30 Addiction Nurse Interview Questions (with Answers)

1.

If you begin to feel overwhelmed with a situation at work, how do you handle it?

Being an addiction nurse requires a great deal of time and attention to detail. It also requires a lot of patience. The interviewer understands the stresses that are often related to being an addiction nurse. He wants to know that you can identify personal stressors and that you are capable of addressing them before the anxiety of a situation gets out of hand.

Rachelle's Answer

"I am usually not easily overwhelmed, but we do all have times that some situations affect us differently. If I begin to feel anxious or overwhelmed, if possible, I take a break for a few minutes. Sometimes just stepping outside and getting a breath of fresh air helps me to relax. Also, I am not too embarrassed to call on a coworker or supervisor if I need help. Patient care is my number one priority."

Rachelle's Answer

"I offer different support based on the patients need. It is important for me to provide emotional, educational and motivational support to patients."

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2.

Many times, when people hear the word 'addiction' they think of the abuse of prescription drugs. What are some other addictions you have worked with?

When addictions are mentioned, many people automatically think of the misuse of prescription drugs. In America today, the opioid epidemic is one of the greatest risks for drug abuse related deaths. However, there are many different addictions that addiction nurses help patients deal with. The interviewer wants to know that you are prepared to work with a variety of people who suffer from addiction. If you have a personal story, this is a good time to share it. Remember, do not use any information in your reference that may cause you to compromise patient confidentiality.

Rachelle's Answer

"I have worked with people who have battled several different addictions. One common addiction that many people are not familiar with is food addiction. Unfortunately, it is almost as difficult to overcome that addiction is it is to overcome substances such as meth. Additionally, many people who are overcoming substance addictions often develop food addiction as a way of coping with their craving for drugs."

Rachelle's Answer

"I have actually spent some time working with clients with gambling addictions. It is really quite devastating to see the effect that lack of control over this addiction can bring to the lives of those who are addicted. I once had a client who lost his family's home because he used the deed for the home to fund his gambling addiction and he lost it all. When he finally hit rock bottom, he checked himself into rehab so that he could be separated from any triggers and start to learn some coping mechanisms."

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Anonymous Answer

"I have work with people struggling with several different addictions; alcoholism, heroin, stimulates, and benzodiazepines. Addiction is a chronic relapsing disease of the brain. Generally, people do not understand addiction is not due to lack of "will power," there are other factors that predispose some to dependence."

Rachelle's Answer

Wonderful answer! You show a great understanding and compassion for those who struggle with addiction.

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3.

What is one of your weaknesses and what do you do to help address/resolve it?

This is probably one of the most dreaded questions in a job interview. Answering this question requires self evaluation and honesty. Remember, whatever weakness you decide to share, make sure it is not a key characteristic needed to perform your job as a medical office manager.

Rachelle's Answer

"I think one of my biggest weaknesses is that I can get sidetracked easily. I recognize that in myself and have made a conscious effort to plan my day as much as possible and to stay on target."

Rachelle's Answer

"I know you may not think this about someone who has chosen a career as a medical office manager, but one of my weaknesses is that I often get nervous around people I don't know. I know we all do that to a certain degree, but for me, it became something that I was very aware of. I now try to attend social activities where I know there are going to be opportunities to meet new people so that I can overcome social anxiety."

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4.

What made you choose a career as an Addiction Nurse?

In almost all interviews, the employer will ask why you chose this specific career. Everybody has his own story to tell, and the interviewer wants to hear yours. If you had some experience that led you to this career choice, this is a good time to share that. Remember, though, this is an interview, not a conference where you are a guest speaker. Tell your 'why' and tell it with passion, but be conscientious of the time that you are being given.

Rachelle's Answer

"If someone had told me many years ago that I would have chosen a career dealing with addiction, I would never have believed them. I have always wanted to help people. It wasn't until I really began to research the different types of patient care related fields that are available that I realized the critical role that nurses can have in the lives of those who are struggling with addictions. The more I researched, the more I felt like this is what I was meant to do."

Rachelle's Answer

"I wanted to find a career that would challenge me to grow and become a better person by giving back to others. When I started seriously thinking about my future and what possibilities there are, I really felt like if I could make a difference in just one person's life and help them overcome the stronghold of addiction, that it would be worth it all. Being an addiction nurse gives me the chance to work on a one to one basis with patients who are really struggling and need help. I can't imagine ever doing anything else."

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Anonymous Answer

"I have always wanted to help people. I had some experience with patients in withdrawal in the ICU. Also, I have family members who struggle with addiction. I have always wanted a deeper understanding of addiction and psychiatry. When the recruiter contacted me, that allowed me to manage patients medically, and through recovery, I was all for it."

Rachelle's Answer

Wonderful answer! You show both a personal and professional connection to this line of nursing.

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5.

What are some aspects of being an addiction nurse that make the career different from other nursing careers?

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Addiction Nurse Interview Questions

If you begin to feel overwhelmed with a situation at work, how do you handle it?

Addiction Nurse Interview Questions

If you begin to feel overwhelmed with a situation at work, how do you handle it?

Many times, when people hear the word 'addiction' they think of the abuse of prescription drugs. What are some other addictions you have worked with?

What is one of your weaknesses and what do you do to help address/resolve it?

What made you choose a career as an Addiction Nurse?

What are some aspects of being an addiction nurse that make the career different from other nursing careers?

What is something that is rewarding to you about being an addiction nurse?

How do you approach dealing with an angry patient, and why?

Do you anticipate any significant changes in your life within the next 2-3 years that May prevent you from continuing employment here if you are offered a position here?

Tell me about a time you had to deal with significant changes in your workplace. How did you manage those changes?

What would your response be if your 15 yr old patient asked you to withhold the results of a positive drug screen from her parents?

If you felt threatened by a patient, what would your response be?

What would you do if a patient complained to you about a coworker's conduct toward him/her?

What advice would you give to a nurse looking to enter your field of nursing?

Have you ever discovered patients acting in a behavior that is against facility regulations, and if so, how did you/would you handle that?

How important is it for an addiction nurse to be a patient person?

What are some characteristics that you think an addiction nurse should have, and why?

Have you ever been the intake nurse for addiction patients, and what is something common that you find among patients entering treatment?

Tell me about a time you may have had a disagreement with a team member and how you handled it.

If a patient were to exhibit feelings of affection or infatuation with you, how would you address the situation?

One common recommendation for people in addiction recovery is to avoid an intimate relationship with someone else in recovery. How would you explain the importance of this to a patient?

If you had a client who told you he was only in drug rehab because he was ordered to by a judge and that he had no intention of quitting drugs, how would you handle the situation?

If you suspected that one of your co-workers was abusing drugs, how would you handle the situation?

If, during shift change, the nurse you are replacing told you to expect the narcotics count to be off because it was off when she began her shift, how would you handle the situation?

Being an addiction care nurse can be very stressful. What are some ways you manage stress on the job?

Give me an example of a workplace challenge you encountered, and how did you handle it?

Is there a type of patient or specific diagnosis that you find it more difficult to work with?

If you were to teach new nurses regarding signs to observe for that may indicate drug abuse, what would you tell them?

What are some major factors that may cause a patient to relapse, and how do you approach preparing clients to cope with or avoid these risk factors?

Have you or a loved one ever been directly affected by an addiction?

Has there ever been a time when you felt threatened by a patient? If so, how did you handle the situation?