Why do you want to leave your current position?

Nurses Job Hunt

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This is the one question that always stumps me on job interviews! I've been a bedside nurse for 6 and a half years and I want to get out of the hospital. I'm looking into ambulatory care, home health, and case management. They always ask me why I want to leave the current position. I never know what to say! Can someone give any ideas? I knowit would be unnaceptable to say my new boss is awful, I am way too stressed, the patient's families are becoming increasingly demanding and rude, and that the direct admissions we get int he hospital are train wrecks that need to be in the ICU.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

How about THIS: I want to expand my current practice; my strengths and skills (insert skills and experiences here) would be a great transition as I enjoy (insert what you enjoy about interested area here).

Hope this helps!

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I say something along the lines of wanting to be able to spend a bit more one on one time with patients to help teach them and educate them. This is hard to do in the hospital setting when you have 6,7,8 patients and are being pulled in many different directions all at once. Also, to experience a new specialty/area of nursing. I explained this on two interviews for outpatient settings that I went on in January. Was offered both positions. Good luck!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I would treat a bit on stating being pulled in many directions through; outpatient can be very busy, an you may find yourself being pulled in "different directions", they way want you to explain that.

But that's just me.

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This question was asked during my first interview that I had last week too.

I'm leaving a retail position. So I said that I actually really like my job: my coworkers are great and the job itself is fine. I just want to start my nursing career and don't like retail in general. (If they want me to expound on that later, I can do that)

I figure they could pick apart anything I say, so I wanted to emphasize that 1. I don't job hop. I've been at my job awhile, and 2. I get along well with my coworkers so I would also work well with others at their hospital. I'm not running from problems, I'm just ready to start working as a nurse.

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