When to use this letter
- You're leaving a staff, charge or specialty nursing role.
- You want to give your nurse manager time to cover your shifts.
- You're moving to a new unit, facility or specialty.
Staff nurse resignation letter
For most bedside roles.
Version 1 of 3
[Your Name]
[Email] · [Phone]
[Month Day, Year]
[Nurse Manager's Name]Nurse Manager, [Unit Name], [Facility Name]
Dear [Nurse Manager's Name],
Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [Registered Nurse / Job Title] on [Unit Name] at [Facility Name]. My last scheduled shift will be [Month Day, Year].
Thank you for your support and for the chance to work with such a dedicated team. I've learned a great deal here.
I'll work all of my scheduled shifts through my last day and make sure my patients are handed off properly. If it would help with the schedule, I'm happy to talk about which shifts I can cover before I go.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Longer notice with a handoff plan
For charge, specialty or leadership roles.
Version 2 of 3
[Your Name]
[Email] · [Phone]
[Month Day, Year]
[Nurse Manager's Name]Nurse Manager, [Unit Name], [Facility Name]
Dear [Nurse Manager's Name],
I'm writing to give notice that I'm resigning from my position as [Job Title] on [Unit Name]. I'm giving notice before the next schedule is built, and my last shift will be [Month Day, Year].
Before I leave, I'd like to help orient whoever takes over my [charge / preceptor / committee] responsibilities and update [unit resources or protocols I maintain].
Thank you for your leadership and for everything I've learned at [Facility Name]. It has been a privilege to care for patients alongside this team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Short nurse resignation email
When you've already spoken with your manager.
Version 3 of 3
Subject: Resignation — [Your Name], RN, [Unit Name]
Dear [Nurse Manager's Name],
As we discussed, I'm resigning from my position as [Job Title] on [Unit Name]. My last scheduled shift will be [Month Day, Year].
I'll complete my scheduled shifts and give a full handoff on each of them. Thank you for your support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Patient care, scheduling and patient abandonment
Resigning is not the same as abandoning patients, but how you leave matters. Once you've accepted a patient assignment, walking out without a proper handoff to another qualified nurse can be treated very differently from giving notice and working your scheduled shifts.
State boards of nursing define patient abandonment differently, and employers have their own policies on notice and scheduled shifts. Before you resign — and especially if you're thinking of leaving with little or no notice — check your state board of nursing's guidance and your employer's policy, and talk to your nurse manager about covering your remaining shifts. This page isn't legal advice.
Tips
- Check your handbook for the notice your employer asks for. Many hospitals ask nurses for more than two weeks, especially in charge or leadership roles.
- Give notice before the next schedule is built if you can. It's the easiest way to keep your shifts covered.
- Name your last shift, not just a date, so scheduling knows exactly what's covered.
- Don't leave in the middle of a shift. Finish your scheduled shifts and give a full handoff each time.
- Ask HR about your license verification, references and benefits end date before your last day.
Notice and the law
In most US jobs two weeks' notice is a custom rather than a legal requirement, but a contract, union agreement, company policy or state law can set different rules — for notice, for final pay and for unused vacation. The resignation letter guide explains US notice norms, with sources.
Not legal advice. This page is general information for US employees, not legal advice. Notice rules can come from your contract, a union agreement, company policy or state law — if you're unsure, check those or ask an employment attorney.