What Can You Bring to Our Team Nursing
Updated 07/29/2021 Reviewed by: Kiley Griffin, R.N.
Even with a 15% projected growth rate in U.South. nursing jobs, it still takes a loftier degree of skill, experience, and preparation to ace your nursing interview.
Going into a nursing interview can feel daunting. This is true for the most seasoned nursing veterans. Not many people enjoy the procedure of interviewing. However, it doesn't have to give you an ulcer just thinking virtually it.
We've provided a guide to assistance you feel at ease going into the interview.
Read on for the top nursing interview questions and answers, tips, and more to assist ace your next nurse interview.
In this guide we will cover
- Nursing interview questions and answers
- General nurse interview tips
- Research the facility yous are interviewing at
- Questions to ask in a nursing interview
- How to prepare for a telephone interview
- How to fix for an in-person nurse interview
- What to wear
- What to bring
Nursing interview questions and answers
Here are some of the most commonly-asked questions during nursing interviews and then you lot can ready your responses alee of time.
Jump to a specific question
- Teamwork and working with others
- Depict a situation where you had to piece of work with a hard co-worker. How did you handle it?
- Tell us nearly a time that you were in a leadership position. Were you pleased with the results?
- Describe a situation where you felt proud of your healthcare team. What role did you play in your team's success?
- How do you similar working with a team?
- Describe a time there was a miscommunication between you and a teammate. How did you handle it?
- Patient intendance questions
- Describe a problematic patient you have had in the past. How did you handle the situation?
- How do you address questions from a patient'due south family and friends?
- Can you explain situations without using a lot of medical jargon? Give an example.
- What is your idea of effective patient and family education?
- Have you dealt with a family or patient who was displeased with your care? How did you handle it?
- Background and personality
- Tell me nearly yourself.
- Why did you determine to exist a nurse?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work here (at this hospital/health system)? What interests yous the most?
- What are your professional goals?
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Describe a situation where you were nether a lot of force per unit area. How did you deal with it? What methods worked well for you?
- What do you lot do when you don't know the answer to something at piece of work—whether it's how to address a situation or answer a patient question—how do you go near getting more information?
NURSE TIP
"Tape yourself practicing answers to interview questions and heed dorsum to make sure you sound confident and concise!"
-Jami, RN & nurse advocate
Teamwork and working with others
Relying on your team is critical in any hospital or health facility. Employers want to know that you lot are a team role player and work well with others, even in stressful situations.
1. "Describe a state of affairs where you lot had to work with a difficult co-worker. How did you handle it?"
With this question, brand certain you lot don't throw anybody under the bus. Yous want to include the resolution, and, if possible what y'all learned from the situation.
Example answer:
"I worked the night shift with a nurse who consistently showed upwards late for their shift. This would impact the whole squad and put us behind. I took time to talk with the nurse and asked them if switching shifts would assistance them arrive to work on time. My co-worker said it would help them since the particular hr they were scheduled was difficult for them. We switched, and that solved the problem. I learned that taking initiative goes a long manner."
Spot on! This shows an ability to adapt and problem-solve. Hiring managers desire to find someone who tin can overcome a tough state of affairs and discover a resolution. Moreover, it shows character since you were willing to sacrifice for the team. Kudos.
2. "Tell us nigh a time that you were in a leadership position. Were y'all pleased with the results?"
Hiring managers seek people they can promote. They want to find someone who has feel as a leader. Contempo graduates can talk about leadership experience with volunteering or an academic project.
Example reply:
"As a licensed RN, I have gravitated toward leadership positions. In one of my roles, I led a group of LVN's. I developed a team that dedicated itself to patient-centered care and efficiency. Nosotros made sure to involve families in the care and specialize handling plans to individual patient's needs. One of my proudest moments was seeing one of the LVN's earn their RN certification. In that sense, I felt more than than pleased with the results."
Solid. You identified that y'all have feel in leadership roles and also your intendance standards. Additionally, you lot showed how much of a team player yous are.
iii. "Draw a situation where you lot felt proud of your healthcare team. What role did y'all play in your team's success?"
Every nursing unit experiences success in i way or some other. Being able to clear a fourth dimension when you contributed to a successful state of affairs helps your hiring team. When answering this question make sure you lot are as detailed every bit possible and explain the part y'all had in the success.
