If you’re a nurse who is preparing to interview for a new nursing job in 2023, you’ll want to be prepared for the most common interview questions. In this blog post, we’re breaking down the most common nursing interview questions and how to answer them. We hope that this information will help you prepare for your next nursing interview. Good luck! Show
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Common themes for nursing interview questionsBecause nurses care for patients, provide continuity of care, and interact with different members of a patient’s interdisciplinary team, a lot of nursing interview questions revolve around:
These types of nursing interview questions are considered behavioral interview questions. Using real-life examples and stories is a great way to answer behavioral-based interview questions. The interviewer is often attempting to see how you’d react in challenging situations and if you can adapt to life on the unit you’re applying to work at. Use the STAR method to answer nursing interview questionsThe STAR method is a well-known technique that you can use to answer behavioral-based interview questions. The acronym lays out how you should format your answer and tell your story:
By using this method, you’ll be able to fully convey how you’ve handled a real-life situation in the past and how you can successfully administer future ones. Even if you’re just beginning your career and don’t have a lot of experience, this is a useful tactic you can use for tackling new grad nurse interview questions. Common nursing interview questions and sample answers:On patient careTell me about a time you dealt with an unhappy or difficult patient or family member. Explain the situation without violating HIPAA. Don’t speak negatively on the patient or their caregiver. Instead, this is a time to show you have empathy. If you did something wrong, be sure to acknowledge your mistake and share how you corrected it. Sample answer:
How do you explain medications, treatments, or healthcare situations without using a lot of medical or healthcare jargon? Here’s your chance to show that you know how to practice therapeutic communication and teach patients. Explain what you said, the language or terminology you used, and how you ensured the patient understood your explanation. Sample answer:
Describe a time a patient was really happy with your care or a time you went above and beyond for a patient? This is your chance to brag about yourself and showcase your skills. What was the outcome? Do you speak a second language? Have you received awards related to excellent patient care? Sample answer:
On teamworkDescribe a situation when you had to work with a difficult coworker. What was the problem, and how did you resolve it? Do not use this time to trash talk about anyone. Don’t talk badly about any coworker. As an alternative, this is the time to show how you handle conflict. Take your time and explain a specific situation, why it was difficult, and why the coworker was challenging to work with. How did you handle the problem, and what was the outcome? What did you learn from that situation that you can use in the future? Sample answer:
Describe a situation where you displayed teamwork. Here’s where you can show you’re a team player. Think of a time you stepped in and helped a coworker. What was the outcome? How did the team react? Sample answer:
Are you comfortable communicating with other members of the healthcare team? Describe a time there was a conflict with another member of a patient’s healthcare team. This is where you showcase your communication, leadership, and patient advocate skills. But remember, don’t trash talk, no matter how difficult the situation was. It’s your time to focus on what you do well without putting down others. Describe the conflict, who was involved, and what you learned. Sample answer:
On adaptabilityWhat do you do when you don’t know an answer to a patient’s question or how to address a situation? No nurse knows it all. Don’t be afraid to describe a time when you didn’t know the answer or what to do. Explain step-by-step the action you took to find the answer or address the situation. Sample answer:
How do you handle changes to your assignment, the unit, schedule, etc.? We all know nursing is forever changing, and we need to be flexible. Use this question as an opportunity to explain how you adapt to change. Sample answer:
Describe a time you were under a lot of pressure. How did you handle it? Discuss a time you experienced stress at work. Explain the situation and then describe your actions and the result. Did that situation teach you anything about handling stress? Sample answer:
Other common nursing interview questions and answersTell me about yourself. When asked about yourself in a job interview, it is important to give an honest but positive answer. You want to avoid sounding like you are bragging, but you also want to make sure that you highlight your best qualities. What do you like most about being a nurse?
What do you find most difficult about being a nurse?
Why are you leaving your current position?
Why do you want to work here?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a nurse?
Why did you choose nursing as your chosen profession?
What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful nurse?
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing nurses today?
Ultimately, remember to be truthful in your own responsesAnswer your nursing interview questions truthfully and transparently. Talk about the most challenging aspects of your nursing journey. If you’re leaving your current position because of salary, say it. If you want more leadership opportunities, express your aspirations and goals. Be sure to share your passion for nursing, your enthusiasm to help patients, and your eagerness to excel at the career you’ve worked so hard for. Taking the time to prepare for your nursing interview will help you feel more confident and ready to answer any question that comes your way. By reviewing these common nursing interview questions, you can be sure that you’re as prepared as possible for your next job interview. And, if you’re looking to further your education and advance your career, be sure to check out Aspen University’s online nursing programs. About the author Portia Wofford is an award-winning nurse, writer, and digital marketer. After dedicating her nursing career to creating content and solutions for employers that affected patient outcomes, these days, Portia empowers health practices to increase growth opportunities and become the number one providers in their communities through engaging content that connects and converts. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter for her latest. What are the 10 most common behavioral interview questions and answers?Behavioral Interview Questions and Sample Answers. Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure. ... . How do you handle a challenge? ... . Have you ever made a mistake? ... . Give an example of how you set goals. ... . Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.. How do you answer behavioral nursing interview questions?How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions for Nurses. Situation: Describe the situation you were in at the time. ... . Task: Describe the goal or what you were aiming to accomplish in this situation. ... . Action: Go over exactly what you did to accomplish this task. ... . Result: Outline the outcomes of your actions.. What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers nursing?Common nursing interview questions. Do you work well with other nurses, doctors and staff? ... . How would you handle a difficult patient? ... . How do you handle workplace stress? ... . What do you do if your replacement does not arrive? ... . How would you handle a disagreement with a doctor? ... . Describe how you manage a busy workload.. What are behavioral interview questions nursing?Ways to answer behavioural interview questions nursing with examples. How do you pacify an aggressive patient? ... . How do you respond to the pressures of work? ... . Have you ever dealt with an uncooperative colleague? ... . Do you think you are organized? ... . How do you handle conflict between coworkers?. |