Exit interviews for nurses: retention tool or tick-box exercise?

When nurses plan to leave their post, exit interviews can help inform retention strategies, say experts, and give staff a chance to share their views candidly

Exit interviews are discussions that take place between a member of staff who is leaving a post and their employer, typically to discuss the employee’s reasons for leaving and their experience of working for the employer.

NHS England says understanding why people leave is critical. ‘Unhealthily high turnover leads to lower performance and increased cost,’ says its Listening Well guidance on improving the understanding of the experience of NHS employees, published in February 2023. ‘An exit survey can identify cultural drivers of attrition and drive remedial action.’

What does an exit interview involve?