Job interview questions for nurses

If you’ve chosen a career as a nurse, you’re in luck. Nursing is expected to be one of the top growing professions over the next decade, with 203,200 new job openings each year. You’ll have plenty of job opportunities as a nurse, but to land your dream nursing job, you’ll still have to get past the interview. Nursing interviews can be tough. While they include many of the same elements as other job interviews, nurses are also asked a lot of questions specific to their role. As with all interviews, the important thing is to be prepared. This article will introduce the most common nursing interview questions and tell you how to answer them in a way that makes a great impression.

Where can a nurse work?

Nurses are employed in a range of settings. The workplace can depend on your specialty and interests. For example, nurses are commonly found in hospitals. In this environment, they may work in the emergency department, oncology ward, or critical care unit. There are in-patient and out-patient nurses and those who supervise other team members. Then, there are geriatric nurses who can work in nursing homes and pediatric nurses who are experienced with children’s health issues. School nurses are employed by educational institutions, and rehabilitation clinics rely on mental health nurses. There are different pathways to becoming a nurse. For example, you can study for one year to work as an LPN (licensed practical nurse). These workers can do basic nursing duties, including record keeping and providing patient care. Another option is to become an RN (registered nurse). This job requires a bachelor's degree, but you’ll have more responsibility and a higher salary.

What are the qualities of a good nurse?

A lot is expected of nurses. You need to have a wealth of knowledge, extensive training, patience and compassion for your patients, and excellent communication skills. The interviewer’s task is to figure out if you have what it takes. What qualities do you need to be successful in this field?

Strong interpersonal skills

Nurses are part of a healthcare team. They have to work with doctors, fellow nurses, and other hospital staff in a stressful environment.If the nurse doesn’t have the skills to collaborate with others, it'll affect patient care. Nurses also have to communicate effectively with patients and treat them with compassion — even when those patients are difficult. Patients can be scared, in pain, or distressed, and their families may be worried. Nurses must use their Interpersonal skills, including verbal communication and non-verbal communication (such as body language) to calm, comfort, and care for all those they encounter.

The ability to remain calm under pressure

Nursing is a high-pressure profession. Patients trust you to look after their health and lives. Although it’s also a very rewarding job, it’s not easy. To do your job well as a nurse, you must be able to stay calm in any situation. For example, if it's a busy shift and you have multiple tasks to juggle, you'll still need to make sure you maintain excellent patient care. Or, if you have tough patients that are behaving erratically, you'll need to stay calm and call security.

Attention to detail

A good nurse is detail-oriented. They follow instructions, keep accurate records, and administer medications correctly. When it comes to patient care, mistakes can have long-term consequences. For example, if the nurse administers the wrong medication, there may be side effects. And if they forget to fill out the paperwork, the patient may not get the right care. Remember, nurses are part of a medical team, and other professionals will be relying on you to do your job to a high standard.

Flexibility

As a nurse, every day is different. Many nurses enjoy that they get to have new experiences and learn new things all the time. But if you dislike unpredictability, nursing isn’t your best choice. You’ll have to change and adapt to new developments as you work. You might also have to work at unconventional times, like weekends and night shifts.

Clinical skills and experience

Of course, none of these soft skills qualify you to be a nurse without the proper training and technical skills. In addition, the interviewer will want to find out about your nursing experience and education.

Nursing interview tips

Preparation is key to acing your nursing interview. Putting in the work before the big day will help you be more relaxed so that you can confidently answer any interview questions. Here are our top tips to prepare for your job interview:

Do your research

You should know about the healthcare organization where you’re interviewing as much as possible. Understanding its particular mission can help you prepare responses that resonate with the hiring manager. How? You can visit the clinic or hospital website and social media profiles before the day. Look for an "about us" page or similar to learn about the core values. What makes the organization unique? For example, is it a teaching hospital?

Brainstorm anecdotes and examples

Nursing interviews are heavy on questions about real-life experiences as a nurse. Think about some situations in which you went above and beyond. Look at the list above of the qualities of a good nurse. How have you demonstrated each of those? For example, for “attention to detail,” you could talk about a time when noticing a small detail about a patient’s health helped you provide the best care.

