Quitting job...best way to word letter of resignation?

[Worthy]

While working my way through Nursing school, for the past six months I've been employed at two different facilities as a Personal Support Worker (CNA in the states...same thing). The first was a long term care facility that while is not perfect, I feel supported and the care (of both employees and residents) is generally quite good.

The second job, which started out as being quite promising, has turned into a nightmare! I've posted on it before. It's a very high-end Assisted Living facility. We are paid very little, but the "perks" were promised. Two other girls that I go to school with were also hired there. We were promised tuition reimbursement. We were promised a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. None of this ever materialized.

I am responsible for 16 residents on three different floors. I run all night. Often, my break is missed. I was not paid for this time. The tuition reimbursement suddenly has come with a condition "you must promise to stay with the company for a year after graduation". This was not made clear when I filled out the paperwork (they haven't given me a penny yet). Well, since the facility doesn't hire RN's on the whole, what, I'm gonna work as a CNA for $8 an hour with my RN licence? Is this even legal? The facility promises incoming residents "one on one" care, but we cannot provide this. Add to this, there is NO registered staff on site after 5PM. The medications, including narcotics and insulin, is administered by off the street employees with 3 days training! They are nice, smart girls, but when they ask ME, a student nurse, about the specifics of a certain drug, I get nervous. And when they ask about "hhmmmm, do you think we should call the family? Or 911?" Hello?????? You're asking ME????

This facility is completely for profit, and charges residents an arm and a leg - and they are used to being waited on. We are told nothing "is not our job". I must plunge toilets, clean bathrooms, dust furniture, wash dishes. I feel like a maid at the Hilton, not a worker in healthcare.

To add insult to injury, my recent problems with a resident who was repeatedly verbally abusive to me were not addressed. Another worker (who had a mother who worked in management) had refused to deal with this resident anymore, so she was added to my list. When the constant degradation from this resident started to get to me, I brought the issue to my manager, who unfortunately had been a family friend of this particular resident for years. Guess what happened? Nothing. I was told "well, that's what we do". I was on my own. Just sit back and take it.

This was the final straw for me, and I actively started hunting for another job. Well, I've found one. I start in two weeks, I start as a PSW with a government run facility paying twice what the AL facility paid me. No dishes. No toilets. Just plain old healthcare :) 100% benefits, I am happy happy happy!!!

Now, of course, I must quit. I thought about taking my accrued vacation time and leaving them high and dry for Christmas (I was scheduled to work both Christmas and Boxing Day) but the ethical side of me won't let me do it. Darn morals :uhoh21: Oh, and they don't give out references...did I mention that? Some girls have devoted years of their lives to that place, and they won't even admit they work there. So it's not like I'll need them as a work reference in the near future.

BUT, I'm torn between leaving a "I quit. Here is my two weeks notice" letter, or a "I quit...here's my two weeks notice...and here is why" not being snotty, just factual and honest. I'm not the first person to bail because of these issues, I won't be the last, but I'm not sure it's worth my breath to point them out.

What would you do? Just quit, and leave it at that, or point out all the scary things I've seen in the past six months?

Very interested in the replies! Thank you.

[SarasotaRN2b]

I guess I would write two letters. One for myself where I can get everything out (give yourself some closure), and another for them just stating that "I am submitting my resignation effective on so and so date" and leave it at that. If they should ask why, let them know. Chances are they won't do anything anyway, but why spend so much time letting them know what they already know.

Good luck with your new job!

[TracyB,RN, RN]

For personal and professional reasons, I am respectfully submitting my resignation notice, effective on _____.

You can even add something like, Thank you for allowing me to be a part of ______ corporation. I have enjoyed caring for my clients, but must make a move to improve my professional status.

If they question you for your reasons, you can submit the list you have made prior to leaving..... go for the obvious.... patient safety seems to be a major issue & you just don't feel comfortable, being that you are a student, in addition to all the other factors you mentioned. Don't feel guilty about leaving.... sounds like they have given all of their employees the shaft.

[nypsychnurse]

I completely agree with tracyB. In my opinion, you should never burn bridges--Even if you don't think you will need a reference from this place--you never know who you'll run into down the road in your nursing career. Don't bother with all the reasons you are leaving--trust me, they don't care. Be professional about your departure--and be on your way!