How should I prepare myself for a nursing interview? And what kind of questions should I expect?

You will prepare yourself like any other interview, the questions will be in two categories (Technical / Personality).

The HR Interview will work on the personality questions only.

The Nurse Manager will work on the technical questions. 

Question1: Tell us something about yourself.

It is the most common question, which gives you an open-ended opportunity to point out your strengths and skills. Instead of wasting time in explaining your educational history; let the interviewer know that you are the perfect person for the respective job. You can also illustrate by giving examples.

Sample Answer:  I am a highly motivated, energetic and compassionate person, who wants to dedicate his/her whole life to nursing. I am a great communicator and love helping people. My previous credits and experience of4 years taught me the importance of patients’ care and developed a sense of responsibility.

Question2: Why do you want to work in the healthcare sector?

A person, who decides to become a nurse, has some different reasons other than earning money, to enter this field. This question gives you a chance to express your desire to help out individuals and how important human life is for you.

Sample Answer: I believe that with this profession, I can make a difference, and make people feel better. Seeing so many people in pain and misery motivated me to practice nursing.

Question3: Why are you leaving your current job?

Instead of criticizing your previous job, pinpoint the positive aspects. Never give a negative reason for leaving, stay away from bad mouthing your employer or colleagues. Focus on the opportunities that will come with the new job.

Sample Answer: My previous job taught me so many things and developed necessary qualities required to be a proficient nurse. But now, there is no room for growth, and I am looking forward for new challenges to thrive in nursing.

Question1: Tell us something about yourself.

It is the most common question, which gives you an open-ended opportunity to point out your strengths and skills. Instead of wasting time in explaining your educational history; let the interviewer know that you are the perfect person for the respective job. You can also illustrate by giving examples.

Sample Answer:  I am a highly motivated, energetic and compassionate person, who wants to dedicate his/her whole life to nursing. I am a great communicator and love helping people. My previous credits and experience of4 years taught me the importance of patients’ care and developed a sense of responsibility.

Question2: Why do you want to work in the healthcare sector?

A person, who decides to become a nurse, has some different reasons other than earning money, to enter this field. This question gives you a chance to express your desire to help out individuals and how important human life is for you.

Sample Answer: I believe that with this profession, I can make a difference, and make people feel better. Seeing so many people in pain and misery motivated me to practice nursing.

Question3: Why are you leaving your current job?

Instead of criticizing your previous job, pinpoint the positive aspects. Never give a negative reason for leaving, stay away from bad mouthing your employer or colleagues. Focus on the opportunities that will come with the new job.

Sample Answer: My previous job taught me so many things and developed necessary qualities required to be a proficient nurse. But now, there is no room for growth, and I am looking forward for new challenges to thrive in nursing.

Question4: Where do you see yourself in five years?

The main objective of the interrogator is to know whether you are a career-oriented, ambitious, determined worker and have a positive outlook in nursing. So, avoid discussing your dreams and share an answer, which exhibits your real commitment and interest.

Sample Answer: In5 years, I would like to have profound knowledge of nursing by way of earning a doctoral degree, so that I can serve people with more advanced techniques.

Question5: Why should I hire you?

It’s the job of an interviewer to hire the best person for the position. This question gives you a golden chance to impress the recruiter 

Sample Answer: You should hire me because I have4 years of experience in nursing that equips me with the ability to handle critical cases with utmost patience. I can be an asset for your health care centre and strength in times of weakness. I will do my best to bring innovation in nursing that can improve health care outcomes.

Question6: How would you handle a patient, who complains about everything?

The main motto of asking this question is to determine whether you are capable of handling difficult situations or not. While answering this question, you can share any difficult situation that you have managed in your previous workplace.

Sample Answer:  The major reason of complaints is their diseases, which makes them unhappy. As a nurse, I would understand their situation, listen and reassure them that the best possible services are given to them.

Question7: What is the most difficult part of being a nurse?

Nursing is not an easy job. You keep on learning throughout your career. By asking this question, the interviewer wants to know your views about the hardships of this profession.

Sample Answer: According to me, the most intricate part of being a nurse is having a patient, who suffers from an incapacitating disease, which is incurable.

Question8: Discuss your biggest strengths and weaknesses.

The interviewer wants to check your strengths in order to match them with the job requirements. Prepare a list of three or more strengths, such as your leadership qualities, optimistic approach, interpersonal skills, that can be a treasure for the organization. Be very honest about your weakness, discuss them and mention the measures for improving them.

Sample Answer: I have outstanding leadership qualities and interpersonal skills, which help me to coordinate well with my colleagues.

