What do I say when the interviewer asks why I left my previous job?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been an RN for 1 year and ten months. During that time, and after many applications, I was offered a job at a SNF which I accepted. I only stayed a little over 4 months. My orientation was 8 shifts, I was given a hall of 15 patients after the 3rd day of orientation. The minimum number of patients we had was 15, but could be as high as 32. The hall I worked on had permanent residents as well as rehab patients. 95 percent of residents had to have many meds at every med pass, and the meds had to be crushed, put into applesauce and fed to the patient.

This is not a fast process, meanwhile the rehab patients are in pain and need meds in a timely fashion. The employee turnover was constant and call out happened every day, every shift. I did not feel that I was giving the proper care to these patients, it was impossible. Many shifts were 15 hours instead of 12 because of trying to catch up. We did not have a unit manager, she walked out around the second week I worked there.

Sorry this is so long!! My question is this, what do I say when an interviewer asked why I left?? Thus far I have only been called for interviews at SNFs and when I tell the truth, that the patient to nurse ratio was too high, the interview is promptly over. I have yet another one of these interviews in the a.m. and wonder if I should even go. It seems in SC all nursing homes are the same, too many patients per nurse. Thanks for your help.

---

Dear What to Say,

You are being completely honest but it's not working for you.

When you tell a prospective employer who plans to give you (probably) at least 15 patients, that you left your previous job because they gave you 15+ patients, yes, that interview would be over. Unfortunately it doesn't cause them to see the error of their ways, and readjust their own too-high nurse to patient ratios.

Your reply must present yourself in a good light without criticizing the previous employer or conditions.You can do this by saying that it wasn't a good fit, or that you need an environment with active/strong management and guidance as you are new. You are confident that the new organization will provide what you need and that the job is a good match for your skill sets.

Keep it your reply brief, immediately segue into why you are a good candidate, and focus on your skills.

Interview Them

Since you are now wiser for your experience, you might want to ask them some questions of your own.

What is your nurse to patient ratio?”

What is the turnover rate?”

Are there PCAs to help the nurses?”

Maybe it will help you to screen out another SNF that will be a lot like the first SNF. And if they are all the same in your area, are there other options for you? Sub-acute? Acute?

I wish you luck. Unfortunately your story is too common. Here's another reader who had a similar experience:

What to say when you quit your previous job in an interview

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[llg, PhD, RN]

Why are you applying for jobs that have all the same characteristics that caused you to leave your previous job? Either you are willing to accept those working conditions or you are not. If you ARE willing to accept those conditions now (when you weren't before), then don't list them as the reason you left. If you are NOT willing to accept those conditions, then don't apply for those types of positions. Apparently, that is the common set of working conditions in SNF's in your area.

If you have changed your mind and you are now willing to accept those conditions, then you will have to come up with an alternative answer to that question. It will probably be a lie ... but it will help you lie convincingly if you can think of some other reasons that are/were at least partly true. You might even stick with the truth and say that you were not prepared for the reality of SNF work and had unrealistic expectations of that job. Now that you have had to think, you would like a chance to try again -- now that you know it is the type of work you really want to do and you are prepared for what to expect. Then emphasize all the good things about their institution that make you want to work there and all the good things about you that will make you a good hire for them.

[mani96]

The question we SHOULD be asking is: why are these working conditions acceptable in any facility, SNF or not? The "reality of SNF work" should not be these kinds of ratios. We need to be advocating for change in the SNF environments rather than accepting that new grads or those who can't find work in acute care "end up" there, and then leave as soon as they find a better job. Every single patient deserves better than that.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

If you have your BSN, apply to hospitals or clinics as most require it. Unfortunately though I've been seeing that most new nurse both RN and LPN jobs are LTC. A great place to learn to think on your feet, but can be hard. Hang in there. Apply everywhere and hold your head high. You'll land a great job soon!

[llg, PhD, RN]

The question we SHOULD be asking is: why are these working conditions acceptable in any facility, SNF or not? The "reality of SNF work" should not be these kinds of ratios. We need to be advocating for change in the SNF environments rather than accepting that new grads or those who can't find work in acute care "end up" there, and then leave as soon as they find a better job. Every single patient deserves better than that.

I agree ... but the original person with the question is hardly in a position to influence change. She needs a job -- and needs to decide whether she is willing to accept the current SNF working conditions or move on to another field. It's probably not realistic of her to expect to find the type of SNF job she is applying for that has the working conditions she desires.

[Desert Lady]

You mean like I kill myself everyday for the meager reward in 2 weeks. Yeah I need money to live.

[mani96]

I agree ... but the original person with the question is hardly in a position to influence change. She needs a job -- and needs to decide whether she is willing to accept the current SNF working conditions or move on to another field. It's probably not realistic of her to expect to find the type of SNF job she is applying for that has the working conditions she desires.

Agreed. But hopefully we can work to change things in SNFs so that these types of forum questions will be a thing of the past. That's my goal anyway.

[JayHanig]

You can always tell them the commute became too much. They'll have record of your current address: you can always say you just moved into the area from the older, more distant location. Nobody is going to care enough to check.

If you do manage to get caught, so what? You wouldn't have gotten the job without the story. If you're smart you will look in another direction away from SNF work. I imagine they all suck pretty much the same as your last job.

[NurseFifty]

Can you say, "for career advancement?". Then mention the things about the facility you are applying for that is generally accepted as better than the one you are leaving.

If that doesn't work, how about better geographical location? The interviewer is not your friend that you confide into. You just need to present yourself in positive manner. You don't lie but you don't volunteer information about yourself that will hurt your application.

By the way, when you leave, don't go from the pan to the fire. Make sure the new employer will give you a better deal than the one you are leaving. Don't leave for the sake of leaving.