Interview Questions for Nurses

"It is only in the act of nursing
that a woman realizes her motherhood
in visible and tangible fashion;
it is a joy of every moment." - Honor De Balzac, a French novelist and playwright.

Before a doctor examines you, it is the nurse who assists you. She is the one who is constantly by your side. The job of a nurse is not easy. It requires versatility. For choosing the right person for the position of a nurse, one needs to know the different kinds of questions that should be asked. Also, aspirants for a nurse's job should know these frequently asked questions. Here are some interview questions with the answers!

There are various kinds of nurses such as: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Public Health Nurse (PHN), Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), etc. However, the same type of questions are applicable to all nurses.

Job Interview Questions for Nurses - FAQs

1. Tell us something about yourself.
2. What made you choose the nursing field?
3. Do you have any experience in this field? If yes, why did you leave your earlier job?
4. Are you a local?
5. Do you want to make nursing your career?
6. Brief me about your family background.
7. Can you work in shifts?
8. In your view, who is an ideal nurse?
9. Is your family dependent on you?
10. If needed, can you work on Sundays?
11. Are you comfortable with working in a team, or do you prefer working individually? Why?

Important Interview Questions

1. Do you have a degree in nursing?
2. Have you appeared for NCLEX?
3. According to you, what are your strong points and weak points?
4. What do you think are the challenges in this field?
5. Why have you chosen this hospital to work?
6. What is your specialty in the field of nursing?
7. What is your idea of patient care?
8. Tell us your expectations regarding salary.
9. Till date, which has been the most arduous situation you have faced? Describe how you handled it.
10. Do you think it is necessary to update your knowledge from time to time?
11. How would you do that?

Tricky Interview Questions

1. Do you like to talk to people?
2. What do you expect from this institution?
3. If a patient constantly comes to you with health complaints, when he/she is perfectly alright, what will you do?
4. If a patient's relatives start a fight with you, even though you have treated the patient very well, how will you handle it?
5. Do you like to read? What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

Answers to Questions for Nurses

• If you do not hold a degree, explain the reasons for this. If you have any plans to pursue higher education, let them know. Here are some nursing schools where you can get a degree. You can also get a nursing degree online.
• It is advisable to appear for NCLEX, as candidates who have appeared for NCLEX are given priority, especially if they have a good score.
• Do not talk about your personal strengths and weaknesses. Mention them in the context of the profession. Sympathetic, evaluating, dependable, alert, etc. are some qualities which are important in the nursing profession. Be careful while talking about your weaknesses. Avoid mentioning things that may affect your professional life. However, be honest. You can say something like, "I get too involved in my job, and tend to forget my family", or "I go out of my way to help people in need, and this can lead to stress".
• Answer the question about why you have chosen this particular hospital to work, creatively. Say something like, "I think my abilities can be put to good use here", or "I like the work environment here."
• A nurse is in constant contact with patients, so she is expected to be friendly. Say that you are a people person.
• Be frank about your expectations from the institution, but don't be too demanding.
• The third question is a very tricky question. Think about it, and answer in a few words like, "I will gently tell him/her that by God's grace he/she is healthy, and doesn't need any medication."
• For the fourth tricky question, the hospital will expect an answer like, "I will tell them that the hospital is trying its very best to provide all possible support to the patient, and they need not worry.
• The last question is not asked to know your hobbies, but to gauge your mentality. So names of books like "Hermes' Viper" definitely won't do. Name a few books in the nursing field, or medical journals, etc.

These were some examples of interview questions and answers for nurses. You may want to know about interview tips and techniques. The important thing is to remain calm and make the best use of your knowledge. All the best!