Ready to make your next career move? In this episode, host Christina Archer breaks down exactly how to resign from your nursing position with professionalism, grace, and your reputation intact. Plus, we’re celebrating some genuinely GOOD news in nursing—from nurse practitioners being ranked #1 in America to major healthcare investments in nurse compensation and well-being.

Whether you’re actively job hunting or just thinking about your next move, this episode gives you the insider knowledge you need to navigate career transitions like a pro.

What You’ll Learn:

🎙️ Nursing News Roundup (3:00-8:30)

* Nurse Practitioners ranked #1 Job in America for the 3rd consecutive year

* Providence Health System commits $600M to staff pay increases in 2026

* American Nurses Association recognized as “Best in Business” by Modern Healthcare

* New AI Innovation Grants available for nurse-led research (deadline Feb 17, 2026)

* How digital transformation will impact nursing practice in 2026

* American Nurses Foundation expands Well-Being Program to rural and long-term care settings

💼 Main Topic: Leave Your Position Like a Rock Star (8:40-22:00)

* Step 1: Know your why—but keep it professional

* Step 2: Timing your resignation perfectly

* Step 3: The resignation meeting game plan (includes word-for-word scripts!)

* Step 4: How to handle your two-week notice period

* Step 5: Navigating exit interviews with grace

* Step 6: Staying connected without burning bridges

* How to handle counter-offers, guilt trips, and difficult manager reactions

🔍 The Recruiter’s Truth (22:10-26:30)

* What Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are and how they work

* Why your resume might be rejected by a robot before a human sees it

* 5 strategies to beat the ATS and get your application in front of real people

* Insider tips on keywords, formatting, and customization

* What to do when you get an automated rejection

Key Takeaways:

✅ Leaving a job is a normal part of career development—you can do it professionally✅ Focus on what you’re moving TOWARD, not what you’re running FROM✅ Your manager should hear your resignation from YOU first, not through the grapevine✅ Document everything and stay engaged during your notice period✅ Applicant Tracking Systems scan for keywords—customize your resume for each job✅ Never bad-mouth former employers on social media or in professional circles

Resources Mentioned:

📥 FREE Career Development WorkbookDownload The RN Network’s comprehensive 39-page Career Development Workbook—absolutely FREE! Create a roadmap for your nursing career, no matter what stage you’re in.👉 Get Your Free Workbook at TheRNNetwork.com

🤝 Join The RN Network CommunityConnect with over 200,000 nurses on LinkedIn👉 Visit https://linkedin.rnnet.org

💰 AI Innovation Grants for NursesApply for $10,000 microgrants for nurse-led AI research (Deadline: February 17, 2026)👉 American Nurses Foundation website

📊 Nurse Practitioner Career InformationLearn more about the #1 ranked job in America👉 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

Connect With Us:

🎧 Subscribe to Nursing Matters on your favorite podcast platform💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn: Search “The RN Network”📧 Questions or topic suggestions? Contact us at TheRNNetwork.com⭐ Leave us a review and help other nurses find this podcast!

About The Host:

Christina Archer is the Manager of Onboarding Experience at TheKey Home Care and founder of The RN Network, a LinkedIn community serving over 200,000 healthcare professionals. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare talent acquisition and a Master’s in Leadership & Organizational Development, Christina is passionate about helping nurses navigate their careers with confidence and strategy.

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by:

* Figs Scrubs - Look good while you do good. https://figs.rnnet.org

* Dutch Vet Care - 24/7 Telehealth for your pet! https://dutch.rnnet.org

* The RN Network Career Development Workbook - Free download at https://www.rnnet.org

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thernnetwork.substack.com