What Is The Best Part About Your Job Interviews With Registered Nurses

By Mike Simpson

UPDATED 5/20/2022

Being a nurse takes a special kind of person. Often, you see people in the middle of what tin easily be the worst day of their lives.

You need patience, resilience, a sense of sense of humor, attention to item, and a thick skin.

Simply it tin as well be one of the about rewarding careers, full of excitement and drama and the kind of rush y'all can merely become when you're helping others.

For many, becoming a nurse is truly a calling. However, landing that dream nursing job can be tricky, even amidst the truly dedicated. That's why reviewing the top nursing interview questions is essential.

Types of Interview Questions For Nurses

Get-go off, allow's discuss the different types of interview questions for nurses.

Being a nurse is a unique position, and the questions you'll exist asked in your interview are just as unique. Aye, it'south truthful; you're going to inevitably end up being asked some of the same questions you'd come up across in any other job interview state of affairs, like "Tell me about yourself" and "What is your greatest strength/weakness?" but y'all're too going to get asked some very specific nursing questions, and knowing how to properly answer those is going to help set yous autonomously.

Let's start with what makes nursing then unique in the job world.

Unlike most other careers and industries where your interactions with the public would be more than along the lines of a "customer" or "customer," your interaction with the public is as a caregiver to a patient. That requires a prepare of finely honed and carefully crafted interpersonal skills.

As a result, a lot of your interview questions will revolve effectually patient care and satisfaction and how you run into their unique needs in incredibly varied situations and circumstances. Those questions autumn under the category of behavioral questions and are asked so that an interviewer can acquire quickly and easily how you lot'd react to dissimilar situations based on your past experiences and behavior.

Be prepared to reply questions most why y'all chose nursing and what it is about the career that interests y'all. Yous'll also exist asked questions well-nigh how you work in a team also equally your power to self-motivate and work alone. Information technology's also wise to prep for questions about how y'all handle a crisis or deal with stress.

Feeling a piffling feverish with all these potential nursing interview questions and answers? Don't worry! All it takes is a lilliputian prep beforehand.

Pro Tips For Answering Nurse Interview Questions

The first thing you lot need to practice when preparing for an interview is to go over the job clarification with a fine-toothed comb.

Make a list of everything the employer is looking for in their Perfect Candidate.

At present, sit down and expect back over all your experiences and come across exactly how you've met all those requirements before.

Information technology doesn't affair if the experiences you lot accept aren't 100% related to the job description you're applying to. Basically, what you want to do is give your potential hereafter employer tailored examples of how you've handled situations in the by so they can extrapolate how you'd almost likely react in future situations…and in some cases, examples outside of work show how you're practiced at thinking on your anxiety and handling yourself beyond but your task. Simply make certain that no thing what, yous're answering their questions with personal examples that highlight your skills and abilities.

MIKE'S TIP: Does this fashion of answering questions sound familiar? Information technology should if yous're a reader of our blog. We're essentially covering the STAR Method. Get-go with a description of your example, explain the situation that y'all found yourself in, and and so describe exactly how you lot responded to that situation using your skills and knowledge.

While y'all're doing your prep and looking over the chore description, it's a good idea to also do a petty research into where you're applying. Having specifics on their techniques or their mode of doing things and relating that to how you do things volition non simply show them you're already in melody with their style, merely it will also help to reinforce the thought that y'all're the Perfect Candidate!

In most situations, being a nurse means working on a team and as a effect, your interview might consist of members of that potential futurity squad. Be prepared to meet with the hiring managing director, other nurses, doctors, technicians and members of the hospital administrative staff and try to know a little near each person before you get in (but don't arrive creepy.)

Now that we've covered some bones tips, let's accept a expect at 20 of the almost unremarkably asked nursing interview questions.

Top twenty Commonly Asked Nursing Interview Questions

one. "Why did you decide on a career as a nurse?"

This is one of the archetype nurse interview questions. Considering this is such a hands-on, specialized field, employers demand to know what it is that makes y'all desire to be a role of information technology.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

"I come from a long line of nurses. Both my grandmother and my mother are nurses. Growing up in that environs and seeing how much they love what they do every twenty-four hour period is both inspiring and motivating. I dear the challenges, and thinking outside the box to come up upward with solutions keeps me excited and engaged. I'one thousand proud to go along the tradition of nursing in my family. Above all, knowing that I'thousand truly making a departure in people's lives is what truly makes information technology all worthwhile."

2. "What do y'all detect rewarding about this task?"

There are lots of rewards that come with a good job; the paycheck, proximity to where you live, the retirement benefits…but recall, when you're in an interview, it'south not actually most you…information technology's almost them.

Example Respond:

"I truly dearest helping people, and when those people are children, there'southward no improve feeling in the world. I call back having ane little boy as a patient who had a long-term result resulting in the loss of one of his legs. During the course of his treatments, nosotros discovered we had a mutual beloved for robot movies. I stayed with him all through his amputation surgery, and when he was fitted with his prosthetic, I was in that location to cheer him on. Nosotros celebrated his outset stride with his new leg by throwing a robot motion picture marathon in the common room. His dad pulled me bated that afternoon and told me how grateful the whole family was for all our help and support. Information technology wasn't an easy fourth dimension for that boy or for his family, but knowing that information technology was a little easier considering I was at that place and had fabricated a genuine personal connection with them all was humbling and inspiring."

3. How do you bargain with someone who isn't satisfied with your patient care?

Here is a keen case of i of the behavioral interview questions for nurses. As we discussed above, give your interviewer an instance from your by, so they can get a feel for how you would carry in a similar situation in the future.

EXAMPLE Respond:

"While I constantly strive to do everything I can for a patient, I had a situation once with a patient who complained to my supervisor well-nigh me, telling them I was denying them specific care for an issue. The starting time thing I have to practise in that situation is to step back and really appraise what's going on, specifically whether I had acted accordingly. Since I had followed the doctor's orders, I spoke with my supervisor and the attending physician nigh the situation. Information technology turns out that the patient had misunderstood something the doc had told her, leading her to assume I was neglecting a step in her care process. Once the confusion was cleared upwards, nosotros were able to work with the patient to come up upward with a satisfactory solution."

four. "Tell me what yous feel your greatest skill as a nurse is."

This is your opportunity to really showcase what it is that makes you lot unique from all the other applicants! Really reflect on this ahead of time and come up with solid examples that highlight this skill.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

"I'k very proud of my ability to really listen to what a patient is telling me. Nothing frustrates them more than feeling as though they're non existence heard. Having spent the past five years in the medical field working direct with patients has shown me just how far actively listening tin go in helping brand someone comfortable. During my time working in admissions in my last position, I learned that addressing patient concerns and making sure they felt nosotros were genuinely listened to was just as important as receiving quality care. As a result, I helped to establish a patient advancement program to help teach other nurses those same listening skills.

v. "How exercise you handle the stress of the task?"

Let'south be honest; nursing can exist incredibly high stress. An employer needs to know how yous handle that stress and whether or not yous work well under pressure.

Instance ANSWER:

"I find the best way to handle the stress of the job is through meticulous system and attention to detail. By making lists and prioritizing what needs to get done throughout my day, I observe that tasks which might seem overwhelming all at once are much more manageable. This also makes information technology possible for me to stay calm and remain focused on what needs to get done when unexpected situations arise."

6. "Are you comfortable working with other doctors and nurses?"

Nurses piece of work with a wide variety of individuals in the medical field, including doctors, technicians, other nurses, and the friends and families of your patients, simply to name a few. While y'all're cadre respond is likely "yep," you need to get the extra mile for a quality response.

Instance Answer:

"I notice I work well under a variety of weather condition and circumstances, and I take pride in my flexibility. I actually enjoy working in a team because I often find that different viewpoints can help me find solutions to a problem I might not think of on my ain. I also enjoy self-motivating and am equally comfortable working lonely."

7. "What practice you find is the hardest part well-nigh being a nurse?"

This is a play a trick on question. No, the hiring manager isn't actually asking you to tell him how much you lot hate the early morning shifts because y'all're simply not a morn person, and you detest getting up before the sun does. Remember, they're there to notice a person to make full a job position.

EXAMPLE Reply:

"I think the hardest matter I've had to deal with is feeling helpless. While it'southward my chore to provide every bit much care and comfort as medically possible, there are times when you just tin can't do more. Seeing someone in pain or feeling miserable and knowing there's nix you tin can practise to help is the most hard thing I bargain with. I am a nurse considering I genuinely care about people and want to help, and when I tin't, that's hard."

eight. "Why are you the best nursing candidate for this position?"

This question is really one of the best nurse interview questions you could promise to exist asked. Why? Because this is your opportunity to actually sell the hiring manager on why y'all're the Perfect Candidate.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

"I've been working every bit a Registered Nurse for the by eight years and loved every day of it. This is more than than a job, it'south a passion, and I've used that passion to drive me forward. I make certain to stay abreast of all the current advancements in my field, am standing to further my education, and am constantly striving to make sure that I stay on tiptop of emerging trends and technology. I enjoy the challenges that come with this task and take every opportunity to learn and abound."

9."Tell me nearly yourself."

This is one of those of import questions to answer properly, regardless of your field. Recollect that they're not request you for your life story. Instead, they're asking y'all this question to find out from you what you lot think is important and how well that matches up with what they're looking for.

Instance ANSWER:

"I'm a motivated self-starter who really enjoys the easily-on and human attribute of our manufacture. To me, there'south nothing more than satisfying than helping people out when they need it the most. Having spent the past five years in the medical field working straight with patients has shown me just how far actively listening to a patient tin go in helping make someone comfy. My nearly recent position included working with patients direct in admissions which meant I was often the first face up they'd see when they came in and the last on their fashion out, as well as everything in-between. During that time, I learned that addressing their concerns and making sure they felt their voices were being heard was but equally of import to them as receiving quality intendance. Equally a result, I helped to establish a patient advocacy program to assist teach other nurses those same skills."

10. "Why are yous leaving your current position?"

This question is a potential state-mine. Do NOT use it as an opportunity to badmouth your current or former position. Futurity employers don't need to know you hate where y'all worked or that your quondam dominate was a tyrant. Rather, focus on the positive aspects and how y'all're leveraging those in your new job.

Case Answer:

"While my last job was an opportunity for me to learn and grow at a comfortable pace in a smaller clinical environment, I'm looking for new challenges and opportunities to go on to expand my cognition in a larger, infirmary-based environment. I am eager to try new things and learn skill-sets that come from working in a faster-paced environment like this ane here."

11. "Why practice you desire to work here?"

Here, you need to be strategic. Don't discuss salary opportunities. Instead, talk about your career goals and your vision for your futurity in your industry and how those directly chronicle to what you will exist doing if hired.

Example Answer:

"I'm fascinated by the new and emerging technology involved in ongoing patient care, especially in the field of pediatrics. Your infirmary has been ranked in the top 5 hospitals in the nation for the past seven years running in new innovations, and I'm excited by the possibility of beingness a part of that and learning from your experts."

12. "Would you say you're a team player?"

As a member of the medical field, your first reply had better be yes. Of grade, what yous say after that is what is going to make or break you in your interview.

Example Respond:

"I observe I work well nether a diversity of conditions and circumstances, and I take pride in my flexibility. I really enjoy working in a team because I often find that different viewpoints can aid me find solutions to a problem I might non think of on my own. I also enjoy self-motivating and am as comfortable working solitary."

13. "Draw a fourth dimension yous had to deal with a difficult patient and how you handled that."

Tough patients are going to be a regular role of your daily routine, and no employer wants to hire a nurse who is going to be unable to handle these types of characters.

EXAMPLE Respond:

"Working with elderly patients always presents unique challenges as you're dealing with people who are used to being independent and who are now totally reliant on strangers. I remember one gentleman who had a reputation for existence extremely difficult. He was angry and argumentative and would often fight with the other nurses over things as fiddling as the temperature of his room. I admit, I wasn't excited when I found out I was going to be working with him, so to prepare, I looked over his charts. I discovered that his wife had died a number of years ago and that he had no friends or family in the area and hadn't had a visitor in ages. Rather than treating him simply as a patient, I did my best to connect with him as a man. I would talk to him, non only at him. It took a little, but somewhen, he came around and concluded up beingness one of my favorite people to visit with every day."

14. "Why should we hire you?"

Hither'due south another question that really gives y'all a adventure to showcase the best of what you've got. Take advantage of it1

Instance Answer:

"For me, nursing it's just a career; it's a passion. As a consequence, I spend fourth dimension seizing opportunities to learn and grow, prioritize patient care at every step, and embrace advances that tin can lead to college quality outcomes. Additionally, I know the value of teamwork and agility and likewise savour the challenges that come with this job. Overall, I tin't imagine doing anything else and will ever become the extra mile for both patients and my employers."

15. If you lot disagree with a physician'southward approach to treating a patient, how do you lot handle it?

In some cases, nurses and physicians don't meet centre to eye. That's why hiring managers are going to ask how you handle situations of that nature.

EXAMPLE Answer:

"My typical approach is multifold. Commencement, I consider what about the recommended course doesn't seem like a fit to me. Second, I decide why I believe another selection is a better match. Finally, I reflect on why the physician may have chosen that direction. That allows me to cistron in their point of view, also equally nowadays my perspective effectively to the medico. Once I've made my recommendation, I listen to the dr.'s response and, ultimately, follow the approach they select. The only exception is situations where I believe a prescribed treatment puts the patient in legitimate danger, at which point I follow internal processes regarding who to inform and how to approach the matter."

xvi. How exercise you lot explain circuitous medical terms and procedures to patients who don't have a healthcare background?

Overall, the globe of medicine is complicated, particularly for those who haven't studied or worked in the field. Since ensuring patients understand conditions, test results, treatments, and procedures is essential, hiring managers enquire this question to run across how you approach the situation.

Instance Reply:

"Since patients have dissimilar levels of understanding regarding medical terminology, I use a combination approach when speaking to them. Usually, I'll lead off with a formal term and couple it with an informal term or description, depending on the situation. For example, I may tell a patient that a medication is used to treat 'hypertension, also known as loftier blood pressure.' That introduces the phrases physicians may use when speaking with the patient while using terms that feel familiar to ensure understanding."

17. How do you lot ensure you remain upwards to date on advances in nursing?

Advances in the healthcare field are a regular occurrence. While medical facilities often provide training opportunities, they typically favor candidates who go the actress mile on their own fourth dimension to remain current.

Case Reply:

"I use several approaches to remain up to date. Along with continuing pedagogy courses, I subscribe to several industry publications to learn more well-nigh what'due south on the horizon. I also follow thought leaders on social media, giving me additional insights, and converse with my network regularly to discover out about their discoveries."

xviii. When you don't take an answer to a patient's question, what do you practise?

Even the well-nigh experienced and educated nurses won't have every respond. The hiring manager wants to know yous'll utilize an appropriate approach in situations where you aren't certain about a topic.

Instance ANSWER:

"If I don't know the answer, my starting time step is to permit the patient know I need time to get the information they demand. So, I'll use a combination approach, conducting research on my ain while also conferring with colleagues with expertise in that arena. Along with ensuring I have a thorough agreement of the respond, this allows me to develop a sound way to relay information technology to the patient, increasing overall accuracy and agreement."

nineteen. Describe a time when you were in conflict with a beau nurse. How did you lot handle the situation?

This is some other question that showcases how you navigate the workplace, making it a favorite among hiring managers. Generally, you'll want to outline a typical strategy, using an example along the way.

Case Reply:

"My preferred arroyo always focuses on advice and empathy. For example, in one of my last positions, a fellow nurse was regularly belatedly for their shift showtime. This harmed the transition, causing the squad to autumn behind. Instead of filing complaints or berating them, I took them aside and asked if they were having challenges getting to work on time. It turned out that there was a childcare claiming, one that would exist solved with a different shift. I helped them arrange for a schedule change, and the problem was solved, something that wouldn't have happened without communication and empathy."

xx. "Exercise you have any questions for us?"

Yes. Yeah, y'all do. Having something to ask makes you seem engaged and passionate about the opportunity, and so you need a few questions to toss out in that location. Yous could ask about the length of new rent orientation and what you'd be doing exactly if yous were hired. Y'all might ask about the nurse-to-patient ratio or how a typical twenty-four hours is structured. We take written a defended article on this: Questions To Inquire In A Nursing Interview.

Regardless of what yous inquire, it'due south of import that you lot do enquire. The point is that by non asking questions, yous'll announced uninterested and unmotivated, and we know that'southward non possible!

Putting It All Together

Now that we've gone over the types of questions you might be asked, given you a few nursing interview tips, brushed upwards on some practice questions and some sample answers, and gotten you thinking about your own questions, I call back it'south safety to say you've got the perfect prescription for nailing that interview. (Groan!)

Good luck!

—-

P.S. Now that you're an proficient on the nursing interview questions you are going to be asked, don't forget that there are hundreds of non-nursing interview questions that you lot could be asked in your interview! Thankfully nosotros've outlined the nigh common questions AND given you lot discussion-for-word answers in our gratis PDF below:

FREE: Task Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

Here's what yous're getting:

Word-for-word sample answers to the most common interview questions
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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a chore interview and career adept and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more than also as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others.

Learn more nearly The Interview Guys on our Almost U.s. folio.