Practice your interview question answers

Go through the list below of common nurse interview questions and come up with answers for each one. Then practice saying them. If you have someone, like a family member or friend, who can assist you, hold a practice interview. If you’re practicing on your own, you should still say the answers aloud as if it’s a real interview. Practice is key, but don’t memorize your responses — it’s important to sound natural. Just have an idea of the main points you want to make for each answer.

Print your resume in advance

You’ve already provided your resume to the potential employer, but don’t assume they’ll have a copy on hand. Bring a few copies of your printed resume with you so your interviewer(s) can reference it during the interview.

Dress for success

At work, nurses live in scrubs, but for an interview, you should dress professionally. Long-term care facilities tend to be less formal than hospitals, but you should still choose an outfit that’s at least business casual. Make sure you look clean and well-groomed. Avoid wearing perfume or cologne to the interview.

Get there early

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities can be big. There can be multiple floors, and not everything is located in the same place. If you've been invited to an interview, make sure you get there early. This will give you time to find out where you're going. If you get lost, start at the information desk. If possible, do a dry run to see how long it takes you to get there and so you feel less stressed on interview day. Have time after locating the interview room? Go for a short walk, hit the bathroom, or grab a bottle of water to calm your nerves.

Generic interview questions

Many questions in a nursing interview are specific to healthcare, but you should also expect to be asked standard questions. Examples of common interview questions include:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want to work here?
• What’s your greatest strength/greatest weakness?
• Where do you see yourself in five years? Even for these general questions, keep your strengths as a nurse in mind. For example, when you answer the “tell me about yourself” question, mention character traits, interests, or skills that make you an excellent nurse. If they ask about the future, you can talk about improving your leadership skills to secure a senior position. If this is your first nursing job, use your experiences in nursing school and elsewhere in life to flesh out your responses.

Personal interview questions

The interviewer will try to get a sense of your career goals, whether you're a good fit for the organization, and who you are as a person. Here’s what you should keep in mind while answering each question.

1. Why did you choose a career in nursing?

For many nurses, the answer is that they want to help people. To stand out from the crowd, get more specific. Consider adding details about what inspired you to be a nurse. Interviewers want to see that you’re passionate and dedicated to the job. What makes you love nursing? If you have a personal connection to nursing, like a family member who’s a nurse or experience being cared for by a nurse, you could discuss that. Personal stories and details make you stand out as a candidate. What aspect of your job do you look forward to the most? Try to connect your personal traits to your interest in nursing.

Sample answer to “Why did you choose a career in nursing?”

“When I was a child, I had a brief illness and had to stay in the hospital. The nurses were the ones who made me feel better and brightened my day. The idea of being able to help people during difficult times inspires me. Nursing is also exciting to me because I get to learn so many new things and get to know all kinds of people.” 2. #### Do you work well with other nurses, doctors, and staff? Do you like working as a team? Nursing requires teamwork and collaborative skills. The interviewer wants to know if you can work well with others. More specifically, they want to know you like working with colleagues and patients. Every candidate will tell the hiring manager that they’re a team player. To stand out, prove it. Think of a specific time when you worked with others and achieved a positive outcome through teamwork. For example, maybe you collaborated with a dietician to plan meals for a patient with food intolerances.

Sample answer to “Do you work well with other nurses, doctors, and staff?”

“I always try to go the extra mile to support the healthcare team. I'm approachable and have a positive attitude. In my previous position, I'd often ask my colleagues if there was anything they needed help with. If I have the time, I'm happy to complete paperwork or assist with patient care. It's a team environment, and we all need to work together." 3. #### How do you handle stress? Nursing can be stressful. You deal with physical fatigue from long hours on your feet and mental fatigue that comes from witnessing human suffering and even death. But you have to carry on with a positive attitude. The interviewer wants to know how you do so. There’s no right answer to this question. Just give honest examples of how you manage stressful situations. You can emphasize how you don’t let stress affect you while you’re working with patients — you deal with it on your own time. For example, you might cope by joining a support group or getting involved with a relaxing hobby.

