Understanding how to prepare for a nursing interview by practicing common nursing interview questions, and developing questions to ask during a nursing interview will give you the confidence you’ll need to showcase your nursing passion.
Whether you’ve been a professional nurse for years or are new to nursing, interviews can be intimidating. There are several things you should and should not do when preparing for nursing interviews, but practice makes perfect. With experience and research, you can learn how to prepare for a nursing interview and confidently navigate the hiring process.
Harding University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing (ABSN) program holistically prepares students for nursing careers by instilling the knowledge needed to become exceptional nursing professionals and preparing students for the job market.
You will have ample opportunities to connect and interact with nurses and other professionals who found purpose and passion in a health care career and can provide nursing interview tips.
Below we will discuss how you can put your best foot forward and adequately prepare for nursing interviews.
Nursing Interview Tips
Don’t underestimate the amount of time you should spend preparing for a nursing interview. Applicants must typically send a significant number of applications before receiving an interview.
According to data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the probability of receiving one or two interviews for every 11 to 20 applications sent is 35.1%. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. When you are invited to an interview, prepare for each one because the job market is competitive.
With technological advancements, many first interviews are conducted via video conference. Additional interviews are typically held in person with the hiring manager or the hiring committee at the same time or in succession. By preparing for a nursing interview ahead of time and considering different scenarios, you can be confident that you will perform your best.
What to Do Before Your Interview
Researching the organization, reviewing the duties listed in the job post and practicing common interview questions are the best ways to prepare before an interview. Consider these tips:
- Research the hospital or company: Understand the type of organization you will be working for, whether a for-profit or not-for-profit hospital or an acute-care or long-term care facility.
- Review the job post: Closely review the listed job duties and expectations and prepare a few anecdotes that illustrate your competency.
- Be mindful of your social media presence: Remove and avoid making any public unprofessional posts or images that could distract from your nursing talents.
- Practice common nursing interview questions: Many interviewers will ask the same type of questions, which we will discuss later in this post. Practice your answers several times and with several different friends, classmates and colleagues, who can provide different perspectives on how to prepare for a nursing interview.
What to Do on the Day of the Interview
It’s common to feel anxious on the day of your interview. Consider the following day-of nursing interview tips, so that you can feel confident:
- Eat a light meal: To minimize distractions during your interview and not upset your stomach, be sure to eat a light meal and avoid greasy or high-fat foods, as this can contribute to nerves.
- Dress comfortably and professionally: It may be tempting to buy new clothing for interviews, but err on the side of comfort so that you are not distracted. Dressing professionally also indicates to hiring managers that you take pride in your work.
- Be on time: Nothing says “unreliable” like being late for an important event, such as an interview or a 12-hour shift.
- Bring copies of your resume and cover letter: Providing these documents shows hiring managers that you are a serious professional who is always prepared.
What to Do After the Interview
Regardless of how you feel the interview went, there are a few post-interview practices that can help increase your chances of a job offer and help you fine-tune your interviewing skills.
- Take post-interview notes: Write some notes about the interview, such as duties or job aspects that came up during the interview for which you have relevant experience, as well as what went well and what didn’t.
- Brainstorm ways you can improve: Tactics such as preparing anecdotes and answers to common questions ahead of time can help you better navigate job interviews. Review your notes before the next interview.
- Send a follow-up email: Follow-up emails can help you stand out. Thank the interviewer for their time and highlight aspects about the organization and position that make you feel you would be a great fit based on your experience.
- Plan something you enjoy: To help reduce stress levels after an interview, plan some time for things you enjoy, such as an ice cream or a run in the park.
What Not to Do During an Interview
Set yourself up for success by avoiding common interview mistakes. The goal is to present yourself as a professional who is passionate about nursing. Small things, such as dressing unprofessionally or creating distractions when waiting for an interview to start, can influence how others perceive you.
Do not bring food or drink into the interview room, though a bottle of water or a small cup of coffee is usually acceptable. It is best practice to be mindful of the setting.
You should also avoid using electronics that make a sound. Silence or turn off your phone before your interview. You should also avoid playing mobile games, especially with the sound on, while waiting for the interview to start.
