Exit interview survey, tell the truth, lie or ignore

[Forest2]

Would you fill out and return an exit interview survey to a past employer? If you would, dare you be truthful. Would you ignore it? Would you be politically correct? They want to know how you rate the department, the supervisor, the organization as a whole, why you left, what you liked most, hated the most, etc. It was a bad experience and I hate to even mention what went on there. But, of course, management thinks everything is wonderful and I am sure they are not going to like the truth. Why should I answer it when it won't make any difference?

I wonder if anyone ever even reads them.

[BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN]

I would ignore it. They don't care, a survey is just a technicality, just as staff retention is a joke.

[subaquatique, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Mine was an email... "Did you have any concerns about your period of employment... blah blah blah". Not anonymous, not a survey.

I was honest but tactful. I also used the oreo technique.

"I had such a positive experience with blah blah blah.... this is an area where I felt some changes could be made... to wrap it up, here's some more good things".

I still work for the same hospital but on a different floor. I talk to my old clinical coordinator all the time and they appreciated the honest feedback. I think it depends on how large of an organization, but I am a firm believer in being honest (and tactful!).

[Forest2]

14 hours ago, subaquatique said:

Mine was an email... "Did you have any concerns about your period of employment... blah blah blah". Not anonymous, not a survey.

I was honest but tactful. I also used the oreo technique.

"I had such a positive experience with blah blah blah.... this is an area where I felt some changes could be made... to wrap it up, here's some more good things".

I still work for the same hospital but on a different floor. I talk to my old clinical coordinator all the time and they appreciated the honest feedback. I think it depends on how large of an organization, but I am a firm believer in being honest (and tactful!).

Let's just say, as an example rampant false documentation or something as bad. Not that this is what happened there mind you, but how would a person put that on a survey tactfully? I'm not answering the survey anyway, just wondering how someone would address that.

I think this conversation is very interesting.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I received one phone call from HR, left a voicemail stating they received my notice and would like to set up an exit interview.

I never returned the call.

Then I got a call after my notice asking where I was since I was scheduled to work. I gladly played the message with self termination date back to them and stated my last day was two weeks earlier. Guess they still hadn’t gotten their crap together.

[Forest2]

1 hour ago, NurseSpeedy said:

I received one phone call from HR, left a voicemail stating they received my notice and would like to set up an exit interview.

I never returned the call.

Then I got a call after my notice asking where I was since I was scheduled to work. I gladly played the message with self termination date back to them and stated my last day was two weeks earlier. Guess they still hadn’t gotten their crap together.

That is pretty bad.

[0.5GPA, ADN, CNA]

In my experience I always lie. I do not feel that those interviews can be trusted. If it is computer it can be tracked.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I have privately given my honest feedback to members of the administration that I have trusted. That way, the information is passed on to people who might be able to help the situation, but doesn't go through the regular channels of the exit interview. During the actual exit interview, I honest, but tactful --not vindictive, bitter, or angry -- giving information for areas needing improvement, not grinding an ax.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

The last exit interview I had was with the CNO, face-to-face. She got the unvarnished truth.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 7/9/2019 at 7:13 AM, Forest2 said:

so far more "No's" than "Yes's". I would like to answer it with brutal honesty, but I don't think it's a good idea. I mean I don't think they'd appreciate the truth. Easier to pretend and not see what is really going on instead of actually doing something about it.

It's an awful idea. Don't answer it at all. The only likely result will be you worrying about it after the fact. And maybe getting a bad reference from them in the future.

If you do answer it, say what a wonderful privilege it was to work there, how proud you are to have been a part of the team there, and how much you grew professionally. (So why leave? Why are you leaving?) Best of luck.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 7/9/2019 at 4:23 PM, Davey Do said:

I read this after I posted and support your decision, Forest2.

One reason why I journal is because I can say or draw anything I want without worry of repercussion. And, like I said before, "it's one hell of a catharsis".

In fact, many times when I'm drafting a professional letter or email, I'll write or type exactly what I would like to say and then go back and edit it for appropriate/professional correspondence.

That, too, is a great catharsis!

They say that President Lincoln was once angry with one of his Generals about the G's approach in some aspect of the War. He wrote a letter, expressing all of his anger and frustration.

He then tore it up and wrote a different one, much more calm and courteous, realizing that he personally had not been at the battle front, and that things certainly must have looked different from the G's vantage point than from the Oval Office.

Probably a great way to vent without harming anyone, including oneself.

I wish I could draw like you, DD. Journaling is good too, of course.

[Davey Do]

4 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

I wish I could draw like you, DD. Journaling is good too, of course.

Thank you, Kooky, art is extremely important & satisfying to me. The product is important because I can look back and gain a different perspective on a situation.

But the most satisfying and therapeutic portion of drawing is the actual process. I really wish to drive that point home and can't strongly say that enough times: It's the process that's important.

So that means anybody who can hold a pencil can artistically express themselves and benefit from the therapeutically soothing process of doing art.

We all have the answer to all of our quandaries within ourselves and art can allow us to see those answers without necessarily having to sort through other's advice or opinions.

Art is my method of choice.

Also, thanks for that story of Mr.Lincoln and the letter. It sounds like the honorable president needed to have a catharsis before positively dealt with the situation!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

14 hours ago, Orca said:

The last exit interview I had was with the CNO, face-to-face. She got the unvarnished truth.

That was brave and I really admire that. I have always just lied so there would be nothing held against me in case I wanted to return and because I worried about bad references if I was honest. Some day..............................................