Working as a med-surg nurse, I ofttimes encounter a lot of success doing my job. One time, my patient had infected feeding tubes. I was able to thoroughly make clean and helped forbid further injury to the patient.
4. "How exercise you similar working with a squad?"
Nurses don't work in silos. A lot of their work depends on other people. Cooperation and flexibility are of import traits to facilitate a healthy team.
Example answer:
"I thrive while working as a part of a team because of my ability to adapt. I detect that working on a team allows for the all-time outcomes for patients. Anybody has a dissimilar mode of looking at a trouble and multiple perspectives can bring almost artistic solutions to issues. Also, working on a squad motivates me because I relish celebrating the successes of others. Concluding, I feel confident in my abilities to work solitary as well."
Score! You explained how valuable working on a team is to you. Likewise, yous showed that you can work alone. You killed 2 birds with 1 rock. Fantabulous.
5. "Describe a time there was a miscommunication betwixt yous and a teammate. How did you handle it?"
Miscommunications are bound to happen in a team setting. Knowing how to work through conflict is crucial. Try and present a conflict or miscommunication that you didn't crusade, yet you played a pivotal function in solving.
Example answer:
"One of my co-workers struggled to communicate during the paw-off period to brainstorm her shift. She would often tell me partial data about a patient'southward condition. This lead to confusion and chaos. Eventually, I told her politely that she wasn't giving me proper information at the shift change. She corrected her means and even began writing notes for the hand-off. I learned the importance of speaking up and being directly at that moment."
Bingo! Hither y'all conveyed initiative past speaking up. You likewise articulated that y'all can work with other people and provide honest, considerate feedback.
As you think about responses to these questions, go along in mind that you lot should not speak poorly about others. Choose your words carefully, and focus on explaining what you did well without putting people down.
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Patient care questions
Patient care is a central focal indicate for nurse candidates. Interviewers (and your supervisors and teammates) want to be sure they can rely on you to accept a good relationship with every patient, regardless of circumstances.
6. "Describe a problematic patient you have had in the by. How did y'all handle the situation?"
Nurses have their fair share of problematic patients. The key is knowing how to deal with troublesome patients in constructive ways.
Case answer:
"Trying to get children to accept their meds is challenging. I had 1 kid who cried and threw a fit every time we wanted to give them medication. So, i day I asked the kid a simple question, " What's your favorite kind of ice cream?" The child said chocolate, and I brought them chocolate pudding to take with their medication. It did the trick. The child stopped screaming and crying at medication time, and I earned a friend on the floor."
Wow. Awesome answer. You lot actually went to a higher place and beyond to aid remedy the situation. The response proved that yous can problem-solve well and adjust on the fly.
seven. "How do you address questions from a patient's family and friends?"
Family and friends frequently ask a lot of questions. Sometimes y'all aren't able to reply all their questions in a timely thing. Having the ability to rest answering questions and take care of the patient is crucial.
Example reply:
"I lead with empathy. I know that I demand to requite them the best information that I can. However, I try to make sure that I'm answering them in kind ways, and I imagine myself in their shoes. At present, I know that I tin can't respond all of their questions, then I try to set boundaries and brand sure I'm non enabling, either."
Perfection. You displayed an hostage attempt to run into the patient where they are. Yous also talked most setting boundaries, which is key.
8. "Can y'all explain situations without using a lot of medical jargon? Give an example."
Medical information tin seem unintelligible to some patients. The nurse has to finer translate data from the doctor to a patient. In this example, emphasize how yous go out of your fashion to brand sure that the patient understands.
Example answer:
"I have various patients with different educational backgrounds and ages, then I must intermission medical jargon down into understandable ways. For example, whenever a doctor orders radiology for a patient, I make certain that I explain to the patient they are getting an X-ray. Also, I try to make sure the patient understands by asking them to echo what they think they heard. That way, everybody is on the same page."
Here, you explained the effort you lot put into describing complex medical jargon. What's key is that you brand the patient repeat dorsum what they heard. Swell job!
9. "What is your idea of constructive patient and family didactics?"
Every patient has their own learning style. Emphasizing that yous tin can work with a variety of patients to provide quality patient and family didactics is important.
