Searching for a nursing job is exhausting, from filling out applications, uploading your resume and cover letter to passing readiness tests and assessments. By the time you finally land an interview, the process can be overwhelming. Nursing job interviews can feel intimidating for even the most experienced nurse, but interviewing can be something you conquer without breaking a sweat. Here’s a guide to help you master your next job interview, including samples of common nursing interview questions and answers.
NURSING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS and ANSWERS Scenarios 2019
The 25 Most Common Nursing Interview Questions
The nursing interview questions and answers below fix the reason most applicants flunk.
Namely, they don’t have answers ready for common questions.
Good answers are specific and draw on real life examples.
They’re not beauty-pageant speeches about saving the world.
They’re, “One time a patient was lashing out at all the staff. I talked to her and learned she was terrified because she thought she was dying. I took the time to educate her and she was calm and friendly the rest of her stay.”
Great answers to nurse interview questions fit what the job offer is searching for. Does the job want communication skills? Budgeting? The best answers fit the manager’s needs.
So, to answer the most common questions for nursing interviews:
Answer right, and the administrators will ask you a question:
Use the STAR method to answer nursing interview questions
The STAR method is a well-known technique that you can use to answer behavioral-based interview questions. The acronym lays out how you should format your answer and tell your story:
By using this method, you’ll be able to fully convey how you’ve handled a real-life situation in the past and how you can successfully administer future ones. Even if you’re just beginning your career and don’t have a lot of experience, this is a useful tactic you can use for tackling new grad nurse interview questions.
STAR: The #1 Strategy for Answering Scenario-Based Questions
When giving your responses in a job interview, itâs important to stay focused and on-point. If youve had trouble with this in the past, you may want to consider trying out the STAR interview technique. STAR stands for:
By following this response structure, youll be able to organize your thoughts in a more coherent way, whether youâre speaking from past experience or imagining yourself in a hypothetical situation. Hereâs how to formulate a thorough response:
If youâve been asked a situational question but youâve had experience with a similar scenario, you can answer it as a situational response and segue into the fact that you had something similar happen. Then, you can set up your behavioral scenario. This is a way to share your experience after answering the question to back up your point.
