having to tell your manager you're quitting....the good, bad, and ugly

Published

Specializes in LDRP.

Well, I am thinking about getting a new job, and just thinking about having to tell my manager that I am leaving is giving me the heebie jeebies. I've done it2 times before and it still creeps me out. Just the fear of not knowing how they will react-how do you say it? then, 30 day notice before leaving? Working out that 30 days, having everyone ask you why you're leaving, etc etc. honestly, hearing people say they'll miss you over and over again is hard!

first manager, I said " I found a new position" and she said "awww, man"

second one, I honestly dont remeber what she said.

so, when you told your boss you were quitting, how did it go? good? bad? funny? how was your last 30 days (2 weeks, whatever your notice was)? This job (if I leave) is going to be harder b/c its in home case management so I have clients of my own that I will have to say goodbye to over and over again.

anyways, whats your story?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My viewpoint is that they will fire you in a heartbeat and continue to eat their sandwich. You should leave a job when it suits you and stay in one when it suits you. Nothing more or less. It's a contract for services rendered.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

As a manager, first if they are an assets to the institution, I offer to get them an interview on a similar unit they are leaving for. If they don't want to reconsider, I wish them luck, , tell them if there is anything they need in the future not to hesitate to contact me and if they are leaving in good standing tell them the door is never closed.

Staff members that leave on their own are hopefully moving to bigger +/or better, although I'm a firm believe the grass isn't any greener than where we work, and always always wish them good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I typed it up, handed her the note, and had faxed a copy to HR just before I went into her office so that she couldn't "lose" the resignation and then say she didn't get a full 30 day notice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nice post Kayern.. I read on this site a while back that sometimes when you jump the fence because the grass is greener, you can step in a big steaming pile of the stuff that makes it that way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.
I typed it up, handed her the note, and had faxed a copy to HR just before I went into her office so that she couldn't "lose" the resignation and then say she didn't get a full 30 day notice.

yikes! did you think that she would "lose" it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

Suethestudent.............OR The grass isn't green on the other side............there are plenty of bugs eating that green stuff there too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Just be really careful and make sure you document everything. I had a very underhanded manager that wanted to keep me on her staff, and when a position within the institution opened that I was qualified for (that I did not know about but would have been a huge promotion), she told the DON that I was not interested and that she should keep looking for candidates. I was FURIOUS when I found out about this from the DON! I told my husband about this. He has been a manager for 20 years in the healthcare industry. His advice to me was to make sure that I had contacted HR regarding my wishes, and to document conversations with follow up emails that entailed what was said.

It is never easy to tell a manager that you are leaving. You have a certain feeling of loyalty to the unit and to the manager, as well as your colleagues. Be factual, brief and professional. That is really all that you can do.

Good luck to you. Put on your big girl panties! I know it will be difficult for you to tell your manager you want to leave, but you can do it. They will hopefully be supportive of your moving forward.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Funny,,,my unit manager turned in her 2wks notice on thursday around lunch time. The DON got ****** and told her not to bother coming back after that day. She was maaaad!! She said she did not want to be paying her for two weeks while she looked for another job...Oh..and she said it in front of everyone

Guess she wont get a good reference.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.
Funny,,,my unit manager turned in her 2wks notice on thursday around lunch time. The DON got ****** and told her not to bother coming back after that day. She was maaaad!! She said she did not want to be paying her for two weeks while she looked for another job...Oh..and she said it in front of everyone

Guess she wont get a good reference.

What a sad sad DON you have a shining example of a "professional". and she wonders why people hand in their notice...amazing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just say it straight in person. You can hand in your letter too at the same time. Make sure you e-mail it as well, so you have proof. Give her two weeks notice if that's the policy. Try not to burn bridges.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU, OR.

Our hospital has an "exit interview" policy, usually with the nursing services manager, the unit manager and HR, where they try to address issues leading to the staff member's resignation. If it's someone they really, really want to hang on to, they'll usually offer more money. Otherwise it's "we're really sorry to lose you" type of blah.

The NSM had a rather silly habit of tearing up resignation notes, until the staff got wise and faxed a copy to HR...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion