How To Answer Interview Questions For Registered Nurse

^{Updated 07/29/2021 Reviewed by: Kiley Griffin, R.N.}

Fifty-fifty with a xv% projected growth charge per unit in U.S. nursing jobs, it notwithstanding takes a high degree of skill, experience, and preparation to ace your nursing interview.

Going into a nursing interview tin can feel daunting. This is true for the most seasoned nursing veterans. Not many people bask the procedure of interviewing. Withal, it doesn't have to requite you an ulcer but thinking virtually it.

Nosotros've provided a guide to assist you feel at ease going into the interview.

Read on for the elevation nursing interview questions and answers, tips, and more than to aid ace your next nurse interview.

In this guide, we will comprehend

Nursing interview questions and answers
Full general nurse interview tips
Research the facility you lot are interviewing at
Questions to inquire in a nursing interview
How to set for a phone interview
How to prepare for an in-person nurse interview
- What to habiliment
- What to bring

Nursing interview questions and answers

Hither are some of the well-nigh ordinarily-asked questions during nursing interviews so you can prepare your responses ahead of time.

Jump to a specific question

Teamwork and working with others
- Draw a situation where you had to work with a difficult co-worker. How did you handle it?
- Tell us near 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 squad. What role did you play in your team's success?
- How practice yous similar working with a team?
- Describe a time there was a miscommunication between yous and a teammate. How did y'all handle it?
Patient intendance questions
- Draw a problematic patient you have had in the by. How did yous handle the state of affairs?
- How do you accost questions from a patient'southward family and friends?
- Can you explicate situations without using a lot of medical jargon? Requite an instance.
- What is your thought of effective patient and family didactics?
- Have you dealt with a family or patient who was displeased with your care? How did yous handle it?
Background and personality
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why did you lot decide to be a nurse?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work here (at this hospital/wellness system)? What interests yous the near?
- What are your professional goals?
Adaptability and flexibility
- Describe a situation where yous were under a lot of pressure. How did yous deal with information technology? What methods worked well for you?
- What do you practice when you don't know the reply to something at work—whether it'due south how to address a situation or answer a patient question—how do you lot get about getting more information?

NURSE TIP

"Record yourself practicing answers to interview questions and listen back to make certain you lot sound confident and concise!"
-Jami, RN & nurse advocate

Teamwork and working with others

Relying on your team is critical in whatsoever hospital or wellness facility. Employers desire to know that you are a team actor and work well with others, fifty-fifty in stressful situations.

1. "Draw a situation where you lot had to work with a difficult co-worker. How did you handle it?"

With this question, make certain you don't throw everyone nether the bus. Yous desire to include the resolution, and, if possible what you lot learned from the situation.

Case answer:

"I worked the night shift with a nurse who consistently showed upward belatedly for their shift. This would impact the whole team and put the states behind. I took time to talk with the nurse and asked them if switching shifts would help them go far to piece of work on fourth dimension. My co-worker said it would assist them since the item hour they were scheduled was hard for them. We switched, and that solved the trouble. I learned that taking initiative goes a long way."

Spot on! This shows an ability to adjust and problem-solve. Hiring managers want to find someone who tin overcome a tough state of affairs and find a resolution. Moreover, it shows graphic symbol since you lot were willing to sacrifice for the team. Kudos.

2. "Tell us about a time that you were in a leadership position. Were y'all pleased with the results?"

Hiring managers seek people they tin promote. They want to observe someone who has experience as a leader. Recent graduates can talk about leadership experience with volunteering or an academic projection.

Example respond:

"As a licensed RN, I have gravitated toward leadership positions. In i of my roles, I led a grouping of LVN'due south. I developed a team that dedicated itself to patient-centered care and efficiency. Nosotros fabricated sure to involve families in the care and specialize treatment plans to individual patient's needs. One of my proudest moments was seeing ane of the LVN'due south earn their RN certification. In that sense, I felt more than pleased with the results."

Solid. Yous identified that you have experience in leadership roles and also your intendance standards. Additionally, y'all showed how much of a team player you are.

