Top 10 Nursing Interview Questions & Answers

Hello my nursing friends. Welcome back to The RN Educator and for those of you who are new… welcome to our family! Today we are talking Nursing Interview Questions & Answers. We have all been in the scenario where we are so nervous to go into that interview… palms are sweating, hearts are racing, and we are hoping this interview goes well. Sooooo… in an attempt to minimize that anxiety I have compiled 10 of the most commonly asked interview questions WITH their best answers.

Before I get started, I want you to know this is coming from a nurse supervisor with over eight years experience and over seven of those years interviewing tons of candidates for not only nursing positions but other healthcare roles as well (from patient access staff, nursing, admin assistants, managers and more…).

I can honestly say these are the top questions I have asked and have heard asked in interviews and I want you to be prepared. I always say, preparation is key when landing a job. I myself have answered these questions and have landed close to 100% of my jobs.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

The question almost every nursing interview starts out with. Remember, when a interviewer asks you this question they want to know about your professional life. They’re not interested in knowing how many dogs you have or what you do on your days off. They want to genuinely know how you got started in nursing, where you have worked, any past professional experience that led you to where you are now, passions in healthcare and any qualities that make you qualified for the job. Use your “about me” as a chance to stand out but don’t over do it.

2. Why do you want to work for our hospital and/or our unit?

This question is meant to see not only what the candidate knows about the hospital/unit but also to determine if the candidate is a right fit for the unit. Do your research about the hospital and unit you are applying before hand. This will make you look prepared and if this is a unit you have been wanting to work for for some time now.

Take a look at that answer. Including a real life experience or belief in your response makes the interviewer feel not only that you are genuine/HUMAN but that you really have a passion for what you are doing. Passion can lead you to accomplish amazing things. We love passion!

3. What would you say is your strength coming into this job and something you would like to work at?

The famous strength and weaknesses question. Ahhhh… “what is my weakness? Uhhhh… interviews?!” haha. No but on a serious note, sure you can say your weakness is being a perfectionist but c’mon, how many times do you think we’ve heard that? It’s a safe, generic answer to be honest. You can be honest with your weakness but whatever you choose ALWAYS make sure to 1. already be working on this weakness or 2. give reasons how you will be able to work on it. Your strength on the other hand can be something you know you are really good at and can showcase that is RELATED to the job you are applying to.

Example answer: I would say my weakness coming in would be the fact that I am a new nurse. There is still much I have to learn from being on the floor but I also think it allows me to have an open-mind and be very easily molded. I can learn new techniques and new ways of doing things very easily. I am open and eager to learn about anything that comes my way. Meanwhile, I am still making sure I practice my critical thinking skills by reviewing case scenarios and have obtained my PALS and ACLS ahead of time to be prepared for any emergency situation.

Example answer: Something I always struggled with is delegating tasks. Mainly because I like to be very involved in my patient’s care and I understand that others may sometimes be busy however, I have learned with time that it’s okay to ask for help and delegate tasks that can be performed by others to focus on other important things for my patient, such as the patient experience. I have also learned through this the importance of team-work and the same way that I delegate and receive help I am ready to help someone else as well.

4. Describe a time when you had a conflict with a co-worker and how did you handle it.

Nurse interviewers LOVE asking questions that have you describe a time when xyz happened. Don’t choose a dramatic or problematic conflict but something light that was able to be handled peacefully.

If the interviewer further asks… “what would you have done if she didnt change her behavior?” you can answer:

Example answer to follow-up: If she didn’t change her behavior I would have to follow chain of command and speak to my charge nurse about it.

5. How would you de-escalate a situation with an angry patient who is not pleased with the care you are providing?

Keep in mind the interviewer might ask you to describe a time this situation happened and how did you handle it. During a nursing interview, be prepared to answer this question with a scenario. You want to make sure you answer in a way that ended in a positive experience for the patient and that they ended up having their needs met one way or another.

Example answer: If this situation happened to me I would firstly, apologize to the patient and ask what they don’t like about the care. Once I have figured out what they dislike I would explain to them the situation (whether it is a busy shift, a safety issue, or part of their plan of care), reassure them that their care and health is of utmost importance to me and let them know that their needs are a priority.

