How to resign from RN position

Published

I'm getting a bit burned out at my current RN position in an office setting and am ready to move on. This is my first RN job, and I've been working there a little over a year. I am one of two nurses that work there and we are in the process of trying find another nurse to hire (it is a lot easier when we have 3 nurses on staff, but totally doable with 2). My trouble is:

1) I've only ever held seasonal jobs in the past so am very uncomfortable with the process of quitting a job (never had to do it before). So any tips would be very helpful

2) how important is it to line up another job before quitting this one? I have enough saved to be unemployed for a few months if needed.

3) how long of notice should I give my office? I definitely want to wait until we hire another nurse, but how long should I wait and help train her?

Any advice on the best way to put in my resignation would be super helpful. It makes me so nervous and I don't want to let my office down.

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

Unless you are management you are only required to give 2 weeks notice. I would verbally tell my manager my plans then Give them a formal letter with the date of my last day. Tell them thank you and how much you appreciated the the time they let you work their. I would also wait until you have another position promised to you because you don't know how bad the job market is out there.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical.

Always have a new job first, finding a new job can take weeks or months depending on what you want to do. Then when they offer the job, let them know that you must give two week notice to your current job, this is expected and if you didn't they would think you were not dependable anyways, make sure you know your start date at your new job, if its longer then two weeks, you may want to wait a week to give one at current job. Then give your written two week notice to your current job stating a day exactly two weeks from the date you give them the letter, even if they have you scheduled further, then work those two weeks, then your FREE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

1. If possible, find and secure the next job first before resigning from this one. The job market is very tough and you may be out of work for a long time. In addition, it's easier to get hired if you are currently in a position than it is to get hired after several months of unemployment (because they'll wonder why you've been so unemployed for long...)

2. Contact HR to find out how much notice you are required to give. If the length of notice is not specified, 2 weeks is standard. Keep in mind that you don't have to give notice...however also keep in mind that not giving notice can affect whether you are marked as a "Do Not Rehire" as well as affect what HR says when someone calls to verify your employment (contrary to popular belief, employers are NOT limited to just sharing your dates of employment, but can tell people anything about your time there as long as it's true).

Whether you want to give more than the required amount/2 weeks of notice is up to you. You are not obligated to.

3. Write a letter along the lines of, "This is to inform you that I will be resigning effective on xxx, 2013." It's up to you if you want to give a reason--you don't have to if you don't want to. However, I do caution you against using your resignation letter to air grievances or settle scores, as that could come back to haunt you. If you can't say anything good about your time there, then say nothing other than some generic slightly positive statement (e.g., "I learned a lot during my time there."). And regardless, thank them for the opportunity of working there.

4. Deliver the letter IN PERSON to your manager. Deliver a copy IN PERSON to HR. You'd be surprised how interoffice mail can sometimes go missing. If the person isn't there, you could leave it with their secretary/assistant, but be sure to ask her name--and that she sees you writing down her name and the date/time of your visit. That will also help ensure that the letter does get delivered.

5. Be prepared for anything. Sometimes when you drop notice they'll tell you, "we don't need you anymore, don't bother showing up anymore." Or they may run you into the ground until the last minute. Or it may be an entirely uneventful affair.

Best of luck whatever happens.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all so much for your responses. I would have never have thought to write a resignation letter. And I will take everones advice about getting another job first. I really appreciate your help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Get a hold of your facility's policy on this, and then comply with it.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am currently planning to resign from my nursing position after my final offer from my other position comes through. Does anyone know the typical policy of vacation time I haven't used? Does that all just go a way? Or does this vary from place to place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion