Nursing interview questions are often behavioral in nature, such as “How do you handle stress?” and “Why did you choose nursing as a career?” Be prepared, however, to answer clinical questions as well, such as how you handle patient education.
Whether you’ve worked as a professional nurse for years or are new to the profession, interviews can be intimidating. Thorough preparation, including reviewing common nursing interview questions and preparing answers, can help you head into an interview with greater confidence.
Harding University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program prepares students for nursing careers with comprehensive coursework, individualized attention and hands-on learning experiences. Designed for the non-traditional student, you can apply your experience from a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing in as few as 16 months.
First, you should know what to expect from a nursing interview to prepare your responses to common nursing interview questions. Then learn what to do before your interview and the mistakes you should avoid.
What to Expect from Nursing Interviews
During a nursing interview, you can expect to be asked general interview questions and prompts that are common across fields. For example:
- Tell us about yourself.
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
You’ll also be asked nursing-specific questions. There is often a heavy emphasis on behavioral situations with a mix of clinical questions. At the end of the interview, you’ll have a chance to ask your own questions.
Keep in mind that it’s common for nurses to go through multiple rounds of interviews for the same position. You might have a phone interview, which is used as a screening tool to determine if you have the necessary qualifications for the position.
If you pass the prescreening, you may then have a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager. After that, you could have a panel interview with multiple administrative staff and some experienced nurses on the unit.
Most Common Nursing Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
It’s helpful to think about your responses to common nursing interview questions, but don’t try to memorize your answers. Instead, memorize talking points, past experiences or situations you can discuss.
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.
Learn about the importance of communication in nursing.
Behavioral Nursing Interview Questions with Example Answers
Many interview questions center on behavioral matters. Be prepared to answer:
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 to pursue this path. Prepare an anecdote or a compelling reason for what made you decide to become a nurse.
Example reply: “I believe nursing offers unique opportunities to combine my love for science with my desire to take care of people. Nursing allows me to ensure patients receive the best possible care, which is incredibly rewarding.”
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 your career longevity.
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 ask for help when I need it.”
Clinical and Scenario-Based Questions You Should Be Ready For
Nurses are also frequently expected to answer questions on clinical situations. These can include:
Describe a time when you had to advocate for a patient and explain the outcome.
Patient advocacy is a cornerstone of nursing and is codified in the Nursing Code of Ethics. Consider your experiences in clinical rotations or a previous health care career, if applicable, that demonstrate your advocacy.
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, which led to a more positive outcome and a trusting relationship.”
Describe a time when you overcame a challenge with patient education.
Patient and family caregiver education is a cornerstone of nursing care. Although it’s important in nearly every nursing specialty, patient education is particularly critical when helping patients manage chronic conditions and when preparing a post-surgical patient for discharge.
Example reply: “I taught a patient how to get in and out of bed properly after a spinal surgery. She had a lot of trouble visualizing and following the directions, so I provided a link to videos that demonstrate the proper movements, so the patient could re-watch as many times as needed.”
How to Prepare for a Nursing Interview Step by Step
Researching the organization, reviewing the duties listed in the job post and practicing common nursing interview questions are the best ways to prepare before an interview. Additionally, consider these tips:
- Be mindful of your social media presence: Remove and avoid making public unprofessional posts or images that could distract from your nursing talents.
- Be on time: Tardiness can give the impression that you are unreliable or do not respect the interviewer’s time. Be sure to factor in traffic and the time it takes to find parking when planning your commute.
- Bring copies of your resume and cover letter: Providing these documents shows hiring managers that you are a serious professional who is always prepared.
- 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.
You should also be prepared to ask questions during the interview. Develop a list in advance, with extras 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 and take note of follow-up questions you may have.
Some examples include:
- How would you describe the culture at this hospital?
- What does success look like after working here for three months, six months or 12 months?
- What is the most challenging part of this job?
Additionally, you should prepare one or two wrap-up questions:
- What’s the best way to contact you if I have more questions?
- When do you expect to make your decision?
What can you do with a nursing degree? Explore your nursing career options.
Tips to Help You Stand Out During Your Nursing Interview
During your interview, you should practice active listening skills, such as:
- Maintaining eye contact
- Avoiding interruptions
- Nodding your head occasionally
- Asking follow-up questions
Another way to stand out is to ask if you can shadow a nurse for a few hours, either before or after the interview. Be sure to submit this request well in advance of the interview date. This demonstrates significant interest in the position and helps you determine if the company culture is a good fit for you.
Common Nursing Interview Mistakes to Avoid
Set yourself up for success by avoiding common interview mistakes. The goal is to present yourself as a professional who is passionate about nursing. For example, dressing unprofessionally can influence how others perceive you.
Do not bring food into the interview room, but a water bottle or a small cup of coffee is usually acceptable. You should also avoid using electronic devices that make noise. 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.
Prepare for Nursing Success at Harding University
At Harding, we are invested in our students’ success. The ABSN program offers small class sizes, attentive instructors and Academic Success Coaches who can help you through your academic journey and prepare you for the next steps in your career. Our values-based curriculum prepares students to confidently take the NCLEX-RN and embark on their careers.
Request information and connect with an admissions counselor today to learn how you can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.