Nurse Interview Questions

Nursing Interview Questions come in two forms: those that YOU ask and those employers pose

Employers are looking for thoughtful answers to smart questions, a few of which you’ll be expected to pose yourself—so read up on what’s relevant in nursing literature and continuing competency before nailing those nursing job interview questions. Remember that, just as it should be, patient satisfaction is everything to a medical facility and should come across as your top priority when you sit down to interview.

10 Nurse Job Interview Questions Medical Employers Ask - Part I

Nursing Interview questions posed by your future employer are designed to determine your levels of motivation and commitment to the field, as well as ascertain your qualifications, work history and training. Visit our nursing career center for the latest on RN literature that includes blogs, newsletters and updates on healthcare events.

• Where did you receive training; did it include any certifications and if so, why that specialty?   
• How does your training and experience fulfill our job requirements?
• What have been your most significant accomplishments to date?
• What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses as a nursing professional?
• What are your future goals?
• Why are you leaving your present job?
• What did you like and dislike about your previous position?
• Why do you want to work in our hospital and/or community?
• How do you stay current with the nursing profession?
• What are some of the biggest challenges facing nursing today?

Nursing Job Interview Questions - Part II

Nurse Job Interview Questions are two pronged; in addition to what was reviewed above, the employer will expect responses to nursing job interview questions detailing your behavioral or competency-based approaches in previous and future RN jobs.

• Can you describe a situation in which you handled a difficult patient? 
• Are you capable of wise and fast decision making, and provide an example of this?
• Have you ever disagreed with a colleague over the management of a patient and how was this resolved?
• What changes have you contributed to established practices to improve patient care?
• Can you describe frustrations you have personally dealt with as an RN and how you’ve dealt with/resolved them?
• What was a typical day in your previous job like?
• How do you manage stressful situations?

10 Nurse Job Interview Questions You Should Ask

When RNs raise insightful questions at the interview, they’ve put the right foot forward, demonstrating both serious interest in travel nursing jobs and professionalism. Formulate answers to nursing job interview questions like these, and practice your responses on a friend before the big day.

• What is the nurse-to-patient ratio?
• What kind of support do RNs receive in this healthcare setting?    
• What is this (ex: hospital’s, clinic’s outpatient center’s) scheduling process?
• How long has this job been vacant and what are its critical expectations?
• What specific challenges do the nurses and this facility face?
• What is the length and availability of shifts?
• What is the job turn-over like and/or why did the previous person in this job leave?
• How will my job performance be measured?
• What is your policy regarding CEUs and professional development?
• What are the major short/long term objectives for this facility?

So there you have it: a comprehensive overview of what to expect in the way of nursing job interview questions. Once you’ve practiced, gotten a good night’s sleep, have all of your appropriate documentation handy, i.e., your nursing job application, duplicate copies of your resume or CV, a complete, neatly typed list of references, and proof of nursing license and qualifications.

Find advice for effective, highly convincing cover letters and certifications advice on our blog! Remember that reading up on current RN career literature compels you to ace your nurse job interview questions. Good luck!

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