Nursing is a profession that comes with a lot of responsibility. That is why it is important to ask the right questions when interviewing for a nursing job. By doing so, you can be sure that you are making the best decision for your career. In this blog post, we will outline some of the most common interview questions for nursing jobs and provide helpful answers to go along with them. So, whether you are thinking about becoming a nurse or are just curious about what goes into the process, keep reading!
1. Why did you choose to become a nurse?
There are many reasons why people choose to become nurses. Some are drawn to the challenge and fast-paced environment of nursing, while others may be motivated by the opportunity to help others. Whatever your reason may be, be sure to share it with your interviewer. This will show them that you are committed to the profession and excited by the prospect of helping others.
2. What is your experience working with patients who have this diagnosis?
Interviewers may ask you about past patient experiences in order to further understand how comfortable you are with certain medical conditions or illnesses. This question is meant to gauge whether or not you can handle some of the more difficult aspects of nursing. If you have experience working with patients who have a certain diagnosis, be sure to share that with your interviewer. However, if you do not have any experience in this area, be sure to let them know that too and explain how you would be willing to learn.
3. What is the most challenging situation that you have faced and how did you handle it?
As a nurse, there will be many difficult situations that you face on the job. This is especially true if you work in an emergency setting or specialty field of nursing. Be sure to prepare for this question by thinking of a challenging situation from your past and sharing what made it such a challenge and how you were able to handle it. This will demonstrate your critical thinking skills and ability to manage stressful situations in a way that benefits the patient.
4. What role do you see yourself taking in this practice?
Nursing is a team-based profession, so be sure to show your interviewer that you intend on helping them build a strong team. Share your vision for what role you see yourself playing in the practice and explain how you believe your skills and experience will benefit the team. By doing so, you will show that you are invested in the success of the practice and are willing to work collaboratively with others.
5. What are some of your strengths as a nurse?
This question provides you with the perfect opportunity to share some of your best qualities with your interviewer. Be sure to highlight qualities such as your compassion, critical thinking skills, and ability to manage stress. These are all important strengths that can benefit any nursing practice.
6. What type of nurse do you see yourself becoming?
There are several different specialties within nursing. This is true of both the medical and surgical fields. When answering this question, be sure to choose a role that you are most interested in pursuing or that aligns most closely with your previous experience. You do not want to say one job and then interview for another later on.
7. How would you handle a situation where you are not familiar with the treatment?
There will be times when you are not familiar with the treatment for a particular patient. This is to be expected, as there are many different conditions and illnesses out there. When answering this question, be sure to explain how you would go about researching the treatment and then implementing it. This demonstrates your willingness to learn and take on new challenges.
8. What motivates you to continue working as a nurse?
There are many reasons why nurses may choose to remain in the profession. Some may be drawn to the sense of satisfaction they feel when helping others, while others may enjoy the challenge and fast pace of nursing. Whatever your reasons may be, be sure to share them with your interviewer. This will help them understand why you are drawn to nursing and why you are motivated to continue working in the field.
9. What would you say to a patient who was unhappy with their care?
A patient may not always be satisfied with the level of care they receive. No matter how dissatisfied they are, it is your job to provide them with the best possible treatment. When answering this question, be sure to share how you would work with this patient in order to resolve the issue. You want to show your interviewer that you are a problem solver and are capable of handling difficult situations.
10. Are you comfortable working with computers?
With the increasing use of technology in the medical field, many nurses are now required to have basic computer skills. When answering this question, be sure to share how comfortable you are working with computers and how long you have been doing so. You do not want to be caught off guard during the interview, so make sure that you take some time to prepare by practicing on a computer outside of the interview setting.
11. Which medical books or journals would you recommend our patients read?
Nurses who work in practice settings should be well-versed in the literature and science behind their field of expertise. When answering this question, you want to recommend books and journals that your interviewer’s patients will find helpful. This shows that you are passionate about patient education and care as well as being knowledgeable within the practice field.
12. How would you assess a new patient?
Before you are allowed to treat a patient, it is important that you assess them first. When answering this question, be sure to share how you would go about assessing the patient’s needs and what information would be vital to know whether or not they could receive treatment at your facility. This will demonstrate to your interviewer that you are thorough in your work and fully understand the importance of patient assessment.
13. What are some common nursing diagnoses?
There are many different nursing diagnoses that you may encounter in your career. When answering this question, be sure to share a few of the more common ones with your interviewer. This will give them an idea of the types of conditions you are familiar with and the level of expertise you have within the nursing field.
14. What would you do if a patient refused to take their medication?
There are times when a patient may refuse to take their medication, whether it be for personal reasons or because they do not think it will help. When answering this question, be sure to share how you would handle the situation. You want to show your interviewer that you are a confident and capable nurse, so be sure to convey this message in your answer.
