You passed the NCLEX. The nursing interview should be a walk in the park. Right? Let us give you some reassurance: Show
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In a nursing interview, you’ll need to prove you’ve got very specific skills. Those may cover patient care, crisis management, patient education, and more. To probe your nurse superpowers, interviewers will ask nursing behavioral interview questions. These are scenario questions or “situational questions.” See our guide to get ready: Some nursing interview questions are based on more common job interview questions. Our guide can help you prep for those: Can’t land an interview in the first place? Your nursing resume might be to blame. Use our guides to fix it: Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here. Create your resume now Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume templates here. 1 The 25 Most Common Nursing Interview QuestionsThe nursing interview questions and answers below fix the reason most applicants flunk. Namely, they don’t have answers ready for common questions. Good answers are specific and draw on real life examples. They’re not beauty-pageant speeches about saving the world. They’re, “One time a patient was lashing out at all the staff. I talked to her and learned she was terrified because she thought she was dying. I took the time to educate her and she was calm and friendly the rest of her stay.” Great answers to nurse interview questions fit what the job offer is searching for. Does the job want communication skills? Budgeting? The best answers fit the manager’s needs. So, to answer the most common questions for nursing interviews:
Answer right, and the administrators will ask you a question: “When can you start?” 1. "Why did you want to be a nurse?"Why did you choose nursing? Administrators love this nursing interview question. They know nursing is hard. Nurses face fear, frustration, and hardship that makes superheroes look like slackers. Will you give up? Answering the “why do you want to be a nurse” question shows the driving force inside. Example AnswerWhy do I want to be a nurse? Nursing is my passion. I love providing comfort and education to those in need, and intervening in difficult situations. Last year I was tasked with handling a tough patient. I did my best to listen and provide comfort. As she was leaving, she said, “I’ll never forget you as long as I live.” It hit me that my life was important to her. That’s what makes nursing so meaningful to me. Every day, in small and large ways, my existence truly matters to those in my care. Pow. That’s a great answer to motivation-based nurse interview questions. It explains why nursing matters beyond a paycheck. It uses a specific story. It addresses another of the common interview questions for nurses: “Tell me about a time you handled a difficult patient.” Pro Tip: Many of the nurse practitioner interview questions in this guide also work as CNA interview questions. Just customize your answers to CNA skills and duties. 2. "Tell me about yourself."Let’s magically translate this trickiest of all nursing interview questions. It actually asks, “Why are you perfect for this job?” Please don’t give a generic answer. Do your homework. Find out what the job requires. Then rehearse the best achievements from your resume to tell a story. Example AnswerI’m just finishing up nursing school. I’ve got a 3.99 GPA and I received an Outstanding Undergraduate Nursing Student Award for leadership and caring. As a precept nurse at Newark General Hospital, I received frequent commendations from the preceptor for efficiency. I also maintained 95% positive evaluations for patient education. I supervised bedsore prevention on my ward, for which my patients were in the top 98%. Before that I worked as a CNA for two years at Hilldale Nursing Home. My manager there wants to hire me because of my strong work ethic and the way I interact with patients. I’d love to work for her, but I’m very excited about being a nurse here at Clifton Bluffs Hospital. Your commitment to ongoing staff training and patient education fit my skills and drive, and I think I’d really grow in this environment. See that? It’s a greatest hits of your achievements. Even better, it fits perfectly with the job. This is one of the harder nursing interview questions. But if you prep and rehearse, your chance of getting hired will go through the roof. Chances are, it’s going to come up in your nursing phone interview as well, so make sure you nail it from the start: The Perfect Answer to the “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question 3. "Tell me about a time you had to handle a difficult patient."Why does this come in at #3 on our list of interview questions for nurses? Patients can be tough. The ability to deal with them is crucial. You’ll almost certainly face this question in your nursing interview. Look for the worst possible situation in your past with the best possible outcome. Example AnswerI’ve often faced difficult patients. Handling them is part of the job. One patient in particular was yelling at everyone, even for minor problems. It was over a holiday, so I was able to get him moved to a private room. After that, I talked to him and realized he was upset over a hopeless diagnosis. He had no friends or family and nobody to talk to. I told the hospitalist and she was able to get a therapist to speak with him. After that he was actually pleasant. All the other staff and patients on the ward were visibly more relaxed. There’s always a reason someone is being difficult. Treating people with respect can often have surprising outcomes. That answer shows compassion, critical thinking skills, and problem solving. All key skills for a nurse. Haven’t worked in healthcare yet? That’s not a deal-breaker. Just tell a story about working with a difficult co-worker instead. Think about preparing your answers roughly to the STAR format. Situation, Task, Action, Result. The STAR method works great for both experienced and new grad nursing interview questions and answers. Want to use it? See our guide: STAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview Questions 4. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"You probably have dozens of strengths and just as many weaknesses. Focus on the ones that fit the job offer. Then use real achievements that prove them. For weaknesses, avoid “spin.” Instead of, “My biggest weakness is that I have no weakness” (yikes) use a real flaw that’s manageable. Do that, and you’ll nail these nursing interview questions every time. Let’s pick a job that values compassion and problem solving above all other skills: Example AnswerMy biggest strengths are my compassion and my ability to solve difficult problems. There was this one old man who had night terrors. He’d wake up screaming every few hours. I thought how I would feel if it were me instead of him. I took some time to talk to him. I quickly found that just ten minutes of conversation took away his fear. I came in early for the next five nights to spend time with him. His night terrors left and the other patients on the ward could sleep peacefully again. My biggest weakness? I get irritated when other nurses don’t pull their weight, and it shows. Solved. The strength story fits perfectly with the hospital’s needs. The weakness is understandable and real, but it shows a strong work ethic. Answer RN interview questions like this and you’ll ace the interview. For more, go to: How to Answer the "What Are Your Strengths?” Interview Question 5. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"In other words, do you like this job enough to stick with it? Registered nurse interview questions like this want to know if you’re just filling an employment gap. Make it clear that this is your dream job. Talk about how good you want to be at this job in five years and how you’ll get there. Tip: that means you’ve got to know what this job is, so do your homework! Example AnswerIn five years, I’d like to be the most valued nurse on your team. I plan to take full advantage of the continuing education reimbursement you offer to expand my skills beyond their current level. I’m skilled in patient education and EHR, which I know you value. There are so many new skills I’d like to gain, including budgeting and training others. I think Cliffton Bluffs Hospital is the perfect place to grow into a better nurse. That’s the perfect answer to “where do you see yourself” nursing interview questions. It basically says, “I see myself still helping you, and getting better at it!” 6. "Why are you the best person for this nursing job?"This isn’t one of those generic interview questions for nurses. More than any other question, this one depends on how well you know the job. Beyond just reading the job description, talk to other nurses who already work there. What challenges does the facility face? Talk about past times you’ve met those needs. Example AnswerI know your biggest concern right now is compassionate budgeting. At NGH, I was put on a team tasked to fix our budgeting problems. We cut inventory costs by 15% while actually increasing patient satisfaction. We did this through relocating the stockroom more centrally, which saved time. We also put common supplies on a use-based replenishment system. Patient care has always been my passion, so maintaining standards while cutting costs was a huge win. Perfect. When answering RN interview questions, always come back to how you can help. If this hiring manager had been more interested in raising HCAHPS scores, you might have had a different answer. Beyond the technical nursing questions, I’m always surprised when folks don’t have answers prepared for common nursing interview questions. 7. "What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?"Nursing interview questions like this look for your passion. The more powerful your rewards, the more powerful you’re perceived to be. Better still, if you see huge rewards in nursing, you’re less likely to seek them in some other job. Example AnswerFor me, the rewards of nursing never stop coming. Every day I’m learning and growing in ways I never dreamed possible. I feel so good when I see my patients improve and when I hold the hands of family members, providing emotional support in times of tragedy. Helping people feels better than anything else I’ve ever done, and I get paid for it! It’s the most amazing career I could imagine for myself. Great answers to nursing job interview questions like this show how nursing ties into your life story. Do the rewards of nursing outweigh any monetary gain? Use a story to explain that to the interviewer. 8. "What’s your strongest skill as a nurse?"Homework comes in handy for nurse interview questions like this. It’s similar to the “strengths and weaknesses” interview question (#4). The interviewers want to know you’ll fit. If their biggest need is better patient education and that’s your strongest skill—ding! You’re hired. Lying is a no-no, but in a toss-up between three big skills you have, talk first about the one they value most. Example AnswerMy strongest skill is patient education. It can soften fears and improve outcomes. One patient was unable to reduce his blood pressure following a heart attack. I was tasked with helping educate him about diet and exercise. I sourced some video case studies about patients just like him who’d changed their routines. Three months later he wrote me a letter. His blood pressure and lipid profile were all down into a normal range. That’s a great answer to skill-based nursing interview questions. That said, if the job offer really wants people who can manage EHR records and your strongest nursing skill is problem solving, don’t be afraid to say it. Honesty is always the best prescription. 