Sample answer to “How do you handle stress?”

"Nursing is a fast-paced profession, and patient outcomes aren't always positive. The most important thing is to provide compassionate care and always make sure patients feel comfortable and supported. If I've had a stressful day at work, I enjoy going to the gym to unwind. I know this hospital prides itself on a supportive work environment, and good leadership can help during stressful shifts." 4. #### Do you have experience with (specific procedures)? Expect questions about your technical skills, not just your personality or behavior. If you do have experience with the procedure, this question is easy. If you don’t, that’s okay. Just answer honestly. Emphasize that you’re eager to learn new skills.

Sample answer to “Do you have experience with (specific procedure)?”

"While I don't have previous experience with (specific procedure), I am a fast learner. I'm eager to expand my knowledge and add to my skill set. I'd appreciate the opportunity to learn from your team."

General interview questions about nursing

These questions are designed to discover how you view your job as a nurse and what you consider excellent nursing. 5. #### What are the best and worst parts of nursing? We all have things we love and things we hate about our jobs. It’s easy to talk about the best parts. Use this question as an opportunity to express your passion for the work. While it’s okay to admit that certain parts of nursing are tiring, tedious, or stressful, you should also talk about how you deal with those aspects of the job. Sharing your favorite and least favorite parts of nursing helps an interviewer see if you’re a good fit for the position. For example, if your favorite part of the job is helping people in need, they’ll know you’re a caring and empathetic person. However, if you say the worst part is the fast pace, the interviewer might not think you’re the right candidate for a busy department.

Sample answer for “What are the best and worst parts of nursing?”

“The most rewarding part of my job is the relationships I build with patients and their families. I’ve met so many interesting people, and I’ve had the opportunity to make a difference in their lives. The worst part is seeing those same people suffer. Sometimes we do everything we can for a patient, and we can’t save them. When that happens, I have to remind myself of all the times I’ve helped someone go on to live a healthy life.” 6. #### What makes a good nurse? The interviewer wants to see that you understand what’s important in the field of nursing. Take a look at our list of the qualities of a good nurse, or think about some nurses you’ve admired and what made them great. For example

• Empathy for patients
• Strong listening skills
• A passion for the job
• A good bedside manner Which of these qualities are the most meaningful to you? You can also give examples of times you’ve seen other nurses do superior work.

Sample answer to “What makes a good nurse?”

"A good nurse is someone who is genuinely passionate about the job. Nursing staff need to be empathetic, with active listening skills, collaborative skills, and critical thinking skills. Patient safety should be a priority, and nurses need to be reliable with medical knowledge. When I was younger, I twisted my ankle. The school nurse was kind and comforted me until my parents arrived. This is the kind of nurse I strive to be." 7. #### In your opinion, what’s the best approach to patient care? Every patient should receive the same treatment, regardless of their background or any language barriers. Patient care is about treating their condition while considering their emotional well-being. If you’re asked for your opinion, it’s always best to make your answer personal. Describe how you approach patient care or give examples of great patient care that you’ve seen.

Sample answer to “What’s the best approach to patient care?”

"As a nurse, my role involves working with a diverse group of patients. Making sure their emotional needs are met while treating their health concerns as a priority. While working in a busy ward, I had a patient who was distressed. She was crying and shaking and having trouble communicating. English wasn't her first language, so I found a colleague who could speak Spanish. Once we could speak with her effectively, she calmed down, and we could treat her condition."

Behavioral interview questions

Behavioral questions are a huge part of any nursing interview. The interviewer wants to know what you’re like on the job. If you have prior experience, you should try to back up your answers with real-life examples. If you’re new to the profession, you can talk about what you'd do in each situation. 8. #### Tell me about a time you had a very difficult patient. What did you do? Unfortunately, nurses may be verbally assaulted or bullied by a patient or visitor. While employers should try to protect you from these extreme cases, even patients who are friendly people on a good day can get belligerent when they have health issues. The interviewer wants to know that you can stay calm and deal with an unpleasant situation. Don’t make this question into a vent session about a difficult patient — focus your response on how you helped them.

