How do you handle stress and anxiety on the job, and why is this an important skill to have as a Band 7 Manager?

"Handling stress and anxiety on the job in a healthy manner comes down to communication. In my current role, my whole team is very open in communication regarding workloads and emergent needs, and we are always there to help each other. I would bring this same approach as a Band 7 Manager and keep communication lines open among my team. I would always be a proponent of establishing boundaries and work limits for myself and my team to ensure that we are all as stress-free as possible on the job."

Nursing is a very stressful profession, and you've likely been exposed to this throughout your career up to this point. In looking to move to a Band 7 Manager role, the added stress of managing a team of staff and all other duties combine to make your future work more stressful. Your interviewers ask this question to hear that you have healthy and productive ways to ensure that you work through the inevitable work stresses with ease.

The correct answer here provides a solid and reasonable action plan for stress reduction and management on the job. Few interviewers will believe the candidate that says they are bomb-proof. The interviewers want a candidate who cares without falling apart. They are not looking for someone callous and immune to feeling. They are looking for a candidate with an answer that highlights perseverance and the ability to handle the pressure that comes with the work of a Band 7 Manager.

Describe a time you were particularly proud of your nursing team. What was your role in this situation?

"There are countless moments that make me proud of my team and proud to be part of the great nursing teams I had throughout my career. One of my most memorable moments was hearing one of my nursing staff deliver excellent patient care education to the family members of a very serious patient using all the information she had learned in our training. I helped call out her awesome performance during an all-staff meeting to ensure that she was recognized."

As a Band 7 Manager, you will lead and influence a team through good and bad times. The organization you are interviewing with wants to hire an inspiring leader who will celebrate their team's wins.

As they ask you to give a specific example, describe the circumstances and actions step-by-step. Passionately talk about what happened to make you feel proud. Tell the interviewer your role and who was involved in the effort that made you proud. End your response by reiterating that you will always celebrate proud moments with your team as a Band 7 Manager with this organization.

Talk about a difficult case you handled as a nurse. How did it help you become a better nurse, and how will you use these skills to support your team as our Band 7 Manager?

"One of the most difficult cases I've ever had was educating parents and my team on providing proper end-of-life care to a terminally ill child as a pediatric hospice nurse. In nursing, it can be emotionally difficult to separate emotions from providing great care. As your next Band 7 Manager, my experience in these situations would be very beneficial to the Band 7 team I would lead, and I look forward to bringing that experience into action here."

As a Band 7 Manager, your team will bring their most challenging situations to you as their leader. Your interviewer knows your experience can indicate how you will handle this situation as a manager. They want to hear you discuss the most difficult case you faced as a nurse during your career.

Tell the interviewer about a challenge you have faced on the job. It could be a challenging staffing decision you had to make because a member of your team did not provide adequate patient care or a situation with a difficult patient in which you had to coach your staff on the proper response. Highlight how your experiences have prepared you well for becoming the ultimate team leader and manager as their next Band 7 Manager.

How do you typically deal with conflicts between team members in the workplace, and how will this help you as a Band 7 Manager?

"As a leader, I don't wait until problems explode and start impacting patient care before I get involved. I identify potential conflicts before they happen by maintaining open communication with all staff. I always remain calm, communicate with both parties, suggest solutions, and encourage my team to be respectful of each other."

Managing conflict between team members is part of the job of every Band 7 Manager. To seriously consider you to lead a team of ward managers and nurse practitioners, your interviewer needs to know that you would be an effective leader regarding conflict resolution.

Conflict resolution is easier when you understand the causes of conflict and remember that open communication is always crucial. Talk about your philosophy for resolving workplace conflicts and how you will bring this approach as a Band 7 Manager. If you have an example of a time when you successfully navigated a conflict among team members, this is a great time to express how you handled that situation.

As a Band 7 Manager, how will you show your staff the importance of communication in the workplace?

"I show my current co-workers the importance of communication through my willingness to ask questions if I do not understand the first time. I'm also very open to sharing my ideas, even when unsolicited. If I ever encounter a problem, I make sure to communicate that to all stakeholders in a swift fashion. As a Band 7 Manager, maintaining open lines of communication with my staff and between them will always be a top priority of mine. I will lead by example by being an honest and upfront communicator with my team and always maintaining an open door for staff to approach me. This starts with mutual respect and common courtesy for all on my team."

