Behavioral Nursing Interview Questions

Behavioral Nursing Interview Questions & Answers

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1. 1.

   What would you do in a situation where you needed household medical supplies, such as adhesive bandages, and you were aware that there was an abundance of them in the supply room at work?

   How to Answer

   Supplies are a significant cost to medical facilities, and it is the responsibility of all staff members to protect such supplies in order to control costs. When there are supplies, such as adhesive bandages, that are not secured or regularly inventoried, it can be tempting for employees to take such supplies for use at home. However, this behavior is unacceptable, as it is theft of company resources. To successfully answer this question, you should make it very clear to the interviewer that you will not use or take medical supplies for personal use.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I would not take the supplies from work, even though it may seem like the easy thing to do. If everyone who works in the unit took supplies for personal use, the cost to the facility would be extreme, and I want to do what I can to control costs. However, even with costs aside, taking supplies for personal use is stealing and is unethical; it is not something I stand for as a nurse or an individual."

2. 2.

   You are caring for a pediatric patient whose parent is refusing routine vaccinations due to information she has read on the internet. How do you respond in this situation?

   How to Answer

   Due to misinformation that is widely available on the internet, many people are refusing routine vaccines for themselves and their children. While the vaccine controversy is likely the most prominent example of patients refusing medical interventions due to misinformation, this issue does not lie in vaccines alone; there are many preventative and tertiary medical procedures that patients refuse. In these cases, it is the responsibility of the nursing staff to help the patient or guardian understand the importance of the recommended medical intervention. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how you would respond to this situation and to see if you would help educate the patient using scientific evidence. To effectively answer this question, you should indicate that you would remain respectful but attempt to educate the patient or guardian using facts. A more successful answer would include an example of how you helped change a patient or guardian's stance so they would accept the medical intervention.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I spent many years as a pediatric nurse, so I have dealt with this exact scenario many times. However, one instance, in particular, stands out to me. In this instance, the mother of a two-year-old patient was refusing all of her child's vaccines because of something she read on the internet about vaccines causing autism. Instead of completely dismissing the parent's concerns, I told her I understood why she was concerned and talked with her about each of her concerns, where I presented facts. Then, I left the mother alone to think about it for a few minutes, and upon my return, she agreed to allow us to administer the vaccines. This is the way I would handle any patient or guardian's concerns about medical interventions--with empathy, understanding, and facts."

3. 3.

   Tell me how you would handle a situation where you thought you saw one of your nursing colleagues pocketing a dose of medication that was supposed to be given to a patient.

   How to Answer

   Although there are many controls placed on medication distribution and administration, stealing medication is still a common problem amongst staff, especially in the face of the current opioid crisis. This scenario puts the candidate in an ethical dilemma of whether he or she should confront their coworker, notify their supervisor, or turn the other direction and take no action. To effectively answer this question, you should discuss how you would take action on the matter, preferably, notifying a supervisor of the colleague's behavior. A more successful answer to this question would include an example of how the candidate took action after witnessing a similar situation.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "This is a difficult situation, but if I thought I saw something like this, I would have to report it to my supervisor. I could not allow something like this to rest on my conscience, and as a nurse, I know it is my ethical responsibility to report such incidents. I actually was in a similar situation one time, when I saw one of my coworkers give a friend who was visiting medications, without a prescription or documentation. After I witnessed this, I didn't make excuses for my coworker; I reported it to my supervisor so she could investigate the details."

4. 4.

   Despite our best efforts in providing care, sometimes there are family members who are unhappy with the care the patient is receiving. Tell me how you would handle such a situation.

   How to Answer

   Having a family member or loved one who is ill and/or in the hospital can be a very stressful situation, and sometimes, despite the best efforts of clinical staff, family members of patients are unhappy with the care their loved ones receive. In such situations, it is important for nurses and clinical staff to avoid becoming defensive, and to express their empathy for the family member, even if they are unhappy with them. If a nurse is unable to resolve the situation with the patient's family, they should escalate the situation to their supervisor. To successfully answer this question, you should tell the interviewer that you would listen to the family member's concerns and try to meet their needs, if possible. A more successful answer to this question would include an example of how you successfully mitigated such a situation in your nursing career.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I have dealt with many situations like this in my nursing career, and I have found that usually, the family member just needs someone to listen to their concerns and reassure them. I have rarely had situations where I had to escalate the complaint to my supervisor. I actually dealt with such a situation a couple of weeks ago, when I was caring for a pediatric patient who was severely injured in an accident. The patient's family members were beside themselves with worry and grief, and after a couple of days, began to complain about the care they were receiving. I did not take offense to the complaints, but instead, I listened to the family members' concerns and then reassured them that my colleagues and I were doing everything we could, and we would continue to do so. Having this reassurance helped ease the family's concerns, but I think they really just needed to express their frustrations."