9. "How do you deal with the stress of nursing?"Nursing is stressful. Interviewers want to know you’ve got the strength to stick it out. Interview questions for nurses like this seek to know if you’ll vent frustrations in healthy (and HIPAA-compliant) ways. Example AnswerDealing with stress is one of the most important parts of being a nurse. As a CNA in an Alzheimer’s care ward, I saw lots of patients without hope. Joining the Alzheimer’s Association forum helped. It gave me ways to manage my stress and showed me strategies to give emotional support to patients and their families. Support groups are my go-to for managing my stress. Answer stress-management RN interview questions like that, and you’re on your way to hired. That answer shows resourcefulness about one of nursing’s toughest challenges. If you’re doing a phone interview, why not write out your answers to common nurse interview questions in case you forget? As long as you don’t read them in a monotone, the interviewer will never know. Nail that phone interview with this guide: Top Phone Interview Questions & Answers [+Examples to Prepare For] 10. "What’s the hardest thing about being a nurse?"It’s no secret nursing isn’t easy. With nursing interview questions like this, interviewers want to know if you can handle it. If you say it isn’t hard, you’ll set off alarm bells. So, pick a real challenge, then show your solution. Example AnswerFor me, the hardest thing about nursing is the physical side. Being on my feet for an entire 12-hour shift, working night shifts, and lifting patients takes a toll. I take weekly yoga classes and do CrossFit for stamina and endurance. The stronger I am physically, the better I can deal with whatever nursing throws my way. That applicant sounds like a champion. She faces a big obstacle, but she’s gathered the tools to handle it. Those are the top 10 interview questions and answers for nurses. Don’t miss the next 15, plus nursing interview tips to get you hired fast. Pro Tip: Once you’ve got answers to the top RN interview questions, rehearse them! If you practice interview questions and answers, you’ll be cool and happy in the interview. When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free. When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better. 2 15 Less Common Nursing Interview Questions [#11–25]These interview questions for nurses aren’t as common. Many are still likely to show up in a nurse interview. So—prep and practice answers for them too. With each, try to tell a story with a situation, task, action, and a positive result.
Those are the top 24 nursing interview questions and answers. Want one more question that can really boost your hireability? That’s next. Can’t seem to land the interview, even though you’ve got a great resume? Maybe it’s your cover letter. See our guide for help: Nursing Cover Letter Sample & Complete Writing Guide 3 The Best of All Interview Questions for NursingHere’s the most important nursing interview question: “Do you have questions for me?” Why’s that critical?
Take time to prep for this queen among nursing interview questions. Think through the list of questions to ask during a nursing interview below. Based on the job description, pick 2–3 that fit best. Questions to Ask in a Nursing Interview
Why are those the best nursing interview questions to ask? They show you’ve thought through the most challenging parts of the job. Pro Tip: When answering interview questions for nurses, be honest! Interviewers will ask follow-up questions to check if you’re lying. If they catch you, you’ve blown the interview. Want more reverse-nursing job interview questions and answers? See our guide: 65+ Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer & Land Top Jobs [Proven Tips] Got your nursing interview questions and answers ready and rehearsed? Once you know how to answer nursing interview questions, move on to step 2: How to prepare for a nurse interview. Here are some nurse interview tips to help you land your dream job.
What to Bring to a Nursing Interview Besides answers to RN interview questions: Bring folders that contain the following (one kit for each interviewer).
Also bring a pen and notepad. Want more tips to help you nail the interview? Got your answers to interview questions for nursing down cold? See our guide: 50+ Successful Interview Tips, Advice & Guidelines Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like: See more cover letter templates and start writing. Here’s a recap of common nursing interview questions and answers:
Do you have questions on how to answer interview questions for nurses? Not sure how to describe your past experience? Give us a shout in the comments! Let's get you hired now. 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 questions should I ask a healthcare worker?Structured Questions. What was the last stressful situation you encountered in your job, and how did you react? Stress is a byproduct of the healthcare profession and there is no escaping it. ... . Tell me about a time that you had to deliver bad news to a patient. ... . Have you ever had a patient that took up a lot of your time?. How do you interview for a nursing job?Nursing Interview Tips. Know where you're going. Healthcare facilities are often big and confusing. ... . Dress professionally. Professional attire tells interviewers you take them and the job seriously.. Rehearse your nursing interview questions. Don't just prep answers. ... . Pamper yourself. ... . Listen and take notes.. What are some of the questions asked during nursing interviews?Common nursing interview questions. Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult co-worker. ... . Tell us about a time that you were in a leadership position. ... . Describe a situation where you felt proud of your healthcare team. ... . How do you like working with a team?. |