Expect the interview to last around 45 minutes, but don’t make plans for several hours after your interview. If things go well, they may offer a tour of the facility or a chance to meet other team members. This is a great sign, so don’t turn down the opportunity.
Common Nursing Interview Questions
When learning how to prepare for a nursing interview, note a few questions that will almost certainly be asked during each interview. You should know your answers ahead of time.
Your responses should demonstrate empathy, professionalism and problem-solving skills, which are key qualities in nursing. Don’t lie or embellish your responses and only speak from your lived experience. If you don’t have a real-life example, share a similar experience you witnessed and how you would have responded.
Here are three of the most common nursing interview questions along with examples of well-thought-out replies:
1. Why did you choose nursing as a career?
You should know your “why” for becoming a nurse. Nursing can be a demanding career, which is why hiring managers want to know what has led you down this path. Prepare an anecdote or a compelling reason for what made you decide to become a nurse.
Example reply: “I have always been passionate about helping others and wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. This is why nursing was the perfect calling for me. I believe nursing offers unique opportunities to combine my love for science with my desire to take care of my community. Nursing allows me to ensure patients receive the best possible care, which is incredibly rewarding.”
2. How do you handle stressful situations?
Stress is unavoidable in the nursing profession. You will have to care for a variety of patients with diverse medical conditions varying in severity. While you will have support from your team, knowing how to handle stress is essential to longevity in your career.
Take the time to self-evaluate how you handle stress and be able to articulate how you overcome it. Providing anecdotes may also be helpful.
Example reply: “When I find myself in a stressful situation, I stay calm by focusing on the task at hand. I assess the situation quickly, break down the problem into manageable steps and, when I need it, ask for help. Effective communication and a strong support network are crucial in these moments.” Be sure to have a real example of a stressful clinical experience you had and how you handled it.
3. Describe a time when you had to advocate for a patient and the outcome.
Patient advocacy is a cornerstone of nursing and is codified in the Nursing Code of Ethics. Preparing in advance an example of how you advocated for a patient allows you to thoughtfully answer the question and prevents you from freezing in the moment.
Example reply: “There was a situation where a patient was uncomfortable with a treatment because their family member had a bad experience with it. I took the time to explain why the procedure was recommended, the benefits and the potential risks. I assured them I would relay their concerns to their doctor and help come up with some possible alternative options, which led to a more positive outcome and a trusting relationship.”
Questions to Ask During a Nursing Interview
Another useful exercise when preparing for a nursing interview is to have three or four questions to ask during the interview. When your interviewer opens the discussion up for you to ask questions, take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate your interest.
Create a list of questions ahead of time, ensuring you have extra in case your top questions are answered during the interview. Avoid questions that can be answered by the job post or organization website. Instead, ask questions that might arise if you were already working in the position. This will build your confidence and let the interviewer picture you as part of their team.
Here are a few examples of questions that show you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the nursing job:
- What does success look like after working here for three months, six months or 12 months?
- How would you describe the culture at this hospital?
- What is the most challenging part of this job?
- What’s your favorite/least favorite part about working here?
Additionally, you should prepare one or two wrap-up questions, such as:
- When do you expect to make your decision?
- What’s the best way to contact you if I have more questions?
During your interview, practice active listening skills, such as maintaining eye contact, avoiding interruptions, nodding your head and asking follow-up questions. This is especially important when you ask questions of the person or people interviewing you.
Communication skills are important not only for interviews but also for your career. Learn more about communication in nursing here.
Preparation is the Key to Successful Nursing Interviews
Now that you have a plan for how to prepare for a nursing interview, the most important thing is to carry yourself with confidence. By following the nursing interview tips, you’ve learned how to showcase your commitment to the nursing profession.
Your daily interaction during nursing school and nursing school clinicals can help prepare you for your nursing interviews. Use your time wisely by asking your mentors for nursing interview tips and if they are available to practice common nursing interview questions.
At Harding, we are invested in our students’ success. Our academic success coaches can help you through your academic journey, and our talented faculty members can offer valuable career advice.
Our ABSN curriculum combines online coursework with in-person simulation labs and clinical rotations, providing students with a comprehensive nursing education they can rely on. If you have a minimum of 64 non-nursing credit hours, you may meet the admission requirements and can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as few as 16 months.
Contact us today to learn more about Harding’s ABSN program.