Example answer:
"Constructive patient education centers around the patient and family's needs. You have to empathise their learning style and accommodate appropriately. For instance, some patients adopt reading medical instructions versus watching a DVD. You also demand to figure out what each patient needs. Some want detailed information; others merely want the necessary information. Including the family unit in the treatment process is crucial because they may end up serving as primary caretakers for the patient going forward. Show them how vital they are to the process and key them in on how they can help."
Splendid. Y'all portrayed flexibility and a willingness to tailor your care to a patient's needs.
10. "Have you dealt with a family or patient who was displeased with your care? How did you handle it?"
Unfortunately, not every patient will feel satisfied with your care. The of import thing is finding a resolution and that's what this question is looking for.
Example answer:
"I strive to provide loftier-quality care to each patient. However, sometimes the patient doesn't concord with my methods. For example, I once had a patient who complained about how I administered his insulin. He told my administrator that I stuck the needle in too quickly and not gentle enough. From that point, I decided to become specially tedious with that patient to accommodate their needs and provide patient-centered care."
You hit the spot. Literally. This is a great instance of adjusting to a patient's needs.
If yous are just showtime your nursing career, so you tin can reply these questions every bit hypotheticals or by relating to another office of your life. How would you handle these situations? How have you lot approached difficult customers or clients in previous jobs?
Background and personality
Your personality will play a huge role in how yous fit into a healthcare environment. The interview is oft the simply take a chance that others have to gauge your personality fit into their team; therefore, general questions about you and your career path are fairly common.
eleven. "Tell me about yourself."
This question gives yous an opportunity to share. However, they aren't looking for your life story. They are trying to ascertain how yous could fit on their team. Sprinkle in a few of the task qualifications and you're golden.
Example respond:
"I'm a driven nurse who enjoys providing patient-centered intendance. I accept spent eight years working as a pediatrics nurse. During that time, I learned that quality intendance involves empathy first, which helps you determine your handling. Every patient is different. I am proud of my ability to juggle different patient loads. Helping my patients recover and regain health motivates me every twenty-four hours. Your company's determination to ensure patient-centered and quality care fits my skill set and goals equally a nurse."
Great job! You lot provided a nifty synopsis of your skills and passion.
12. "Why did you lot determine to exist a nurse?"
Here, the employer wants a nurse whose ambitions match the principles of the facility.
Instance respond:
"My family had a pervasive medical background. I had a grandad and uncle that were doctors. Many aunts and cousins are nurses, and it seemed like a natural progression. I was always intrigued by the medical field since I was a child. Helping people in practical still compassionate ways comes naturally to me."
Here, you broadcast something essential about your graphic symbol: care and pity. Having compassion and an urge to care for others will go a long way every bit a nurse.
thirteen. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Every nurse has unique strengths and weaknesses. Honesty is important when answering this question. That said, you lot don't desire to limited a weakness that makes you seem incompetent.
Example answer:
"My greatest force comes from my ability to educate and sympathize with patients. I can speak in their terms and help them understand what'south going on with their bodies. I strive to enter into their shoes and care for them equally people first, not merely patients. There was this one older woman who dearly missed her garden. I decided to bring in a small potted garden to the patient. She loved this gesture, and it made her feel better almost her diagnosis. My greatest weakness is over-committing. I am so passionate nearly the job that I try and do too much at times. I need to dull down and trust my team. "
Wow! Touching. You definitely showed how much patients mean to you lot. Also, your weakness doesn't pigment yous in a negative light. Rather, it shows your passion.
14. "Why practise you desire to work here (at this infirmary/health system)? What interests you the most?"
Don't say because you desire to brand more money. Draw the health system and what y'all feel drawn toward.
Example answer:
"I'1000 inspired to piece of work in a facility that champions patient-centered care. Your facility has received countless awards for its intendance including the Vizient 2022 Bernard A. Birnbaum, K.D., Quality Leadership Award for high-quality patient intendance. I am excited to work for such an institution. I find that I thrive in facilities defended to this goal. Additionally, I saw that your hospital is ranked as ane of the superlative hospitals according to U.Southward. Earth News Reports for hospitals. I would feel a peachy bargain of pride to piece of work at such a well regarded hospital. "
15. What are your professional person goals?
Hiring managers want to hire ambitious nurses who have a articulate sense of what their professional goals are. Information technology's of import to accept a detailed and attainable set of goals. Clearly, ambition is practiced, simply information technology might be a chip unwise to tell your hiring managing director you're planning to become the infirmary president when you're applying for a role every bit a get-go-twelvemonth registered nurse.
