Tell me about yourself.
When asked about yourself in a job interview, it is important to give an honest but positive answer. You want to avoid sounding like you are bragging, but you also want to make sure that you highlight your best qualities.
What do you like most about being a nurse?
There are a lot of things that I like about being a nurse. I enjoy helping people and making a difference in their lives. I also like the challenges that come with the job and the opportunity to learn new things.
What do you find most difficult about being a nurse?
The most difficult thing about being a nurse is dealing with the emotional aspect of the job. It can be very difficult to see people suffering and not be able to do anything to help them. It is also hard to see people making poor choices that will likely lead to negative health consequences. However, I find that the rewards of the job outweigh the difficulties.
Why are you leaving your current position?
I am leaving my current nursing position because I am looking for a new challenge, and want to find a job that will allow me to use my skills and knowledge in a different way. I am also hoping to find a position that offers more opportunities for growth and development.
Why do you want to work here?
I was impressed by the focus on quality patient care and the collaborative environment that I saw during my tour of the facility. I really believe that this is the kind of setting where I can thrive as a nurse and provide the best possible care for my patients.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a nurse?
My greatest strength as a nurse is my ability to connect with patients and provide them with compassion and care. I am also very patient and efficient in my work. My greatest weakness is that I sometimes have trouble dealing with the emotional aspects of the job. Seeing people suffer can be difficult for me, but I am getting better at handling it over time.
Why did you choose nursing as your chosen profession?
My passion for helping and caring for others is what drew me to nursing. I knew that as a nurse, I would have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives – and that’s something that’s always been important to me.
What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful nurse?
Patience, empathy, and a strong desire to help others are essential qualities for any successful nurse. In addition, good communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure are also key in this demanding profession.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing nurses today?
I think one of the biggest challenges facing nurses today is the increasing demands placed on us. We’re being asked to do more with less, and it can be difficult to provide the high level of care that our patients need and deserve. In addition, the nursing shortage is also a major challenge that we’re facing. There simply aren’t enough nurses to meet the growing demand, which can lead to burnout and compassion fatigue.
What do you do when you don’t know an answer to a patient’s question or how to address a situation?
No nurse knows it all. Don’t be afraid to describe a time when you didn’t know the answer or what to do. Explain step-by-step the action you took to find the answer or address the situation.
Sample answer:
When I start my shift, I go over patients’ diagnoses and medications. If I’m unfamiliar with anything, I do quick research and learn what I need to know. It could be about signs and symptoms, prognosis, side effects of medications, adverse reactions, contraindications, etc. If I am still unsure, I ask a more experienced nurse or a provider. If I have questions about medication, sometimes I call the pharmacist and get clarification. And if I don’t understand something, I don’t try to guess. I’ll contact my nursing supervisor or ask someone with experience. I don’t let my lack of knowledge affect patient care.
How do you handle changes to your assignment, the unit, schedule, etc.?
We all know nursing is forever changing, and we need to be flexible. Use this question as an opportunity to explain how you adapt to change.
Sample answer:
When my facility switched to electronic medical records, I learned the system easily and quickly. But I noticed some of the older nurses had issues adapting and struggled with the new system. I volunteered to help and was placed on a team to support the nurses’ transition from paper charting to the new system.
Describe a time you were under a lot of pressure. How did you handle it?
Discuss a time you experienced stress at work. Explain the situation and then describe your actions and the result. Did that situation teach you anything about handling stress?
Sample answer:
It was my week on call and I was also the staff development nurse. Every day I was called or had to go to the facility to handle an issue. It was really stressful because it felt like I was being pulled in ten different directions. Not only did I have to make sure my job was complete, but I also had to be there when something went wrong or if someone called out.
To cut down on the stress and the back and forth, I had each nurse leave me a report. Additionally, I told them I would address any non-emergent issues the following day when I got to work. I decided to get to work about ten minutes early every day to see what I needed to handle from the day before.
Describe a situation when you had to work with a difficult coworker. What was the problem, and how did you resolve it?
Do not use this time to trash talk about anyone. Don’t talk badly about any coworker. As an alternative, this is the time to show how you handle conflict. Take your time and explain a specific situation, why it was difficult, and why the coworker was challenging to work with. How did you handle the problem, and what was the outcome? What did you learn from that situation that you can use in the future?
Sample answer:
I had a coworker who worked the opposite shift of me, who would rush me when she gave report during the handoff. Often, she would only give me partial information about a patient, and sometimes I received no information at all. It was frustrating to me, and it caused tension between us. One day, I came to work ten minutes early. I politely informed her that her handoffs often caused misinformation about our patients. I suggested we do walking rounds so that there was no miscommunication about patients and we didn’t miss anything. She agreed that it was a good resolution. That situation taught me how to speak up for myself and confront a problem head-on.
Describe a situation where you displayed teamwork.
Here’s where you can show you’re a team player. Think of a time you stepped in and helped a coworker. What was the outcome? How did the team react?
Sample answer:
In long-term care, the nurses often act as their own charge nurses. Responsible for medication passes, wound care, admissions, and discharges; your day can be hectic. There was this one day when my coworker, another nurse, was having a chaotic day. He had a resident fall, a new admission, a discharge, and a heavy med pass. On top of all of that, he still needed to finish his skilled (Medicare) charting. I saw he was struggling and offered to complete his admission and start working on his discharge paperwork. He was so appreciative and was able to finish up and actually leave work on time.
Are you comfortable communicating with other members of the healthcare team? Describe a time there was a conflict with another member of a patient’s healthcare team.
This is where you showcase your communication, leadership, and patient advocate skills. But remember, don’t trash talk, no matter how difficult the situation was. It’s your time to focus on what you do well without putting down others. Describe the conflict, who was involved, and what you learned.
Sample answer:
One specific time, a patient’s wife told me that she didn’t think the doctor cared about her husband’s health because he was always “in and out” of the room and never answered their questions. I discussed their concerns with the physician. In return, he yelled at me. I calmly, yet assertively, explained that his behavior was inappropriate. I spoke up on behalf of the patient, and I didn’t appreciate him yelling at me. He then “reported” me to my nursing supervisor. I explained to my supervisor that I was acting as a patient advocate, addressing the patient’s concerns, AND speaking up for myself when I was addressed inappropriately by a coworker. She assured me I did the right thing, and she spoke with the physician on my behalf. Although it may be intimidating, I learned that you should also address a patient or their caregiver’s concerns.