Are you preparing for your next nursing interview and wondering what questions will be asked of you? If so, you’re in the right place! Keep reading to discover the top 10 nursing interview questions that are asked by employers.
What Type of Nursing Interview Questions do Employers ask?
Maybe you are a new nurse, fresh out of nursing school. You finally made it (you weren’t sure you would!) and you have landed an interview for your first nursing job. You are ready to discuss any and every NCLEX-style question your employer might throw at you, right?
Or maybe you are a seasoned veteran of the field and you are ready to demonstrate your knowledge of all the nursing skills you’ve learned over the years. Surely, they want to know that you can throw in an IV with your eyes closed, eh?
Your new employer will care that you passed your boards and will be impressed by a seasoned nurse with many acquired skills.
However, they are not going to ask you board-style questions or ask you to insert an IV on your new charge nurse (might be fun, though, if they did).
Instead, it is very likely that they will ask you behavioral-based questions during your nursing interview.
Behavioral-based questions are geared towards determining how you react in certain situations based on how you’ve reacted to similar situations in the past.
It is best to answer these questions with real-life examples, either from past nursing jobs or perhaps your clinical hours in school.
Nursing Interview Question Themes
Healthcare employers also tend to ask behavioral-based questions that are centered around these 5 themes:
- Patient care
- Team Work
- Adaptability
- Time Management
- Communication style
The answers that you give to each of these questions will help them determine how you will fit in on the unit you are applying to.
That is why it’s important to do some prep work prior to your interview so that you can ace these questions and land your dream job!
So let’s dive into how you can successfully answer these behavioral-based questions.
How to Answer Nursing Interview Questions
When telling stories during your interview, you want to ensure that your stories are structured so you don’t end up rambling on about some tangent that isn’t pertinent to the question being asked of you.
For that reason, we suggest that you use the STAR method for answering behavioral-based questions.
Here is a snapshot of the STAR method:
S: Situation- give a little background information on the setting and the challenges you faced. Give 2 or 3 important details and then move on. Employers are less concerned with where you were than with what you did to solve a problem.
T: Task- Describe your role or goal in this scenario. This is going to set you up for how you fulfilled the role, met the goal, or solved the problem you faced.
A: Action- Inform on what actions you took to handle the situation or overcome the challenge. You want to spend the most time on this section of your answer, as it will determine how fit you are for the job.
R: Results- this is the second most important section. You want to describe the results or outcomes of your actions. Let them know why your actions were important to the end result and why you are a stronger nurse because of it.
Now that you know what kind of nurse interview questions will be asked of you and how you should structure your answers, let’s dive into sample questions and answers that will help you rock the socks off your interview!
Sample Nursing Interview Questions & Answers
Nursing Interview Questions & Answers: Team Work
Nursing is a team sport. You work on a team of nurses & aids and on the patient healthcare team. Therefore, employers want to gauge how well you will fit in with the current staff on the unit and how you deal with conflict.
Team Work Nursing Interview Question 1
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult coworker. How did you handle that situation?
Sample Answer:
Remember to never talk negatively about anyone during an interview. Instead, describe the situation and why the person was difficult. Share how you handled the situation, turning negative aspects into positive ones. How was the outcome more positive or successful due to your ability to work with the difficult coworker?
“On my last unit, I worked with a nursing aid who, in general, did not have a great attitude when coming to work. One day I asked her to go change a patient who had just had an incontinent episode. She became very upset with me and essentially told me to go do it myself.
Instead of becoming angry and firing off a hot response back to her, I explained that I couldn’t at this time because one of my other patients was having severe blood pressure issues. I had to go take another manual blood pressure and administer medications to this patient.
This explanation helped her to realize that I wasn’t asking her to do anything that I wasn’t also willing to do. I just had to prioritize another patient’s care who needed a nurse right then and there. My level-headedness during that conflict prevented further escalation and allowed both patients to receive the care they needed in a timely manner.”
Team Work Nursing Interview Question 2
- Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult member of the healthcare team. How did you respond to the situation?
Sample Answer:
Give a few details to set the stage: who did you have a conflict with? What was your response? How did your response turn a negative situation into a positive one?
