Nurse Resignation Letters: Examples and Tips

Quitting your job as a nurse is a big decision, and it’s important to do it with professionalism and courtesy whenever possible. One of the best ways to do this is by writing a resignation letter.

In this article, we’ll go over what a resignation letter is and give you examples of nurse resignation letters to use as a reference. We’ll also give you instructions and tips on how to write a stellar resignation letter.

Key Takeaways

• A letter of resignation is a professional way of communicating your plans for departure from the company.

• Your letter should contain a statement of resignation and your last day of work.

• Don’t be rude, provide excessive details about why you’re departing, or try to negotiate in your nurse resignation letter.

What Is a Resignation Letter?

A letter of resignation is a professional and direct way of communicating your plans for departure from the company.

Delivered through either traditional handwritten format or email, a resignation letter puts you and your employer on the same page regarding the details of your leaving your position. It’s short documentation to state your intentions.

It’s important to send a resignation letter to your supervisor, even if you’ve had a discussion in person. The letter serves as a record for the specifics of your employment, which may be useful down the line when applying to new healthcare facilities.

Nurse Resignation Letter Examples

What to Include In Your Resignation Letter

There are a few key points to include when writing a letter of resignation and some things you should avoid. Consider the following lists for the do’s and don’ts of writing a letter of resignation.

Do Include

1. A straightforward statement of resignation. While it may be tempting to dance around the fact that you’re quitting in a letter of resignation, you should get right to the point. Be sure to include a direct statement of your intentions, preferably in the very first sentence. Being ambiguous about your resignation will only confuse your employer and make the process more frustrating.

2. The date of your last day. In addition to the knowledge that you’ll be leaving the company, your employer will need to know the exact date of your last day. Be specific, and if your situation allows, provide the standard two weeks of notice before your last day of work.

   Being clear on when your last day gives your employer the time and information they need to make decisions about how to prepare for the transition.

3. Adequate notice. Finding and sufficiently training a replacement to fulfill your nursing role is no small task. Your former employer will need all the time they can get to handle the transition process. A two-week notice is standard professional timing, but if you can give them more time to prepare, do that.

4. Gratitude (optional). Quitting their position as a nurse for many people is often a result of dissatisfaction with the work environment. However, these are not things you should express in a letter of resignation. A resignation letter isn’t where you file complaints and make requests; it’s about informing your employer of your departure.

   Alternatively, you can include some form of saying thanks for your time working at the company. This isn’t required, but it can be a nice touch to let your former employer know that you appreciated your time there.

5. An offer to train your replacement if possible (optional). Many nurses are very busy and may not have the time to juggle training a new recruit with getting ready to start a new position. However, if you can fit helping out with the transition process into the last weeks of your schedule, it can be a nice offer.

   The hiring and training process is a long and difficult one. It can be beneficial to have your insight into what experience the right candidate for the job should have and advice for the specific role.

Don’t Include

1. Rudeness. You may have had many issues at your former job, but hashing them out with an attitude in a letter of resignation won’t do you any good. Gracefully exiting your job says a lot about your character.

   Keep a professionally written demeanor and avoid an aggravated tone, even if you’ve been presented with aggravating circumstances.

2. Excessive details about your departure. You’re probably thrilled about your promising new job opportunity or relieved to finally be done working for your former job, but you don’t need to include these details in your letter of resignation.

   The purpose of a letter of resignation is to inform an employer of the aspects that will affect them, such as your official last day. Save the specifics of why you’re leaving for family and friends.

3. Negotiating. A letter of resignation should only be sent out once the employee is positive about their choice to leave the company. It shouldn’t be used as a ploy of negotiation to improve benefits or salary. Negotiating and resigning are two very different things.

How to Write a Letter of Resignation

You’re secure in your decision to leave your nursing position, understand the purpose of a resignation letter, and are interested in learning more about how to proceed with writing one. If this sounds like you, refer to the following steps for drafting a resignation letter.

1. Decide on delivery method and formatting. In the professional world, written communication is either done through handwritten letters or virtual email. The first step to writing a letter of resignation is deciding which of these delivery methods makes the most sense in your situation.

   Writing a handwritten resignation letter will appear as more formal and professional but also can come across as outdated. Email can be a good way of sending a letter of resignation because it allows for easy filling. Whichever method you decide on will have its own formatting rules that should be researched ahead of time.

   Take time to think about what medium of resignation notice will work best for you.

2. Use a professional header. Despite which delivery method you choose, both will require a professional header that includes the date and the information for the person you’re reaching out to.

   Even if you know your supervisor well, it’s best to use their last name and a formal salutation when writing something like a resignation letter since it can become a reference document later in your career.

3. State resignation immediately. You’ve likely discussed your departure with a supervisor before sending a formal resignation letter, meaning that’s there’s no need to dance around the subject.

   State your intentions of resignation within the first sentence of your letter. This statement should be professional and descriptive in that it includes your title and the name of your company.

4. State your last day of work. Perhaps the most crucial piece of information to include in your letter of resignation is the date of your last day of work. After making an official statement of resignation, include this date blatantly.

5. Make an offering (optional). Transitioning out of your role can be hard on your employer. One way to combat this and leave them remembering you as a reliable professional is by making them an offering.

   This can be anything from expressing your gratitude for hiring you in the first place, contributing your services in training your replacement, or giving more explanation on your reason for leaving.

   This section of the resignation letter is optional, and if it feels like you’re lying or overextending yourself by including it, just skip it.

6. Professional letter closing. There isn’t much information to include in a resignation letter beyond your departure’s specifics and any potential offerings you have. To end your letter, write a traditional closure such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards” and sign and print your name below it.

7. Your contact information. Including your contact information is an integral part of finalizing your resignation letter.

   A letter of resignation could very possibly be one of the last communications you have with your former employer. Including your contact information will make it a lot easier for them if they ever need to find you in the future.

Tips for Writing a Nurse Resignation Letter

1. Be brief. Your resignation letter should only be one page long, so get to the point quickly and leave out any unnecessary fluff.

2. Use professional formatting. Stick to classic 10- to 12-point fonts like Times New Roman or Calibri, use one-inch margins, and use single spacing to make your resignation letter look as professional as possible.

3. Make your email subject line informative. If you’re sending your resignation letter in an email, don’t try to hide what the email is about. Make it easy for the recipient to search for and find your message by using a subject like, “Andy Griffin Resignation Letter.”

4. Proofread. This letter is going into your permanent record, so take a minute and check it over for clarity, grammatical errors, and typos.

Author

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.