The budget’s approved and the positions are posted. Now all you need to do is to find the right LPN to join your staff. As the boss, you know that hiring a nurse is more than just setting up a meeting about the job. Also, you want to make sure that the person you hire will be a good fit for your job and stay for a while.
We’ll share the most effective LPN interview questions to help you land the perfect match. Use this interview guide to fix staffing shortages and prevent future turnover. Want to learn more about the job market to help you hire better? Check out how other companies are advertising their LPN openings on our job board to get ideas for how to make your facility stand out.
Landing your dream job as a registered practical nurse (RPN) requires more than just your excellent clinical skills and nursing qualifications. You also need to ace the interview by effectively communicating your experience bedside manner critical thinking abilities, and passion for patient care.
Interviews can be daunting, but going in well-prepared and armed with sample responses for commonly asked questions will help convince hiring managers that you have what it takes to provide compassionate and skilled nursing care.
There are tips and sample answers in this complete guide to the most common registered practical nurse interview questions. These will help you make a great first impression.
Why Do Interviews Matter for RPNs?
The interview gives potential employers a chance to see if you are really a good fit for the RPN job at their company. They want to know not only how well you can do clinical tasks, but also how well you can communicate, think critically, deal with emotions, and work with others.
It’s your chance to demonstrate that you have the dedication, experience and bedside manner required to deliver outstanding patient care and be a valuable member of their nursing staff.
That’s why doing well in the interview is just as important as having the right nursing degrees and gigs. It gives you a chance to show off your skills beyond what’s on your resume.
How to Prepare for an RPN Interview
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Research the healthcare organization: Understanding the facility, its specialties, patient population, and nursing team will help you tailor your responses.
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Review key nursing concepts: Brush up on medical terminology, procedures, medication administration, and patient care best practices.
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Rehearse responses: Practice answering sample questions out loud to polish your responses.
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Prepare examples and anecdotes: Having specific stories showcases your capabilities better than hypothetical scenarios.
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Review your resume: Refresh your memory on your experience and skills. Interviewers may ask you to elaborate.
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Dress professionally: Neat nursing scrubs or business attire conveys professionalism.
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Get a good night’s rest: Being well-rested helps you stay focused and quick on your feet.
10 Common Registered Practical Nurse Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)
Here are some of the most frequently asked RPN interview questions, along with sample responses:
1. Why did you choose to become an RPN?
Sample Answer: I’ve always had a passion for healthcare and a strong desire to help others. As an RPN, I get to turn that passion into meaningful work by providing hands-on care and making a difference in patients’ lives every day. The direct nature of bedside nursing care appealed to me more than an administrative nursing role. I find it very rewarding to form personal connections with patients, educate and support them through health challenges, and be an advocate in their healthcare journey.
2. What relevant nursing experience do you have?
Sample Answer: I have over 5 years of nursing experience in long-term care facilities. In this role, I performed the full spectrum of nursing tasks including medication administration, wound care, patient education, and coordinating care with other providers. I also have experience utilizing electronic medical record systems for documentation. These experiences allowed me to hone my clinical skills and critical thinking in providing care to geriatric patients with complex health needs. I look forward to further developing my expertise here.
3. How would you handle an emergency situation?
Sample Answer: When an emergency situation arises, it’s critical to remain calm and focused. I would quickly assess the situation, call for assistance if needed, and implement life-saving interventions according to established emergency protocols. Clear communication is vital, so I would alert the medical team of the situation concisely while providing urgent care. Patient safety is always the priority. Once the situation is under control, I would document a detailed account of the events and participate in any follow-up analysis to improve emergency response processes.
4. What’s your approach to developing care plans for patients?
Sample Answer: My approach begins with thoroughly assessing the patient’s current health status and needs. I then collaborate with the patient and their loved ones to understand their preferences, goals, and values. Using this holistic understanding, I develop a customized care plan that outlines interventions to meet the patient’s medical, emotional, and daily living needs. I make sure to explain the plan clearly to the patient and family. With their input, I adjust the plan accordingly over time as the patient’s status evolves. My objective is to create a patient-centered plan focused on optimizing health outcomes and quality of life.
5. How do you stay current on nursing best practices and new technologies?
Sample Answer: Lifelong learning is crucial in nursing, so I make continuing education a priority. I maintain memberships in various nursing associations to stay up-to-date on best practices through newsletters, online resources, and journals. I also regularly attend nursing conferences and seminars. At work, I collaborate with peers to exchange knowledge and engage in in-services to develop new skills. I’m excited by innovations that improve healthcare, so I’m eager to learn new technologies like telehealth systems and mobile apps for patient engagement. Pursuing certification is another goal that validates specialized expertise.