5. 5.

   Tell me how you would handle a situation in which you are pressed for time and it would be easier for you to provide care to your patients if you did not follow established procedures and protocols.

   How to Answer

   Procedures and protocols established for nursing professionals are in place to protect the patient, the nurse, and the facility, and they are not meant to be violated out of convenience. Violating such a procedure or protocol puts many individuals at risk, and nurses should always follow these guidelines to the best of their ability. The interviewer is asking this question to determine if the candidate understands the importance of established protocols and procedures and will follow them, even in times where they are busy. To successfully answer this question, you should indicate that you would not sacrifice the quality of care you are providing by breaking protocols. You can provide a stronger answer to this question by talking about your personal experience with a similar situation in your nursing career.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I would never intentionally break protocols and procedures just because I am busy. My job as a nurse is to provide the best quality of care to my patients, and violating protocols that are in place to protect my patients would go against what I stand for as a nurse. I have been in situations like this before, and while I have seen my colleagues take shortcuts, especially with things like safety and infection prevention, I would never intentionally do so. Just last week, I was caring for multiple high-acuity patients, including one with a serious infectious disease. Even though I was busy and at times, overwhelmed, I always followed infection prevention protocols while caring for the patient with the ID, as I needed to protect her, myself, my coworkers, and the broader community."

6. 6.

   Describe a time you effectively instructed a patient on something they were struggling with learning?

   How to Answer

   Patients are often under a great deal of stress. The stress of a new diagnosis, worsening symptoms, and even the hospitalization may make them less attentive to instruction. The nurse must triage the patient's ability to comprehend novel and challenging directions, and factor in any other compounding variables such as cultural differences, pain, medications, and others. Optimal outcomes are achieved when the patient is compliant with treatment and understands what they need to do to be successful. Do your best to explain effective teaching methods here, like teaching through direct instruction or incremental lessons with return demonstrations, utilizing multi-sensory instruction, by providing verbal, written, and physical instructions when applicable.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "During my home health rotation, I worked with a patient who said her medications weren't working, but they worked when she was in the hospital and in the rehab center for several weeks after discharge. I asked her to bring all of her medications out to the table, and they were tossed in a cardboard box with old and expired medications with no sense of order. She told me she took them faithfully everyday and never missed one. I looked at the bottles and noticed that they were all ordered on the same day of discharge but several bottles were full and others were almost empty. I asked her if I could help her organize her medications, call the pharmacy to help with automatic refills, and also get her a medication minder. We filled the 2-week minder together and that really helped her take the correct pills. The next visit, she happily reported that her meds were working again."

7. 7.

   Due to emerging technology, the nursing career has evolved, and technology is incorporated in many aspects of modern nursing. How do you handle a situation in which new technology is introduced that changes your nursing practice?

   How to Answer

   The interviewer is asking this question to determine how the candidate will respond to changes in their nursing practice due to innovations in technology. Just as technology has changed the way the general public lives, it has significantly changed the practice of medicine and nursing. From Electronic Health Records to electronic instruments, health care does not look the same as it did a few years ago, nevertheless, a few decades ago. If the candidate is unable to adapt to ever-changing technology, they will be unable to effectively care for patients in the modern health care environment. To effectively answer this question, you should be honest about your technical skills, whether they are limited or advanced, and discuss the effort you will put forth to adapt to the new technology. A more successful answer to the question would include an example from your nursing career when you successfully adapted to new technology.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I am not the best at adapting to new technology, so new technologies are always a bit of a challenge for me. However, I am always able to eventually adapt, because I remain determined to learn how to use it. For example, when my last company changed to a new EHR system, it was completely different and extremely hard for me at first. But, instead of giving up, I took extra training, took copious notes, and made help-sheets for myself so I could remember specific shortcuts for how to use the system. This helped me adapt to the system more quickly than most nurses who were having the same challenges as me. If I could help myself get through that difficult situation, I feel that I could get through any challenge with technology."

8. 8.

   Many times, we require our nurses to cross-train in other departments so they can be available to float when needed. How do you feel about the potential of cross-training and floating on short notice?

