Nursing Interview for NEW GRADS! Questions & Answers
What do you feel is your greatest skill as a nurse?
If you research the position first and the key skills that the healthcare institution is looking for then you will be able to choose a skill that is in line with what the interviewer is looking for. Interviewers want to see how well you will fit within the organization.
Example: “I feel my greatest skill as a nurse is patient education. I can help patients feel at ease by explaining care and health outcomes using the studies I have read.”
What would you do if you discovered you had made a medication error?
Mistakes may happen when you begin your nursing career. The interviewer wants to make sure you are honest and can handle errors accordingly. Many medical facilities have their own procedures for reporting errors but try to answer the question to the best of your ability.
Example: “If I discovered that I made an error with a patient’s medication, I would begin by notifying my supervisor and then I’d notify the patient and their family. After notifying them, I would notify the rest of the care team and report the error to the hospital safety committee.”
How would you deal with a rude doctor?
Nurses will likely have to deal with a variety of people who have different moods and temperaments. The medical field can be stressful and a doctor may come off as rude. It is important to demonstrate your conflict resolution skills and respond to this question thoughtfully.
Example: “I would deal with a rude doctor by first asking them if there is something I did wrong to frustrate them. If there was something I did wrong, then I would ask specifics about what I could do better next time.”
Why Is It Important To Ace Your New Grad Nurse Interview? It is vital to prepare for and ace your new grad nurse interview. Acing your new grad nurse interview means you were prepared for the tough questions and kept calm under stress. When you do well in an interview, your chances of securing a job offer increase.
• In this example, the candidate addresses the fact that she needs a babysitter to accommodate work and makes it clear she has already made arrangements. This lets the interviewer know the candidate understands the importance of being reliable at work, as demonstrated by taking the initiative to establish caregivers for children, as needed.
5 Questions to Ask During the Interview
Asking questions during the interview portrays interest and preparation. Remember, you are interviewing them as well. Here are 5 suggested questions to ask during the interview.
1. What is the work culture like at this hospital/unit?
Each medical center and unit has its own informal way of doing things. The past few years have shown hospitals and the world how important nurses are. As such, nurses want to have a voice and say in policy, procedure, and patient care. Does the hospitals culture value nurses opinions? Do they promote from within, encourage discussion, or just expect veteran nurses to follow orders? This question helps reveal the new grad nurses values.
2. What are the expectations for new graduate nurses?
Here youre showing that you want to prepare yourself to meet the employers expectations and that you are forward-looking and a critical thinker. The question also allows the interviewer to share some insight regarding the nursing and leadership team, the reporting hierarchy, and the organizational structure.
3. How is the training for new graduate nurses structured?
If this hasn’t been explained already, be sure to ask about orientation or training. How long does it last, what does it entail, and are you allowed a longer preceptorship if needed? What can a new nurse do to ensure their training is a success?
4. Are there opportunities for advancement down the road?
Show the interviewer that you want to work hard and pick up extra shifts to learn as much as possible. Be enthusiastic without appearing as if you are just trying to climb the proverbial ladder. You could also ask about becoming a charge nurse or what is expected of unit leads.
5. Tell me about scheduling requirements.
Employers typically expect that a new graduate is willing to work any shift. Though you can ask about expectations regarding shifts, take care not to sound as if you dont want to work certain shifts (such as weekends or nights). Ask how many nurses work per shift, nurse-to-patient ratios, nurse-to-physician ratios, etc.
Common New Grad Nurse Interview Questions and Answers
Regardless of your profession, there are certain questions you always want to prepare for when it comes to interviewing.
Consider the following individualized questions carefully, and prepare answers for each one before your next interview. Remember that the answers to these questions could make you stand out over others as a culture fit.
Now we’re ready to dig into nursing-specific questions.
We recommend reading each question and answer pairing, then taking a few minutes to write down an answer that fits your personality.
This kind of exercise will not only help you prepare for upcoming interviews, it will also help you hone in on your most marketable skills and passions.
Sample Answer: “Caring for others and making a difference has always been important to me. Nursing gives me the opportunity to do both!”
Sample Answer: “My time spent learning at [ location ] was invaluable. Rotations allowed me to learn intangibles like bedside manner and actual hands-on experience.”
Sample Answer: “The best thing is seeing a patient in good health head home after they received quality care. The worst is when I have a patient who I know is in pain even though we have done all we can.”
List your certifications and specialties.
Sample Answer:
“I find it’s important to keep the lines of communication open between myself and colleagues. It helps me do my best work and de-escalates stressful situations. I also have a good balance between work and personal time to ensure I don’t get stressed.”
Sample Answer:
“I know that every situation is unique and as their caregiver, it will be my job to provide them every comfort possible. Patients are often in pain, scared or anxious. It is understandable that in a difficult situation, people may act difficult. Staying calm and providing compassionate care is my goal.”
Sample Answer:
“I have not had this situation happen to me yet, although I know it is inevitable due to the high stress of having a loved one in the hospital. I plan to do my best to listen to them. Rather than let a family member upset me, I will simply listen to all of their concerns and strive to ensure their needs are being met.”
Keep in mind that each of the questions listed above can be asked in a number of ways.
For example, “Have you interacted with any patient families who are unhappy with your care?” is the same as:
It’s important to spend some time considering the different ways each of the questions above may be “asked” to you.
Take a few moments now to write down variations of questions that fit with the answers you’ve created. This exercise will help you quickly identify the foundation of any interview question and easily recall your answers without stumbling.
Once you feel comfortable with the questions above, it’s time to practice the potential curve balls.
FAQ
How do you interview for a nursing residency program?
- What interested you in pursuing a career in nursing? …
- How have your clinical rotations prepared you for a career in nursing? …
- How would you handle a difficult patient? …
- What are the best and worst things about being a nurse?
What questions should a new grad nurse ask in an interview?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What do you like most about being a nurse?
- What do you find most difficult about being a nurse?
- Why are you leaving your current position?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a nurse?
What happens in a new grad nursing interview?
- What can you bring to our team?
- Who are your biggest influences?
- Do you have any hobbies?
- Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
- What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