Sample answer to “Tell me about a time you had a very difficult patient.”

“I had a patient who got upset every time I tried to administer care. I tried to empathize and understand where the patient was coming from. After talking to the patient and his family, it was clear that he’d had negative experiences with healthcare in the past and that his emotional response was due to fear of what he didn’t understand. From then on, I made sure to take extra time to explain why I was doing what I was doing and how it'd help him, even for simple procedures like changing a bandage.” 9. #### How would you handle a disagreement with a doctor? Remember, the interviewer wants to know you enjoy working with others and are good at it. You should also make it clear that you respect the medical opinions of the doctors you work with.

Sample answer to “How would you handle a disagreement with a doctor?”

“I’m lucky in that I’ve almost always been on the same page with the doctors I work with. If I did disagree with one, I'd go into the discussion with the knowledge that we both have the patient’s best interests at heart. I'd clearly communicate my point of view and try to understand the doctor’s. I know that we each have our own perspectives on the situation. Hopefully, we'd be able to reach a conclusion by working together. If not, I'd ask for guidance from a supervisor.” 10. #### How would you handle a crisis at work? Crises are part of the job for nurses, especially if you work in a high-stakes environment like an emergency room. The best answer, as usual, is a real-life example. Emphasize how you remained steady under pressure and worked effectively in a tough situation. The best answers to behavioral questions also include a positive result. For example, you kept patients calm or helped bring an end to a crisis.

Sample answer to “How would you handle a crisis at work?”

"If there was a crisis at work, I'd work closely with my team. I'd remain calm and check on my patients and colleagues. One evening while working in the ER, we had to treat multiple patients that were all familiar with each other. The medical team was busy juggling patients and speaking to distressed family members. It was a challenging situation, but when we all worked together and utilized our individual skills, we could get through it." 11. #### Tell me about a time you stepped into a leadership role. If you’ve been a nurse or even a nurse manager for a while, you might have a lot of experience with leadership. Remember that leadership and management aren’t the same things. Don’t just talk about supervising other employees; talk about your leadership style and how it benefited your team. If you’re newer to nursing, you can talk about a leadership role you’ve had outside of work or when you were in school. 12. #### How would you handle a patient who struggles with pain management? This question is about listening to your patients. Emphasize that you talk to your patients about the nature of their pain and take their concerns seriously. It’s also about problem-solving. If the standard solution doesn’t work, what do you do? As usual, focus on real-life stories. The best example would be a time when you tried multiple tactics to help a patient and eventually landed on one with a positive outcome.

Sample answer to “How would you handle a patient who struggles with pain management?”

"If a patient was struggling with their pain, I would double check their dosage. I'd look at their medical chart and see if they were due for any medication. If not, I would check in with the doctor to see if any changes can be made. In the meantime, I'd try to find other ways to improve their comfort. For example, if they have back pain, raising the bed may help.” 13. #### Tell me about a time a patient or their family was dissatisfied with your care. What did you do? Many patients and their families feel grateful to their nurses — it’s a rewarding part of the profession. But sometimes, a patient or family member is left feeling unhappy. Your example for this question should be a time when you:

• Took the time to understand and empathize with the complaint
• Stayed calm, even while being criticized
• Clearly explained your decisions
• Reassured the patient or family member If you haven’t had this experience yet, explain how you think you would react.

Sample answer to “What would you do if a patient was dissatisfied with your care?”

“Fortunately, I’ve never been in a position where a patient was dissatisfied with my care. I always do my job with close attention to detail and ask my colleagues for support if I’m unsure. If a patient was unhappy, I’d try to diffuse the situation by explaining my decisions. I’d reassure them without raising my voice and ask for their input. Sometimes people just want to be heard. If I was unable to calm them down, I’d call a nursing manager.” 14. #### How do you communicate with people who don't understand medical jargon? Give an example. Communication skills are so important for nurses. You understand the jargon and technical terms that medical professionals are throwing around, but your patients usually don’t, and it can be a scary experience for them. When sharing how you “translate” medical terms into everyday language, emphasize the things you do to put the patient at ease. Be prepared. Some interviewers even ask you to do this on the spot. They’ll provide some clinical terms and ask how you'd explain them to a patient.

