How to Professionally Resign from a Position

So, I feel like this is a topic that may seem like it is common sense knowledge, but I recently had a less-than-stellar situation at work. So, I thought perhaps I should write about it in hopes that someone would read it and maybe think twice before acting (a fool).

You land your dream job and everything seems like it couldn't be more perfect. But, what happens when you realize that what you thought would be a good fit really isn't? Sometimes life isn't perfect and you need to re-evaluate and do what is best for yourself. And I'm talking about what is best for yourself in both a professional and personal manner.

One thing that I think is so important is that you never want to burn any bridges or lose any connections. Especially in certain geographical areas where the physical therapy community is small. A lot of times people know people who know people who know people who... you get the picture. If you need to resign from a position it is of utmost importance to do so graciously, and with your reputation still intact.

So, what is the "professional" way to resign?

1. First, talk with your supervisor

• Nothing stings more than a complete blind side. If you are struggling in your position, talk to your supervisor or mentor (if you have one). Sometimes your supervisor may not even be aware there is a problem and if it is one that can be rectified the first step is letting them know.

2. Provide your own suggestions on ways to improve your employment situation

• If you are overwhelmed, stressed about scheduling, don't like a certain policy, etc. come prepared with some suggestions on how to fix the situation. Nothing stinks more than having someone say, "This sucks" with no ideas on how they would like to fix the situation. 

3. Carefully consider the pros/cons

• Once you've discussed your issues and you've come up with some potential "fixes" decide if this is going to truly work for you. I am a big proponent of keeping a pros/cons list to help yourself see outside of the emotions.

4. Once you've made your decision, create a resignation letter

• There are plenty of resources available online to help you create a professional resignation letter. 

5. Give at least 2-4 weeks notice.

• I know most companies have a policy, so you should follow it. Under no circumstance should you ever disappear and leave your caseload with no therapist to treat. Four weeks gives your employer (and yourself) time to assess the situation, find a replacement and get your caseload in order to take over.

6. Discuss your decision (calmly) with your supervisor

• Take the time to discuss your decision with your supervisor in person. Although the professional relationship is not going to work out, they still gave you a position and you owe them the respect to discuss your decision. Again, don't burn bridges- you never know where you may go and who may know someone you worked with before!

7. Move on and keep your lips sealed!

• You've done it! You made it through your resignation notice and now you are free. Be proud that you did what was right for you. But, please keep your lips sealed when it comes to your prior employer. No matter how awful the situation was, you never want to badmouth a former employer. It just plain looks bad on you. It will never reflect poorly on the company. 

Just plugging along...

So, here I am still plugging along. Another weekend passed, and gearing up for a shortened work week this week! (I looooove holidays!) I'm looking forward to making a move in my current company, as I had an opportunity present itself to me not long after I posted on this blog last. It was sort of a serendipitous type of thing... I was feeling a overwhelmed, over worked and a little hopeless. And then opportunity came, saving me. Ha.

Eh, the funny thing about life is sometimes when you think you can't push any further and that no one has noticed you've been busting your tail, every once in awhile someone has been paying attention and then good things happen.

I'm looking forward to the move within my current company to give me a bit of freedom (although I've only been there since February, since I was a student there, I had a slight head start on the happenings) and more motivation to continue pursuing my interests with the cardiopulmonary aspect of physical therapy.

And, when a good opportunity comes to further your career, you've got to take it... So, I am. I'm going to be moving to a different office location to help form an agreement with my current company and  a company that is going to be opening some breathing disorder centers. It's a great time to jump head first into being the PT that's interested in cardiopulmonary in our company because no one fills that area, and who knows where it will lead. Maybe nowhere, but maybe somewhere. All I know is that I needed something to come along before I got so burnt out that I made a rash decision, and it came all on its own.

Two. Thumbs. Up.

I hate being vague on here, but I don't like giving too much information that is personal. But, I am very excited for this opportunity and I love my cardiopulmonary patients! :)

Pumped about my new work bag!

tic tac tote: verabradley.com

This is such a trivial post... I don't even care. After looking around for the past two months, I finally purchase my work bag. I've been looking incessantly online and in a ton of stores... Not really sure what I was looking for, other than I knew I wanted it to be something large enough to hold a binder and some other items.

