Sample Interview Questions for Nurses
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What led to your interest in nursing?
3. Describe a challenging problem you faced on one of your clinical rotations. How did you solve the problem?
4. When you are experiencing a stressful work situation, how do you relax?
5. Give a specific example of a time when you knew you did a good job as a nurse.
6. Have you ever been burned out? When? What did you do about it?
7. How would you respond if asked by the nurse manager to do some of the menial tasks for patients that are normally not your responsibility?
8. How do you relax when faced with stressful work situations?
9. How would you respond if, in a rude and haughty tone, a doctor questioned your work, which you knew to be top-notch and absolutely accurate?
10. Do you think you will be a career nurse or eventually look for another profession? Why?
11. Why did you decide to become a nurse rather than a doctor?
12. Describe a situation in which you found yourself working with someone who was very sensitive and thin-skinned?
13. Can you describe a situation connected with nursing that mad you angry?
14. We have all tried different ways of showing consideration for others. What are some things that you have done in this respect?
15. What are some ways that you feel that nursing can become more professional?
16. If you were told that the nursing field was closed and that you could not become a nurse, what would you do?
17. What types of colleague do you least like to work with every day?
18. What type of nursing tasks do you find most objectionable?
19. Describe a situation connected with nursing that you experienced in the last year that made you angry.
20. How many years do you plan to stay with this hospital?
21. How do you go about making a decision?
22. What is your description of a good nurse?
23. What challenges did you have at your last job that you feel could prepare you for this job?
24. Which shift do would you prefer?
25. What attracts you to work at the VA Hospital?
26. What advice would you give your younger self as a new nurse?
27. What kind of personality characteristics would you like in a preceptor?
28. Are there any questions that you have for me?
SAMPLE ANSWER
Interview Question
- Tell me about yourself.My name is Alex Peters. I come from Florida. I am a graduate in Nursing.
2. What led to your interest in nursing?I developed interest in nursing at a tender age. My father was a doctor and when I visited the hospital he used to work, I developed an interest to be a nurse. I loved the attire the medics wore. - Describe a challenging problem you faced on one of your clinical rotations. How did you solve the problem?
One of the problems I faced was addressing a complaint from a patient. The patient complained that the medicines prescribes were not the right ones. I solved the problem by engaging the patient. I was apologetic and assured the client that this was not going to happen again. I told her the reasons that might have caused the same and assured her of immediate action for those responsible.4. When you are experiencing a stressful work situation, how do you relax?
I normally, like going at a quiet place just to relax. I also listen to inspiring songs.
5. Give a specific example of a time when you knew you did a good job as a nurse.
The time I knew, I had done a good job as a nurse, was when the hospital management recognized me as the hardworking nurse. I was given a trophy and a certificate for my dedication to my work.
- Have you ever been burned out? When? What did you do about it?It was not a burn but rather a suspension. Part of my team members failed to execute their duties leading to the suspension of the entire team. This happened in my first year of employment. I write a letter citing that I was not part of those involved and therefore I was a sacrificial lamb.
- How would you respond if asked by the nurse manager to do some of the menial tasks for patients that are normally not your responsibility?I will have to comply and assist because I respect the manager as my leaders as well as I champion the spirit of teamwork.
8. How do you relax when faced with stressful work situations?I relax by staying in a siren environment listening to music. - How would you respond if, in a rude and haughty tone, a doctor questioned your work, which you knew to be top-notch and absolutely accurate?I will calm down and ask to give him an explanation on the same. I believe he will understand me once I have explained the situation to him.10. Do you think you will be a career nurse or eventually look for another profession? Why?I believe I will be a career nurse because this is my passion. I am focused on this career for the rest of my life
- Why did you decide to become a nurse rather than a doctor?I decided to become a nurse because, it was my passion.
12. Describe a situation in which you found yourself working with someone who was very sensitive and thin-skinned?I have worked with very sensitive and thin-skinned persons on various occasions. For me, I did not find anything-strange working with such people, as I believe that every situation and individuals are unique in their own way and I must execute my responsibility with professionalism.13. Can you describe a situation connected with nursing that made you angry?I was made angry by a patient who refused to take her medication as prescribed.
- We have all tried different ways of showing consideration for others. What are some things that you have done in this respect?I value and appreciate other people I work with and those I come across. I have done various things to show consideration for others such as standing in for my fellow colleagues at work when they are sick or attending to other issues, I have as well helped to promote healthy living among the elderly in my community
15. What are some ways that you feel that nursing can become more professional?
Nursing can become professional by continuing their education to higher levels and embracing codes of ethics in their practice (Philip & Kalisch, 2003). They also need to be devoted to their duties of impacting positively on the care they render.
16. If you were told that the nursing field was closed and that you could not become a nurse, what would you do?
I do believe that nurses are still required and therefore, opportunities are there. However, in case the field was closed, I would pursue a health related career because I have a strong affinity and passion in the area of healthcare.
- What types of colleague do you least like to work with every day?I do not like working with lazy colleagues18. What type of nursing tasks do you find most objectionable?
Diagnosing and prescribing medication
19. Describe a situation connected with nursing that you experienced in the last year that made you angry.
I was made angry by a patient who failed to observe his dosage. This negligence made the health of the patient to deteriorate.
20. How many years do you plan to stay with this hospital?
I want to stay here so long as I add value to the patients and the hospital. My aspiration is to stay here not less than five years.
21. How do you go about making a decision?
I first take time to understand a situation from different perspectives before I make a decision.
22. What is your description of a good nurse?
A good nurse is someone that understands his or her responsibilities of providing care to the patients
- What challenges did you have at your last job that you feel could prepare you for this job?
One challenge is dealing with upset/angry client
24. Which shift do would you prefer?
I prefer daytime shift
25. What attracts you to work at the VA Hospital?
The conducive working environment
26. What advice would you give your younger self as a new nurse?
To always aspire to give the best in whatever I do. As a younger new nurse, I need to always be determined to impact positively on nursing profession
- What kind of personality characteristics would you like in a preceptor?
Intelligent, respectful, hardworking and creativity
28. Are there any questions that you have for me?
Yes, as a professional and an experienced nurse, what challenges have you encountered and what do you think that nurses can improve to provide quality healthcare?
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