Resigning as an Licensed Practical Nurse means untangling yourself from shift schedules, patient care plans, and the nurses who rely on you to show up. Whether you're leaving a hospital floor, a school clinic, or a home health route, the handover matters—not just for your employer, but for the patients who won't know you're gone until someone new walks in. The letter itself is straightforward, but the context around it changes depending on where you work.
Resigning as a Licensed Practical Nurse in hospitals
Hospital LPNs work in high-turnover environments, but that doesn't mean you can ghost your unit manager. Most hospitals need at least two weeks to adjust the schedule, and four weeks is better if you work nights or weekends where coverage is thin.
Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date][Manager Name]
[Department]
[Hospital Name]
[Address]Dear [Manager Name],
I am writing to formally resign from my position as Licensed Practical Nurse in [unit/department] at [Hospital Name], effective [last working day, typically two to four weeks from the date above].
I appreciate the opportunity to care for patients in [specific unit, e.g., med-surg, pediatrics] and to work alongside a team that takes patient outcomes seriously. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and am happy to document current patient care protocols, update charts, and assist with training my replacement during my remaining time.
Thank you for your support during my time here.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Hospital handover priorities:
- Document active patient care plans and any pending follow-ups for your assigned patients
- Update medication administration records and flag any patients with complex med schedules
- Brief the charge nurse on recurring issues (difficult IVs, fall risks, family communication preferences)
Resigning as a Licensed Practical Nurse in schools
School nurses—especially LPNs covering K–12 clinics—resign on the academic calendar, not the hospital schedule. If you're leaving mid-year, you're walking away from students with daily medication needs, IEPs that reference you by name, and parents who know your voice. Two weeks is legally fine, but ending at a semester break is the professional move.
Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date][Principal Name]
[School Name]
[Address]Dear [Principal Name],
I am resigning from my position as Licensed Practical Nurse at [School Name], with my last day of work being [last working day].
It has been a privilege to support the health and safety of our students, and I am grateful for the trust you and the staff have placed in me. I will prepare a complete handover document that includes student medication schedules, emergency action plans, and contact information for families of students with chronic conditions. I am also available to meet with my replacement to review IEP accommodations and daily clinic procedures.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve this school community.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
School clinic handover priorities:
- Create a student medication log with dosage times, permissions on file, and where meds are stored
- List all students with severe allergies, asthma action plans, or seizure protocols
- Share the location of emergency supplies (EpiPens, inhalers, glucose tablets, AED)
Resigning as a Licensed Practical Nurse in home health
Home health LPNs carry patient relationships that feel personal—you're in their kitchens, you know their routines, you've met their families. Resigning means your patients lose continuity of care, and many will be anxious about the change. Your agency needs time to reassign cases, and in some states, you're required to give 30 days' notice if you're a primary caregiver. When thinking about your transition timing, consider how it aligns with any upcoming medical appointments or treatments—calling in sick during your notice period can complicate handovers even further.
Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date][Supervisor Name]
[Agency Name]
[Address]Dear [Supervisor Name],
I am writing to resign from my position as Licensed Practical Nurse with [Agency Name], effective [last working day].
I have valued the opportunity to provide in-home care to patients who trusted me with their health and daily routines. I am committed to a smooth transition and will prepare detailed care notes for each of my assigned patients, including medication schedules, wound care protocols, mobility assistance needs, and family contact preferences. I am happy to coordinate with the nurses taking over my cases to ensure continuity.
Thank you for your guidance and for the meaningful work I've been able to do through this agency.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Home health handover priorities:
- Write detailed patient care summaries: meds, wound care, PT exercises, dietary restrictions
- Share family dynamics—who makes decisions, who's the main contact, who needs extra reassurance
- Note logistical details: door codes, parking instructions, pet behavior, equipment locations
Two weeks notice — when it's not enough
In hospital settings, two weeks is often the contractual minimum, but charge nurses will quietly resent you if you leave mid-scheduling cycle. In home health, your agency may require 30 days in writing because reassigning patient caseloads takes time. Schools have the longest informal expectation—leaving in October means someone has to cover your clinic until they hire a replacement, which can take months. If you're in a union role, check your CBA; some contracts specify notice periods that exceed state law.
Resigning to start your own business
LPNs who leave to launch private-duty nursing businesses, consulting practices, or med-tech startups face conflict-of-interest landmines. If you're moving into private care, do not approach current patients while you're still employed—it's a fireable offense and, in some states, grounds for license review. If you're starting a healthcare product or service business, be careful about using proprietary protocols, patient data, or facility-specific documentation you helped create. Even anonymized case studies can be risky if your former employer considers them trade secrets.
The safest path: resign cleanly, wait until your last day is behind you, then reach out to former colleagues (not patients) to let them know you're available for referrals. Keep your resignation letter silent on your next move. If your manager asks directly, a simple "I'm exploring opportunities in private practice" is enough. Don't hand them a business card on your way out.
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Related: pharmacist resignation letter, hospital coordinator resignation letter, Licensed Practical Nurse cover letter, Licensed Practical Nurse resume, business development representative resignation letter
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much notice should an LPN give when resigning?
- Two weeks is standard, but many healthcare facilities prefer four weeks to ensure proper patient care continuity and to allow time to fill your shift schedule. Check your employment contract—some facilities require 30 days for full-time LPNs.
- What should an LPN include in a resignation letter?
- Include your last working day, a brief thank-you, and an offer to help with the transition. Mention your willingness to document patient care protocols or train replacements, but don't detail specific patient information in the letter itself.
- Can I resign as an LPN via email?
- Yes, but follow up with a printed copy for your personnel file. Many healthcare facilities require a physical signature for HR records and state licensure documentation.