3. "Describe a situation where yous felt proud of your healthcare team. What role did you play in your squad's success?"

Every nursing unit of measurement experiences success in one fashion or another. Being able to articulate a time when you contributed to a successful situation helps your hiring team. When answering this question brand sure you are as detailed every bit possible and explain the function you had in the success.

Working as a med-surg nurse, I ofttimes come across a lot of success doing my task. Ane fourth dimension, my patient had infected feeding tubes. I was able to thoroughly clean and helped forestall further injury to the patient.

four. "How do you lot like working with a team?"

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.

Instance reply:

"I thrive while working as a part of a team because of my ability to arrange. I find that working on a team allows for the best outcomes for patients. Everyone has a different way of looking at a problem and multiple perspectives can bring about creative solutions to issues. Also, working on a team motivates me considering I enjoy celebrating the successes of others. Last, I feel confident in my abilities to work lone as well."

Score! Y'all explained how valuable working on a team is to you. Also, yous showed that y'all tin piece of work alone. You killed ii birds with one stone. First-class.

5. "Draw a time in that location was a miscommunication between you and a teammate. How did y'all handle it?"

Miscommunications are jump to happen in a team setting. Knowing how to work through conflict is crucial. Attempt and present a conflict or miscommunication that you didn't cause, yet you played a pivotal role in solving.

Instance answer:

"One of my co-workers struggled to communicate during the hand-off period to begin her shift. She would often tell me partial information near a patient's status. This atomic number 82 to confusion and chaos. Eventually, I told her politely that she wasn't giving me proper information at the shift alter. She corrected her ways and fifty-fifty began writing notes for the manus-off. I learned the importance of speaking upwardly and being straight at that moment."

Bingo! Hither you conveyed initiative by speaking up. You as well articulated that you can work with other people and provide honest, considerate feedback.

Every bit you think about responses to these questions, keep in mind that yous should not speak poorly about others. Choose your words carefully, and focus on explaining what you did well without putting people downward.

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Patient intendance questions

Patient care is a central focal point for nurse candidates. Interviewers (and your supervisors and teammates) desire to exist sure they tin rely on yous to have a adept relationship with every patient, regardless of circumstances.

6. "Depict a problematic patient you take had in the by. How did you handle the situation?"

Nurses have their fair share of problematic patients. The key is knowing how to deal with troublesome patients in constructive means.

Instance answer:

"Trying to become children to take their meds is challenging. I had one kid who cried and threw a fit every time we wanted to give them medication. So, 1 mean solar day I asked the kid a uncomplicated question, " What's your favorite kind of ice cream?" The child said chocolate, and I brought them chocolate pudding to accept with their medication. It did the play tricks. The child stopped screaming and crying at medication time, and I earned a friend on the floor."

Wow. Awesome answer. You lot really went above and beyond to help remedy the situation. The response proved that you can problem-solve well and adjust on the fly.

7. "How do yous accost questions from a patient'southward family and friends?"

Family unit and friends often ask a lot of questions. Sometimes you aren't able to reply all their questions in a timely thing. Having the ability to residual answering questions and take intendance of the patient is crucial.

Example answer:

"I atomic number 82 with empathy. I know that I demand to give them the best information that I can. Notwithstanding, I try to make sure that I'm answering them in kind means, and I imagine myself in their shoes. Now, I know that I can't answer all of their questions, so I try to ready boundaries and make sure I'thousand not enabling, either."

Perfection. You displayed an earnest effort to meet the patient where they are. You also talked about setting boundaries, which is key.

8. "Can you 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 information from the doctor to a patient. In this example, emphasize how you go out of your manner to brand sure that the patient understands.

Instance reply:

"I have diverse patients with different educational backgrounds and ages, so I must intermission medical jargon down into understandable means. For instance, whenever a doctor orders radiology for a patient, I make sure that I explain to the patient they are getting an X-ray. Likewise, I effort to make certain the patient understands by asking them to repeat what they think they heard. That way, everybody is on the same page."

Here, y'all explained the endeavour yous put into describing complex medical jargon. What's central is that you make the patient echo dorsum what they heard. Neat chore!

ix. "What is your thought of constructive patient and family education?"

