Want to resign outright. What happens?

Nurses Professionalism

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I am in a horrible position in a facility which I want to run not walk from, ASAP. I don't care about the money anymore ...I WILL lose my license in this place if I stay. (Luckily my spouse earns enough that I can quit for a few months if need be -- wont be fun, but I can do it). I don't appreciate the co-workers, the managers the docs, ANYTHING about it and I want to go. In fact, I want to turn in my resignation this week. However, I've always, always been a conscientious person and never wanted to leave anyone in a lurch and I don't want to mess up a good employment record either.

What repercussions could I face if I resigned immediately from this part time position?

In my area, jobs are not as plenitiful as they once were, but there ARE nursing jobs around. I have my application into a few and am getting bites. I just can't seem to get anything w/ the schedule I want.

If I didn't find work until next summer I really wouldn't mind. I'm in grad school and also working a lot w/ my son at home who has special needs.

Anyway advice appreciated, as always. A colleague of mine left this place and found a job 2 weeks later. She just didn't even bother to list it as she'd only been there 4 months or less. I've only been there for 3 months. My 3 month eval was good.

Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I was in the same position at the beginning of the year. There was another intern with me, and she felt the same. She hated it so much she sent a "I quit email", and didn't show up to her shift. The manager was sooooo mad. She told me she would never work at a hospital in our area again. Now I don't know if she can actually do that, but I didn't want to find out.

I went to her, and told her that "It just wasn't a good fit,and I wasn't happy". And that I thought I got into the wrong area of nursing. I thanked her for all of her support and help (NOT, she was evil), and we agreed I would give my official two weeks notice the following Monday (this was a Friday).

I turned in a very professional, humble resignation letter, and in return I got to work out my two weeks, and left with a nice letter of recommendation.

You can get out, but do it the right way.

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Come on now, we are talking about 2 weeks to protect your career future.

Can you invest that much?

I worked a job I detested in nursing, so I have some idea about the stress involved, but be careful.

You might hear stories about people who suddenly quit and instantly found another job. Ask how long ago that happened. Was it in 2007 when the papers were posting full page ads recruiting nurses? Or was is more recent?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

How long have you been there? If only a few months, that alone is going to look bad on a resume.. If you get a "no" on rehire eligibility as well.. it's a double whammy. How long did you stay at previous jobs?

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Really appreciate all the responses here. While I do understand that it's important to remain professional, this place I'm at is like a psycho ward. It's a new rehab hospital that has only been open for 6 months. So far they've fired one nurse who I've worked with for years and who was an outstanding RN in every respect for what just seemed petty reasons more than anything. They also just fired the Chief Nursing Officer and none of us can figure out why. Both of these employees were asked to resign w/ no notice ....why should we as employees, then be concerned about giving this organization our notice?

Over the weekend we had a stream of new admissions, yet the MD would not come in to write admitting orders in person for some 8 hours. Our computer system also went down, so here we all were, w/ no orders, no MARS for 2-3 hours while doing a.m. meds. We ran out of flushes halfway through, so I had to make many of my own w/ needles, etc. It was INSANE. I just feel there is no guidance now from any of the remaining mgrs, everyone seems to be too busy to talk, or, "well, your'e an experienced nurse now, you should be able to train for 3 days and just DO this ...techs are horrid, lack of staff, lack of help. This hospital is accepting more acute demented falls risk patients by the day even though it's supposed to be rehab only. Falls are in the uprise in this place because no one is watching . ...I'm just over it. I'm only part time and NEVER, EVER want to work for this establishment again . ..ever. I also do not feel I will ever run into any of the management again.

I feel at this point, that in any upcoming interview I'd be glad to explain why I left suddenly. If doctors aren't available to be there to admit patients, if we can't even stock basic supplies, if we're grossly overworked and understaffed ....why shouldn't I leave?

