If you’re looking for your next nursing job, you’re probably wondering about interviews. They’re an essential part of the hiring process, but they can be nerve-wracking if you don’t do them all the time. But there are some common questions you can expect in your next interview. Many of them fall into a category known as “behavioral interviewing,” which are questions designed to see how you think on your feet. To be as prepared as possible, here are sample questions healthcare employers ask in nursing interviews.
Tell Me About a Time When You Had to Work with a Difficult Patient
Every nurse has had to deal with a difficult patient. The question isn’t designed to determine precisely what happened but what your thought process is when you’re in a situation like that. Tell them a story about a time it happened to you, but emphasize what you did to make the patient more comfortable or handle it constructively and helpfully.
What Kind of Management Style Works Best for You
Potential employers also want to know your work style, and one of the ways to discover it is to ask you about your preferred management style. Do you like to work with autonomy? Do you like a manager who is available for bouncing ideas? Do you like a hands-on manager?
Tell Me About a Time When You Had to Turn on a Dime
No two days as a nurse are the same. Your potential employer wants to know how you can shift focus quickly, be resilient, and not let the job stress become overwhelming. This is another opportunity to tell a story from your previous experience to showcase what happens when you need to shift gears quickly.
Give an Example of How You Can Explain a Complex Medical Concept in Simple Terms
Not everyone you talk to when you’re a nurse has your level of medical background. For patients and their families, you sometimes need to describe complex medical topics in straightforward terms that are easy to understand. You need to share how you can communicate with the people you encounter every day.
Are you looking for a great nursing job? Call NRI Medical Staffing to learn more today.