6. Can you describe a time you dealt with conflict in a professional setting?
Sample Answer: Yes, as a nursing leader I once had two staff members who had persistent conflict that affected unit morale. I brought them together individually first to understand their perspectives. I then facilitated a mediated discussion focused on finding solutions. Each nurse described their frustrations while I actively listened and helped reframe statements to be constructive rather than accusatory. We established guidelines for better communication and agreed on a shared goal of improving teamwork. Following up afterwards was key to ensure the resolution stuck. This experience demonstrated the importance of handling conflict proactively and maintaining professionalism despite interpersonal differences.
7. Why are you leaving your current role?
Sample Answer: I’ve learned a lot in my current role, but I’m looking for new opportunities to expand my nursing expertise. While I appreciate the experience I’ve gained, I now hope to transition to a hospital setting where I can work in a larger interprofessional team to sharpen my clinical skills and knowledge. I also hope to eventually specialize in a specific field like pediatrics, oncology, or emergency nursing. This opportunity aligns well with my goals as it would let me gain valuable experience in [specialty] nursing and work in an academic teaching hospital environment. I’m excited to bring my bedside care abilities to this new healthcare setting.
8. What would you do if a patient or family member made an unreasonable request?
Sample Answer: Providing patient-centered care is extremely important to me. If a patient or family member makes an unreasonable request, I would first seek to understand their perspective and reasoning. I would explain in a compassionate manner why I’m unable to fulfill the request, citing ethical, safety or policy reasons. I would then work with them to find an alternative solution that does meet the patient’s needs comfortably and appropriately. Maintaining open communication and coming from a place of empathy is key. My priority is always delivering care that is evidence-based and in the best interest of the patient’s health.
9. How do you stay motivated in a demanding healthcare environment?
Sample Answer: In a high-stress healthcare setting, what motivates me is connecting with patients and making a positive impact through nursing care. When I help comfort a patient in pain, explain a complex diagnosis, or even make someone smile, it fuels my commitment. I also focus on achieving small wins throughout the day which gives me a sense of progress. Building positive relationships with my co-workers also helps create a supportive work environment. Outside of work, I practice self-care through healthy habits. I also reflect on the meaningful difference I get to make in people’s lives as a nurse. My passion for this profession and purpose to help others keeps me engaged.
10. Do you have any questions for me?
Sample Answer: Yes, I do have a few questions. Could you describe the training process for new nurses here? How is the nursing team structured in terms of roles and responsibilities? What patient education resources are available? You mentioned the facility recently expanded – what new opportunities does that create for nursing staff? And from a cultural perspective, how would you describe the work environment here? I want to ensure that it closely aligns with my passion for delivering compassionate patient-centered care. Thank you again for your time today. I am very enthusiastic about this role and joining your healthcare organization.
Tell me about yourself.
An LPN interview question that gets to the heart of the matter is “Tell me about yourself.” Remember, you’re hiring someone with a life outside of nursing. Encourage your candidate to expand on their personal life rather than listing items from their resume.
A word of warning: if you get too personal, you might reveal things that the candidate wants to keep secret, or you could be at risk of being discriminated against in the job market. Avoid crossing the line by asking questions like “what hobbies help you relax outside of work?”.
Describe a time you did something at work without being asked. What was the outcome?
Nurses are faced with many decisions each shift — ones that affect patients’ lives. Find out whether your candidate is prepared to think independently and follow the chain of command when needed.
This is an example of a situational interview question. It helps you dig into a nurse’s soft skills like initiative and communication. It’s important to choose interview questions for LPNs that give you a sense of their clinical judgment in addition to hands-on nursing skills.
Nursing Interview Questions and Answers by Nurse Sarah
FAQ
Why are you interested in being an LPN?
What should I wear to an LPN interview?
How can a Registered Practical Nurse help you prepare for an interview?
Leveraging decades of experience, they deliver valuable advice to help you feel confident and prepared for your interview. Common Registered Practical Nurse interview questions, how to answer them, and example answers from a certified career coach.
What questions should a registered nurse answer during an interview?
Registered nurse Alexa discusses the interview question: “how do you handle work stress?”, provides an example answer, and explains why employers ask this question. Knowing the most common interview questions for LPNs and how you should answer them can increase the odds of you getting the role after the interview.
How do you answer a nurse interview question?
Given that the interviewer is likely to hear many different types of answers, the best way to answer the question is usually by giving a straightforward and honest response. Most people want to become nurses for altruistic reasons, so your personal story is likely to be the best possible answer.
What is a nursing interview question?
This question is designed to gauge your experience and competence in this critical area of nursing practice. It gives the interviewer an insight into your understanding of post-operative protocols, your ability to manage pain, monitor vital signs, and provide overall patient care when they are at their most vulnerable.
