10 Toughest Nursing Interview Questions (Part 3)

This article is prepared in direct response to the numerous inquiries that job seekers make about their upcoming nursing job interviews. The intended purpose of this article is to shed some light onto several of the most commonly-asked nursing interview questions. Nurses Job Hunt Article Video

Updated:  

Be sure to check out my two previous articles on interview questions: How To Answer The Most Common Nursing Interview Questions and Nursing Interview Questions (Part 2) contain plenty of nursing interview questions and answers. This is my third essay on how to answer common nursing interview questions.

  • What are your feelings on working nights, weekends, or overtime?

    In this situation, honesty is the best policy. If you accept a 12-hour night shift position when you are truly a diurnal (daytime) person, your existence might be miserable for months, years, or however long it takes to transfer to day shift. You might also feel bad if you accept a weekend schedule that causes you to miss your children's Saturday morning sporting events.

  • Tell us about your leadership/management style

    Honesty is also the best policy when answering this question. It is perfectly acceptable to admit that you feel more comfortable following the lead as you gain more experience. If you are already a seasoned nurse, you can keep it general by saying that your leadership style depends on the situation at hand.

  • If we hire you, how long would you plan to work here?

    Facilities generally shy away from hiring candidates whom they perceive to be job hoppers, so it would be best to indicate that you plan on establishing a long-lasting relationship with the company.

     
  • Tell us about a previous mistake and the lessons you learned from it

    We've all made mistakes, so be honest. The mistake that you divulge may or may not be related to nursing. For example: "I used to delay charting until the very end of each shift, but realized I wasn't making the most of my time. I've learned to chart during the shift to improve my time management."

  • Describe how you maintain competence (stay current) in the nursing profession

    Nursing is not simply a job. It is also a journey filled with lifelong learning. You can discuss the ACLS course you took earlier this year, or the critical care conference you attended recently, or the mental health symposium you visited, or whatever it is you do to maintain or augment your nursing knowledge base.

  • How did you like working at _________?

    Fill in the blank with the name of your last workplace. Keep it positive without sounding as if your response is programmed or canned. If you have no paid work experience, offer to discuss how much you liked school, a volunteer job, a retreat or camp, or any organized experience that involved working with others.

  • Why did you leave your last position?

    If you are still employed the interviewer may ask, "Why are you considering leaving your current job?" Again, remain positive and discuss how you want to pursue other opportunities that lead to professional growth. If your employment was involuntarily terminated or you were forced to resign, be truthful without heavily dwelling on it. However, you must showcase your ability for honest introspection. "I was let go at the end of my 90 day orientation and now realize I was not a good fit for the ER" is a reply indicative of honest self-reflection.

  • Describe your former nurse manager or supervisor

    I urge you to maintain an upbeat tone, even if you disliked your former manager. You do not want to give the impression that you are a nitpicky complainer. Keep the response positive without engaging in excess flattery. "Carole was a professional who maintained a calm composure, even in stressful situations" will work. If you criticize your former manager, the interviewer might wonder if (or when) you'll personally attack him or her.

  • How would a job with our company help you meet your personal goals?

    A number of honest responses would be acceptable. "I enjoy demented elderly residents and a position with this company would allow me to come into frequent contact with this patient population" or "I've always wanted to work at a level one trauma hospital and this facility fits the bill" are acceptable answers. The interviewer wants to see you are truly interested in the company and not simply planning to hop to the next job.

  • To date, what has been your greatest achievement?

    You can discuss an achievement that is either linked to nursing or totally unrelated to nursing. Many nurses say that attaining their nursing degree has been their greatest achievement. Others state that forming a family has been their greatest achievement because it has given them a greater understanding of the human experience.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
one1morestep said:
Thanks for this one!,, I have interview coming and Im thankful to have found this!..

Since it's been a couple of weeks, I'm sure you had your interview by now. Do you want to give us an update of how things went? ?

Can someone please give me the definition of a cardiac step-down unit and progressive care. I kinda have an idea about cardiac step-down but not sure about progressive care. Please help

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
KeawanaPugh said:
Can someone please give me the definition of a cardiac step-down unit and progressive care. I kinda have an idea about cardiac step-down but not sure about progressive care. Please help

You can post this question in the CCU section of the forum...go to browse, look under Critical Care and Cardiac/CCU forums; that will help with eliciting a more targeted response. ?

I don't know if this is the right place, but I was asked these two questions that I hadn't heard before. Hopefully it will help someone practice if they run into a similar question like this in their own interview:

What are some advantages and disadvantages of having a career in nursing?

In what situation have you ever questioned your decision to go into nursing?

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
livelifeloveRN said:
I don't know if this is the right place, but I was asked these two questions that I hadn't heard before. Hopefully it will help someone practice if they run into a similar question like this in their own interview:

What are some advantages and disadvantages of having a career in nursing?

In what situation have you ever questioned your decision to go into nursing?

Thank you! ?

My least favorite question has been "describe the most creative solution you've had to making a difficult solution"...I was so caught off guard I just stumbled through my answer, I didnt even know what hit me! :dead:

Wow, those are tough questions to answer on the spot!

joanna73 said:
Thank you for your article.

I maintain a Word file with standard interview questions and my potential answers, which I update and review prior to sending resumes and attending interviews.

I also have files of actual work scenarios which I pull when it's time for performance reviews.

Interviews are all fairly standard, and if you learn to prepare in advance your success of landing offer (s) should increase.

Good Idea

I hate those questions like: describe a time when... or give me an example of... I can't remember all those situations. What is even more difficult is when you have 6 people staring at you. You feel like you're in front of a firing squad.

Amazing questions to ask employer, love it

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
EwaAnn said:
What is even more difficult is when you have 6 people staring at you. You feel like you're in front of a firing squad.

Exactly! I cannot stand being subjected to panel interviews. They bestow upon me a sense of stage fright due to multiple people looking at and listening to me.