According to a report conducted by Epic Research, more nurses are leaving jobs or changing roles more frequently. And the median length of time a nurse stays in a role is 2.78 years.
As you move from one role to the next, a nurse resignation letter can help ensure a smooth transition.
A nursing resignation letter acts as formal notice to your employer that you’re leaving your current position. It reflects professionalism and courtesy and helps avoid burning bridges with your employer or colleagues.
Changing jobs can be both exciting and intimidating. While writing a nurse resignation letter can seem like a chore or a box to check off your to-do list, considering the details and knowing the do’s and don’ts can make all the difference as you move forward in your career.
Is a nurse resignation letter always required?
Not everyone agrees on whether resignation letters are necessary when employees, including nurses, decide to resign from their position.
Typically, a face-to-face meeting, whether in person or by video call, along with two weeks’ notice, is an ideal first step. But there are times when a resignation letter is a strategic follow-up, according to a Harvard Business Review (HBR) article.
According to HBR, here’s why a formal resignation letter is still worth your time:
- It creates a paper (or email) trail for your records.
- It might be considered customary in the profession or within an organization.
- Written letters can help you better manage an otherwise awkward conversation.
- Written resignations can help you control the narrative about why you’re leaving.
John Woolsey, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at Keiser University, said employers often expect that employees will provide a resignation letter, or written notification, at least two weeks before they plan to leave an organization. The letter isn’t the end-all of a resignation; rather, it’s part of an employee’s exiting process, according to Woolsey.
Before you write: Double-check the details
Anything less than two weeks might land you or another employee in hot water, sometimes impacting benefits if you don’t provide ample notice.
Morgan Curry, BSN, RN, CANS, who has over 10 years of nursing experience, said you should make sure you aren’t in a non-compete agreement before drafting the resignation letter.
If you’re in a non-compete, you should clearly note in the resignation letter that your last day of work aligns with your contract and isn’t violating your non-compete, according to Curry.
Woolsey recommended checking the company handbook to see what the requirement is for giving notice.
Nurse resignation letter do’s and don’ts
“Keep it short and sweet,” said Curry.
The best resignation letters are brief, professional, and avoid blame or negative comments. As Amy Gallo outlines in her HBR article, there are several best practices for writing a resignation letter that maintain professionalism.
Do:
- Clearly state that you’re resigning and include your last working day.
- Mention (if desired) your next step — but keep it general.
- Keep your tone professional and polite.
- Express genuine gratitude, where appropriate.
- Offer to help with the transition.
You can mention your motivation for leaving, but here is where things can get sticky. Stating one’s reason for leaving could burn bridges, according to Curry. Maintaining professionalism will help keep you on the right track.
“If you don’t have a next opportunity lined up, it’s fine to keep that vague — ‘I’m leaving to explore the next chapter of my career’ or something similar will suffice,” wrote Amy Gallo. However, it can be helpful to frame your motivation to move on positively, said Woolsey. For example, you could refer to career growth as being the ‘why’ for taking another role.
You might also mention what you enjoyed or valued while working for the organization, or reference accomplishments you’re proud of. If you can highlight experiences that reflect well on your supervisors or team, that’s an added bonus.
While it’s important to be clear and honest, there are a few things you should avoid in your resignation letter to keep things professional and protect your future opportunities:
Don’t:
- Use the letter to air grievances or call out people or policies.
- Include detailed complaints — save that for an exit interview or survey.
- Send the letter by text message or through informal channels.
- Forget to include key information like your resignation date.
Woolsey emphasized that texting isn’t an acceptable way to resign. “Texting isn’t the normal communication of resignation,” he said, adding that it’s often interpreted as giving zero notice, which can damage your future opportunities.
What goes around comes around
Writing a professional, positive, timely nurse resignation letter can help you preserve relationships with colleagues and organizations.
In an age of healthcare system and hospital mergers and acquisitions, you never know when you’ll run into former employers, including supervisors and human resources (HR) staff, again. Or you might need those very people to help you tie up loose ends when you resign.
Even if yours is just a formal resignation letter to HR — not your supervisor — it’s a good idea to add in a thank you to keep the email from appearing adversarial, according to a HuffPost.com article.
“You never want to make an enemy of HR, even if your direct supervisor is terrible,” Phoebe Gavin, a career coach, told HuffPost.com. “There are a lot of things from an offboarding perspective that you are going to really need HR for, and you may need to circle back with them afterward because you have questions.”
Nurse resignation letter sample
Final thoughts
Writing a nurse resignation letter may feel like a small task, but it can have a lasting impact on your professional relationships and future opportunities. By approaching it with care, clarity, and professionalism, you show respect for your current employer while setting the stage for a smooth transition to your next chapter.
