The correct answer to the dreaded "What is your weakness" interview question...

As long as it doesn't paint you in a bad image. For example, if you say your weakness is that you get attached to your patients, you must be prepared to communicate that you know how to set boundaries for yourself and respect the nurse-patient relationship.

I think the biggest thing they are looking for is awareness of self. My biggest weakness is I tend to be hypercritical of myself, and this flaw pushes me toward self-improvement, and I expect a lot from myself and others.

Good luck this week!

This is a trap question; almost anything you say here will damage your image and be used against you as an excuse not to hire you. The correct answer is "I don't have any weaknesses," period. Say no more. Now, if you are afraid you will come out as arrogant, you can add, "While I am not weak in any area, there are some areas that I feel I could improve on. For instance, I am reluctant to delegate care; I feel that it wasn't done right if I didn't do some aspect of my patient care. I probably should learn to trust more the techs in my unit."

Tell them your weakness is your struggle to answer silly, contrived questions.

I don't know how much experience you have, so this might not be helpful to you. However, someone else might benefit from my response.

When asked this question as a new grad, I would say something like, "I think my main weakness is lack of experience. I have some experience as an aide and an intern, but I'm a new nurse, so there is a lot that I need to learn."

I got some positive feedback with that response. I feel like it's a legitimate weakness in general because new nurses are an expense and can be (although hopefully not) a liability. At the same time, it's a "weakness" that you have no control over as everyone starts as a new nurse, so it's not like a personal flaw.

I said my biggest weakness was that I like to do everything myself, but I am learning how to divide the work for the better of everyone.

Thanks, everyone. I have always heard not to say "I don't have any" to the question, but I like the "things I can improve on" angle. @Ntheboat2, I will be a new grad in May, so I want that answer, but do you think that would make them rethink hiring me since I'm pointing out again that I can't start until May? I also really like the "I don't like to delegate/I like to do things myself" answer as well; although I can't say that I have been able to delegate yet, I have also thought about saying "interviews" as my answer that's a legit weakness? Thanks, everyone!

Your strengths and weaknesses are given for any interview, I think.

When I was asked this during my nurse tech interview, I went along the lines of not having much experience. I only worked as a PCNA for about four months before getting an interview for this job, plus I was in nursing school. The HR rep LOVED my answer. When I interviewed for my first RN position as a new grad, I told them my greatest weakness was that I was a recent grad and lacked experience" etc., and they loved that answer, too.

"I'm looking forward to improving my time management skills."

llg said:

And you have recognized the one piece of terrible advice you have received. The "I don't have any weaknesses" response will lose you the job if I interview you. I don't want people to lie to me, and I don't want to hire people not interested in learning and improving.

I am glad someone said this! We all have things that we need to improve. The technical term for these things is 'weaknesses.' I have yet to meet a nurse (or anyone!) with no weakness, no matter how small.

I like the advice to frame it in terms of what you need to improve about yourself.

Thanks everyone!

This is the trick question, and you must be prepared for this one before the interview. I have recently interviewed for the RN as an ICU nurse, which is one of the most challenging questions. I was prepared for it; I think I did great in that, and now I got the job. 

So, be true to yourself first. This is the key.  It would be best if you improvised your weakness in a relatively good way than the worst things. 

What I said in my interview was: 

 I am very independent, and it is tough to ask for help most of the time; I find it uncomfortable to make others work for me, but I am working on it and asking for help when needed.

Another weakness is that, in situations where the approach for my reaction should be emotional, I instead choose to think it according to my mind.