   How to Answer

   Oftentimes, in facilities with multiple medical specialties or sub-specialty departments, nurses are cross-trained so they can be available to float during staffing shortages. This allows management to fill nursing gaps when needed. Since nursing among specialties is not created equal, cross-training and floating can sometimes cause stress for nurses, if they are unable to quickly adapt to the varying requirements for caring for patients in the different specialty departments. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how adaptable you would be in such situations, and how willing you would be to cross-train and float to other departments. To effectively answer this question, you should indicate that you would be excited to expand your nursing skills by cross-training and that floating at a moment's notice would not be an issue for you. A more successful answer to this question would include an example of how you successfully cross-trained and floated to other departments within your nursing career.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I would love the opportunity to cross-train and float to other departments. So far, my nursing career has been limited to geriatric care, which has been great, but I do want to expand my skills to other areas, and I think cross-training would be a great opportunity to do so. I can see how floating could be stressful, if I was called to another department at a moment's notice, but if I took my cross-training seriously and learned as much as I could, I would feel prepared to go into another department and pick up where needed. If this works out, I would hope I could cross-train in as many specialties as possible, so I can learn as much as I can."

9. 9.

   You are in a situation where you have been putting forth a lot of effort at your nursing job, but you received critical feedback from your supervisor during a bi-annual review. How do you respond to this situation?

   How to Answer

   Similar to other careers, there are times when employees put forth great efforts but still receive critical feedback from their supervisors. Because nursing is a career that requires a significant amount of effort and care, many times, it takes nurses many years to master their craft. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how you would respond to critical feedback, even when you have been putting forth a significant amount of effort in your work. To effectively answer this question, you should indicate that you would maturely take your supervisor's advice into consideration to determine how you can improve your nursing practice. A more successful answer to this question would include a real-life example of how you have taken constructive criticism, given by a superior, to advance your nursing skills when you already felt you were working at your capacity.
   
   

    Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I would respond to this situation as I did a similar situation from one of my past jobs. When I first started working as a nurse supervisor in OB/GYN, I was a bit overwhelmed, but was giving it my best effort and thought I was doing a great job. However, when it was time for my annual review with my manager, I received a lot of negative feedback, which was quite surprising. Rather than getting upset, I took a step back and thought about why I was receiving the feedback and came up with an improvement plan for myself. By doing this, I was able to further improve my nursing practice and my skills as a supervisor. It turns out, my manager was giving me advice on how to improve, and if I hadn't responded the way I did, it wouldn't have turned out to be such a positive outcome."

10. 10.

    How will you approach coming into a team of nurses who have been working together for quite some time, who have already solidified their working relationships, and who clinically, have a very specific way of doing things?

    How to Answer

    Starting a new job can be intimidating, but when a professional is joining a team that is already cohesive, it can be even more challenging. This can sometimes be even more complicated in clinical settings, where teams of nurses or other clinical professionals are so established, and it can be difficult to break into. Members of nursing teams rely on one another in so many ways, which creates significant bonds among team members. Unfortunately, because of this, it can be difficult for new team members to feel welcome and to become a functioning member of the team. The interviewer is asking this question to first make the candidate aware of the situation, and second, determine their approach to becoming part of the team. To successfully answer this question, you should indicate that you would be patient about being welcomed into the team community, but also suggest that you would strive to develop relationships with coworkers to make an effort in becoming a part of the team. A more successful answer would include an example of how the candidate dealt with a similar situation coming into a new team during their nursing career.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "This team sounds very similar to the team I was working on when I first joined my department. I had recently moved to the area from across the country and had come from a job as a research nurse, so my joining the team on the inpatient geriatrics unit was quite the change. The nurses on the team were not very welcoming to me, as they felt I did not belong on their team, where everyone had been there for at least two years, but most of them for more than five. It was difficult for me, but I knew it wasn't impossible to eventually become a functional member of the team. As my colleagues did their best to ignore me at first, I didn't take it personally, but did my best to be courteous and friendly to them, and eventually, they started letting me in. Before long, I was welcomed into their group, and I immediately began trying to loosen the culture so that the team wasn't so unwelcoming to other newcomers."

11. 11.

    How would you handle a situation where you were curious about what was documented in a friend or family member's electronic health record?

    How to Answer

    The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or better known as HIPAA, is a federal privacy law that protects patients' personal and health information. Under the HIPAA rule, accessing medical records for family members or any other individuals out of curiosity is a violation, and doing so could lead to disciplinary action or even termination. Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are often audited to determine if nursing and other staff members accessed any records not related to their daily responsibilities. The interviewer is asking this question to determine if the candidate understands that this is a HIPAA violation and is a serious offense. To successfully answer this question, you should not only express the fact that you would never violate the privacy of your loved ones or other patients, but also inform the interviewer that you understand this would be a HIPAA violation.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I would never look into a patient's medical record out of curiosity, whether the patient was someone I knew or not. This is not only a violation of HIPAA, but it is also unethical. If I were a patient, I would not want anyone looking in my record to simply snoop around, and I want to treat all the patients at my facility with the same dignity and respect. Many of my friends and family members are or have been patients at the facility in which I work, and while I have been curious about their health before, I have never considered violating their privacy by looking in their medical records. If these individuals wanted me to know about their health status or conditions, they would inform me themselves."