I'm in grad school and doing very well. I want to be an NP someday, but I need to retain my RN license. I'm a good nurse, but still need guidance as I've only been an RN for 3 years. I just can't deal with no guidance, no help, nothing ... I feel at risk the moment I walk in. In this situation, I feel that walking out IS the lesser evil.

I was at my former job for 3 years. Although it was bad, also -- I never felt abandoned by MD's, or had to search for supplies. I almost always had what I needed to do my job.

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Well, I happen to be of the belief that preserving your license is the more important concern. So, if you truly feel that your license is in jeopardy I would quit.

I think it is a fine line when interviewing for a new position though-- you cannot really speak poorly of past employers, but you do have to explain your actions. It will be good to have some coworkers as references that can vouch for you.

Just a note though-- wherever you work you are going to have patients that seem like they should be in the psych ward. Maybe some truly should be, but often it is hospitalization induced delirium. There are few places that you work where you are not going to have some and maybe many such patients.

Good luck!

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I would never risk my license and if you seriously feel your license is at risk then leave immediately. I would make an appointment with your manager and let them know that you will be leaving effective immediately and that you are sorry. They will be livid but it's a much better option than an email.

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Well, you could always give 2 weeks notice... and then "get sick" for the next 14 days (Well, mental distress does count ;) )

DeLana

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

No matter how much you hate your job, never burn bridges by leaving abruptly. At least give 2-3 weeks notice, that way as long as you were a good employee this facility will give you a positive recommedation for a future position.

Good luck!

Happy

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Surgical, LTAC.
Really appreciate all the responses here. While I do understand that it's important to remain professional, this place I'm at is like a psycho ward. It's a new rehab hospital that has only been open for 6 months. So far they've fired one nurse who I've worked with for years and who was an outstanding RN in every respect for what just seemed petty reasons more than anything. They also just fired the Chief Nursing Officer and none of us can figure out why. Both of these employees were asked to resign w/ no notice ....why should we as employees, then be concerned about giving this organization our notice?

Over the weekend we had a stream of new admissions, yet the MD would not come in to write admitting orders in person for some 8 hours. Our computer system also went down, so here we all were, w/ no orders, no MARS for 2-3 hours while doing a.m. meds. We ran out of flushes halfway through, so I had to make many of my own w/ needles, etc. It was INSANE. I just feel there is no guidance now from any of the remaining mgrs, everyone seems to be too busy to talk, or, "well, your'e an experienced nurse now, you should be able to train for 3 days and just DO this ...techs are horrid, lack of staff, lack of help. This hospital is accepting more acute demented falls risk patients by the day even though it's supposed to be rehab only. Falls are in the uprise in this place because no one is watching . ...I'm just over it. I'm only part time and NEVER, EVER want to work for this establishment again . ..ever. I also do not feel I will ever run into any of the management again.

I feel at this point, that in any upcoming interview I'd be glad to explain why I left suddenly. If doctors aren't available to be there to admit patients, if we can't even stock basic supplies, if we're grossly overworked and understaffed ....why shouldn't I leave?

I'm in grad school and doing very well. I want to be an NP someday, but I need to retain my RN license. I'm a good nurse, but still need guidance as I've only been an RN for 3 years. I just can't deal with no guidance, no help, nothing ... I feel at risk the moment I walk in. In this situation, I feel that walking out IS the lesser evil.

I was at my former job for 3 years. Although it was bad, also -- I never felt abandoned by MD's, or had to search for supplies. I almost always had what I needed to do my job.

sounds like you already have your mind made up.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

Stick out the two weeks out and if you seriously think that patient care is at risk because of poor management perhaps a call to the appropriate authorities is in order.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
sounds like you already have your mind made up.

I was thinking the same thing.

OP, you've made your choice. If you don't want to continue working there, and are not worried about the consequences, then quit.

Your license is more important than anything..

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Specializes in critical care.

It is not worth it. Do not leave without notice. You will get through it knowing you have a way out. You will be glad later.

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