I do not quit easily, until the work is done in a proper manner; it’s my major weakness.

Question9: What measures have you taken to upgrade your knowledge?

If you have attended any seminar or pursued a degree for the sake of enhancing your knowledge and competency in working, mention them.

Sample Answer: I enrolled myself in an advanced course for improving my managerial skills and also attended various seminars for enhancing interpersonal skills.

Question: Describe your former supervisor.

Don’t commit the mistake of criticizing your former supervisor, stay positive and state what you have learned from him.

Sample Answer: Kevin was a competent supervisor with exceptional leadership qualities, who always maintained healthy interpersonal relationship. I have learned a lot from her.

Question:  What motivates you to work in the nursing field?

This question is really a huge opportunity; grasp it by highlighting your positive features rather than giving vague answers. You can also illustrate your real life experiences.

Sample Answer: Critical situations and tough patients motivate me. In my last job, I was confronted with a patient, who was not handled by a number of nurses, later I took charge of him and solved his problem by understanding his situation. I really love to overcome challenges.

Question:  What is your greatest failure?

It would be better for you to avoid the real truth. Don’t mention your major failure. The interviewer wants to bring out your flaws and measures you have taken to overcome them. You can explain one of your bad experiences with tangible examples and reveal what you have learnt from them.

Sample Answer:  In my first job, I made a mistake in the patient’s chart. Fortunately, my supervisor noticed it. Since then, I always double- check my charts.

Question:  When you feel most satisfied in your job?

Share your interests, likes and dislikes, and showcase your determination for nursing that explains why you are right for the job.

Sample Answer:   I really enjoy caring people and helping them in coping up with their illness. I love to work with children.

there are no specific questions,as they say different folks have different strokes , what the interviewer would like to see in any applicant  is confidence without being arrogant , the ability and the willingness to learn and  having an open mind to suggestions/criticisms.

always come prepared for  questions related  to your field of expertise  as well as  to things you are not so well versed but show them that you are willing to learn and adapt. Convince them  without  short-selling   or hard-selling of yourself. Be  professional  and don' t be too overly familiar  and don't be too over zealous  and be  a team player .

It depends on the position you are applying for. However generally they will ask you about your career history. They will also ask you a couple of clinical questions - pertaining to the area you are applying for. Invariably you will get a communication question - probably conflict resolution. They will also ask about best practice and how you can monitor staff is working to the best standards and any quality improvement activity that you might have introduce, or been a part of. And sometimes KPIs 

sorry, I don't have answer

Thank you for inviting me to air my views on the subject.  Though I am not in this field, this is my general view on the topic.

It is suggested to check about the hospital or the dispensary - what type of patients they would handle and if it happens to be a a dispensary where a small child after a fall is brought in, how you should treat.. Even if the dispensary does not attend to such patients, the people who come along with the child would appreciate your timely instructions till they get proper medical attention.  Therefore, you need to be aware of the place and the type of sicknesses they would undertake to handle.  This is preparation.

During the interview, you would get a chance to express the worst experience you had ever come across as a nurse and how you dealt with the situation.  Your explanation would help the interview board to judge your abilities as a nurse as well as a human being.

If the interview board is satisfied with your narration, they would sometimes ask how you would act when a patient approaches you while the doctor is away.  

This is the chance where you get the opportunity to market the hospital by informing the facilities offered and the quality of service offered.  Ensure that your answer contains to narrate the above.  Finally, you might be given a chance to narrate your ideas on how to improve the quality of service offered or what you would observe that needs improvement.

I would agree with the answers... Variety of helpful info and opinions .... !

Thank you

There is no specific questions and answers criteria what so ever for Nursing interview. It totally depend upon interviewer. Below are few basic question you should be ready to answer it. 

- What can you tell us about yourself?- Why do you want to be a nurse...?- What can you offer us?- Why do you want to work for us?- What do you see yourself doing in5- years' time?- What are your hobbies/interests?- What do you consider your greatest strength and weakness?

Below you will find few sample questions asked during an interview for the post of Nursery Nurse 

• Why do you want to work with children?

• How would you encourage self confidence and independence in the children?

• What would you do if a parent complained their child was covered in paint after messy play?

• How would plan inclusive activities that encourage inclusive, constructive play?

• How would you approach making learning a fun, engaging experience?

• How would you make sure that all the children in your care are safe and all necessary measure to maintain their safety are maintained and reviewed?

• How can you work as a team?

• What will you bring to the nursery?

Thank you very much my dear friend and at the same very sorry as I'm not the right person to answer the question which is not my specialty. Hope our friends already answered with their expertise. Thanks.

sorry This is not  my a specialist

thanks for invitation