How to resign

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

Make sure that you know and understand the terms of resignation at your hospital. Most hospitals require a 2 week notice, but I also know of some that require a 30 day notice.

Write a formal letter of resignation, stating that you enjoyed the time you spent on the unit and that you have been offered an exciting career opportunity in another specialty. Keep it brief, to the point, and don't forget to show appreciation for the experience you had on your current unit.

Congrats to you!

Biffbradford · Jan 6, 2011

Write a short letter, to the point. "Thanks for the opportunity, I've learned alot, worked with a great team, however it's time for me to move on." Give 'em three weeks and drop it in the manager's box.

Well, that's the way I did it anyway, FWIW.

skittlebear · Jan 6, 2011

I know it's hard to resign from any job, no matter how long you've been working there. I know from personal experience. I had been working at the same company for many years and decided to leave. I wrote my letter of resignation and hand delivered it to the DON. I think it's much more professional if it's hand delivered. As another poster suggested, I would make it short and sweet. Don't give out too many details. Also, you should give at least a 2 week notice unless your company policy states otherwise. I would definitely write down your last day in your resignation. Usually it is 2 weeks. Good luck and congrats with your new job opportunity.

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

brief to the point and professional, if you have genuine praise for the team and your supervisors a brief mention of this in your resignation letter is fine.

If there's (legitimate) dirt to dish do that under separate cover to the senior HR manager for your directorate / service groups or to the facility / organisation executive director of Nursing.

noelia23RN · Jan 6, 2011

I agree with everybody else short and sweet and to the point, just give them 2 to weeks notice.

dixiebelleRN · Jan 6, 2011

To my nurse manager or who though? To whom do I give the letter

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

OP, to be on the safe side, give a copy to your nurse manager FIRST since you have no beef with the unit and are leaving under good terms (you don't want HR to alert her before you do...it will leave a bad taste in her mouth). Then drop off a copy to HR and tell them that you gave a letter to your NM as well. This way you have your bases covered, and there is no gap in communication between HR and your NM because you have given them both the same info. I have seen NMs get so busy that they had forgotten to alert HR, and confusion resulted.

Ask your NM at the beginning of the day if she has a few minutes sometime during the day that you can sit down and talk to her. I know you will dread having to tell her, but she will be grateful that you didn't just hand her your letter in the hallway or something. It shows respect on your part that you want to talk to her one on one. She will likely be very supportive of your decision.

rn4ever? · Jan 6, 2011

I would ask to talk to her in private then afterwards e-mail her my letter-----so that I do have an evidence that I sent her a letter and gave her ample time.

j621d · Jan 6, 2011

Remember to be classy about it - easy since you are leaving on good terms. Address the letter of resignation to your NM and hand deliver. Keep it simple and upbeat. "I regret to inform you...." may be a bit stiff and formal. I would say something like "It is with much sadness....." or some other type wording. Mention how you have enjoyed being there, how much you've learned, etc.

Leaving for a better opportunity is a valid reason. If you keep it up beat you shouldn't worry about "burning bridges."

dixiebelleRN · Jan 11, 2011

What should I say to her then? just say, a better opportunity has presented itself to me and I could not turn it down? or what? The new place offered me a small tuition forgiveness, and that was the BIG selling point.