You can use a general resignation letter template to professionally leave your job. But you should customize it specifically for your industry so your manager doesn’t notice you’re using a template to put in your two weeks’ notice — using an unaltered template is impersonal and could be viewed as a lack of gratitude for your employment.
To help you out, here are templates for seven of the most common career-specific resignation letters, ready for your customization:
- Nurse resignation letter template
- Teacher resignation letter template
- Board resignation letter template
- Church resignation letter template
- Police resignation letter template
- Career-change resignation letter template
- Promotion resignation letter template
1. Nurse resignation letter template
Your resignation will be about you and your plans, but it’s also about making sure your nursing unit continues running smoothly to provide top-quality patient care after you leave.
Telling your manager about your departure early with a resignation letter ensures patients continue receiving help from qualified nurses.
Include a line or two thanking your manager for the opportunities you received at your position. Ideally, your manager will remember your gratitude if you ask them for a letter of recommendation in the future.
Here’s a nursing resignation letter template you can use to leave your hospital, clinic, or home-care position gracefully:
Download Nurse Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Nurse Resignation Letter (Text Format)
Nurse Letter of Resignation
[Your Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________[Today’s Date][Company Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]Dear [Supervisor’s Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation as a [Position Name] at [Hospital Name], effective [Resignation Date].
After significant consideration, I have decided that I will [reason for leaving, ex: “accept a position in a private practice office”]. After [X] years of dedication to saving lives in a hospital setting, I am ready to pursue [field you are transitioning into, ex: “a new role in a different health care environment”].
Working with patients every day has been my life’s work. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to connect with and empower the lives of so many individuals and families for over a decade.
I am sure [Hospital Name] will continue to live up to its sterling reputation and continue providing top patient care. Thank you for the training and mentoring over the past few years. It has been a privilege to work with you.
Sincerely,[Your Signature][Your Name][Position Name] [Hospital Name]
2. Teacher resignation letter template
Leaving your school to pursue other teaching opportunities or further your education? Write a resignation letter to give your principal time to replace you with a teacher who can pick up where you leave off guiding your students.
Download the below template and replace the templated information with your details to get the resignation process started:
Download Teacher Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Teacher Resignation Letter (Text Format)
Teacher Letter of Resignation
[Your Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________[Today’s Date][Company Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]Dear [Supervisor’s Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation as Seventh Grade World Studies Teacher at [School Name], effective [Resignation Date].
After significant consideration, I have decided to return to school to earn my Master’s in Education. I have truly enjoyed my tenure at [School Name]. Teaching my subject matter every day has been an absolute joy, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch students learn and develop so quickly.
Under your leadership, I have no doubt [School Name]’s fantastic reputation will continue for many years to come. Thank you for the advice and mentoring over the past few years. It has been a privilege to work with you.
Sincerely,[Your Signature][Your Name]
3. Board resignation letter template
If you’re planning to resign from your seat before your term is up, be ready to submit a resignation letter.
This letter is meant to show an appropriate level of professionalism toward your colleagues. Whether you’re writing a life-situation resignation letter or one that explains your departure due to career issues or disagreements over principles, show poise and respect. Also, a formal resignation letter helps keep the door open for future collaboration.
Use the following template to follow business letter formatting by including your name and address, and the date, company name, address, and name of the addressee (usually the chairman and the entire board):
Download Board Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Board Resignation Letter (Text Format)
Board Resignation Letter
[Your Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________[Today’s Date][Company Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]Dear [Supervisor’s Name],
Please accept this letter as my notice of formal resignation from [Position Name], effective as of [Resignation Date].
I am no longer able to continue my responsibilities as member of [Name of Board]. I will [Reason for leaving, ex: “be moving away from the area”], and will thus be unable to adequately focus the appropriate time and energy towards the board’s initiatives.
I am thankful for the opportunity to work towards and accomplish board objectives during my tenure. I have been honored to serve with all of you to achieve our collective goal of [board goal], and continue to be passionate about the Board’s mission. I am more than willing to lend support when and where I can in the future.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance during the transition period. I wish you and the [Board Name] the very best going forward.
Sincerely,[Your Signature][Your Name]
4. Church resignation letter template
If you’re planning to leave your position in a church community, you’ll need a proper church resignation letter.
