leaving a job r/t it's toxicity and lack of team-work: framing for an interview

[pinkiepie_RN]

I'm up to my limit with my work environment. There's no teamwork or morale, acuity is through the roof, and my NM is oblivious and is making things more inhospitable. I'm applying for an internal bid within my hospital system (one of our sister hospitals), same specialty possibly different job and I've never left a job for reasons other than graduating school before. I've been an RN for about a year and a half now. There's no real potential for me to grow in my position and I don't think my NM wants it. She isn't interested in me mentoring new grads and even though I've been told by the majority of my co-workers that I'd make a good charge RN, she isn't up for doing anything other than berating me. I'm pretty sure there's nothing I can do to make my work environment any better for myself and that talking to my NM will get me no-where. How do I talk about this in a way that isn't whining to a potential new employer?

[AtlantaRN, RN]

dont talk negatively about your current boss....use the buzz words "time for a change," "up for a new challenge,"

[79Tango]

Whatever you do--Do not bad mouth your former employer/boss. Especially if it is a sister hospital! Im sure the interviewer probably has an idea of the environment you are coming from. It is very simple, youve been an RN for 1.5 years and now its time for a new chapter, change of scenery, you want expand your knowledge, etc. You can turn this into a positive by highlighting all of the things youve learned and how working that floor gave you a foundation for the next phase of your career.

[merlee]

I agree with Atlanta and Tango - - never bad mouth your current ( or Previous) employer - you never know who knows who, or where you may meet up again.

Think of this as a growth experience. Only the best for you from this date forward!

[TeleMeMore]

I agree with the rest!

If they ask, you can say you wanted something a little different, time for a change. You can then gear your questions during your interview with the change you are looking for, for example if you are talking to the NM herself in the interview, "What is the morale like around here?" "What do you do in a situation where a nurse is having some type of conflict?" "What happens when a nurse wants to get further education?" "Is there an incentive to be a preceptor?" "What types of Continuing Education programs are offered?" "Is there tuition reimbursement for furthering your education".

Of course you don't want to ONLY ask these questions, but if you sprinkle them in if you feel comfortable doing so, the NM might get the hint of what you are looking for in your new position (an opportunity for growth, someone to be supportive of the nurses and their needs..etc) and this may allude to why you want to leave your current job in a more subtle way.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i agree with the others, remain positive throughout your interview. what is it about the sister hospital that offers you potential to grow? if you do not know the answer to that question other then to respond that your current nm is not there, then find out asap. also, when you leave it does not do any good to tell the truth.

give a positive spin to your resignation as well. nurses on the floor and probably in management already know that your nm is a problem. who knows, the higher ups may not even care how your nm behaves or that he/she has no confidence in his/her staff. thus, you may do nothing but hurt your chances within that system if you talk negatively about this manager. find a new job and put this horrid experience in your past (or just come here to vent). gl!

[biblepoet]

Say that you are looking for new opportunities to grow as a nurse. Worked for me.

[pinkiepie_RN]

i agree with the others, remain positive throughout your interview. what is it about the sister hospital that offers you potential to grow? if you do not know the answer to that question other then to respond that your current nm is not there, then find out asap. also, when you leave it does not do any good to tell the truth.

give a positive spin to your resignation as well. nurses on the floor and probably in management already know that your nm is a problem. who knows, the higher ups may not even care how your nm behaves or that he/she has no confidence in his/her staff. thus, you may do nothing but hurt your chances within that system if you talk negatively about this manager. find a new job and put this horrid experience in your past (or just come here to vent). gl!

i know the new position is on a smaller, more specialized unit, with more services available to the patients on the unit. i'm going to be doing some research among students that have been there and see what kind of other info i can get.

thanks for the support!

[pinkiepie_RN]

I agree with the rest!

If they ask, you can say you wanted something a little different, time for a change. You can then gear your questions during your interview with the change you are looking for, for example if you are talking to the NM herself in the interview, "What is the morale like around here?" "What do you do in a situation where a nurse is having some type of conflict?" "What happens when a nurse wants to get further education?" "Is there an incentive to be a preceptor?" "What types of Continuing Education programs are offered?" "Is there tuition reimbursement for furthering your education".

Of course you don't want to ONLY ask these questions, but if you sprinkle them in if you feel comfortable doing so, the NM might get the hint of what you are looking for in your new position (an opportunity for growth, someone to be supportive of the nurses and their needs..etc) and this may allude to why you want to leave your current job in a more subtle way.

That's a great way to spin my complaints and needs into positive questions. :)