15. How do you handle difficult patients?
There are times when nurses may have difficulty with their patients. This is very common, especially if the patient feels uncomfortable around particular nurses or if they are not following treatment orders. When answering this question, be sure to share how you would handle the situation. You want to be sure to stay calm and professional, no matter how difficult the patient may be. This will show your interviewer that you are capable of handling difficult patients and that you have the patience necessary for the nursing field.
16. What is your experience with wound care?
Wound care is an important part of nursing, and you want to be sure that your interviewer knows that you have the necessary experience. When answering this question, be sure to share the type of wounds you have treated in the past as well as how you would go about creating a new wound. This will show your interviewer that you are knowledgeable in the field of wound care and are capable of handling it with ease.
17. What is your experience with IVs?
When answering this question, be sure to share whether or not you have had any previous experience with Intravenous (IV) therapy and if so, how long you have been doing it. You also want to be sure to share your thoughts on how you would go about starting an IV on a new patient. This will show your interviewer that you are knowledgeable in the field of IV therapy and are capable of handling it with ease.
18. What is your experience with childbirth?
If you have experience in childbirth, be sure to share it with your interviewer. This will show them that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to handle childbirth-related situations. You may also want to share how you would go about assisting a woman in labor. This will show your interviewer that you are confident in your abilities and are fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise during childbirth.
19. What is your experience with pediatric patients?
When answering this question, be sure to share the age range of pediatric patients you have experience with. You also want to share how you would go about assessing and caring for a pediatric patient. This will show your interviewer that you are knowledgeable in the field of pediatric nursing and are capable of caring for children of all ages.
20. What is your experience with geriatric patients?
When answering this question, be sure to share the age range of geriatric patients you have experience with. You also want to share how you would go about assessing and caring for a geriatric patient. This will show your interviewer that you are knowledgeable in the field of geriatric nursing and are capable of caring for elderly patients.
21. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to take charge?
There are times when nurses may need to take charge and be the leader of the team. When answering this question, be sure to share how you would go about doing this. You want to show your interviewer that you are capable of taking charge and leading the team in a difficult situation. This will show them that you are a confident and capable nurse.
22. What do you do when you’re not working?
This question gives your interviewer an opportunity to get to know you better. When answering this question, be sure to share your hobbies and interests. This will give them a better idea of who you are as a person and will help them see you are more than just a nurse. This will make you seem more personable and like someone, they would enjoy working with.
23. How do you handle stressful situations?
Stressful situations are part of the job, and your interviewer wants to know how you will be able to handle these types of situations in the future. When answering this question, be sure to share what monitoring devices you would use as well as how often you would check them. This will show your interviewer that you are knowledgeable in the field of nursing and are confident in your abilities to handle stressful situations accordingly.
24. What is your experience with spiritual care?
As a nurse, it’s important to have knowledge of spiritual care for patients who may be interested in it during their hospital stay or at home. When answering this question, be sure to share the type of spiritual care you are comfortable with providing. You may also want to share how you would go about assessing a patient’s spiritual needs. This will show your interviewer that you are knowledgeable in the field of spiritual care and are capable of caring for patients who may be interested in it.
25. Are you comfortable working night shifts?
There are times when nurses may need to work night shifts. When answering this question, be sure to let your interviewer know whether or not you are comfortable working nights. If you are not comfortable working nights, let them know that as well. This will show them that you are honest and upfront and that you understand the importance of being flexible when it comes to working.
26. What do you think are the most important qualities for a nurse?
When answering this question, be sure to share the qualities that are important to you as a nurse. You may want to share things such as compassion, honesty, and integrity. This will show your interviewer that you are looking for qualities that are important to you and that you have high standards when it comes to nurses.
27. Do you have any questions for me?
This is your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the position of the company. When asking questions, be sure to keep them job-related. This will show your interviewer that you are interested in the position and that you have taken the time to do your research on the company. This will show that you are serious about the position and that you are ready to take on your new role in the company.
28. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Five years is a long time when it comes to planning ahead for the future, so be sure to share what’s important to you when answering this question. You may want to share how important family is or how much your education means to you. When answering this question, be sure to share what’s most important so your interviewer can get an idea of where your priorities lie when it comes to work and life.
29. How would you handle a nurse who was not performing their duties correctly?
There will come a time in your nursing career where you will have to deal with nurses who are not performing their duties correctly. When answering this question, be sure to share the steps you would take to correct the situation. You may want to share how you would go about speaking with the nurse and what type of disciplinary action you would recommend. This will show your interviewer that you are capable of handling difficult situations and that you have a plan in place for dealing with them.
30. What made you decide to become a nurse?
When answering this question, be sure to share why you decided to become a nurse. You may want to share how caring for others has always been important to you or how interested you were in the medical field. When answering this question, be sure to share why nursing is a good fit for you and what made you realize that it was the right career choice for you.
