How to Write a Nursing Resignation Letter + Samples & Templates

If you’re making a career move, you must part ways with your current employer on a good note. Writing and submitting a nursing resignation letter with at least two weeks' notice will help you leave without burning a bridge.

Read on to learn how to write a nursing resignation letter, including tips and templates you can use to step away from your position like a pro.

Do You Need to Write a Nursing Resignation Letter?

The short answer is yes; you need to write a resignation letter any time you decide to leave a nursing position. Nurses leave jobs for career shifts, personal, pursuing further education, nurse burnout, or a combination of these reasons. 

Regardless of your reason, submitting a resignation letter is the professional standard. It allows you to maintain professional integrity and relationships with the organization you’re leaving.

You never know when you need a former manager to provide a reference. Additionally, you may want or need to return to the organization someday. But, they may not be willing to help or welcome back 'that nurse' who left without a proper goodbye.

The only exception to the resignation letter rule is if you accepted a promotion within your current organization. In that case, congrats!

What Should Your Nursing Resignation Letter Include?

Your RN resignation letter should be short and straightforward. You will provide a few key pieces of information, sign it, and turn it in.

Clear Intent

Don't beat around the bush - your first sentence after the greeting should clearly state your intention to resign from your current position. Additionally, you should provide your intended last day of work, also called the effective date of your resignation.

Gratitude

Next, add a sentence or two thanking your manager for the opportunities, experiences, and relationships you've gained. This is your chance to acknowledge this role's positive impact on your professional or personal life.

Resignation Reasons (Optional)

Briefly mention why you decided to resign if you feel it's necessary. This is not the time to list grievances about short staffing, issues with colleagues, or the myriad of dysfunction in your unit. 

Instead, keep the tone positive without providing too much detail about your frustrations. If you're too upset to maintain a professional tone, you can leave this part out of your nursing resignation letter. You'll have better, more appropriate opportunities to express your grievances.

Transition Assistance

State that you're willing to help ensure a smooth transition out of the position. This process may include training new personnel and discussing the handoff of responsibilities.

Transition assistance may be more applicable to nurses leaving management positions. However, staff nurses should also include it in their resignation letters.

Contact Information

Include your contact information in case your manager needs to reach out for follow-up.

4 Tips for Writing a Nursing Resignation Letter

Writing and submitting a resignation letter to a hospital doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. These tips will help you resign from your nursing job professionally.

1. Talk to Your Manager First

Don't just hand in the letter or send the email without having a conversation first. It may be nerve-wracking, but informing your manager that you will be leaving your nursing job is essential.

Also, avoid talking to other coworkers about your intended departure until you've had the conversation with your boss. They don't want to be the last to know in these situations!

2. Keep It Short and Simple

A few lines are all that is truly necessary in a nursing resignation letter. The letter serves two purposes - to notify management and HR of your intent to leave and to maintain a collegial professional relationship.

3. Stay Professional and Positive

Your nursing resignation letter isn't the time or place to air your grievances. While you can list your reason for leaving in the letter, focus on using a professional tone with positive language. You may also emphasize what you value about your manager and team if you're leaving a job you love.

4. Avoid Complaints

If you have significant grievances you want your manager or HR to know about, ask for an exit interview. Exit interviews are standard in some organizations but not so much in others. Your organization should also have a grievance policy and process you can follow.

Nursing Resignation Letter Templates

While you can write your nursing resignation letter from scratch, we've created some templates to help make it easier. You only need to copy, revise it for your situation, and turn that letter in. We've crafted two formats for your nursing resignation: a written letter and an email.

Nurse Resignation Letter Template:

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Healthcare Facility Name]

[Facility Address]

[City, State, ZIP]

[Today’s Date]

[Recipient's Name]

[Recipient's Title]

[Healthcare Facility Name]

[Facility Address]

[City, State, ZIP]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I am formally tendering my resignation from my position as [Your Title] at [Healthcare Organization Name], effective [Last Working Day, at least two weeks from the date of letter]. 

I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had at [Healthcare Organization Name]. I want to assure you that I am committed to helping with a seamless transition of responsibilities. I am available to help train and offer any guidance that may be needed.

I want to extend my deepest appreciation to you and the entire team for your unwavering support and friendship. The memories and relationships I formed here will remain with me throughout my career.

Please feel free to reach out to me at [Your Phone Number] or [Email Address] should you need anything or simply wish to stay in touch.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Signature]

Nurse Resignation Email Template:

Subject: Resignation - [Your Name]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I am formally resigning from my position as [Your Title] at [Healthcare Facility Name]. My last day will be [Last Working Day, usually two weeks from the date of the email].

I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had at [Healthcare Facility Name]. The support and collaboration of the entire team have been invaluable. 

I want to assure you that I am committed to assisting with a seamless transition of responsibilities. I am available to help train and offer any guidance that may be needed.

Please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Email Address] if you have further questions or simply wish to stay in touch.

Thank you once again for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Sample Resignation Letter for Nurses

We've also created sample resignation letters to show you how to customize these templates to suit your situation. You may copy, revise, and use these examples of nursing resignation letters for your own needs.

Nurse Resignation Letter Example

John Doe

1234 Anywhere Street

Seattle, Washington 98102

August 14, 2023

Sarah Tall 

Nurse manager

Maplewood Medical Center

1200 Maple Street

Seattle, Washington 98106

Dear Sarah,

I am formally resigning from my position as Senior Registered Nurse at Maplewood Medical Center. My last day will be no later than  September 1, 2023. 

I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities gained with Maplewood. The skills and knowledge I have acquired will serve me well in future career endeavors. 

Please know that I am committed to ensuring a seamless handover and will gladly assist in training my successor or providing any necessary guidance.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you and the entire team for your unwavering support during my time on the unit. The memories and relationships formed here will remain with me as I move forward in my career.

Please feel free to reach out to me at (555) 123-4567 or johndoe@email.com should you need anything or simply wish to stay in touch.

Thank you once again for everything.

Sincerely,

John Doe

[Signature]

Nurse Resignation Email Example

Subject: Resignation - John Doe

Dear Sarah,

I hope this email finds you well. I am formally resigning from my position as Senior Registered Nurse at Maplewood Medical Center. My last working day will be September 1, 2023.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had at Maplewood. The support and collaboration of the entire team have been invaluable to me.

As I transition to a new phase in my career, I want to assure you that I am committed to facilitating a seamless handover. I am available to assist in training my successor or offering any guidance you may need.

Please accept my heartfelt thanks to you and the team for the incredible journey I've had here. Feel free to contact me at (555) 123-4567 or johndoe@email.com if you need anything or wish to stay in touch.

Sincerely,

John Doe

Continuing Your Nursing Journey

There you have it - once you tell your manager, you can use one of these templates to turn in a professional resignation letter. Now, you're ready to move forward and rock your new job!

If you still need to decide whether leaving your current role is right, check out our article on 5 signs it's time to leave your nursing job.