I need a good excuse to quit LTC job

Specialties Geriatric

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I have decided to leave my LTC. I really feel like the working conditions there are putting my lic. at risk. The only thing is I have limited nursing experience, and I want them as a reference. I guess what I'm asking is, what is the best excuse for quiting a job on short notice without offending the DON. The other nursing staff will understand, everyone talks about leaving all the time. Any suggestions are welcomed. I have never quit a job before just because it is so terrible there. Thanks!!!!

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As long as you are giving the preferred professional notice of one month, leaving for new a experience to futher enhance your training and skills is a perfect answer. Best wishes in your continuing career!

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As long as you are giving the preferred professional notice of one month, leaving for new a experience to futher enhance your training and skills is a perfect answer. Best wishes in your continuing career!

What is the shortest amount of notice you can give that is acceptable? the ltc facility is currently at full staff.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

why do you feel that you need to give an excuse for leaving to your don?

i have found that the best way to leave is a tastefully worded resignation letter, stating that you are resingning your position as of xyz date, that you expect your last day of work to be abc (according to the schedule), and thanking them for the opportunity to work in their facility, mentioning how much you have learned and what a valuable experience it was (even if all you learned was what to watch out for in a future employer!) the fewer the details, the better.

i guess if your don asks why you are leaving, you might want to have a vague story lined up, but i doubt he/she will ask. i bet she knows. the key to getting a good reference is to work out your two week notice (or whatever you facility requires) with the same work ethic you would have if you wern't leaving (that is, show up on time, do your job, etc)

do you have anything lined up? good luck with the job change!

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I have pretty much stayed at home with my child since I got my lic. The place that I am working at is just terrible. Any place will be an improvement. I'm thinking about a doctors office position I saw advertised. One more question, if I do not give 2 weeks notice will anyone else hire me? How bad is it not to give 2 weeks notice. About 3 nurses have quit this place since I've been there. No one worked their notice, although they already had jobs lined up. Has anyone else not given 2 weeks notice? I am dreading going back there so much!!!!! :crying2:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

hmmm.....not giving your notice can be a little risky, especially if you need the reference. if they need any excuse to call you a "do not rehire" or whatever else they call their "black ball list," that would be it.

i would say that unless you seriously feel you are risking your license by working there, and are prepared to back up these claims in an interview, that you need to suck it up and work your notice. easier said than done, agreed, but potentially very important.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Sorry to hear that but you should find out what the time frame is and put your notice ASAP, and turn your letter in for "personal reasons" if you don't want to disclose the actual reason. Best wishes to you. :)

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I would definately give at least a 2wk notice. Many LTC facilities are corporate owned, and they would know about you quitting with no notice if you tried to work at one of their other facilities, be it a LTC facility, a hospital, etc. Also, people you work with now, you will most likely run into again sometime in your career at other facilities, and if they seen you applying, or heard that you were trying to get a job somewhere, they might mention to them about you just up and quitting. Definately give a notice!!

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

Like the other posters, I think you should think more than twice about giving less than 2 weeks notice. Although it would not be legal for your former employer to disclose the reason you left, they could certainly list you as not eligible for re-hire (as someone else mentioned). Not being eligible for re-hire will be a BIG red flag against you. Even if you explained it to a potential employer, they may not want to risk hiring someone with a "history" of basically walking off the job.

AT LEAST 2 weeks.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Even better why not get the other job first. Then give your notice and state as one of the reasons for leaving is that you have accepted another postion. As far as how long common is 2 weeks, in a management postion a month maybe longer. Whats best is to go with the common length of time in the area, also being negotiable in the length of time doesnt hurt ones getting a good reference from the facility.

Rj

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why do you feel that you need to give an excuse for leaving to your don?

i have found that the best way to leave is a tastefully worded resignation letter, stating that you are resingning your position as of xyz date, that you expect your last day of work to be abc (according to the schedule), and thanking them for the opportunity to work in their facility, mentioning how much you have learned and what a valuable experience it was (even if all you learned was what to watch out for in a future employer!) the fewer the details, the better.

i guess if your don asks why you are leaving, you might want to have a vague story lined up, but i doubt he/she will ask. i bet she knows. the key to getting a good reference is to work out your two week notice (or whatever you facility requires) with the same work ethic you would have if you wern't leaving (that is, show up on time, do your job, etc)

do you have anything lined up? good luck with the job change!

i have a follow up question to this.... what about sick time? this is my last week of my four week notice. i have three sick days left that i'm affraid i'll loose if i don't take them. and besides, i'm starting the new job immediately after this weekend, so i'd really rather rest this weekend to not show up at my new job exhausted on monday... if i call in sick the last three days, will it likely effect what reference they'll give me in the future? do you think that that would possibly put me on their "do not rehire" list?

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What is the shortest amount of notice you can give that is acceptable? the ltc facility is currently at full staff.

Did the facility not give you an employment contract when they hired you? Terms of notice are usually set out in the contract.

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