12. 12.

    Describe a time you set a goal and did not achieve it. Explain why you were not successful.

    How to Answer

    This question is asked to assess whether a candidate has demonstrated self-critiquing skills and ownership. Nurses must be able to review their work, figure out what went wrong, and identify ways to fix it. It is important for nurses to triage the most important goals to work on and choose the ones that will have the patient gain traction towards health. There are a multitude of possible patient goals, but a nurse needs to choose the best ones that move the patient towards health.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I wanted a 4.0 my first year but did not achieve it because I received a B in Chemistry. I believe that I could have received an A, if only I didn't wait until the last minute to do my Chemistry homework. Nursing school is hard. I know that, but I also knew that Chemistry was hard and looking back, I would have done the Chemistry homework first and not waited until I was tired to rush through it. I was very disappointed that I earned a B because I knew it was because of my poor planning, but it was helpful in a way. Although it hurt, I did go back and review and extract the lesson. You better believe that I did my Chemistry II homework first and the 4.0 I got my second year was so satisfying. I learned to triage my day and put the hardest things first to get them out of the way."

13. 13.

    Describe a time where you needed to get crucial information from someone who wasn't helpful or responsive and how you handled that.

    How to Answer

    Nurses need information to assess the patient and devise a plan of care. Even the smallest of details may be relevant, and while the nurse needs to be succinct and organized with their queries, they also need to be able to access the necessary information. From patients reluctant to disclose details, to calling to see if someone can open the kitchen and get a late-night tray, a nurse needs to be able to figure out quickly how to get the right information from the right person at the right time. A delay in any information or action may result in less than optimal outcomes, so the nurse needs to communicate clearly, efficiently, assertively, and respectfully to the correct individual. Nursing has been described as both art and science, and the importance of effective communication cannot be underestimated.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I received a late night transfer from the ICU. We were very busy, and the nurses brought the patient down, put her in the room, and told me they called report to the other nurse on the floor. It was close to 11 PM and while I was working a 12-hour shift, I knew the ICU nurses were probably leaving. I called up to the floor and asked to speak with the nurse who was caring for the patient. The unit secretary was brusque and stated that she was leaving, and that I had all the information and orders I needed and I was a nurse and could figure it out. I was upset, but I took a second to compose myself and stated directly and plainly that I needed to speak to the discharging nurse, per protocol and excellent patient care, but if she wasn't available I would speak to the charge nurse. Before I spoke, I worked it out in my head that this was the professional and right request, and I dismissed my initial feelings of annoyance and dismissal. When the nurse answered the phone, she was clearly annoyed. The first thing I did was to acknowledge that I knew it was time for her to leave, and that I really appreciated her coming back to talk with me to provide excellent patient care. Her voice softened and I got a great report. I was really proud of the way I handled myself professionally, and that I advocated for the patient."

14. 14.

    What do you do when one of your patients takes unexpected additional time to provide quality care and you have other patients waiting?

    How to Answer

    Patients and families are often experiencing stress while in the hospital with health challenges and are often anxious and anticipatory when receiving care. They may have been worried all night about experiencing pain during their bath or embarrassment during a catheter change, and even the slightest delay may increase anxiety. A great nurse is mindful of that and does not dismiss the importance of even the most routine task to a patient. Being organized can help a nurse be more efficient with time, but sometimes patients require more care. For example, the nurse may have just completed a difficult sacral wound vac dressing change when the patient has diarrhea, requiring the dressing be redone. The nurse has several other patients waiting but cannot leave this patient without the wound vac or soiled. He or she could not have planned this more efficiently. The only choice is to redo the dressing, which takes time. The nurse should use the call bell or connect with team members to have them communicate to other patients that there is a delay so that they do not experience anxiety, or request other team members help with the other patients.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I try to be very organized, but sometimes patients just take more time, and there is nothing you can do but take the time with them if you want to provide great care. During my pediatrics rotation, one little girl really liked me, and they needed to do blood work on her. She was terrified and refusing and screaming for me to stay with her. I had several other patients that were waiting. I kneeled down and told her that I would stay with her, but I needed to go tell my team members, and I asked the lab worker not to do anything until I came back. I asked my team member if she could take another child down to PT, and I went back and supported the little girl through the blood draw. She insisted I get a sticker too!"

