What Is a Nursing Resignation Letter?
A nursing resignation letter is a notice of your intent to leave your current nursing position. You can send this letter to your supervisor or employer to tell them about your decision.
A letter of resignation for a nursing position helps you maintain a solid professional reputation in the nursing field. When you provide formal notice and follow company protocols, you can keep the option of rehire open in the future.
Use this letter when retiring, relocating, changing careers, or accepting a new nursing job. Legal Templates’s free nursing resignation letter helps you include your plan for leaving and your last day of work.
How Much Notice Does a Nurse Have to Give?
While two weeks’ notice is standard, it’s best to check your employment contract or company policy for any required notice period. Nurse practitioners or nursing supervisors may have longer notice periods than staff nurses.
How to Write a Nursing Resignation Letter
When writing a nursing registration letter, consider your rationale and timeline to communicate effectively with your employer. Create your resignation notice with the following steps to maintain professional relationships and inform your supervisor.
1. Address the Letter
Clearly state your name and address at the beginning of your letter. Then directly address your employer. Provide the name and business address of the healthcare institution where you work. Also, identify and address the recipient of your notice, such as your supervisor or administrator.
2. Provide Details
Once you’ve established the writer and recipient of your notice, outline the details. List your current position, such as registered nurse, certified nursing assistant, or nurse practitioner. Include the date of your resignation and your intended end date for the job. In some cases, you may also provide a brief reasoning for your resignation.
Resigning for a Specific Reason?
If you’re resigning from your nursing job for a specific reason and want to emphasize the “why,” use one of the following templates:
3. Include Final Considerations
End your resignation letter by noting whether you wish to remain in contact with your employer. Providing your contact information helps you maintain your professional relationships and can be useful for future references or networking. Finally, sign and date your resignation letter to verify the details provided and establish the timeline.
Nursing Resignation Letter Examples
A resignation letter for nursing may vary depending on your position and plans. View our example letters below to get an idea of the proper formatting and elements for an effective nursing resignation letter.
1. Nursing Assistant Resignation Letter
If you’re currently in an entry-level nursing role, you likely gained valuable experience that you can take with you as you grow in your career. If it’s time to leave, you may be wondering how to word your resignation letter so you can express your pursuit of a better opportunity.
This nursing assistant resignation letter example shows a nursing assistant’s commitment to their career path and decision to pursue higher education.
Elizabeth Bethel
456 Oak Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(555) 974-9447
[email protected]
April 10, 2026
Chris Johnson
Director of Nursing
Harmony Healthcare Services
789 Care Way
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Dear Chris Johnson,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from the position of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Harmony Healthcare Services, effective April 24, 2026.
After thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to resign from my position to explore other educational opportunities and advance my career.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunities for growth and development that I’ve experienced during my time at Harmony Healthcare Services. Your guidance and support have been invaluable, and I will carry the lessons I’ve learned here with me throughout my career.
During the transition, I am committed to ensuring a smooth handover of my responsibilities. I’ll remain available at [email protected] or (555) 974-9447 after my departure, should you need any further assistance.
I wish you and Harmony Healthcare Services continued success.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bethel
2. Resignation Letter for a Registered Nurse
If you’re currently working as a full-time registered nurse, you may want to resign to transition into a PRN or per diem role for a better work-life balance. Review the example letter below to see how to thoughtfully communicate a transition from full-time nursing to per diem nursing.
Marc Volk
789 Elm Street
Seattle, WA 98101
(555) 322-8455
[email protected]
April 10, 2026
Susan Hargis
Director of Nursing
Starlight Medical Center
123 Healthway Drive
Denver, CO 80202
Dear Susan Hargis,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from the position of Registered Nurse at Starlight Medical Center, effective May 1, 2026.
After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to transition to a per diem nursing role to explore opportunities that will help me achieve a better work-life balance.
I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities for growth and development that I’ve experienced during my time at Starlight Medical Center. Your guidance and support have been invaluable, and I will carry the lessons I’ve learned here with me throughout my career.
During the transition, I am committed to ensuring a smooth handover of my responsibilities. I’ll remain available at [email protected] or (555) 322-8455 after my departure, should you need any further assistance.
I wish you and Starlight Medical Center continued success.
Sincerely,
Marc Volk
Sample Resignation Letter for a Nurse
Use Legal Templates’s free resignation letter for nursing for the proper elements and formatting. Our customizable forms are available in PDF and Word format.