6. What would you do if you were unsure of a task or assignment you had?

Employers want to make sure that you aren’t afraid to ask questions with this one! They want to ensure you won’t feel forced to take an assignment or perform a task you don’t feel comfortable doing. Saying “I will figure it out” isn’t a good thing in this case. We are dealing with patient’s lives so asking for help is key.

Example answer: If I was ever unsure of a task or assignment I would ask one of my colleagues for help or speak to my charge nurse about it. I would ask if they can assist me or teach me so that I can know and feel more comfortable in the future and hopefully one day I can be that resource for someone.

If there was no one I can ask at that time, I would definitely search for other resources as well such as educational applications or maybe another department that would know about this task but I would definitely ask for help or guidance.

7. Why should we hire you?

This is the question you want to showcase yourself in and tell this potential employer why they should pick you. Don’t be too cocky, but what makes you stand out from the rest? I also recommend reading the job description before your nursing interview and make sure the qualities you talk about match what the employer is looking for.

Example answer: I am a very dependable and responsible employee. I’m someone who is here when you need me and describe myself as a very hard worker. I am team-oriented, team work is a big deal for me because I think when we work together as a team we really do achieve great things. I’m very passionate about nursing and patient care. I make sure to go above and beyond for every patient as well as my work family and my passion is what drives me to continue learning and growing.

8. Do you have any questions for us?

Always, always, always… I repeat ALWAYS have questions during your interview. It shows you are interested and care about this position and potential employer. When candidates have questions for me I feel like if they are excited about the position and really want to know more about the workplace. Do your research prior to interviewing so you know what questions you should ask.

For example, if you know that the hospital you are applying to has a nurse residency program ask about what that program entails for new nurses (only if it applies to you though). Don’t ask about a department or initiative that doesn’t impact you in one way or another.

Example answer: Yes, actually. I read about the new nurse residency program the hospital has created. Would that be something I would be a part of and what does that program entail?

Example answer: Yes, actually. I’m curious to know does your hospital offer any educational resources for new grads or new hires?

9. How would you handle a situation where a doctor places an order you do not feel comfortable carrying out?

This is very similar to the conflict question with a co-worker. They really want to see how you 1. handle conflict and 2. use chain of command. If you feel comfortable you can approach the doctor and speak to them one on one. If you do this think SBAR. You have to go prepared to present your ‘argument’ and related information as to why you disagree with the order. If not or if you have already spoken to the doctor you can seek guidance from your charge nurse on how to approach the situation or the next steps. Never ever carry out an order you don’t feel comfortable doing, especially if it jeopardizes the patient’s safety.

Example answer: If I didn’t agree with an order a physician placed and I knew it was jeopardizing patient care and safety I would speak to the physician and question the order. I would explain and give related information as to why I am questioning it. If after speaking to the physician I still feel uncomfortable and the physician refuses to change the order I would reach out to my charge nurse, explain the situation and seek any further guidance.

10.Where do you see yourself in five years?

This one is an important one. Your interviewer wants to make sure you aren’t planning to leave in the next couple years. Remember, an employer is essentially investing in you. They give you the tools and resources you need to be successful and all that cost them money! Hey…at the end of the day you gotta do what’s best for you but don’t let them know that in a year you’ll be graduating from NP school because chances are they might not hire you to come onboard for just a year…

Example answer: In five years I definitely see myself growing within the company. I would love to go back to school and receive my graduate degree or become certified in this specialty.

Example answer: In five years I definitely see myself growing within the company. I would love to keep gaining experience and become a resource to the team. Hopefully, I can grow in leadership and teach others what I will be taught as a new hire.

…and that’s a wrap, friends! The top ten nursing interview questions most employers will ask you during your nursing interview…

I hope you enjoyed the post and are a little more prepared than when you stumbled upon it.

Did you have an interview recently or are you someone who interviews nurses often? Share you experiences, tips and Q&A’s below!

’till next time,

The RN Educator