Band 7 Managers are expected to ensure that all team members report changes in patient progress, work closely with other interdepartmental leaders and work collaboratively with everyone they come in contact with. The common trait necessary for these duties is possessing solid communication skills. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to hear that you would join their team as a solid communicator and as a Band 7 Manager that would always promote open and clear lines of communication among your team.

As you answer this question, know that a breakdown in communication among a nursing team can have dire effects on the cohesiveness of the team and the care of patients. This effect is why it is essential, as a leader, to understand that 'telling' and 'showing' are two very different things. Give examples of how you put dialogue into action in the workplace and how you will bring this approach to the team you are leading as a Band 7 Manager.

How do you explain medications, treatments, or diagnoses to patients without using a lot of medical or healthcare jargon?

"Patients come from various backgrounds and usually have their own understanding of how healthcare works. Some are not familiar with certain medical terminology, so instead of hypertension, I use the term 'high blood pressure.' I also provide specific and relatable examples to help my patients understand their conditions and treatment options."

One of the top essential skills for a Band 7 Manager to be successful is outstanding communication. In leading a team of nurses and advanced practice providers, you will be expected to have good verbal communication and written skills. Communication skills will also be vital with patients. Your interviewers ask this question to hear how you typically communicate complicated medical terms to patients so that they are easy to understand.

This question is your chance to showcase your communication skills. Use this time to highlight how you can meet patients where they are, and present complex information to them in a way that connects with them. Not everyone has the healthcare training and expertise that you do, so explaining things in terms that a patient understand is a critical aspect of the job of a Band 7 Manager.

Why do you think you are a great fit for a position as a Band 7 Manager?

"First and foremost, I consider myself an enthusiastic life-long learner of all things nursing, and I think this is a great opportunity to continue my journey as a Band 7 Manager. I am a firm and fair leader, and that will be vital to leading your nursing team to success. There is an opportunity for growth and very low staff turnover here already, which speaks volumes to the care of nurses here, and I would love to be a part of your team."

If you get the call to interview for a Band 7 Manager role, you can feel confident that the interviewer knows the skills and experiences you bring to the table for the job. Now, they turn the table your way and allow you to give your best sales pitch on why you are the best person for the job.

This question is an excellent opportunity for you to illustrate your enthusiasm for the position and diligence in researching the organization you are interviewing with. A good answer provides the interviewer with layered insight into the way you work. Take the time before the interview to craft an answer that proves that you have the drive, determination, and skills to succeed and thrive as a Band 7 Manager.

What do you hope to gain from this position as a Band 7 Manager?

"Becoming a leader in the NHS has always been a career goal, and I've been working my whole career towards this goal. As a Band 7 Manager, I am excited for the opportunity to lead a team of nurses to bring the best care possible to patients while leading a healthy and happy work atmosphere and culture."

Your interviewer must understand your motivation to succeed as a Band 7 Manager. They want to hire someone whose head and heart are in it for the right reasons, and this question allows them to gauge where your head and heart are.

Speak openly and honestly as you describe what you hope to gain from this position. There is no right or wrong answer to a question like this, so feel free to openly talk about your career goals, desire to lead, or what you hope to achieve in the role. No matter how you answer, make your passion come through as you describe why being a Band 7 Manager is the right career move for you.

If you were offered this position as a Band 7 Manager, what would you hope to accomplish in the first 90 days?

"Since I thrive on trust and respect, my top priority would be getting to know my team members and, in turn, ensuring that they know me. I would do this through well-run team meetings and bi-weekly 1:1 meetings with my team over the first 90 days. Another accomplishment I would plan for is partnering with leadership and my team to get a better idea of the more urgent issues. Then I would focus on creating a project plan to tackle one or two current issues, involve all stakeholders in the process, and gather all the information and data I can."

In likely considering several well-qualified candidates for a Band 7 Manager position, interviewers are looking for a candidate with a plan to make an impact from their first day forward. In posing this question to you, they want to hear you discuss what you hope to accomplish in your first three months on the job and how you plan to reach your goal.

As a new Band 7 Manager, you want to ensure that you get acquainted with all of your staff, learn the formal managerial processes, and become enveloped in the culture of your new setting. Hopefully, some research into the organization you are interviewing with ahead of your interview will give you some insight on how to answer. By listening to your interviewer, you can learn about the culture and the company's operations and be able to give a great idea of a few initial accomplishments you'd like to make.

