Exit interview?

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Has anybody ever participated in an exit interview? What should I expect, say, not say, etc?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Has anybody ever participated in an exit interview? What should I expect, say, not say, etc?

Don't say anything that could come back and bite you in the posterior unless you're SURE you really want to burn that bridge. Say you're grateful for the great opportunity you had to learn X,Y and Z. You've loved working there, and it was a great place to work. You're leaving reluctantly because the new opportunity is advancing your career goals/is closer to your family/your husband got transferred, etc.

Don't ever have a temper tantrum and tell them exactly why you're leaving. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

[Scottishtape]

Don't say anything that could come back and bite you in the posterior unless you're SURE you really want to burn that bridge. Say you're grateful for the great opportunity you had to learn X,Y and Z. You've loved working there, and it was a great place to work. You're leaving reluctantly because the new opportunity is advancing your career goals/is closer to your family/your husband got transferred, etc.

Don't ever have a temper tantrum and tell them exactly why you're leaving. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

I get not having a temper tantrum, but if you're really leaving a position because of serious flaws of the organization, why would it be a bad thing to tell them that? I thought exit interviews were confidential and couldn't be used to determine your eligibility for rehire.

I'm genuinely curious, as I've never actually had one, but I've heard a lot about them.

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

I had one Exit interview for a job I held for 6 years. I was honest with HR about my reasons of leaving. I wasn't nasty but just stating the facts. In particular, there was one team member (the manager) who had been underperforming for years and the rest of the team was stuck with her work; and it was also her manager's inaction that eventually made me decide to leave. I found a better-paid position that was a promotion. HR appreciated it and that manager got a demotion within a year.

[Neats, BSN]

I look forward to exit interview reviews. I really use them to improve systems in place, improve policies and improve the working environment in general. I would never use an exit interview against someone how ever I recognize in life it is not fair and there are some people who do just that.

The following are more common concerns/complaints and reasons why people leave we get with exit interviews not in any particular order:

1. Not enough staff

2. Leadership "sucks"

3. Need more pay

4. Want more opportunities

5. Co-workers too much drama

6. Too many changes and no communication with changes

7. My boss "sucks"

8. Asking me to do things not in my job description

9. Want different hours

10. Too many good people leaving and I am one of them (I take this as high turn around)

These are the top 10 reasons that I find in an exit interview. I really want the truth and hope people really give their honest thoughts/feelings. I tell staff when I ask for the interview, please be truthful it may hurt but things will never change if you do not give your honest replies.

In management we do use those comments to hopefully make the environment better. I once had an employee write that it was me that I was just an nursing home administrator not a nurse and I always stuck my nose where it did not belong in nursing cares, this was an RN who had been at the facility for 2 years and put their notice in because of me. I asked her to elaborate and she went on a rant about direct nursing care and "management" did not have the right to know about personal cares of the residents. In rounds one morning I asked her a question about a resident and in front of everyone who was in rounds... she said "I cannot give out information that is private due to HIPAA concerns. I thanked her for being so diligent and we walked on. I spoke to the DON and we brought the RN into my office. This nurse had no respect for management at all and more than likely in her career she had come across some very bad managers, clearly she wanted the best for her patients. I informed her that I too was a BSN and like her want the best for our residents. I also informed her that even though I am an RN the NHA has their license on the wall and is responsible for all operations of the facility and next time I ask her a question about a resident/facility she will need to answer my questions for the Nursing Home Administrator is responsible for the facility, that it does not matter if the Administrator is a RN or not. She did not know I was a RN and apologized however she could not get past prior sour work environments and quit.

[llg, PhD, RN]

The trick is to give some valuable, honest input into the employer's strengths and weaknesses without being so harsh as to raise doubts about your own value as a potential future employee. That takes political skill. But if you have that skill, you can be of great help to the remaining staff and your profession by providing high-quality input.

If you don't have that political skill, it's probably best for you to remain fairly positive and appreciative of the opportunities you had their to earn a living and grow as a professional. Perhaps make a few suggestions for non-controversial improvements. Never grind any personal axes, be vindictive, etc. For example, saying that you are leaving because your new job is much closer to your home, or offers you a significantly different work schedule that is better for your family, etc. is unlikely to make you ineligible for re-hire.

But if you are politically savvy and good at discussing potentially explosive issues delicately ... you might be able to say a few things about a couple of issues that should be addressed. But don't go on and on. Provide a couple of complements for every criticism -- and don't give more than a couple criticisms.

[kakamegamama]

Don't say anything that could come back and bite you in the posterior unless you're SURE you really want to burn that bridge. Say you're grateful for the great opportunity you had to learn X,Y and Z. You've loved working there, and it was a great place to work. You're leaving reluctantly because the new opportunity is advancing your career goals/is closer to your family/your husband got transferred, etc.

Don't ever have a temper tantrum and tell them exactly why you're leaving. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

Oh, but those temper tantrums can be so cleansing.....until they bite you in the posterior.......I throw those in my head, practice the perfect exit line, then, when the real thing happens......(but, that was the best thing my boss did for me, although it felt like a "do to me" at the time)