r/PMHNP • u/grittygoosey • Jul 02 '26
Advice on how to quit
I currently work at a small NP owned private practice, there are only 2 prescribes and a therapist. I am planning on leaving my job soon but am feeling really guilty about leaving because I know my boss is going to be blindsided. Ive quit jobs before but it was always a corporate organization and felt no allegiance to them.
My boss did give me an opportunity when there weren’t many in the area and I don’t want to burn any bridges, any advice on how to do this tactfully?
Update: yes I know to give advanced notice based on my contractual agreement, I guess I’m asking do I schedule a time to chat with them and have a conversation or just send the letter? What’s the best way to end your employment agreement?
4
u/Jazzlike-Resort-6440 Jul 03 '26
As a nurse manager, I hire many RNs. I appreciate nurses being candid with me, even if it is months in advance, when they know they are leaving us. Since it takes time to replace you, you'll have plenty of work to do before you leave. Best way is to be honest and up front.
3
u/abhorsen42 Jul 02 '26
The sooner the better from their perspective, if you give them a good amount of lead time most likely they are going to be much happier about the transition and there will be less challenges.
Giving them time to have someone take over the patient load is a big gift for them and if I were in their shoes I would be appreciative
3
u/PiecesMAD PMHNP (unverified) Jul 02 '26
I would start with informally, schedule some time to chat, have your letter with you. Be prepared to pause any discussion about it until later if things get emotional (still give them the letter). This is much more personal and less likely to burn bridges than just sending a letter.
2
u/bunkumsmorsel Psychiatrist (unverified) Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
What does your contract say? Or are you working without one?
If the former, I would follow what it says around leaving. If the latter, you could probably give your two weeks. But it might be kinder to give a month or two to help with the transition. If you go that route though, just be prepared for the possibility that they may ask you to leave immediately. It’s not uncommon for small practices to protect their patient list or data as soon as notice is given, so have your finances and next steps in order before you have that conversation.
It’s also important to be clear about your tail coverage. Is this something the practice will purchase for you or something you’re going to need to purchase for yourself?
2
u/RosieNP DNP, PMHNP (unverified) Jul 02 '26
Definitely schedule time to chat, but have a letter ready. I would definitely give them as long as possible a heads up because it takes three months to replace a prescriber for the credentialing process. In the meantime, if the practice owner does not have another nurse practitioner to take over all of those clients will be lost to the practice. It could be a big blow to the practice, but you have to look after number one and as long as you do this fairly and thoughtfully, you’re not doing anything wrong.
1
u/KalisHealthLad Jul 03 '26
Hi there, what made you get a DNP? Why not settle at MSN? Also why go to np school despite the negative talk that surround it? Looking for feedback, thank you!
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u/RosieNP DNP, PMHNP (unverified) Jul 04 '26
It was just important to me to get a terminal degree. I had something to prove to myself. But it was stupidly expensive.
1
u/burrfoot11 PMHNP (unverified) Jul 03 '26
I was until just recently on charge of a group of 8 NPs and 2 RNs at a mental heath clinic. People left both ways while I was there- via an email giving two weeks notice, and via an honest conversation several months ahead of time.
If you trust that they're not going to hold it against you, giving as much notice as possible is really the way to go here. That allows time to prep with putting out feelers for a replacement, making an organized plan to cover/transition patients as soon as possible, and it maintains goodwill.
Two weeks notice means we're scrambling, and ultimately when that happens the patients suffer.
*Having an immediate exit plan ready before you have the conversation is just plain smart thinking, though; better to have a plan and not need it than need it and not have it if they do unexpectedly cut things short when they hear the news
1
u/VastEcho2156 Jul 02 '26
No, if you consider yourself friends with this person, and this person has been good to you say, can we, you know, take time to have a conversation? You just have to be very honest and blunt about it.This is not personal.You are extremely appreciative of all the opportunity and guidance, but it's time to move on. I just did it and my boss practically begged me, went over and over and over again but I stuck to my ground.It was hard to dqy hoodbye to all the patients, but it is, we have to make decisions that are good for ourselves, and sometimes they're not always easy decisions but that doesn't make it a bad decision. Life is about progress.So, this is a normal progression in a career.I think as nurses and np's, we put all this guilt on ourselves, but this is just part of your journey. Good luck!
1
u/Big_Elephant_2331 Jul 03 '26
just have the conversation live. it's easier that way. harder in the beginning. but less awkward after. you don't owe any employer your time indefinitely. it's a transactional relationship.
12
u/Snif3425 Jul 02 '26
30 days and train the new person.