Top tips to ace a Nursing interview.

With 38,952 vacancies within the Registered Nursing staff group, as well as an NHS vacancy rate of 10.3%, there has never been a better time to become a nurse.

We know how exhausting and overwhelming searching for a nursing job is. From endlessly looking at job boards, to completing application forms to then finishing assessments, the process is tiring. After all that comes the big interview, which can be intimidating for even the most experienced nurses.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case.

No matter if you’re an experienced nurse, or just about to take the first steps in your career, this guide is the perfect tool to help you prepare in the best possible way for your next interview.

What Questions Are Asked In A Nursing Interview?

Interviews will vary from company to company, as well as the type of role you are applying for. However, there is a common trend amongst most interviews, with the same questions coming up.

In a nursing interview, there are specific skills you’ll need to prove that you can do. This may be crisis management, patient education, patient care and more. Also, many nursing interview questions include teamwork and adaptability. So, let’s look at some popular questions.

What is your proudest Nursing/career achievement?	This question will depend on whether you have previous experience as a nurse, however, this is a time for you to show a time that you are proud of. If you are an experienced nurse, showcase a time where you went the extra mile, if not, try and think about a similar achievement that relates to the job role.
How will you manage the stress of nursing?	You should likely know by now that nursing is stressful. Companies will want to ensure you have the strength and ability to deal with stressful situations and not break down. This is to also protect patients, knowing they’ll be receiving care from someone who can handle tough scenarios.
Can you tell me about a time you had to handle a difficult patient?	Again, this may be dependent on your experience, however, it may still come up for those without any experience. Some patients are tough to manage, so your ability to deal with them is key. Interviewers will be looking to see times where you have managed difficult situations in the past.
Why do you want this job?	An interview staple, likely to be asked early on in your interview. This is a time for you to show why you are enthusiastic about Nursing and why this particular role excites you, as well as why your skills make you the perfect candidate for the position.
How do you deal with sensitive or confidentiality issues?	Sometimes, interviewers will ask scenario-based questions to see how you’ll deal with a particular event. An example could be – if someone calls up asking for patient information, how would you deal with this? You’ll need to demonstrate that you understand the processes clearly.
Why are you the best person for this nursing job?	Another generic interview question, but also one that you can prepare for in advance. Take some time to read the job description and understand what sort of person they are looking for. Consider reaching out to other nurses who already work there for some advice, such as the challenges facing the facility.
What makes a good shift for you?	Interviewers want to know that you can deliver safe and effective patient care, so you’ll need to be honest with your answer. If a good shift for you is where you receive proper breaks to refresh yourself, let them know. The NHS understands a work-life balance is key, so don’t be scared to talk about it.
What’s your strongest skill as a nurse?	Similar to strengths and weaknesses questions (which we cover later), this is where you need to weigh up which of your skills will be valued the most by this specific company. If their biggest need is someone experienced and mention it. Look again at the job description. Research is important.

How Can I Impress A Nursing Interviewer?

Impressing the interviewer starts with being professional, as well as punctual when you arrive. Make sure to answer interview questions thoughtfully to make a good impression on the interviewer. Here are some more tips for making an impression on your Nursing interviewer.

Research

Before you arrive, make sure to have carried out relevant research about the company. Take some time to look at what the companies mission is, its values and its mission. Most of the information can be found online on the company website.

This will set you up nicely to answer questions with ease, as well as impress your interviewer. When there is so much competition out there, taking some time to prepare can set you ahead of the rest.

Smiling

Sounds easy, right? Simply smiling can leave a fantastic impression, especially when you make eye contact and smile when you first enter the room. A natural smile can help you to be more relaxed, as well as promote yourself as a confident individual.

Dress correctly

You want to make a lasting impression on your new employers. Even though you will likely be wearing a different outfit as a nurse, wear professional work attire to the interview.

A clean, neat and professional appearance will give the impression that you want this job and are taking it seriously. Quick tip, overdressing is better than underdressing.

Ask questions

At the end of the interview, the interviewer will likely give you the option of asking any questions that you have. Show some interest and have a list of questions prepared beforehand.

Some of these questions could include; What are the most important skills you are looking for in the perfect candidate? What do you think is the most challenging part of this role? In my first 60 days of employment, what would you expect from me?

Tell stories

Another great way to leave your mark on the interviewer is to be memorable. When answering equations, try to use personal stories and create interest. This can include examples that explain how problems were solved or how you accomplished tasks in the past.

Bring your CV

The interviewer may not have a copy of your CV, or for the other people in the interview room. Keep a copy close too, allowing you to place for reference at career highlights, skills you have and further qualifications.

What Are Good Weaknesses For A Nursing Job Interview?

Weaknesses are a standard topic during interviews. Being prepared and organised before your interview will help you to be confident when asked about your weaknesses. But how should you tackle this question?

Be true and honest

To create trust and a bond with your potential employer, you want to be honest. Of course, it is easy to change your answer to impress your interviewer, however, to create an accurate portrayal of yourself, be honest.

Interviewers admire when people are honest, taking ownership of areas you can improve upon. During this answer, make sure to suggest ways you can get better and develop your skills.

Prepare

We recommend reflecting on areas that you know can be better. Think back to times where you could have performed better, as well as any circumstances that influenced your performance.

Some common weaknesses include:

Being too critical of yourself.
Taking on too many tasks and becoming overwhelmed.
Being too focused on attention to detail.
Lack of experience.

Don’t talk yourself down

Yes, you should be honest and talk about weaknesses, however, don’t ruin your chances of getting the job! Avoid saying things like ‘I don’t like to handle bodily fluids’ if this is a major part of the role.

Other things to avoid is saying ‘I try to avoid confrontation or stressful situations’ or ‘I’m often late’ because this will likely leave you at the bottom of the list. Be honest, but don’t make yourself look bad.

How Do I Show My Strengths In A Nursing Interview?

There are many skills and traits that can be classed as strengths for a Nursing job. Your task is to know which ones to choose to impress your interviewer. Here are some tips on how to talk about your strengths in a Nursing interview.

Personalise your strengths

When answering strength questions, try to tailor your answers to match the job description. Think about how your strengths could add value to the company, describing methods of how you can apply them.

Some common Nursing strengths include; having compassion for patients, teamwork, flexibility and stress management skills. Talk about how your skills are going to be used in a workplace scenario.

Be confident

You want to be confident in your answers, however, don’t sound arrogant. Hiring managers will see confidence as a good trait to have, especially when paired with a desire to improve and learn.

Don’t brag about previous achievements and accomplishments. This may give the impression you don’t take feedback on board as you’re too proud. Be respectful, keep your tone neutral and use manners.

Put your strengths into categories

Monster.com says that breaking your answer into three categories can help. These are:

Knowledge-based strengths – These skills may include computer knowledge, technical abilities, aptitude in current nursing practices, languages and the ability to train others.
Transferable skills – These skills may include problem-solving, effective communication and leadership skills.
Personal traits – These skills may include being a team player, having a strong work ethic, being honest and remaining calm under pressure.