Sample answer to “How do you communicate without using medical jargon?”

"Nurses commonly use medical jargon when communicating with doctors. However, we understand it can be confusing to most people. I have a teenage daughter, and I try to explain things to my patients as if they were her. For example, instead of saying ‘comorbid,’ I'd say, ‘you have two different health issues at the same time.’ I always ask patients if they have any questions, in case they need clarification." 15. #### How do you respond when people ask for your personal diagnosis outside of a clinical setting? As a healthcare provider, it’s inevitable that friends and family will start asking you for your medical opinion. And you love helping people, so you might be eager to give them advice. If this is general medical advice or advice on which doctor to see, it’s no problem. But some kinds of “help,” like making a diagnosis or prescribing medicine, are unethical and dangerous. This interview question is asked to see if you understand the boundaries of the advice you should be giving.

Sample answer for “How do you respond when people ask for your personal diagnosis outside of a clinical setting?”

“I once had a friend ask me what to do about the chest pains he was having. I told him that it was a serious symptom that could have many causes and that he should see a doctor. Then I gave him the name of a nearby urgent care facility he could go to.” 16. #### What would you do if you saw someone administering improper patient care? Would you try to solve the problem or look the other way? When an interviewer asks this question, they’re looking for two things. First, that you would do something in this situation shows that you care about your patients and will act with integrity. Secondly, the interviewer is testing your interpersonal skills. If you see another nurse doing something incorrectly, how do you confront them? Do you approach this scenario calmly and help the other nurse understand the correct procedure?

Sample answer to “What would you do if you saw someone administering improper patient care?”

“If I saw someone administering improper care, I’d ask them if they needed assistance. Their behavior may not be intentional, and they may need additional training. I’d show them the right way to do it without judgment. If it was an ongoing issue, I’d speak to the nursing manager.” 17. #### Tell me about a time when you were completely overwhelmed by your workload. What did you do? Nurses are busy people. Sometimes too busy. The interviewer wants to see if you’ve developed strategies for dealing with an intense workload. For example, you can talk about prioritization, organization, time management, and how you deal with stress. Emphasize that patient care is always your primary goal and that you don’t let a heavy workload interfere with doing what’s right for each patient.

Sample answer to “What would you do if you were overwhelmed by your workload?”

“If I was feeling overwhelmed by my workload, I’d use my time management skills to prioritize tasks. I’d focus on one job at a time and make sure it was completed with efficiency and accuracy. I’d reach out to my colleagues and manager for support. For example, if I had a patient that required additional time, I’d check if someone could help with any other urgent calls.”

Questions to ask the interviewer

Asking questions of the interviewer demonstrates your enthusiasm for the job. It also helps you determine whether the organization is a good fit for you. Here are just a few of the many questions you can ask an interviewer:

• What does a typical day look like for a nurse in this position?
• What kind of training is provided for new employees?
• What do you consider the biggest challenge of this position?
• What specific qualities and skills are you looking for in a candidate?
• What growth opportunities are available to nurses here?

Where to find a nursing job

Looking for a nursing job? Visit our job board and search for nursing positions in your area. Roles can be full-time, part-time, or temporary. Make sure you sign up for job alerts, a free resume builder, and member discussions. When you're part of the Jobcase community, you can grow your network and open up new career opportunities.

Ace your nursing interview

Prepare well for your interview, and you’re sure to make a great impression. Remember that nursing interviews include many behavioral questions, so be ready with your anecdotes and examples. It’s not always easy to remember the things we did at past jobs, so go through the entire list of questions in this article and brainstorm relevant stories. You’re well on your way to landing your dream nursing job. For more job application and interview tips, visit the Jobcase Getting Hired Resource Center.