Quitting... physician office and giving notice

[Oedgar]

Hi Everyone.

Some of you may have seen my threads on here about my difficult job situation. Some of you have been able to confirm that the environment where I work is very bad... and that I am justified in leaving. My guilt and worry over leaving my coworkers behind keeps preventing me for doing so. Every time I am ready to give notice, something comes up.... like it's time for other nurse to go on her vacation and I don't want to mess it up, docs leaving for their vacations.. etc.

So my question is, those of you who work in very small practices... how much notice did you give? I would not have given this a second thought if it was the hospital. I left my hospital job and never looked back. My previous office job was a guilt-free out.... I went into preterm labor at 32 weeks and delivered a week later.

I am still agonizing over leaving my overworked coworkers, who are just as frustrated as I am. I have to do this. My mental health is suffering; work is all I think about on weekends. I have gained weight and my BP is now pre-hypertension with the occasional spike... once was 160/100.

Would love some input. Thanks.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Do you have a super fabulous job lined up? Even if you don't, I wouldn't blame you a bit.

I would say that it's absolutely reasonable to give 2 weeks' notice, but if you want to be very generous, 4 weeks' would probably be appreciated. I would not give more than 4.

[Oedgar]

sent you a pm Klone. I am trying not to get too detailed here on a public forum... but No new job lined up. Thankfully that is not a huge problem at the moment. My main focus is getting out without dumping on my coworkers, yet with my sanity and license intact.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

You are NOT dumping your co-workers,you are saving yourself.Give two to four weeks notice,whichever works for you.Don't let anyone guilt you into staying and don't martyr yourself....Good Luck

[Oedgar]

Thank you for your input.... I actually have letter typed. Now to just hand it in...

[pfchang]

Two weeks is standard professional notice. Three to four is really nice of you BUT is not necessary. Life will go on at the practice regardless. A problem with more than two weeks notice is that they may try to keep you on longer and it sounds like you are having trouble resigning at all! If you give two weeks and they ask for a bit more AND you are agreeable, you can keep it to three or so. You must think of your health. If it's time to move on, it's time. Good luck.

[A&Ox6, MSN, RN]

I am so sorry that this is happening to you. Sending you hugs, hot cocoa, and a cozy sweater.

[Oedgar]

But I also know I need to get a backbone and get myself out of this environment.

[AspiringNurseMW]

Listen if you keep this train of thought up you are never going to leave because there is always going to be someone else that you are going to be putting first. There is never an ideal time. What if she decides to extend her maternity leave? What if she decides not to come back at all. You just have to jump

[pfchang]

AspiringNurseMW said it well. You could look at it this way--she has not gone on her leave yet so a search to replace you can begin now before she leaves.

[Ann.E]

Not sure if this situation was resolved yet or not, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter...

I was in the same situation as you. I work in a primary care clinic where there's a lot of stuff happening, and it's just too unethical and drama filled for me. I debated a lot about leaving, because my coworkers feel the same way. I interviewed for a hospital job and got an offer very fast, the whole process went a lot faster than I was expecting (it took about 2 1/2 weeks instead of a month like I thought). Any way, so I accepted the job and right around the time that I was going to tell my supervisors that I was leaving, three other people also gave their 2 weeks notice. At first I felt really guilty because I know that it means others have to pick up the slack. But then I thought about why those people were truly leaving and the main reason is because of my supervisors. That gave me the courage to give my two weeks notice. That and the fact that my boss was completely unethical in a confidential situation that I was involved with. I sat down with quite a few of my coworkers and explained my reasons for leaving and in the end they were very supportive. In the past I have thought about staying at a job because of my coworkers and whole misery loves company thing, but I know that if my coworkers were given a better work opportunity they would take it! And I would want them to be happy and even though I might be jealous that they are getting out, I would be supportive. You might feel guilty because of your coworkers, but ultimately this your career and your life. You have to make good decisions for yourself because no one else can make them for you. You can do it!

[Oedgar]

Thank you, Ann E. Luckily, due to some changing circumstances at the clinic, I will be able to gracefully exit soon. It will be a win-win. I will be outta there.... and my coworkers won't be thrown under the bus.