Well, I finally decided on this beauty from Vera Bradley. I am not a person that likes spending a lot of money on something, so it was quite the ordeal that I allowed myself to buy this. ;)

But, I think I'm in love.... And I'm about to pack it full of all my things right now. It has a thousand pockets on the inside and it zips shut which is a nice plus. A couple of the other totes I was considering just had a button closure, and the one was actually almost impossible to do in a timely manner when I tried it out at the store.

Anyway, now I'm sad that my binder doesn't match, but what's a girl to do? These are the things that keep me sane while work is keeping me insane.

Yes, you do need to do research after graduating ;)

(But, it's so much more fun!)

So, I got some exciting news that I am going to be taking the lead in revamping our cardiac rehabilitation program at my job. This is great for a few reasons:

1. I *LOVE* cardiac patients, cardiac pathologies, cardiac responses to exercise; I love the heart!

2. Up until this point the cardiac patients have been performing a modified version of the pulmonary program, which isn't "wrong" per say, but it is also not the best we can be doing for these patients

3. I am excited to use my creativity and new knowledge to change the face of this program and then hopefully help market my company and make us a larger player in this field in the area

So, this weekend I found a couple of articles from the American Heart Association on their core components and guidelines, as well as some performance measures for cardiac rehab. I'm hoping to read through those articles later today and then also look back on my school notes and in my textbooks to remind myself of all the important things that should be considered when dealing with a cardiac patient.

I'm so excited to be able to have this opportunity, with a patient population I'm very passionate about... I know I just posted last time about the stress test that I completed, and the reason for that is that I have a congenital heart issue. Thankfully, it doesn't limit my ability to do anything, but it has made me very interested and passionate for the cardiac world. And, I feel I'm in a unique situation where I can maybe relate (a little!) to my patients.

I'm also drooling over the AACPR's textbook on Cardiac Rehab, but it's also $60. I'm going to email my cardiopulmonary professor and my boss to see if we have a copy of this anywhere that I could borrow, before I consider buying it... I don't want to overwhelm myself with information, but I think it could be helpful.

I am also planning on becoming a member of the AACPR because I feel like there is a ton of information on there that would be beneficial. My cardiopulmonary professor and the respiratory therapist are both members (in our area) and it seems like it has been useful for them, so I'm debating on when to join.

So, things are feeling very exciting and also a nerve-wracking, but as I investigate, I'll be sure to post some good cardiac rehab information! :)

First Day as a "real" PT! :)

Well, as I work on filling in some missing pieces (mainly my 4th clinical experience, graduation, getting a job and studying for the boards), today was a monumental day in my journey from teacher to clinician... Today was my first day as a real-life PT!

Since I did a clinical experience prior to my employment, today felt like I'd never left. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but it definitely helped ease my anxiety. In fact, there were a few familiar faces today and I guess I can expect a couple more later this week. The clinic is sort of slow right now (compared to when I was there before) which I also take as a blessing that I won't be quite as overwhelmed as I work into getting into a routine.

I was working with some patients today and found myself continually going to my prior-CI to ask for permission. I sort of realized halfway through the day that technically, I can now make decisions based on my own opinions. ;) It's still nice to ask permission for someone else's patient though.

So, it was a long day... 10 hours.... Wow. My feet are absolutely killing me, so I'm looking forward to getting used to the feeling of being up and moving all day so that my poor feet don't feel like they walked through a war zone.

I'm also exhausted. It has been about 10 weeks (I would guess) since I last even touched a patient, much less was active all day. I could honestly go to bed now and am literally considering it once I finish this blog post.

I honestly can't believe I just went to work today. I literally went to work and got paid! It's crazy. I remember when I started this journey back in 2009, it seemed like 2014 would be a million years away and now it's here! The interesting thing is, now that I'm done with school I want to try to pick up some hobbies, but I have NO IDEA what I want to do with all my newly earned free time... Definitely getting back to the gym is on the top of my list, and I keep trying to convince my boyfriend we should get a fish tank. Thank goodness the Olympics are on and I can entertain myself with that for the time being! Go USA!