Quitting without a notice

Nurses Professionalism

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I'm looking for some advice on this.

I currently have an interview coming up and if I feel like the place is the right fit for me and they offer me the job, I will take it in a heartbeat.

I haven't given my 2 week notice to my current employer yet. I'm waiting until I have something lined up before doing so. I don't think I can last another 2 weeks at my current place of employment. Staffing issues are a problem everywhere but I have been placed in unsafe situations where I am taking care of very high acuity patients that is putting my license in jeopardy. There a bunch of other reasons as well but that is the number one reason why I want to quit without notice.

So would you quit in my situation? Have you ever quit without a notice? I know they say to never burn your bridges but I highly doubt I will be working for this company ever again.

Thanks!

Specializes in ICU, PACU.

I disagree. If a workplace is unsafe, emotionally intolerable, abusive, harassing,etc. you have the right to leave without notice. We're not in Russia. Bosses have no qualms about firing people at the start of their shift, leaving everybody short. I 've seen this time and time again. It's part of business. Do what's best for you. Managers or HR are not supposed to give subjective information, only dates of employment. This is not to say it doesn't happen. Large, professional places aren't interested in digging up dirt. You can explain why you left in your interviews. It's not a law to give notice. Not everybody does. The burning bridge thing is overrated. If you're good and they're in need, they'll hire you.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I disagree. If a workplace is unsafe, emotionally intolerable, abusive, harassing,etc. you have the right to leave without notice. We're not in Russia. Bosses have no qualms about firing people at the start of their shift, leaving everybody short. I 've seen this time and time again. It's part of business. Do what's best for you. Managers or HR are not supposed to give subjective information, only dates of employment. This is not to say it doesn't happen. Large, professional places aren't interested in digging up dirt. You can explain why you left in your interviews. It's not a law to give notice. Not everybody does. The burning bridge thing is overrated. If you're good and they're in need, they'll hire you.

With jobs as difficult to find as they seem to be these days, it's not in anyone's best interest to burn bridges.

The only time I've ever seen anyone fired at the start of a shift is when they've shown up impaired. As far as subjective information -- it's out there. If you used to work at Hospital C and an applicant for a job in your unit used to work there, your manager may draw you aside and ask "Did you know "so and so?" You may not give subjective information verbally, but as mentioned upthread, body language speaks loudly.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I'm thinkin' the OP decided to do the right thing and give notice.

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From somebody who HAS quit with no notice, TWICE, DON'T do it. Believe me, I know what it's like to not even feel like I can handle another day. I wish I would have sucked up the panick attacks that crippled me into quitting with no notice. Those 2 places were part of a larger company, where I was then ineligible to be hired at dozens of other local facilities. I got very very worried. And very very broke applying to dozens if places with no call back. FINALLY, I landed a job in a facility that's part of a very well known large nation wide corporation. I HAVE to make sure this ends well when I eventually move on. I never knew how small the nursing world can be.

I went to apply somewhere before this job, and on the application it asked if I had ever worked for any of its parent companies. I looked through the list of 20 facilities and saw that one was a place I quit with no notice. Many of the others were places I was planning on applying to as well. Oops. Couldn't apply to those places. I was left with no other choices in my area except finally my current job.

Don't do it. Just don't do it. Muster all you have to get through your notice. You made it through nursing school! You can make it 2 weeks in a crappy job.

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I don't recommend quitting without notice. People have LONG memories and you never know when you may see them again. Give proper notice and then move on .

The ADON of a job I quit with no notice ended up being the DON of a job I interviewed for. Now that was an awkward interview.

Dodged a bullet at least. Couldn't STAND her.

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:eek: Wow!

Thanks for all of your replies, everybody. I'm going to go the right route and put in my 2 weeks. Once I have something else lined up, that is.

Thanks for letting us know. Glad you decided to "go legit". Good luck.

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You can do two more weeks!! It won't be fun or pretty but you can do it! Even if you need to come on here after every shift for support, don't quit without notice!

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

In a way, I wish I could tell you to pick up and leave now because I really hate how they *sometimes and some places-- put our licenses in jeopardy. I really grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr to that topic. But the right answer is the one you have gotten. Give notice. Good luck!

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...Managers or HR are not supposed to give subjective information, only dates of employment. This is not to say it doesn't happen....

Actually, this is not true. A former employer can tell a prospective employer anything, as long as it is factual.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
You can do two more weeks!! It won't be fun or pretty but you can do it! Even if you need to come on here after every shift for support, don't quit without notice!

Thanks! It's just been so hard for me, I have been so unhappy here. I kept giving it more time just to see but I can't. My anxiety is through the roof. I'm losing sleep and I have been having a lot of GI issues related to the stress, sometimes waking up very early in the morning because of it! And I think when your personal health is involved, it's time to go. My previous job was also very stressful (I was the head charge of my ER) but I had such an amazing support system and really what kept me going were my coworkers. No doubt. Sadly I can't say the same here. I feel bad for lying to my director's face a month ago when she asked how I was doing but I guess my excuse will be "things changed and I'm pursuing other opportunities."

Thanks again, everyone.

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Burning your bridges is never a good idea, but something else to consider is how your new prospective employer will feel about it. I would not hire someone who would do that to their current employer. After all, if you would do that to another employer, might do it to me. Besides, it says a good deal about your professionalism. Do the two weeks; you will not regret it in the long run.

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg.

When you quit without a notice you give your new employer notice how you are apt to handle them if the time ever comes. It's not something you want that new manager to associate with your name and face.

It's like cheating on your spouse, marrying the new person, and then you wonder if your new spouse would ever cheat on you. Well, of course they very well may! They have a demonstrated history.

You wish to project professionalism. Give notice, don't give anybody the finger, and write a thank you note to your old boss for their support, even if they don't deserve it. If you ever have to go back to your old employer, by that time management may well have changed. All the new manager is going to see in your old personnel file is your old evaluations and how you left. Let them read a nice goodbye note and let them draw the conclusions about you that you'd like to project.

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