Interviewing for a nursing job can feel intimidating, even for the most experienced nurse. Still, with careful preparation, you'll be able to show up to your nursing job or nursing assistant interview with calm confidence and enthusiasm. Answering nursing interview questions with solid, real-life examples relevant to your experience can significantly increase your chances of landing the job.
Healthcare employers are more likely to ask you behavioural- based interview questions to get a sense of how you perform and behave in specific situations. You'll want to make a compelling case for why an employer should hire you and be able to present yourself as a compassionate candidate.
Before the interview, you should take some time to read the nurse job description to get a sense of what the job entails. Then, you can think about the healthcare skills and qualities a potential employer is looking for and how it aligns with your own abilities. After that, you can explore our sample nursing interview questions below and prepare your own responses. Whether you're an experienced nurse or just beginning your career, we're here to help you master your next job interview.
Sample Nursing Interview Questions
- Why are you interested in pursuing a career in nursing?
- What qualities do you possess that make you a great nurse?
- Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient or family member.
- What methods do you use to prioritise tasks while maintaining outstanding patient care?
- What do you do when you don’t have an answer to a patients question?
- How well do you work as part of a team of healthcare professionals?
Question #1: Why Are You Interested in Pursuing a Career in Nursing?
This is a common question that you can expect at the beginning of your interview. Employers will use these nursing interview questions to learn more about your character, passion, and enthusiasm for patient care. Consider these points when responding:
- Think about the different aspects of nursing that appeal to you and why you are committed to the profession.
- Talk about what made you get into nursing and who has inspired you to enter this career.
- Remember to draw from your own unique life experiences to create a compelling and authentic narrative.
Sample Answer:
"I've witnessed first-hand the incredible and selfless work that nurses carry out. My mother was a very compassionate woman who cared for my father when he got sick. He moved to a nursing home when she could no longer care for him. I was deeply inspired and motivated by how the nurses took care of my father and how it affected my family. Those nurses showed a genuine interest in my father's well-being and knowing that I can make a difference in someone's life makes it all worthwhile."
Question #2: What Qualities Do You Possess That Make You a Great Nurse?
Employers are looking for a candidate who genuinely cares for others and shows integrity and honesty. Skills can be taught but caring and compassion are inherent in your character. Use this question to stand out from other candidates. This is your time to shine. You'll need to impress employers with your skills that correlate with the six C's- care, compassion, competence, confidence, courage, and commitment. When answering nursing interview questions like this, take into consideration:
- How you show kindness and empathy to your patients while acting as their advocate.
- How you demonstrate effective teamwork and always strive for a positive and confident attitude.
Sample Answer:
"As a nurse, I am committed to prioritising compassion and care in my interactions with my patients and colleagues. I understand the importance of effective communication within my team and always strive to show courage when presenting concerns to doctors and more qualified colleagues. I'm committed to a career that involves continuous learning and am confident that the qualities I bring will help make a difference in the lives of others."
Question #3: Tell Us About a Time When You Had to Deal with a Difficult Patient or Family Member.
This is one of the key nursing interview questions you'll typically have to answer. Employers ask this to test your interpersonal and reasoning skills in the workplace. It's a great example of a behavioural or competency-based question, and you should be prepared to provide an example of how you used basic conflict resolution strategies to turn a difficult situation around while remaining calm. When answering questions for nursing jobs it’s a good idea to use the STAR technique. Try to be as specific as possible:
- Situation – where did it happen?
- Task – what were you expected to do?
- Action – what specifically did you do?
- Result – what was the outcome?
Sample Answer:
"When I was working as a staff nurse on a hospital ward, I had to care for patients who had been in serious accidents. One day, I had a new request for a patient's wound care. One of his family members didn't like the way I dressed his wound and was adamant that I use a different type of gauze. I acknowledged her concerns and let her know that I understood she was upset. I reassured her that I was complying with the doctors' orders and then explained the treatment to her in simple steps. She thanked me for taking the time to explain the procedure, and I let her know that I was available to answer any further questions."
Question #4: What Methods Do You Use to Prioritise Tasks While Maintaining Outstanding Patient Care?
With these types of nursing interview questions, employers want to test your time management skills and your ability to manage your shift while providing patients with the best care. As a nurse, you'll have to balance several patients at a time in a fast-paced setting. Be sure to explain in detail to the employer your daily process and why you choose to complete your tasks in such an order. Your answer should include:
- What you do to prepare for your shift
- How you prioritise your to-do list
- Steps you take to stay on top of patient care
Sample Answer:
"At the beginning of every shift, I make a to-do list with the day's tasks. I put the most important things at the top of the list, such as administering medications and reviewing patients' charts. Other tasks that I hope to get to will be at the bottom of the list. The job can be stressful at times, so staying extremely organized is the best way to handle it. This allows me to stay calm and remain focused on the tasks at hand when unexpected situations occur. During my rounds, I make sure to build a rapport with my patients to understand their needs better. This allows me to give attention to more serious patients and minimise mistakes."
Question #5: What Do You Do When You Don't Have an Answer to a Patient's Question?
Every nurse will experience a time when they don't have an answer to a question. Employers know this and are looking for you to explain the specific actions you take to find the answer or address the situation quickly. This is one of the key nursing interview questions you'll encounter, so consider these points when answering:
- How do you ensure you have all the correct patient information?
- Who do you rely on to find the correct answers in a fast and efficient way?
Sample Answer:
"At the start of my shift, I go over patient diagnoses and medications. I make sure to familiarise myself with symptoms, medication side effects, and potential adverse reactions. The more information I have, the easier it is for me to give an informed answer to a patient. When I don't understand something, I seek help. I won't let my pride get in the way of delivering excellent patient care. When a patient asks me a question, unless I am 100% sure of the answer, I will go to a more experienced nurse or a supervisor. If it's about medication, I'll call the pharmacist and get clarification or research our online system, Lexicomp, for trusted drug and clinical information. I never assume and always check."
Question #6: How Well Do You Work as Part of a Team of Healthcare Professionals?
If you're pursuing a job as a nurse, employers will ask nursing interview questions to find out if you are a good team player. Daily, you'll have to interact with various individuals, including doctors, other nurses, technicians, administrators, and of course, families of your patients. This makes teamwork a sought-after trait in a nurse candidate, so make sure your answer demonstrates your ability to work as part of a team. Think about the following ideas when answering these types of nurse job interview questions:
- How do you communicate with your colleagues?
- How do you deal with different viewpoints?
- Are you flexible and comfortable taking orders from your supervisors?
Sample Answer:
"I really enjoy working as part of a team as I find that different viewpoints help me find solutions to a problem that I may not have been able to resolve myself. I take pride in my flexibility and understand that cooperation is crucial to problem-solving. I also believe that respecting my co-workers is of the utmost importance, and I have no issues with taking orders from doctors or senior nurses. In fact, being part of a team motivates me to become a better nurse. My main focus is helping my patients, and I know that multiple perspectives can bring about creative solutions."
Are You Ready for Your Nursing Interview? Begin Your Job Search Today on Monster
We hope these sample nursing interview questions and answers have helped you prepare for your interview. Now you can start your job search by creating your free profile at Monster. You'll get frequent job alerts, and once you upload your CV, we'll match you with nursing positions that suit your experience and career objectives.