“At the last hospital I was employed at, I worked with a very difficult doctor. He had an abrasive personality and many found him extremely challenging to work with. When COVID started, the nursing staff did not know what lab values to look for that indicated a COVID infection. The ER was constantly sending us patients without letting us know that they were potentially positive for COVID. Our COVID tests back then were send-outs, and it took days to get back the results.
Therefore, staff was being exposed to COVID without proper PPE because we did not know what preliminary lab results to watch for. The doctor became very upset that this was happening. I stepped up and gently explained to him that COVID was so new, that the nurses did not know what lab values to look for in potential COVID patients, and that we would love for him to explain it to us so that we can prevent further accidental exposure. He softened, sat down, and pulled up a chart for all of us to review so we could be safe while treating our patients. This was extremely beneficial for all the staff and patients to decrease exposure to COVID-19 for everyone in the hospital.”
Nursing Interview Questions & Answers: Patient Care
Providing quality patient care is at the forefront of every nursing manager’s mind. They’ll want to know that you can not only provide great care, but that you are able to deescalate rising tensions when things don’t go according to plan. When providing your answers, you want to assure your interviewer that you are able to handle conflicts with patients and families without becoming visibly upset yourself.
Patient Care Nursing Interview Question 1
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient who was unsatisfied with their care. How did you respond to this situation?
Sample Answer:
Describe the situation, what went wrong and why the patient was upset. Then explain how you responded to the patient when they complained, what specific actions you took to remedy the situation, and how the outcome became more positive due to your level-headed actions.
“Towards the end of my first year of nursing, I came in one day to start my shift. The outgoing nurse had given me report and had just taken over patient care when I was called into a room by a family member. ‘I think my dad just stopped breathing. I think he just died’. This would be my first time dealing with a deceased patient. Long story short, he had passed away while I was receiving report from the outgoing nurse. It was an expected death, which made it a touch easier, but still difficult to tell the family as a relatively new nurse.
After I finished in that room, I went to my next one. Fresh postoperative knee replacement patient who was extremely upset that I hadn’t been in sooner and that her tray was cold. Given that I had just had to deliver terrible news to the family next door, cold eggs seemed like a trivial thing.
But instead of lashing out at her and declaring why I was late and how I dont care about her silly eggs, I apologized, and offered to get her a fresh tray. Then I offered her pain medication, which is likely what she ultimately needed to feel better that morning. She thanked me, relief in her eyes, as I left the room. Sometimes what patients need most is a little compassion, even when they are difficult to manage. In my view, there is often a reason for the poor attitude, and its beneficial to everyone to figure out what that is and address the issue.”
Patient Care Nursing Interview Question 2
- How do you handle caring for patients with complicated diagnoses and who need a lot of care? Is this challenging for you?
Sample Answer:
It’s okay to admit that some situations are challenging. Anyone who has ever worked on a hospital floor is going to understand that difficult situations arise every day. The important thing to remember is how you effectively rise above the challenge. So set the stage during your interview and provide a real-life example of how you cared for a patient with a challenging diagnosis. How did your actions create a better outcome for the patient?
“On the medical-surgical floor that I worked on, I had a patient come in who was autistic, mentally and physically handicapped, and COVID-positive. No family was allowed in the hospital at the time and all the COVID patients were assigned to myself and my 1 aid in order to limit exposure of other patients in the hospital. This patient required a lot of care between feeding, bathing, toileting, administering breathing treatments, and nursing assessments.
It was a challenge to meet his needs with just 2 staff members who also had to care for 4 other very sick patients. But we did our best and we made it through the shift. I did voice my concern to the charge nurse and nurse manager, though, that this was not safe care. Ultimately, no other staff was made to take on this many COVID patients, especially considering one was total care, after my shift. I considered this a win, as safe and effective patient care is always my goal. It was an extremely challenging shift but we worked hard to ensure that every patient was cared for and that extra staff was called in for the night shift so that no one became overwhelmed and forced to provide suboptimal care.”
Nursing Interview Questions & Answers: Adaptability
Healthcare is always changing and new methods of providing top-notch care are constantly being implemented. As a nurse, adaptability is a must. Make sure you demonstrate your ability to be flexible and adaptable with your answers during your interview.
