topic. How hospital mental health staff make the decision to terminate employmentmethods. Subjects (N = 30) included mental health professionals formerly employed at a large Canadian psychiatric hospital. They were interviewed using Ebaugh's model of the role exit process to determine different dimensions of the existing process.findings. The role exit process tended to cover a considerable time span, with notable potential for reversing the decisions.conclusion. staff who terminate employment due to job‐related circumstances could be retained if active problem‐solving measures were undertaken by the staff member and appropriate administrative person