Every patient has their own learning style. Emphasizing that you tin piece of work with a variety of patients to provide quality patient and family education is important.

Example answer:

"Constructive patient instruction centers effectually the patient and family'due south needs. You accept to sympathize their learning style and accommodate accordingly. For example, some patients prefer reading medical instructions versus watching a DVD. You also need to effigy out what each patient needs. Some want detailed information; others just want the necessary information. Including the family unit in the treatment process is crucial because they may cease upwardly serving as primary caretakers for the patient going forward. Show them how vital they are to the process and fundamental them in on how they tin assist."

Excellent. You portrayed flexibility and a willingness to tailor your intendance to a patient'due south needs.

ten. "Have you dealt with a family unit or patient who was displeased with your intendance? How did you handle it?"

Unfortunately, not every patient will feel satisfied with your intendance. The important matter is finding a resolution and that'due south what this question is looking for.

Case reply:

"I strive to provide high-quality care to each patient. All the same, 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 also apace and not gentle enough. From that indicate, I decided to go especially wearisome with that patient to adjust their needs and provide patient-centered care."

You lot hit the spot. Literally. This is a great example of adjusting to a patient's needs.

If yous are just starting time your nursing career, then you can respond these questions as hypotheticals or by relating to another role of your life. How would you handle these situations? How have you approached hard customers or clients in previous jobs?

Groundwork and personality

Your personality will play a huge function in how y'all fit into a healthcare environment. The interview is oft the only chance that others have to estimate your personality fit into their team; therefore, full general questions about you and your career path are fairly mutual.

11. "Tell me about yourself."

This question gives you an opportunity to share. However, they aren't looking for your life story. They are trying to ascertain how you could fit on their team. Sprinkle in a few of the task qualifications and yous're gilded.

Example respond:

"I'k a driven nurse who enjoys providing patient-centered care. I have spent eight years working as a pediatrics nurse. During that time, I learned that quality intendance involves empathy starting time, which helps you decide your handling. Every patient is unlike. I am proud of my ability to juggle different patient loads. Helping my patients recover and regain health motivates me every 24-hour interval. Your visitor'southward determination to ensure patient-centered and quality care fits my skill set and goals equally a nurse."

Great job! You lot provided a great synopsis of your skills and passion.

12. "Why did you decide to be a nurse?"

Here, the employer wants a nurse whose ambitions lucifer the principles of the facility.

Example answer:

"My family had a pervasive medical background. I had a granddaddy 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 kid. Helping people in practical yet compassionate ways comes naturally to me."

Here, y'all broadcast something essential about your graphic symbol: care and compassion. Having pity and an urge to care for others will go a long fashion as a nurse.

13. "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 want to express a weakness that makes you seem incompetent.

Example answer:

"My greatest strength comes from my power to educate and understand with patients. I can speak in their terms and assist them understand what's going on with their bodies. I strive to enter into their shoes and treat them equally people first, non only patients. There was this one older woman who dearly missed her garden. I decided to bring in a minor potted garden to the patient. She loved this gesture, and information technology made her experience ameliorate about her diagnosis. My greatest weakness is over-committing. I am so passionate about the chore that I try and do too much at times. I need to slow down and trust my team. "

Wow! Touching. You definitely showed how much patients mean to you. Likewise, your weakness doesn't pigment you in a negative light. Rather, it shows your passion.

14. "Why do y'all want to work hither (at this infirmary/health organisation)? What interests you lot the nigh?"

Don't say because you want to make more than money. Depict the health system and what you feel drawn toward.

Case answer:

"I'm inspired to work in a facility that champions patient-centered care. Your facility has received countless awards for its care including the Vizient 2019 Bernard A. Birnbaum, K.D., Quality Leadership Award for high-quality patient care. I am excited to piece of work for such an institution. I detect that I thrive in facilities dedicated to this goal. Additionally, I saw that your hospital is ranked as one of the top hospitals according to U.S. World News Reports for hospitals. I would feel a nifty deal of pride to work at such a well regarded hospital. "

15. What are your professional goals?

Hiring managers want to hire ambitious nurses who take a clear sense of what their professional goals are. It's important to have a detailed and accessible ready of goals. Conspicuously, appetite is skilful, but it might be a bit unwise to tell your hiring director yous're planning to get the hospital president when you lot're applying for a role as a commencement-twelvemonth registered nurse.