What is one unique skill or quality you will bring to the table as a Band 7 Manager that other candidates might not?

"I'm confident that my clinical expertise in many different specialties makes me highly qualified to be your next Band 7 Manager. But the one unique quality I possess that you can't see on my resume is my ability to handle pressure-packed situations. I've been thrown into the mix in the busiest operating rooms and emergency units throughout my career. In this situation, I've learned great split-second decision-making and time management skills that I know will be essential in this role."

A company's hiring decision can be difficult when the applicants each bring a solid set of skills. The interviewers pose this question in hopes that you will give your one top skill or trait that makes you the best candidate for their opening.

Your goal is to reiterate to the interviewer why you are a fit for this job as a Band 7 Manager. Before your interview, think of one unique skill or quality that would make you a standout candidate for the job. That can include a unique work experience, a skill you've been trained on, or a personality trait that you feel would lead to success on the job.

What experience do you have training and managing team performance in a nursing setting?

"As you can see from my resume, I am currently a Band 6 Clinical Supervisor and oversee a team of eight clinical nurse specialists. I always create a culture of continuous learning and have helped create many training and development opportunities for my staff. I also have a lot of experience collaborating with other leaders throughout my enterprise, and this experience would benefit me greatly as a Band 7 Manager."

Your interviewing team needs to get a feel for the managerial experience you would bring to the job. While the interviewers may get a good feel for your experience from your resume and application materials, this question allows you to elaborate on your training and managing experiences in a nursing setting.

Use this time to highlight any leadership or managerial roles that you have had in the past. That could include volunteer work and leadership positions in your community. Be sure to give specific examples of how you have created and managed strong teams and how you will continue to grow these strengths in a Band 7 Manager role.

Do you have any experience working with departmental budgeting and budget management?

"Yes, I am responsible for signing off on orders and stock in my current department and have an annual budget that we must stay within. I think this experience would help me as a Band 7 Manager. To further this experience in this role, I would always ensure that my team is knowledgeable on maintaining a consistent level of necessary supplies and careful about waste within the unit to help better manage a budget."

Nursing wards have ongoing needs, and developing a budget is one of the challenging tasks that a Band 7 Manager must take on in their role. While your interviewer may have a feel for your experience in managing a budget by looking at your resume, this question allows you to speak about any direct budget management experience you have.

Successful Band 7 Managers should know how to create a strong budget plan and how to monitor its effectiveness. Speak to your overall business acumen, and mention any budgeting experience you would bring to the job. Tell your interviewer if you have experience managing a budget and have found success in this duty. If you don't have direct experience managing a department budget, talk about any experience you have helping to inventory and order supplies or any other related experience.

What do you foresee will be the hardest part of being a Band 7 Manager?

"I know the most difficult part of this role as a Band 7 Manager will be the essential HR functions like performance documentation, timekeeping, and compensation. If I am fortunate enough to be offered this position, I know that my first 90 days will need a strict focus on approving the time for my staff and other essential HR functions. I'm very technically savvy, so learning new programs will come easily to me if I have the chance to train quickly with a hands-on approach."

From the sometimes long hours to the stress of working closely and answering to the top leaders of an institution, your interviewer knows that the job of a Band 7 Manager isn't always sunshine and rainbows. In posing this question to you, your interviewer wants to hear what you feel will be the challenges for yourself if you land the job.

Before your Band 7 Manager interview, carefully read the job description and duties and reflect on what would be the most challenging part of this transition. Explain that you plan on tackling this challenge head-on.

What three words are used frequently to describe your personality?

"I have been described as the energizer bunny by many of my close colleagues as I've always had lots of energy and enthusiasm. I am confident that most people would describe me as fun to work with. I work hard to do my job and make it enjoyable for myself, my patients, and my team. Last, my colleagues and leaders have always described me as knowledgeable in the field. I like to figure things out, solve problems and ask questions. I am always learning and would love to pass along my years of knowledge to my team as a Band 7 Manager."

As your interviewer reviews and interviews several great candidates for their Band 7 Manager position, their ultimate hiring decision may come down to the best personality fit. With this question, they're allowing you to give the best sales pitch on your personality and why it would make you a great Band 7 Manager.

Before your interview, research the 'buzz' words employers seek and pick ones that resonate with you. Intellectual, perfectionist (not a bad thing for a nurse), ethical, enthusiastic, team player, great communicator, invested, organized, and professional maturity are all great personality traits of a Band 7 Manager. Choose words that showcase your qualities and excite the interviewer.

If hired as a Band 7 Manager, what do you feel will be your biggest challenge from day one?

"I think the biggest challenge will be learning a different patient demographic from where I've worked most of my career. I have confidence that my skills and experience will get me to where I need to be quickly from a patient care perspective, but I realize that this will take some initial focus if I'm fortunate enough to secure this role as a Band 7 Manager."

The duties and workload of a Band 7 Manager can be challenging for any person coming into the role, no matter what experience they bring to the table. Your interviewer needs to know that you have the smarts to understand your biggest challenge coming into the role and that you have a plan to overcome that challenge.

Before your Band 7 Manager interview, thoroughly read the job description and duties and put some thought into where you feel you will be challenged most coming into the job. Speak openly about where this challenge will come from, and discuss how you will tackle it on your first day on the job. This question provides an opportunity to ask about the support you will receive from your future leader, so don't hesitate to ask.

As a Band 7 Manager, what do you feel will be the most difficult aspect of managing a team of nurses? What will be the most rewarding?

"Everyone comes from different clinical settings, so everyone has a different approach to patient care. That can be both a challenge and a great benefit for a Brand 7 Manager. The most rewarding part of managing a great team as a Band 7 Manager will be getting to do life with them at work every day and building strong relationships. I will take pride in leading a team's efforts to save lives."

Managing a diverse and skilled team of nurses as a Band 7 Manager can have its trials and tribulations. Your interviewer wants to know that you have put some thought into the high and low points on the job, so they ask this question to allow you to reflect.

Different team dynamics come with managing nurses from various backgrounds and clinical settings. Be sure to give specific examples of how you've dealt with the challenges and rewards of leading such a diverse team, and highlight what you feel will be the most rewarding and most difficult things in the job of a Band 7 Manager.

As a Band 7 Manager, how will you help drive the use of evidence-based practice with your team?

"If you were to look around any patient unit or clinic setting, you'll find many examples of how evidence-based practice in nursing has improved the ways we work more efficiently and provide the best care possible to patients. As a Band 7 Manager, I will never have a complacent mindset and would always have an open mind to new and improved ways of doing things. As we move into the future, I firmly believe that individualized care in a home setting will continue to progress and technology will continue to grow at extensive rates in the nursing field. I'll be a leader that promotes these positive changes with my staff."

The health and well-being of the overall population have benefited greatly over the years from the medical data and research that medical staff put into clinical improvement actions. Your interviewer wants to hire a Band 7 Manager with a strong belief in evidence-based practice.

The first goal of your answer is to show that you have a firm understanding of evidence-based practice and how it has benefitted the field of nursing. If you need to research this before your Band 7 Manager interview, be sure to do that. The second part of your answer should look toward the future, where you give your thoughts on how evidence-based practice can continue to help the field grow.

How do you keep up with the constant changes in the nursing and healthcare field?

"In addition to keeping up with my continuing education requirements for nursing certifications, I have taught workshops and classes on childbirth to new parents. I have an open dialogue with my team to understand their learning needs and interests and create training plans to help them succeed. I'm also a member of the Royal British Nurses' Association and plan to maintain this great membership as a Band 7 Manager."

The interviewer wants to see that you are passionate enough about what you do. They want to hire a Band 7 Manager who is empowered to learn all they can to improve their craft for themselves and their team. In asking this question, they want to hear you talk about how you stay educated and informed in the nursing field.

Talk about organizations, conferences, and seminars you actively participate in and attend regularly. Highlight some things you've learned in recent years that you otherwise may not have without your extra effort here. Don't forget to discuss how this furthering of knowledge will help you as a Band 7 Manager.

How do you maintain work-life balance when nursing gets stressful? How will you encourage your team to do the same?

"I always make sure that I take mental health days whenever I need to and encourage my team to do the same. I also prioritize healthy eating habits, regular exercise, good sleep, and quality time with friends and family. Taking care of myself makes me a better nurse and empowers me even more to give excellent patient care. As a Band 7 Manager, I would always promote a healthy work schedule for my team and allow them to approach me if they feel stressed and burned out."

