Curious about Exit interviews

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

I am about to resign from my first nursing position on Monday, and am curious about what goes on in these exit interviews that I hear about. Are they mandatory? Who usually conducts them? What types of questions do they ask, and more importantly should I answer them honestly?

Just a little background info, I have worked for the hospital that I'm leaving for almost 6 years, 3 1/2 of those in an RN capacity. I am leaving because a much better opportunity came up for me, but there are also some things I would like to get off my chest before I go. Is the exit interview the appropriate place to bring these issues up?

[FORTHELOVEOF!!!!]

I have been in this position numerous times, I want so badly to go in and lay it all out on the table. But when the day comes I usually take the grown up route and leave on a positive note so that I can be considered for rehire sometime in the future. I have always done exit interviews with HR, so I worry about leaving negative feedback because you never know when you may need a job and the fewer bridges burned the more choices you have. Just my opinion, but I would vent to close friends over drinks rather than HR or your NM.

[TeaPlease]

Keep it positive. In today's workplace, your new job might turn out to be a nightmare. If you want to keep the door open, please keep any negative comments to yourself, or away from an exit interveiw.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I told the truth in my exit interview. It was done with HR. There was a survey to fill out and then a time to go in and meet with HR to discuss. Survey questions were things like "did we live up to our motto?", "would you recommend to a friend/family member that this is a great place to work?", "what is your primary reason for leaving?", "what could we do to improve things?" etc. I had to go out of my way to arrange it and my nurse manager felt the need to remind me multiple times that it was "optional." Several people who left before me were not told anything about it, likely because our manager did not want them to tell HR that they were leaving because of her. The girl who resigned only a few weeks after me specifically told HR that she was leaving because of our manager. Not coincidentally, HR started paying attention after the 10th person (of a staff of about 45) resigned from this floor in less than a year and the leadership underwent a restructuring.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would keep the exit interview positive for the most part. If you do have grievances that you insist on sharing, try to present them in the best possible (read: most neutral and non-accusatory) manner. You never know if you will have to reapply to work for this hospital or its sister facilities. Also, nursing is a very small world, and you never know who you will be working with/under in the future.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Most places I've worked have avoided giving me the exit interview as management does not really want to know what's going on. Like the other posters said I would keep it positive. You might want your job there back again.