Wants to break contract at school and afraid of abandonment

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

It sounds like you're in a tough spot, balancing wanting to leave with your concern for the kids' well-being.

Before breaking a contract, there are a few things to consider:

• Legal consequences. There may or may not be repercussions. Read your contract carefully. Look for clauses that mention penalties or special conditions under which the contract can be terminated. If there are penalties for breaking the agreement, you may be legally obligated to pay a fee or compensation. 
• Loss of final pay/benefits. Some contracts may stipulate that you forfeit certain benefits or pay if you break the contract early. For example, if you were offered a signing bonus or relocation assistance, you might be required to repay those if you don't fulfill the full contract term.
• Damage to professional reputation. Leaving a job before fulfilling your contract can be viewed as unprofessional. It may make it more challenging to find new work in the future if you are seen as unreliable.

If you decide to leave, there are some steps you can take to make it as smooth as possible and to protect your reputation as much as possible.

• Talk to your supervisor. Arrange a private meeting with your principal or direct supervisor to formally submit your resignation. Explain your reasons for leaving, honestly, but without going into unnecessary personal details.
• Anticipate concerns proactively. Acknowledge the potential disruption. Show your genuine care for the students and their health needs. Emphasize that you want to collaborate on a suitable solution regarding medication administration and other duties.
• Offer a transition plan. If possible, propose a plan to ease the transition. For example, you could train a colleague or offer to help find a replacement. Be willing to assist with any necessary handover procedures even after your last day.
• Give appropriate notice. Two weeks is the standard, but to make the transition easier for everyone involved, give as much notice as the contract requires, or more, if possible.
• Document your responsibilities. Make a detailed list of all your duties, particularly medication administration. Write it clearly so that whoever steps in will know exactly what needs to be done. Ensure all paperwork related to student medication is appropriately documented and accessible to the new staff member.
• Consider the kids' needs. If you feel you're leaving them in a difficult situation, you could consider staying until a suitable replacement is found or offering to help with the transition during the Summer if the need arises.

The School Nursing forum here at allnurses is a wonderful community, and I hope you'll check it out. I'm sure they can offer you some guidance and support.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth