Tell me about a time you may have had a disagreement with a team member and how you handled it.
In any work environment, there can be times that you may have a complicated encounter with someone. The interviewer does not expect you to say that you have/never will have a disagreement. Rather, he is looking for signs that you will be able to address adversity professionally and keep it from hindering your work relationships or the quality of care that you provide to your patients. No matter how difficult a story may may, finish it with something positive that you gleaned from the experience.
"I've experienced difficult situations with co-workers and most times it has to do with miscommunication. I have learned that if we can take the time to discuss a problem and allow one another to express their thoughts regarding an issue, it is easier to work through things. Leaving things unfinished seems to create an atmosphere of tension and increases the risk of a situation escalating. I try to have a positive outlook and express my interest in what my coworkers think and feel, even if their opinions differ from mine."
"I can only think of a time or two that I had a disagreement with a coworker, and it was nothing that caused me to feel like I couldn't continue my working relationship with them. As a nurse, it is natural to have situation where tensions run high. I simply try to respect those I work with and be an ear to listen, when needed. Those simple steps can help resolve an otherwise difficult situation."
"I have many years' experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment. I prefer working as part of a team because the collaboration ensures that each patient gets the best care possible."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team environment. We may not always agree on the approach, but we have the same goal in mind -the patient. I had a disagreement with a nurse when a patient said, "he didn't feel right," and she ignored him. I asked her what his complaint was. She stated, "it doesn't matter; he's always complaining about something." I explained to her the importance of addressing each concern; It may be a valid issue. She did not follow up, so I did; his chest tube was kinked.
Rachelle's Feedback
It sounds as though you handled this situation with the utmost professionalism. The outcome should have served as a good reminder to your coworker. Nice work!
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