Example respond:
"My professional goals are as follows: earn my MSN, bring together the Emergency Nurses Association and become an emergency room nurse practitioner. I hope to mentor nurses and share what I have learned. I am excited well-nigh the opportunity to fulfill my goals. Last, I would like to advance into a management role equally well where I tin oversee and train nurses. I feel drawn toward helping others grow and larn."
Well done. Y'all definitely did your enquiry near the facility. And your goals align with the aims of the company.
Some of these questions require yous to do some soul searching. However, having well-thought-out responses to these questions will aid show that you have put thought into your self-development and your career, which is very appealing for about whatever employer.
Always be prepared to be questioned on anything on your cover letter of the alphabet, resume, and reference letters.
Adaptability and flexibility
Life as a nurse is often about adjusting quickly to changing environments. Demonstrating that you tin be agile when necessary is a nifty manner to get your foot in the door.
16. "Depict a situation where y'all were under a lot of pressure. How did you bargain with it? What methods worked well for you?"
Nursing is a stressful position. Sometimes nurses exhaustion. The hiring managing director wants to find a nurse who can handle the stress in a healthy and practical style.
Case respond:
"I experienced pressure level every day equally an ICU nurse. On ane occasion, I had to embrace more patients than usual because of a co-worker calling out sick. I decided to create a list and prioritize care. By organizing and paying attention to detail, I was able to manage my increased workload successfully. After piece of work, I often practice yoga so that I don't have any of the stress with me."
Bravo. Yous showed an power to prioritize and you also conveyed that you're proactive in taking measures to mitigate stress in your free fourth dimension.
17. "What do y'all exercise when you don't know the answer to something at work—whether it's how to address a situation or answer a patient question—how practice you go well-nigh getting more information?"
Every nurse volition experience a time where they don't know the answer to a question. The cardinal is finding the resource and rapidly. The hiring manager wants to hear about how you resolved this issue speedily.
Example answer:
"When I don't sympathise something at work, I seek out help. I don't let my pride make it the mode of quality patient care. I more often than not ask someone who has more experience than me to aid out and do information technology in a timely manner."
Superb. Yous showed humility and a need to assist the patient offset across any need to appease ego.
Keeping these answers focused on how well you responded to point out your willingness to suit to get things done can exist very helpful in an interview.
When in doubt, recall the acronym "STAR" for your answers: ASituation orTask similar to what they're request nigh,Actions yous took, andResults you achieved.
Research the facility you are interviewing at
Going into your interview, you want to have a general sense of its features similar what demographic it serves, statistics, goals and mission, history, and the programs that it provides.
Statistics: Does the hospital have a magnet status? Magnet status refers to an award presented by the American Nurses Credentialing Centre (ANCC) to hospitals that meet a benchmark that measures the quality of their nursing. Where exercise they rank in the U.S. News & World Reports for hospitals? This ranks the all-time hospitals by specialty.
Goals and Mission: What are some of the goals or missions of the hospital? Yous tin detect the goals or mission of a hospital on its website. Does the hospital have a religious undercurrent? What is the mission and how does the hospital want to serve its population?
Demographics: Does the hospital cater to a specific population type? For case, does the facility serve an older demographic of people? What about the general socioeconomic status of the patients? These are questions you lot need to respond before the interview.
History: When was the facility opened? What major things have happened since it's been opened? Has information technology recently undergone a renovation?
Programs: What kind of programs does the facility have? For case, does it have a renowned cancer unit or a corking pediatric program? What'southward the patient-to-staff ratio?
Questions to enquire in a nursing interview
Now that nosotros've provided some examples of common interview questions and answers asked in a nursing interview, it's time to provide some questions for yous to inquire your interviewer. Request questions of your interviewer shows that yous're interested in the position and helps you proceeds a greater sense of what the job will be like.
What is your visitor's culture like?
This question is important for any position. A company'south civilization impacts every conclusion that is made and you desire to brand sure that your values and the company's values align. Some companies may over emphasize efficiency and lose sight of developing healthy interaction between nurses on and off the task.
What type of orientation or grooming do you provide?
