the road.

I faxed my resignation to HR with a fwd to my manager but am going to hand deliver my resignation to her as well in the morning. I just hope that a future employer will be willing to hear me out on this and be understanding of my situation.

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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.

I read through the OP way to fast, I guess. I thought she was sick but couldn't get in to see a doctor. In re-reading it, that's not even remotely the case. I agree with you. Dishonesty is NOT the way to go.

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Specializes in critical care.

It looks like you've resolved the situation, but I just wanted to comment that I don't think you should be feeling guilty about this. As a student who isn't required to work, your education is your priority. Your former NM understood this, and accommodated your schedule because s/he felt you were still an asset to the organization. It's not your fault that your new manager was not on board with the prior terms of your employment.

Yes, the best route may have been to resign before the start of the semester, but I completely understand your situation; nurses & nursing students in general are very driven people, and sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. Just use this as a learning experience so you don't spread yourself too thin in the future. Good luck. :)

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.
why and how are you going to get a doctor's note? correct me if i'm wrong but you weren't sick...

seriously? people use the emergency room for doctors notes for previous call outs all the time! (not condoning it so don't start with me). you may need to go to an urgent care that is open for 24 hours or even one that is open until 11pm. that note is going to cost you about $50. i personally would never walk out of a health care setting without notice. i never burn a bridge.

i'd get the note, give my two weeks and keep looking. having spent many years interviewing, i would never hire someone that is a non rehire in another facility. no notice will put you on non rehire status for sure. you never know what the future will bring.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

If you can't see a way out, don't want to stay in the job, and can afford it, quit. Just say to any other manager/s hiring you that you had a sick family member to care for - the truth. I don't tell people why I quit suddenly, it is none of their business, unless they ask, then I say it is personal.

I quit a horrid job b4 my exams, and I was SOOOOO glad I didn't have to go back! EXAMS COME FIRST. You have no loyalty to this place and they have none to you (no business now supports it's employees). I would just say I'm leaving to look after this sick person, it's been great, catch you later.

Don't get stressed out b4 exams, it will affect your performance and then you will be worrying about future work. Focus on one thing at a time.

They do not have any loyalty to you, so don't feel guilty. All employers are the same - they will not support you when you need it. You have to think of YOU now and your future, not theirs.

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If you can't see a way out, don't want to stay in the job, and can afford it, quit. Just say to any other manager/s hiring you that you had a sick family member to care for - the truth. I don't tell people why I quit suddenly, it is none of their business, unless they ask, then I say it is personal.

I quit a horrid job b4 my exams, and I was SOOOOO glad I didn't have to go back! EXAMS COME FIRST. You have no loyalty to this place and they have none to you (no business now supports it's employees). I would just say I'm leaving to look after this sick person, it's been great, catch you later.

Don't get stressed out b4 exams, it will affect your performance and then you will be worrying about future work. Focus on one thing at a time.

They do not have any loyalty to you, so don't feel guilty. All employers are the same - they will not support you when you need it. You have to think of YOU now and your future, not theirs.

No, all employers are NOT the same.

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Specializes in L&D.

I wouldn't quit, the job market is hard enough for a new grad.

Would you really be fired for not having a doctors note?

Remember the nursing community is very small. You wouldn't want to leave on a sour note only to have someone at your current facility be in the new one.

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I have never been able to get a note once I've recovered. I would not burn your bridge with this employer at all. How many people wish they had an edge at an acute care hospital and you are leaving?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

i'd get the note, give my two weeks and keep looking. having spent many years interviewing, i would never hire someone that is a non rehire in another facility. no notice will put you on non rehire status for sure. you never know what the future will bring.

interesting... not to knock your opinion in any way, but i am curious as to what you [or anyone else that interviews] think about people who do not choose to allow you to contact a previous employer? that option is usually allowed on applications.

do you [or anyone else that interviews] assume it is because he/she is a non-rehire due to lack of notice or because he/she was terminated? i know of a non-rehire that chose that option. however, i also know of countless others who chose that option for entirely different reasons.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

What about this scenerio..you give notice, work it, everything is good, they say you are rehirable but then later on you find they are not saying NO but are not saying yes..which in essence means no!! No way to prove it but my friend got a tip this was happening to her!

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