How to Ace Nursing Interview Questions

• From the moment you walk in the door until the time you leave, you are painting a picture.
• The best way to prepare yourself is to practice nursing interview questions beforehand.
• Asking questions shows that you want to make sure the job is a good fit for you.

So, you’ve graduated, passed the NCLEX®, and you’re feeling ready to take on the world.

But now reality hits you need to find a real nursing job.

We at Nursing CE Central know the transition from student nurse to nurse can be intimidating, and the interview process is the first big step toward the increased responsibility.

Once you set your sights on a job, the next step involves convincing the employers that you’ll be an outstanding addition to the team.

So, what does it take to ace those nursing interview questions?

1. Be Confident

You’ve successfully completed nursing school – undoubtedly one of the hardest programs in any university.

You have every reason to be confident, but how do you convey that confidence?

The first thing your interviewer will notice is your body language and dress and this is a great place to start.

Remember: this is a professional role; your attire should reflect that. The way you dress and carry yourself is a reflection of how you view yourself. Send the message of self-confidence and respect for the role by dressing the part.

2. Do Your Research: Know Your Organization

Each healthcare institution is unique, and the interviewer will be interested in making sure you are a good culture fit for the team. There are a few key points you should know about the company before answering any nursing interview questions:

1. Mission Statement
2. Core Values
3. Goals of the Organization

3. Practice the Nursing Interview Questions

The best way to prepare yourself is to practice nursing interview questions beforehand. It might seem silly at first, but it’s quite easy to emulate a real interview scenario. Just follow these steps:

1. Make a list of possible nursing interview questions. Do some research on the organization – you may even find this sample list of commonly asked questions on Indeed useful!
2. Recreate the interview process the best that you can. Wear the outfit you intend on wearing to the interview and try to recreate that environment as closely as possible.
3. Find an interviewer. Ask someone you trust to play the role of the interviewer; it helps if that someone has experience in nursing or hiring and can give helpful feedback.
4. Practice! Treat it just as you would a real interview and when you feel stumped on a question, write it down and reflect on it later.

You are almost guaranteed to have some of the “basic” nursing interview questions, so the list below is a great starting point.

• “Tell me about yourself and why you became a nurse.”
• “Tell me about a difficult situation you faced with a patient or family and how you worked through it.”
• “Tell me about a situation where you made a mistake. What steps did you take to fix it and make it right?”
• “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

The most important concept to remember is that no single answer determines an interview. From the moment you walk in the door until the time you leave, you are painting a picture. The interviewer then has to determine if the picture you painted fits well at their institution.

4. Ask Questions!

Asking questions shows that you want to make sure the job is a good fit for you. This may sound counterproductive, but it will display your preparedness and desire to add to the team. The exact questions you ask will depend on your personal situation, but here are a few good starters:

• “What are your expectations for new graduates?”
• “How is the training for new graduates structured and how long will my orientation be?”
• “What is the opportunity for advancement within the organization?”

Bonus Points

Remember that you are likely one of several (or maybe dozens) of interviewees. So how can you stand out among other applicants?

• Follow up with an email or letter to the interviewer after an appropriate period of time. Thank them for their time and the opportunity to interview. Tell them how much the job would mean to you.
• Come prepared: have extra copies of your resume or CV and be prepared to discuss it.
• Write a well-articulated cover letter to submit with your application. This can create a positive first impression before you ever meet the interviewer.
• Be sure to make a personal connection with the interviewer, when possible. This can be as small as commenting on a piece of jewelry or discussing a mutual interest.

Good Luck!

Now that you know how to crush nursing interview questions, you are ready to start making your dream job a reality.

Remember to do your research, come prepared, and put your best foot forward. You’ve got this!

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