Common Nursing Interview Questions - And How to Answer Them

It’s true that there is a nationwide shortage of nurses, and the need for qualified nurses continues to grow. However, you will still need to bring your A-game to an interview to land the role you want. You will likely be competing against other nurses who want the same coveted positions, and it’s important to be prepared for nursing interview questions. 

Nursing Shortage

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for registered nurses will grow by 6% per year through 2032 as a result of an aging baby-boomer population and the rise of chronic conditions, such as obesity and diabetes. This growth is faster than the average for all jobs in the United States and will result in the need for an additional 177,400 nurses. 

The nursing shortage will further expand as nurses leave the profession to retire or move into other roles such as administration or leadership. The BLS predicts there will be 193,100 job openings for registered nurses each year during a 10 year period. 

Landing a Good Nursing Job 

In order to qualify for nursing positions, you will first need to ensure that you have the right education, training, and licensure. Whether that means moving from LPN to RN, CNA to RN, RN to BSN or completing other higher education programs, it’s important to have the right credentials for the job. 

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You’ll also want to be sure that you have a tight (1-2 page max) resume that showcases your skills and experience and gives the potential employer a good idea of who you are as a person. Once you land that interview, you want to be sure that you are prepared to answer any nursing interview questions the interviewer might throw your way. 

Nursing Interview Questions 

Most nursing interview questions will be behavioral-based questions. These questions are designed to help an interviewer understand how you reacted in specific situations to better gauge how you will react in the future. Remember that it’s best to answer these questions with real-life examples and stories. If you don’t have any on-the-job nursing experience, don’t worry. You can use examples from situations you encountered in school or in your personal life to help you answer the questions as well. The goal is to give the interviewer a good glimpse of who you are as a person and what you can bring to their team.  

Behavioral-based nursing interview questions can often be categorized in the following themes: 

• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Patient care
• Communication 
• Core values

Example Teamwork Nursing Interview Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had to work closely with a difficult co-worker. How did you handle the situation, and were you able to improve the relationship? 
2. Describe a time when you were in a leadership role. What are some of the challenges you faced? 
3. What is a conflict you encountered with your healthcare team and how did you handle it? 

Example Adaptability Nursing Interview Questions

1. Describe a time when you did not know the answer to a question or problem at work. How did you handle the situation and how did you find the information you needed? 
2. Tell me about a time your facility was in the midst of changes. How did these changes impact your job and how did they make you feel? 
3. Give an example of a high pressure situation you found yourself in and how you handled yourself to get through it. 

Example Time Management Nursing Interview Questions

1. Describe a time when you felt overwhelmed with the amount of tasks to be completed in your nursing job. How did you prioritize your workload? 
2. Tell me about a time you had a patient that required a lot of your time and attention. How did you handle this situation while ensuring that your other patients also received the appropriate amount of care? 
3. What is a goal that you set and worked to accomplish? What steps did you take to ensure your success? 

Example Patient Care Nursing Interview Questions

1. What is your approach to conversations with patients and family members who do not understand medical terminology? 
2. How do you handle times when a patient’s family is dissatisfied with the care you provide?
3. Tell me about a time you formed a particular bond with a patient. How did this relationship affect you and the care you provide? 
4. Describe a time when a patient did not disclose or communicate important information. How did you handle this, and what was the outcome? 

Example Communication Nursing Interview Questions

1.  Describe a time when you did not communicate effectively. How could you have done better and what steps have you taken to improve communication? 
2. Give an example of a time you had to rely on written communication versus verbal to explain yourself in your nursing job. 
3. How have you worked to persuade others to cooperate with you in the past whether teammates or patients? 

Example Core Value Nursing Interview Questions

1. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond your job duties. What motivated you to give more? 
2. What are you most proud of related to your career? 
3. Describe a mistake you’ve made and how this impacted you. 
4. In your opinion, what is the most difficult thing about being a nurse? What can you do to overcome this? 

How to relay an answer with a personal story

When answering questions, telling a personal story is the best way to ensure that you are a memorable candidate. It provides evidence of your experience and helps the interviewer see the type of person you are and how you might fit within their team. 

Start by briefly describing a situation that relates to the nursing interview questions being asked of you. Then describe the role you played and action steps you took to resolve the situation. Finish your story with the results that you were able to achieve as a result of your actions. Tell the interviewer how these results made you feel and if applicable, how this influenced who you are today or who you hope to be in the role. 

Don’t forget to ask your own questions

An interview isn’t just about an employer getting to know you. It’s also about you getting to know your potential employer and determining if the nursing job you are applying for is indeed the right fit. Before going into your interview, take some time to think about what is most important to you. List out a few questions you have that will help you determine whether it is a place you want to work. 

Asking questions of your interviewer is also a great time to show that you’ve done your homework. Show that you have a good knowledge of the facility, you understand what will be expected of you in this nursing job, and how excited you are to begin in the role. 

To land a great nursing job, get the education and training you need to qualify for the role and prepare for your interview by coming up with answers to common nursing interview questions and having some questions of your own ready.

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