Curious about Exit interviews

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.

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.

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.

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.