Your letter should show your passion for the church’s mission while giving the leadership advanced notice of your resignation. The earlier the notice, the better. But if you need to leave quickly, two weeks’ notice is the norm in the US.
This church resignation letter template is preformatted, so all you have to do is download it and customize the content for your situation:
Download Church Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Church Resignation Letter (Text Format)
Church Resignation Letter
[Your Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________[Today’s Date][Company Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]Dear [Name of Head Pastor],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation as [Position Name] at [Church Name], effective as of [Resignation Date].
After significant consideration, I have decided to [reason for leaving, ex: “move to another part of the state”]. I have truly enjoyed working with the congregation at [Church Name]. Sharing God’s Word has been my life’s passion, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch our members accept Jesus into their hearts and to support them as they grow and deepen their spiritual roots.
Under your leadership, I have no doubt [Church Name]’s strong service to God will flourish for many years to come. Thank you for the training and mentoring over the past several years. It has been a privilege to work and grow with you.
Sincerely,[Your Signature][Your Name][Position Name] [Church Name]
5. Police resignation letter template
When you move to another unit, department, or even industry, submitting a letter of resignation is a professional courtesy that will help you maintain professionalism and respect within the tight-knit law-enforcement community.
This template is informative for your superiors and will allow them to ensure your unit isn’t caught off guard by your exit:
Download Police Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Police Resignation Letter (Text Format)
Police Resignation Letter
[Your Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________[Today’s Date][Company Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]Dear [Supervisor’s Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation as a [Rank Name] at [Station Name], effective as of [Resignation Date].
After significant consideration, I have decided that I will [reason for leaving, ex: “accept a position in a private practice office”]. After [X] years of dedication to the community, I am ready to [next pursuit, e.g. transition into a new role in a different environment].
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with my colleagues every day. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to serve and protect the community I love.
I know that [Station Name] will continue to uphold the highest standards of service. I sincerely thank you for the training and mentoring you have given me over the past few years. It has been a privilege to work with you.
Sincerely,[Your Signature][Your Name][Rank Name] [Station Name]
6. Career-change resignation letter template
If you’re resigning to pursue a new career path, say so in your resignation letter. And give your manager at least two weeks’ notice before you go to allow them enough time to find a proper replacement for you.
Also, you’ll need to write a resume for a career change and a career change cover letter to send companies with openings you’re interested in to improve your chances of getting a new job.
Here’s a career-change resignation letter template that will help you break the news to your current employer:
Download Career-Change Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Career Change Resignation Letter (Text Format)
Career Change Resignation Letter
[Your Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________[Today’s Date][Company Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]Dear [Supervisor’s Name],
I am writing to inform you of my resignation from [Position Name] at [Company Name], effective as of [Resignation Date].
I have decided to pursue an opportunity in a different career field. I’ve been very fortunate to have been given so many opportunities to learn and hone valuable skills during my time at [Company Name]. Your guidance and support have prepared me well for the future, and you have my gratitude.
Please let me know how I can be of help during the transition period. I wish you and the company the very best going forward.
Sincerely,[Your Signature][Your Name]
7. Promotion resignation letter template
Write a promotion letter of resignation if you’re making a vertical or lateral move within your company to show appreciation to your previous manager.
Even if your manager knows about your promotion, this letter helps keep the door open for future collaboration and is a great way to thank them for their contribution to your success.
Here’s a promotion letter of resignation template you can use to thank your supervisor:
Download Promotion Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Promotion Resignation Letter (Text Format)
Promotion Resignation Letter
[Your Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________[Today’s Date][Company Name][1234 Street Address][City, State, Zip]Dear [Supervisor’s Name],
I am writing to inform you of my resignation from [Position Name] effective as of [Resignation Date].
I have decided to accept the promotion offered to me by [Department Name]. I am thankful for your support and the opportunities you’ve given me to pursue a wide variety and scope of projects, encompassing many unique challenges. They have prepared me well for the challenges that lay ahead. I sincerely hope we can collaborate together on future projects.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance during the transition period. I wish you and the company the very best going forward.
Sincerely,[Your Signature][Your Name]