Example answer:

"My professional goals are as follows: earn my MSN, join the Emergency Nurses Clan and become an emergency room nurse practitioner. I hope to mentor nurses and share what I have learned. I am excited near the opportunity to fulfill my goals. Concluding, I would similar to advance into a management role as well where I tin oversee and train nurses. I feel drawn toward helping others grow and learn."

Well done. You lot definitely did your research about the facility. And your goals marshal with the aims of the company.

Some of these questions require you lot to do some soul searching. Even so, having well-thought-out responses to these questions will assistance show that you take put idea into your self-evolution and your career, which is very appealing for near any employer.

Ever be prepared to be questioned on annihilation on your cover letter, resume, and reference letters.

Adaptability and flexibility

Life as a nurse is often about adjusting quickly to changing environments. Demonstrating that you can be agile when necessary is a bully fashion to get your foot in the door.

16. "Describe a situation where you were under a lot of pressure level. How did yous deal with it? What methods worked well for y'all?"

Nursing is a stressful position. Sometimes nurses burnout. The hiring managing director wants to notice a nurse who tin handle the stress in a healthy and practical manner.

Instance answer:

"I experienced pressure level every mean solar day as an ICU nurse. On one occasion, I had to cover more patients than usual considering of a co-worker calling out sick. I decided to create a list and prioritize care. Past organizing and paying attention to detail, I was able to manage my increased workload successfully. After work, I often practice yoga and so that I don't take any of the stress with me."

Bravo. You lot showed an ability to prioritize and you also conveyed that you're proactive in taking measures to mitigate stress in your free time.

17. "What do you practice when you don't know the answer to something at work—whether it'southward how to accost a state of affairs or answer a patient question—how exercise you go about getting more information?"

Every nurse volition experience a time where they don't know the answer to a question. The key is finding the resource and quickly. The hiring manager wants to hear nearly how you resolved this upshot quickly.

Case answer:

"When I don't understand something at piece of work, I seek out help. I don't permit my pride get in the way of quality patient care. I mostly ask someone who has more experience than me to help out and do it in a timely manner."

Superb. Y'all showed humility and a need to help the patient first beyond any demand to appease ego.

Keeping these answers focused on how well y'all responded to indicate out your willingness to adjust to go things done can be very helpful in an interview.

When in doubt, retrieve the acronym "STAR" for your answers: ASituation orTask like to what they're request about,Actions you took, andResults you achieved.

Inquiry the facility yous are interviewing at

Going into your interview, yous want to have a full 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 condition? Magnet status refers to an award presented past the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to hospitals that meet a benchmark that measures the quality of their nursing. Where practise they rank in the U.S. News & World Reports for hospitals? This ranks the best hospitals by specialty.

Goals and Mission: What are some of the goals or missions of the hospital? Yous can find 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 example, does the facility serve an older demographic of people? What about the general socioeconomic status of the patients? These are questions you need to answer before the interview.

History: When was the facility opened? What major things have happened since information technology's been opened? Has it recently undergone a renovation?

Programs: What kind of programs does the facility accept? For example, does information technology have a renowned cancer unit or a great pediatric program? What's the patient-to-staff ratio?

Questions to ask in a nursing interview

Now that we've provided some examples of mutual interview questions and answers asked in a nursing interview, it's time to provide some questions for yous to inquire your interviewer. Asking questions of your interviewer shows that you're interested in the position and helps you lot gain a greater sense of what the job will exist like.

What is your company's civilisation like?

This question is important for any position. A company's culture impacts every determination that is made and y'all desire to make certain that your values and the company's values marshal. Some companies may over emphasize efficiency and lose sight of developing healthy interaction between nurses on and off the job.

What type of orientation or training practise you lot provide?