Part of what makes a great Band 7 Manager is self-awareness. Knowing your limitations and when to take a step back and breathe is one of the most critical skills you can have. In proposing this question, your interviewer wants to hear that you can strike a healthy work-life balance and will promote this among your team.

Use this time to discuss the importance of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and their impact on team morale. Explain why this has such a huge impact on both staff retention and the quality of patient care.

Retaining skilled nurses can be a challenge. What steps will you take to retain staff as our Band 7 Manager?

"I'm a firm believer in providing work-life balance for any team, and I would bring this philosophy as your next Band 7 Manager. My first step in improving retention would be communicating with my team to see where there are barriers and how we can overcome them. Some retention methods I implemented in my last role included flexible shifts, shift differential pay for nurses working overnight, a generous PTO policy, team-building activities, and more. As a result, we saw a 20 percent increase in nurse retention."

As a Band 7 Manager, you will be subjected to exhausting physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Your interviewer knows that many nurses suffer from burnout, and they want to hear that you will focus on using tactics to motivate and retain your staff when times get tough.

If possible, come to your Band 7 Manager interview ready to give specific examples of methods you have used or been a part of in the past to retain nursing talent. Your answer can include actions such as working to maintain a healthy work environment, a positive and uplifting culture, and an always open door for concerns to be brought to your attention.

Talk to me what promoting safety would mean to you as a Band 7 Manager.

"As a Band 7 Manager, the safety of the patients on my unit and my staff would always be at the top of my mind. Protecting patients comes down to a system that prevents errors and a culture of safety among my staff. I will always ensure my staff is trained on patient care safety. I will always be watchful for hazards on patients as well. Concerning my staff, safety again comes down to training and paying attention. I would always work my hardest in ensuring that we are fully staffed and my team isn't getting burned out because that is where unsafe conditions most often happen for nursing staff."

As a Band 7 Manager, the safety of your staff and the patients in your ward will ultimately fall under your umbrella of responsibility. Safety in the nursing setting comes down to a little extra care, attention, and training, and your interviewer needs to know you would bring these to the job.

The idea of safety in the workplace for nursing staff encompasses both patient safety and the overall safety of your team of nurses. Touch on both of these areas as you answer this question. When you answer this question, think back on the safety training you received throughout your career and reiterate how you would now become a leader of those same principles. Don't forget that you will be a proponent and follower of any established safety policies and procedures that are in place as a Band 7 Manager.

What, in your experience, is the most effective way to train new nurses?

"After a new nurse hire completes the general orientation, I like to review their learning and comprehension to make certain it's solid. In some ways, that allows me to start the conversation with them and see how they learn. Each unit is different, but I like to start with an introduction to other nurses and match them up with different mentors they'll be working alongside. I've created the standard scavenger hunt for the unit layout and some awesome PowerPoint presentations for how the unit works. I have them follow me for a shift, so they see the general layout of the unit and how each nurse fits into that system. As a Band 7 Manager, I would love to learn your method for training new staff and see where I can incorporate my methods."

Training new staff will be essential as a Band 7 Manager. In proposing this question, your interviewer wants to know that you have a firm grasp of the basic concepts of effective training of new nursing staff.

Before your Band 7 Manager interview, think about the methods you are familiar with for training new nurses. While you won't be 100% familiar with the training process already in place in the job you are interviewing for, you want to come prepared to talk about your experiences in training new staff and what has worked the best. Your answer should provide unique and fresh ideas that will enrich and streamline the onboarding process for the new staff you train.

As a Band 7 Manager, how will you effectively lead your team during times of change?

"I always think back to when we transitioned from manual documentation of patient care to electronic documentation when I think about managing change. To ensure that my team was properly trained, I collaborated with our IT department to hold hands-on training sessions for those who were not computer savvy. We also created training manuals and did mock documentation sessions as well. I learned from this experience that having a positive attitude and focusing on the end goal was important as my team followed my lead in these mindsets. As a Band 7 Manager, I would take this same approach when leading my team in a time of change."

Times of change in the healthcare industry can be anything from your facility being acquired or merging with another, leadership changes, or even small technical changes on the job. It will be your responsibility as a Band 7 Manager to ensure that your team is not only prepared for change but can also thrive during times of change. Your interviewer asks this question to ensure that you would be an agent for change as their Band 7 Manager.

As you answer this question, make it clear that you will be an effective manager and proponent of change as a Band 7 Manager. Before your interview, think about your leadership style and how it will help lead a team through any change - large or small. If you are struggling to find ideas, some great things to discuss include your ability to formulate and sell a plan for a change, focus on setting new objectives for your team, and ability to manage expectations and hold staff accountable.

How would you describe the leadership style you would bring to our Band 7 Manager position?

"I am a strategic, compassionate, and empathetic leader with a passion for building high-performing teams. I believe in creating a culture of coaching and continuous feedback and ensuring my team has everything they need to thrive. I also bring the clinical experience and knowledge to be innovative in bringing new solutions to the Band 7 team."

As a Band 7 Manager, you will have many distinct managerial and leadership responsibilities. Your interviewers want to determine what leadership style you will bring to the job and whether that will make you a fit for the institution and the team you will be directly managing.

Think about the qualities that make you a good leader. Consider whether you are a more direct or collaborative leader. You can also mention qualities such as enthusiasm, strong business acumen, etc. When you answer this question, be sure to ask about the culture of the workplace because it may or may not align with your leadership style. Be honest about who you are as a leader.

As a Band 7 Manager, how you will handle a complaint about one of the nurses under your care?

"I would first sit down with the patient and get all the information and documentation I can. I always make sure I'm asking the right questions and keeping a level head. I would thank the patient for the feedback and assure them that it wouldn't happen again. Then, I would sit with my nurses in a respectful and non-accusatory setting to ask for their account of the situation. After I have both sides of the story and any documentation, I would proceed with the best course of action."

As a Band 7 Manager, part of your duties will be directly managing the care that your staff provides to patients. You will field complaints when a patient is unhappy with their care. Your interviewer needs to know that you will handle them diplomatically and effectively.

Focus on your coaching style and investigation and problem-solving skills. If a patient complains about one of the nurses on your team, it's your job to gather all the information and facts before deciding whether or not this patient's claims are valid. That is called evidence-based performance management.

How will you handle triage as a Band 7 Manager when there are multiple emergencies at once? Please explain your reasoning.

"If multiple patients have emergencies at once, I would tell my team that it's all hands on deck. I would try to jump in when I could and delegate when I must. When a patient's life is on the line, there is not much time to hold a team meeting, so I have to think fast while remaining calm and rational."

This question tests your approach to crisis management as a Band 7 Manager. Knowing that the busiest of times for your team can sometimes have multiple crises all at once, your interviewer needs to know that you would bring a strong sense of delegating and triaging as a Band 7 Manager.

As you answer, highlight your ability to not get overwhelmed. Instead, you want to paint yourself as a Band 7 Manager that will take your time and think through your actions and processes. Remember that triaging work based on the needs of each patient is a critical factor in situations like this.

Describe how you organize and prioritize your current work. How do you think this method will help you as a Band 7 Manager?

"I use the nursing process to organize my thoughts. I always have a long-range general gridwork or plan of tasks that need to get done and when, and then I tailor each day by prioritizing the specific needs of the day. I reverse engineer the schedule months ahead and pencil in deadlines of the mechanics of the shift, such as when reports are due, schedules need completing, or supplies need ordering. I put things on automatic when needed, I delegate when needed to responsible parties, and I always tackle the most important and pressing item first thing in the morning so there is ample time for completion or resolution."

Balancing a heavy workload that includes day-to-day management of staff, leadership duties, patient care, safety, and risk management of your team, the need to be organized as a Band 7 Manager is vital to your success. Your interviewer is looking for a candidate who can balance these duties. To get at your ability to do this, they want to hear you discuss how you organize and prioritize your work most efficiently.

Your answer should outline an organizational system that addresses all aspects of your work. You'll want to highlight how you prioritize your work and not let small things or work that comes down the road slip through the cracks. Now is a great time to talk about any tools or resources that you use to help keep your work on track.

What would your first step of corrective action be for a staff nurse who is chronically late for their shift?

"Hopefully, I would have addressed this before it became a chronic pattern! When I notice that the nurse has been late for more than a couple of days, I would schedule a time to meet with the individual away from work so that it did not impact patient care or increase the other nurse's workload. I would identify the problem using real examples, like: 'I noticed you've been late three times this week.' I believe that people are our most important resource, so I genuinely want to know if something is happening in this person's life. Not to pry, but people falter for a reason, and I need to be helpful and astute while minding the unit's needs. If the problem is new and there are extenuating circumstances like health or personal issues, I would refer the nurse to employee assistance or suggest taking a few days off. I would try to understand what is happening and find a win-win situation that embraces concern for the employee and the unit. My first step would be to find the root cause and a measurable solution, with a plan for the next meeting to ensure the problem is resolved."

While certainly a challenging part of the job of a Band 7 Manager, taking corrective action with your staff will be a very real part of your duties. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to hear that you would have a direct and planned approach to this frequent problem with nursing personnel.

Your primary duty as a Band 7 Manager is staff management, so this question should be expected and answered with confidence. You want to be decisive, fair, and direct with your response so your interviewer knows that you would be looking out for the best interest of the company and your entire team. Your answer should showcase your team management skills, including diplomacy and communication skills.

If you caught wind of untrue gossip in your ward, how would you handle the situation?

"One of my goals in leadership is to create an inclusive workplace culture, and I'm a firm believer that gossip breaks down that culture, breeds distrust, and ultimately impacts patient care. I lead by example and would always speak plainly about a no-gossip policy in the unit and explain the reasons. If I were to catch wind of false gossip in my ward, I would communicate with my entire team as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, I would try not to call out individuals but rather clarify information in communication and ask people to come to me with questions. I believe that most professional nurses are smart enough to know when a toxic rumor is going around, and I'd be encouraging them to help stop it."

Gossip of any kind is corrosive to cohesion in a nursing ward, and your first task as a Band 7 Manager, if you catch wind of it, is to squash it immediately in a diplomatic way. Your interviewer is aware of the harm that gossip can cause to the workplace culture and productivity and wants to hear that you have a plan for handling it effectively and professionally.

Your answer should showcase your team management, leadership, diplomacy, and communication skills. Explain that you are aware of the harm that untrue gossip can cause and won't hesitate to silence it as soon as possible among your team as a Band 7 Manager.

How would you help or show your staff how to handle a challenging patient as a Band 7 Manager?

"First, I would try not to make assumptions or judgments about the situation. As a highly effective nursing trainer, I would have already established a protocol in the unit on how to report essential information, so hopefully, that is in place when my team member reports the need for help. My first task when entering a situation like this would be to assess the need for stabilization and develop a plan. If it's emergent, I would activate the emergency system and help my staff along the way. If it's a challenging patient by behaviors, I would implement the nursing process quickly in my head and look at the subjective and objective information first and assess what needs to be done. Once the challenging patient was handled properly, I would use the moment as a training situation for my staff and answer all questions they may have."

Band 7 Managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of their ward. Part of this responsibility can include the one-on-one or team coaching of nursing staff in working with a challenging patient. Your interviewer needs to know that you can take the lead in training your staff. Demonstrate your ability to take charge of crises and challenging situations in a way that demonstrates confidence, competence, and respect for all involved.

To successfully answer this question, exude confidence, competence, and respect for your team of nurses. You will face challenging patients frequently, and, as the Band 7 Manage, you will need to quickly and effectively help your staff handle them. If you have experience in 1:1 coaching, now is a great time for you to discuss your approach and why it is effective.

Band 7 Manager Interview Questions

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1. How do you handle stress and anxiety on the job, and why is this an important skill to have as a Band 7 Manager?
2. Describe a time you were particularly proud of your nursing team. What was your role in this situation?
3. Talk about a difficult case you handled as a nurse. How did it help you become a better nurse, and how will you use these skills to support your team as our Band 7 Manager?
4. How do you typically deal with conflicts between team members in the workplace, and how will this help you as a Band 7 Manager?
5. As a Band 7 Manager, how will you show your staff the importance of communication in the workplace?
6. How do you explain medications, treatments, or diagnoses to patients without using a lot of medical or healthcare jargon?
7. Why do you think you are a great fit for a position as a Band 7 Manager?
8. What do you hope to gain from this position as a Band 7 Manager?
9. If you were offered this position as a Band 7 Manager, what would you hope to accomplish in the first 90 days?
10. What is one unique skill or quality you will bring to the table as a Band 7 Manager that other candidates might not?
11. What experience do you have training and managing team performance in a nursing setting?
12. Do you have any experience working with departmental budgeting and budget management?
13. What do you foresee will be the hardest part of being a Band 7 Manager?
14. What three words are used frequently to describe your personality?
15. If hired as a Band 7 Manager, what do you feel will be your biggest challenge from day one?
16. As a Band 7 Manager, what do you feel will be the most difficult aspect of managing a team of nurses? What will be the most rewarding?
17. As a Band 7 Manager, how will you help drive the use of evidence-based practice with your team?
18. How do you keep up with the constant changes in the nursing and healthcare field?
19. How do you maintain work-life balance when nursing gets stressful? How will you encourage your team to do the same?
20. Retaining skilled nurses can be a challenge. What steps will you take to retain staff as our Band 7 Manager?
21. Talk to me what promoting safety would mean to you as a Band 7 Manager.
22. What, in your experience, is the most effective way to train new nurses?
23. As a Band 7 Manager, how will you effectively lead your team during times of change?
24. How would you describe the leadership style you would bring to our Band 7 Manager position?
25. As a Band 7 Manager, how you will handle a complaint about one of the nurses under your care?
26. How will you handle triage as a Band 7 Manager when there are multiple emergencies at once? Please explain your reasoning.
27. Describe how you organize and prioritize your current work. How do you think this method will help you as a Band 7 Manager?
28. What would your first step of corrective action be for a staff nurse who is chronically late for their shift?
29. If you caught wind of untrue gossip in your ward, how would you handle the situation?
30. How would you help or show your staff how to handle a challenging patient as a Band 7 Manager?

Band 7 Manager Interview Questions

1. How do you handle stress and anxiety on the job, and why is this an important skill to have as a Band 7 Manager?

2. Describe a time you were particularly proud of your nursing team. What was your role in this situation?

3. Talk about a difficult case you handled as a nurse. How did it help you become a better nurse, and how will you use these skills to support your team as our Band 7 Manager?

4. How do you typically deal with conflicts between team members in the workplace, and how will this help you as a Band 7 Manager?

5. As a Band 7 Manager, how will you show your staff the importance of communication in the workplace?

6. How do you explain medications, treatments, or diagnoses to patients without using a lot of medical or healthcare jargon?

7. Why do you think you are a great fit for a position as a Band 7 Manager?

8. What do you hope to gain from this position as a Band 7 Manager?

9. If you were offered this position as a Band 7 Manager, what would you hope to accomplish in the first 90 days?

10. What is one unique skill or quality you will bring to the table as a Band 7 Manager that other candidates might not?

11. What experience do you have training and managing team performance in a nursing setting?

12. Do you have any experience working with departmental budgeting and budget management?

13. What do you foresee will be the hardest part of being a Band 7 Manager?

14. What three words are used frequently to describe your personality?

15. If hired as a Band 7 Manager, what do you feel will be your biggest challenge from day one?

16. As a Band 7 Manager, what do you feel will be the most difficult aspect of managing a team of nurses? What will be the most rewarding?

17. As a Band 7 Manager, how will you help drive the use of evidence-based practice with your team?

18. How do you keep up with the constant changes in the nursing and healthcare field?

19. How do you maintain work-life balance when nursing gets stressful? How will you encourage your team to do the same?

20. Retaining skilled nurses can be a challenge. What steps will you take to retain staff as our Band 7 Manager?

21. Talk to me what promoting safety would mean to you as a Band 7 Manager.

22. What, in your experience, is the most effective way to train new nurses?

23. As a Band 7 Manager, how will you effectively lead your team during times of change?

24. How would you describe the leadership style you would bring to our Band 7 Manager position?

25. As a Band 7 Manager, how you will handle a complaint about one of the nurses under your care?

26. How will you handle triage as a Band 7 Manager when there are multiple emergencies at once? Please explain your reasoning.

27. Describe how you organize and prioritize your current work. How do you think this method will help you as a Band 7 Manager?

28. What would your first step of corrective action be for a staff nurse who is chronically late for their shift?

29. If you caught wind of untrue gossip in your ward, how would you handle the situation?

30. How would you help or show your staff how to handle a challenging patient as a Band 7 Manager?