Exit Interview; total honesty, or play politics?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I've been asked to do an exit interview, and I'm curious what others think. They say the exit interview is confidential, and for the purpose of improvement, and that whatever you say can't be held against you. On the one hand, this might be an opportunity to tell the NM just how terrible certain aspects of the unit are, and let her know that these things are the major reasons good RNs leave. On the other hand, I may want to return to this unit later down the road or if things don't work out in my new position, so I don't want to burn this bridge.

If you were in an exit interview with your current manager, would you go for total honesty and let it all hang out, or would you avoid giving negative feedback?

[Katnip, RN]

I'd be diplomatically honest. When you mention the negative things do it in a way that does not make it sound like it's the unit from h**l. Try to be balanced.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would strive to find a "middle ground" as I have many times in the past.

You don't want to take too big of a risk that you might regret later ... but you also don't want to let a good opportunity to improve working conditions for those who remain. You should be able to speak of issues in general with kindness and compassion to those involved ... don't mention specific names ... etc.

For example, if there are some people who are terrible to work with -- don't say that XYZ is terrible -- say that there are some strong personalities on the unit who can make things uncomfortable for their co-workers and that you are not sure how much of their behavior is known to the managment.

In other words, don't strike out in anger or bitterness. Don't imply that you are leaving because of how you have been treated or anything like that. You want to present yourself as someone who has been successful on that unit and as someone who cares about the patients and the people who work there. You are calm and professional and not being mean or vindictive in your comments. You are trying to help those good people by providing some insight into some issues they may not have. That approach signals the existence of issues without making you enemies.

Be kind and supportive of everyone as you discuss the issues. As Mary Poppins used to say, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down." This is a situation in which that motto can be a big help.

[caliotter3]

I was in another galaxy I was so mad when I went to my only exit interview. Just before I went over there I was in the office of my other employer and told them what I was doing, and they were encouraging me to lay it on the line. That's what I did. Put it all out there. The boss wanted to hear every word. Then she gave me plenty of her own. She enlightened me. When I finished, she said that she had learned some things from me that would be helpful to her and she told me if I ever wanted to talk, just to call her up and she would be available to listen. I don't think I will ever do anything like that again. :angryfire