This is a nifty question to enquire as it helps you lot sympathize the level of support y'all will receive upon starting the chore. Knowing that there volition exist a detailed and thorough grooming process might ease your heed near taking the job.

What type of managing style do you take?

Knowing how your future boss manages is a huge bonus. Every boss has their own managing style. Some bosses prefer a more easily on approach while others allow their employees more freedom.

What policies or practices do y'all have for self-care?

This question hints at the company'southward culture. Y'all should intendance to know how your future employer allows for self-care. Nurse burnout is real and being in an environs that doesn't let for self-care can exist toxic.

General nurse interview tips

Here are some steps you lot can take to make a great impression during interviews and so you tin can discover a job that fits.

Set in advance for questions your prospective employer may enquire, specially those that exam your critical thinking, prioritization, and skills.
Practise your answers out loud. It may feel silly, but it's the easiest way to know if an reply feels right or not. You tin can fifty-fifty record yourself speaking and listen to your responses.
For phone interviews, select a tranquillity place where you won't exist distracted during the call.
Keep some water handy to combat dry oral fissure
Grinning as y'all speak, even over the phone, so they can hear your positivity on the other end of the line.
For in-person interviews, make sure you wearing apparel with smooth — no jeans or scrubs — and avert overpowering scents/perfume.
Bring a notebook and pen along with a clean folder with copies of your resume and any certifications you have (ACLS, NCLEX, etc).
Prepare your own questions for the employer –Don't just spring into asking virtually salary. Ask most a typical 24-hour interval in the position, patient and staff numbers, and how the organization gathers patient input/feedback.
Write a thanks note and thank the interviewer for their time. Reiterate your interest in working for their organization and be specific about why. An accurate thank you note makes a deviation, especially if they're considering other nurses for the role.
Stay positive!

How to prepare for a phone interview

Be prepare 10 minutes early, so yous don't sound rushed.
Eliminate background racket and distractions, for example, from children and pets. (A parked car in a quiet location can be a peachy place to accept a call.)
Make certain your phone or laptop is fully charged, and use headphones/earphones for optimal sound.
If you lot'll be using your landline, plough your mobile phone off.
Have some water handy. If your mouth is dry, you'll sound nervous.
Use paper and pen for note taking to avoid the noisy clicking of computer keys.
Practice some voice exercises before the telephone call, especially if you haven't spoken in several hours.
Posture has an bear on on your voice, so stand or make sure y'all sit down upwards very straight during the call.
Smile as you speak — it really makes a difference! A skilful time to smile is when you talk near the work you've done, enquire questions, or express your enthusiasm about the visitor.

How to prepare for an in-person nurse interview

What to vesture

Looking professional is important. Your interviewer will be looking at how yous clothes, how you present yourself, heart contact, positive mental attitude, and a house handshake — and psychologists say you lot only take seven seconds for that first impression!

Can you clothing scrubs to a nursing interview? Despite the saying, "apparel for the chore you desire," the simple answer is: no. Your paradigm is your first impression, fifty-fifty before you shake the interviewer's hand. Dress professionally – this means a suit or business separates, no scrubs or denim.

Acme tips

Don't wear jeans, denim, or scrubs.
Article of clothing a adapt or business separates that fit well. Y'all should feel like the superhero you are! Avoid clothes that are either too tight or oversized.
Avert strong scents, which may include perfume, cologne, after shave, lotions, and hair products.
If possible, habiliment a lookout man to show that you understand the importance of timing and detail.

[More: Sign upwardly with Incredible Wellness to get free interview coaching]

What to bring

A pen or pencil
Small notepad or notebook in adept shape
A make clean, unwrinkled folder with:
- Several copies of your resume
- Any letters of reference you might have
- Nursing License / proof you accept passed NCLEX (mainly for new nursing graduates)
- CPR card
- Pertinent certifications

Preparation is central for whatever interview

Adequate prep fourth dimension will help you feel confident and comfortable heading into the interview room. So make sure to review all the tips to a higher place well earlier your interview, exercise answers to common questions, and put your all-time foot frontwards. Good luck!

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