This is a great question to ask as it helps you understand the level of support yous volition receive upon starting the chore. Knowing that in that location will be a detailed and thorough training process might ease your mind about taking the job.
What type of managing mode do y'all have?
Knowing how your hereafter boss manages is a huge bonus. Every boss has their own managing style. Some bosses prefer a more hands on approach while others allow their employees more than freedom.
What policies or practices do you have for self-intendance?
This question hints at the company's culture. You should care to know how your time to come employer allows for self-care. Nurse burnout is real and beingness in an environment that doesn't allow for self-care can be toxic.
Practiced advice from nurses like yous
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Full general nurse interview tips
Here are some steps you can take to make a corking impression during interviews then you tin can find a job that fits.
- Set up in advance for questions your prospective employer may ask, specially those that test your critical thinking, prioritization, and skills.
- Practice your answers out loud. It may feel silly, only information technology's the easiest mode to know if an reply feels right or not. You can even record yourself speaking and listen to your responses.
- For phone interviews, select a placidity place where yous won't be distracted during the phone call.
- Keep some water handy to combat dry mouth
- Smile every bit yous speak, even over the phone, so they tin hear your positivity on the other end of the line.
- For in-person interviews, make sure you wearing apparel with polish — no jeans or scrubs — and avert overpowering scents/perfume.
- Bring a notebook and pen forth with a clean folder with copies of your resume and whatsoever certifications you lot accept (ACLS, NCLEX, etc).
- Prepare your own questions for the employer –Don't just bound into request well-nigh salary. Ask nearly a typical twenty-four hours in the position, patient and staff numbers, and how the arrangement gathers patient input/feedback.
- Write a thank you note and give thanks the interviewer for their fourth dimension. Reiterate your interest in working for their organization and exist specific about why. An authentic thank you note makes a departure, especially if they're considering other nurses for the role.
- Stay positive!
How to gear up for a phone interview
- Be set up 10 minutes early on, so you don't sound rushed.
- Eliminate background noise and distractions, for case, from children and pets. (A parked car in a quiet location can be a great place to take a call.)
- Make sure your telephone or laptop is fully charged, and use headphones/earphones for optimal audio.
- If you'll be using your landline, turn your mobile telephone off.
- Have some h2o handy. If your oral cavity is dry, you'll sound nervous.
- Use paper and pen for note taking to avoid the noisy clicking of computer keys.
- Exercise some voice exercises earlier the call, especially if y'all haven't spoken in several hours.
- Posture has an touch on your phonation, so stand up or make sure you sit up very direct during the call.
- Smile as yous speak — information technology really makes a difference! A skillful time to grinning is when you talk about the work you lot've done, ask questions, or express your enthusiasm about the company.
How to prepare for an in-person nurse interview
What to wear
Looking professional person is important. Your interviewer will be looking at how y'all clothes, how you present yourself, eye contact, positive attitude, and a firm handshake — and psychologists say you simply have seven seconds for that get-go impression!
Can you wear scrubs to a nursing interview? Despite the saying, "dress for the job you want," the simple reply is: no. Your image is your first impression, fifty-fifty before you milkshake the interviewer's hand. Apparel professionally – this ways a suit or business organization separates, no scrubs or denim.
Top tips:
- Don't vesture jeans, denim, or scrubs.
- Vesture a conform or business separates that fit well. You lot should feel similar the superhero y'all are! Avert apparel that are either likewise tight or oversized.
- Avert potent scents, which may include perfume, cologne, later on shave, lotions, and pilus products.
- If possible, article of clothing a spotter to testify that yous empathize the importance of timing and detail.
[More: Sign up with Incredible Health to become free interview coaching]
What to bring
- A pen or pencil
- Small notepad or notebook in good shape
- A make clean, unwrinkled folder with:
- Several copies of your resume
- Whatever letters of reference you might have
- Nursing License / proof you take passed NCLEX (mainly for new nursing graduates)
- CPR bill of fare
- Pertinent certifications
Preparation is key for any interview
Acceptable prep time will assistance you experience confident and comfortable heading into the interview room. So make sure to review all the tips above well before your interview, practice answers to common questions, and put your best foot forrad. Expert luck!
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Questions from the Incredible Health Nurse Community
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Source: https://www.incrediblehealth.com/blog/nursing-interview-questions/