Adaptability Nursing Interview Question 1
- Tell me about a time when your hospital was implementing changes. How did this affect you and how did you respond?
Sample Answer:
Make sure you briefly describe the previous set-up and what changes were being implemented. Spend the most time addressing how you responded to the change and how you grew from the experience.
“At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was working as a medical-surgical nurse. The hospital where I worked had shut down surgeries for months due to safety concerns. This meant that a large portion of the hospital’s funding simply stopped. To counter this, the hospital system laid off hundreds, if not thousands, of workers across the system. We lost clergy, housekeeping, kitchen, lab, and case management staff.
This meant that a lot of extra work fell on the nurses. We now had to answer the phones, sit on hold with clinics to make follow-up appointments for patients, and draw more labs. It was definitely a challenge for all of us. But for me, I just dug down deep and did what I had to do to take care of my patients. I picked up the pace, I managed my time better, and I communicated with my team more efficiently. I did whatever I needed to do to get the job done. And at the end of every shift, I walked away knowing that my patients were well-cared for that day, despite staff shortages. Because that’s what being a nurse means to me.”
Adaptability Nursing Interview Question 2
- What do you do when you don’t know the answer to something while at work? How do you find the answer?
Sample Answer:
Now remember, “Google” is not the correct answer to this question. You want to demonstrate that you know what reliable sources are and that you know how to access them. A few examples would be the medication information system provided by your employer, a drug manual, asking your charge nurse or manager, or even asking the doctor.
“Working as a nurse in a hospital, you administer a lot of IV medications, and it is important to determine if those medications are compatible so that you avoid an adverse reaction in the patient. To find out this information, I would often log onto the medication information system that the hospital provided for us, which had a function where you could compare medications to determine compatibility. I believe that it’s always important to note what resources are at your disposal wherever you work so that you know where to go to get the answers you and your patients need. This ensures safe care for every patient. Even if you don’t know the answer to their problem right away, you know where and how you can find out.”
Nursing Interview Questions & Answers: Time Management
Time management is an absolute must-have skill for nurses, as most units are incredibly busy and nurses must be able to manage the care of multiple patients at once. Your employer will want to know that you have cultivated this skill, so make sure to demonstrate that with your answers.
Time Management Nursing Interview Question 1
- Tell me about a time when you worked in a fast-paced setting. Were you able to manage your time well enough to provide quality care to all of your patients?
Sample Answer:
Pretty much any hospital floor is going to be fast-paced, so just explain how you are able to manage multiple patients at once, prioritizing care as you go to ensure optimal care for all.
“The hospital is a busy place! I am usually managing the care of at least 6 patients and my goal is to always provide quality care in a timely manner. I do this by effectively managing my time. Time management is a cultivated skill and some are better at it than others. Essentially, I keep a running list in my head of all the tasks that need to be accomplished at any given time. As additional needs arise throughout the day, I reprioritize that list in my head. I organize them by what can wait an hour, what can wait 30 minutes, and what needs to be addressed now. In this way, every need is met, starting with the most emergent need first.”
Time Management Nursing Interview Question 2
- Describe a time when you cared for a patient who required a lot of your time. How did you effectively care for not only that patient but your other patients as well?
Sample Answer:
Knowing how to delegate, when to delegate, and what can be delegated is a key nursing skill for managing time. Now would be a great time in your nursing interview to highlight your ability to delegate tasks to others.
“Part of being the manager of a patient’s care means learning to recognize when you need help, and delegation is a great way to enroll assistance into your care of the patient. As a Medical-Surgical nurse, I often had to manage the care of 6 or more patients who had various needs, and I cannot be in 6 places at once. I learned quickly what I could delegate to the nurses’ aids, what I could call the respiratory team for, and when I could call our phlebotomy team in. Did I know how to bathe a patient, provide a repsiratory treatment, and draw labs? Yes, absolutely. But learning how to delegate to others saved me time, allowed me to focus on the tasks that only a nurse can do, and allowed the patient to receive the quality care they deserved.”
