Leaving the Nursing Profession

Sometimes, no matter how much you love something, there’s a good reason to walk away from it. This holds true for plenty of healthcare professionals who are deciding to switch jobs or are contemplating leaving the nursing profession altogether. The good news is that there are a variety of next steps available to you. The articles in this section can show you how to take your career in another direction, including retirement.

For nurses leaving the profession, it’s never easy to walk away from a job that you put your heart into. So, if you’re not ready to stop working altogether, you can still make use of all those skills you’ve amassed. There are numerous non-traditional nursing roles to explore. But if you’re looking for something completely new, we’ve got the inside scoop on common career changes and best jobs for nurses leaving nursing.

While the percentage of nurses leaving the profession fluctuates from year to year, you can also count on workers resigning from one position in favor of another one at a different organization — sometimes within healthcare, sometimes not. When leaving the nursing profession (or any job, for that matter), there are steps to take to help you make a smooth exit.

There are many professionals who go about this process in entirely the wrong way, and it can have substantial repercussions. Your reputation is everything, so you must preserve it. We can advise you on writing a letter of resignation and quitting a job without burning bridges.

Maybe you only need to step away temporarily. If that’s the case, you can learn the right way to go about taking a leave of absence. (You may be eligible for job-protected leave under the Family Medical and Leave Act.) On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you’ve reached retirement age, we can show you how to write a letter announcing your retirement to your employer and peers.

For some, leaving the nursing profession is just a detour. Re-entering the workforce can be intimidating and perplexing, but it certainly doesn’t have to be. We’ll offer tips on how to return to nursing, including refresher courses to consider and jobs that are eager to welcome you back.