Etiquette for resigning

[leepac90]

I am currently looking to resign from my current PA position in a small private orthopedic practice. I have never really quit a job before so I’m somewhat nervous and unsure of what is appropriate. I do not have anything in my contract regarding a timeframe. Is 6 weeks enough notice to give my current employer? 

[rev ronin]

If there's nothing in writing, then 0 weeks is plenty of notice; if they wanted more, they could have written more into the contract.

So, here's how I would approach it:

1) Answer the key questions to yourself beforehand:
- Are you open to changing your mind if they offered you a raise?
- Are you telling them where you're going?
- Are you Ok having a candid conversation about a difficult topic with your boss?
- Are you afraid you might say something you will regret later, including "sure, since you asked, I'll stay"?

2) Write a resignation letter. Focus on the WHAT (I resign) and WHEN (effective [date]), and DO NOT touch the WHY. Be gracious and positive, even if it borders on lying.  Saying "I learned a lot working with this practice" is technically true even if all you learned is what sort of boss you don't want to ever have again.

3) Deliver it appropriately.  This is going to depend on your comfort with confrontation. If you're going to hand it to your boss, be prepared for a conversation which may range from cordial to tearful (you or them) to angry. Keep it short and sweet: "I wanted to give you this. I look forward to helping plan a transition as my last day here will be [date]"

4) Negotiate if you want to, but you don't have to. Some will try to keep you; others will not. Don't take it badly either way--these things just end sometimes.

5) Remember, you are not indispensable. There are a lot of PAs and NPs who would love to have your job, if only as a stepping stone to the career move you're making next.

Best wishes!

[Ty2PA]

Just to add a little color to Rev's excellent comments/steps... a lot of the effort spelled out above is in the "don't burn bridges" category, which is spot on. You never know when you might run into these people again. Or, some future employers will require you inform them where you've been (you can't always leave a blank space in your CV) and will do a mandatory reference check, and much of what your potential new employer will hear depends on how you approach your resignation, regardless of how amazing you were during your tenure. Thought 2: Even without a contract in place, your current employer may have a policy of 30 day min notice in the EE handbook, and if you violate that then you're "not rehireable", which could be the ONLY thing they tell a new potential employer, leaving your new employer wondering why you're not rehireable (if you diverted drugs, flew off the handle at a patient, or other bad scenarios). If things have been tough, take the high road anyway and see if you can get a good referral out of it, or at least NOT a bad one. Personally, I would bring this up in the exit planning when talking with your supervisor, that you want to make sure you exit in a professional manner that makes it easy for her/him to provide a good reference in the future.  

[leepac90]

Thanks for your response! I am moving out of state to the where / why / negotiations are less of a concern. I have plenty I would change about the job but overall they have been good to me and I want to make sure I am leaving on good terms

[SedRate]

Agree with the above. I will say that your notice period might also depend on how long you have been with the practice. Less than a year, maybe 30 days. A few years, consider 6 weeks. I've given anywhere between 5 weeks to 3 months. 

[ventana]

bare minimum is the # of weeks vacation you get

if they have been good to you try to be good back - ie 1-2 months notice

this is the time to work harder, be professional, and leave on the very best note possible.  This is the very definition of a professional.   It comes back to you as well.   I have always had stellar recommendations from every job I left (minus the one in corrections where my SP was crazy and refused to talk to me and the jail, well the the jail admin had no idea about medicine but they slept in a Super 8 motel last night so they were honorary physicians in their tiny little craniums :-))

[sas5814]

Let me add you don't need to write a novella. People tend to want to write long flowery letters. Its a resignation. I am resigning and my last day wil be...... I appreciate all the opportunities I have had and the people I worked with. Done.

If they want details they can certainly ask or schedule an exit brief.

[jmj11]

 

[GetMeOuttaThisMess]

Two months notice has been my policy because I was in a professional position, and in the early years the wheels of the Texas Medical Board did not turn swiftly.  Back in the 80’s you couldn’t even touch a patient without the written authorization of the TMB allowing you to be supervised by your SP.  This was pre-licensure/pre-internet days.  Glad that I’m no longer in this boat but instead made it safely to shore and am now watching sunsets.

Edited April 13, 2022 by GetMeOuttaThisMess

[UGoLong]

It's a professional job so the usual 2 weeks really doesn't cut it. It will take your old employer some time to replace you. I suggest 4-6 weeks as a minimum. 

Leave them missing you. You may need them again to write a letter of recommendation somewhere downstream.