Nursing Interview Questions & Answers: Communication Style
Everyone has different communication styles and techniques, so it’s important to share yours during your nursing interview. You can describe a time you had to overcome a challenge in communication or how you tailored your communication technique to ensure your message was received positively by the recipient.
Communication Style Nursing Interview Question 1
- Describe a time when you were able to convince a patient to agree to a treatment that they needed. How did you go about this?
Sample Answer:
“Ideally, I never want to persuade a patient to agree to anything that they don’t want to do. However, it has also been my experience that patients often do not agree to a necessary treatment because they don’t fully understand the benefits of the treatment. they don’t understand how much worse the situation could get without the treatment, or they are simply scared to receive the treatment. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine why the patient isn’t agreeing to the treatment so that you can address that lack of understanding or that fear. I often accomplished this in my previous roles by taking the time to physically sit down with the patient, listen to their concerns, and speak to those. I provided both education and reassurance, as needed, and this often lead to the patient making a much more confident decision regarding their health and treatments.”
Communication Style Nursing Interview Question 2
- Tell me about a time when you received negative feedback. How did you handle that?
Sample Answer:
None of us are perfect, and we all receive constructive criticism at some point in our lives. However, it can be difficult to accept this kind of feedback gracefully. You will want to demonstrate that you are capable of turning negative feedback into something positive, such as a learning experience or an increased capability to perform a task.
Here is an example of that.
“In nursing, you will always be learning new information and acquiring new skills. It is imperative to be able to receive constructive criticism well so that you can learn and become a better, more informed nurse. I did that during my entire first year of nursing, specifically, while I was honing and sharpening my skills. The senior nurses that I trained with often gave me advice on how to be more successful at inserting IVs or filled in a knowledge gap for me. Instead of getting defensive when they offered this correction, I took it in stride and sought to integrate their expertise into my own, ultimately leading to me becoming better at hands-on skills and nursing judgment.”
How to Prepare for Your Nursing Interview
Research the Organization you are Applying to
It is extremely important to demonstrate at least a basic knowledge of the organization’s goals and values.
This helps you to understand more about the organization you will be spending a lot of time at should you get the job and it also lets your future employer know that you cared enough to read up on them a bit.
Simply jumping on the organization’s website and reading the “About Us” page can help fill you in on a lot of valuable company information.
Practice your answers to interview questions out loud
You can do this alone or with a friend. Simply find a quiet place and either read the interview question to yourself or have a friend read it to you. Then, practice your answer out loud. This will help you hear how your answer sounds and will help positively reinforce your answer in your own mind so that When it comes to the real interview, you will feel practiced and ready to give your answer.
Arrive Early
Truly, nothing looks quite as bad to an employer than a candidate that arrives late to the interview. You want to set a positive tone not only for the interview but for the working relationship that you will have with your employer. You want to communicate to them that you value their time by showing up in a timely manner, preferably early.
Dress for Success
You will never get a second chance at a first impression, so make it count! Many hiring managers report that they know that they are interested in a candidate within the first 5 minutes, so you want to look the part.
It is wise to dress on the conservative side and keep it professional. You might want to rethink bright and flashy colors, and keep hairstyles conservative, as well. Jewelry should be small and understated. Remember, its not your style they are hiring, it’s you. So, let your personality and experience shine, not your clothes.
Nursing Interview Questions: Key Points
- Expect behavioral-based questions that are answered best with personal experiences and stories that demonstrate your experience with similar situations in the past.
- Use the STAR Method for answering these questions, detailing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result
- Keep in mind that the most frequently asked topics for healthcare employers are patient care, teamwork, adaptability, time management, and communication styles.
- Practice answering these questions out loud so that you are better prepared to give your answers when it is time for your real interview.
- Don’t forget to also dress professionally, show up early, and do prior research on the organization so that you make the best first impression possible.
- Lastly, remember that you have valuable experience and skills; you can do this! Think positively and believe in yourself.
References:
Nurse.org. 31 Top Nursing Interview Questions & Answer Samples.
Indeed. How To Use the STAR Interview Response Technique.
Are you a nurse looking for help building your resume? Check out this post, which details what should be in the “skills” section of your resume to help you stand out as a top-choice candidate and land your dream job!