15. 15.

    You have had a friendly relationship with one of your nursing colleagues for quite some time, but recently, she has been demonstrating passive-aggressive behavior and has been unwilling to cooperate with you. Tell me how you respond to this situation.

    How to Answer

    Nursing is a career that requires teamwork and cooperation among members of the nursing staff. However, because nursing can be a very stressful occupation and because it requires so much collaboration among team members, conflicts among coworkers often occur. As with many other career settings, if these conflicts are not resolved appropriately, employees cope by using passive-aggressive behaviors. The interviewer is asking this question to understand how you would respond in a situation in which a coworker is demonstrating passive-aggressive behavior. To effectively answer this question, you should indicate that you would calmly and maturely approach the coworker to resolve any underlying conflicts. A more successful answer to this question would include your own experience in resolving a conflict with a colleague.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I have been a nurse for over ten years, and unfortunately, I have dealt with similar situations many times. I find that it is difficult to avoid conflicts when you spend so much time with your colleagues in such a high-stress situation. I would handle this situation similar to the way I responded to the passive-aggressive attitude that I was getting from my co-worker, Vivian, a couple of years ago. Vivian and I had worked together for a couple of years and had a relatively close working relationship. Each morning, she and I would chit-chat about our personal lives before we clocked-in. However, one morning, Vivian's attitude suddenly changed, and she would not engage in conversation. While I didn't think much about it the first day, when she continued to ignore me both in the mornings and while we were on shift, I decided to approach her about it. Instead of being accusatory about her behavior, I approached Vivian and asked her if everything was okay between us. By doing this, I learned that Vivian was upset with me over something that had happened on the floor, and we were able to work it out peacefully."

16. 16.

    Tell me about a time in your nursing career when you made a big mistake. How did you handle the situation?

    How to Answer

    This question is very important for the interviewer, not to learn about the candidate's past mistakes, but to learn if the candidate is able to recognize their mistakes, and how they handle situations in which they make mistakes. Mistakes are common in the clinical environment, and it is important that nurses and other clinical professionals be able to recognize and take responsibility for their errors. The candidate should be honest in answering this question and not be afraid to share information on the mistakes they have made. To successfully answer this question, you should provide an example of a mistake you have made in the past and tell the interviewer how you successfully mitigated the situation. A more successful answer to this question would include details of when you took a mistake you made and spearheaded a policy change or education program to ensure the same mistake was not made by your colleagues.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "In my nursing career, I have made many mistakes, but the one that stands out to me most is when I was working in an outpatient infusion clinic and accidentally administered the wrong infusion medication to a patient. There were two patients with the same first name with appointments close together, and they were both in the waiting room at the same time. When I went out and attempted to call her, let's call her Jane A, I only said, 'Jane', and Jane B came back with me. My mistake got even worse when I did not verify Jane's last name. The mistake was eventually caught by my colleague, but unfortunately, I had already started her infusion. It was a terrible mistake, and I wanted to be sure it never happened again, so I helped my supervisor develop new procedures for verifying patient information, and I helped train my colleagues on the new procedures."

17. 17.

    You are caring for a patient nearing the end of their life who has a clear Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in their advanced directive, but when the patient codes, their family member who is present begs you to take action. How do you respond?

    How to Answer

    Advanced directives are legal documents that outline an individual's wishes for how they would like their end-of-life care handled. Many individuals have advanced directives, not only to make their own wishes known, but also to take the burden off their loved ones when it comes time to make difficult decisions at the end of their lives. However, there are times when family members disagree with advanced directives or become emotional when their loved one begins passing away. They may put pressure on the nursing staff to provide care that runs counter to the patient's advanced directive. In this situation, it is important for the nurse to follow the patient's wishes, as documented in the advanced directive, despite any pressure they are getting from the patient's loved ones, while also helping the family understand the patient's end-of-life wishes. To effectively answer this question, you should indicate how you would provide care as documented in the advanced directive, and explain to the family why it was important for you to do so. A more successful answer would include a specific experience of when you dealt with such an experience in your nursing career.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "Since my experience in my nursing career so far is in the outpatient environment, I have not yet dealt with such a situation. However, in this situation, I would have to follow the patient's wishes that are documented in the advanced directives, no matter how difficult or emotional it would be for the family. As a nurse, it is my ethical responsibility to follow the patient's documented wishes, just as I would want my wishes for end-of-life care followed, as well. But, I also think it is important to talk with family members before the patient gets to this point, if at all possible. This could allow for conversation to educate them about their loved one's wishes, in case they are unaware of them, so they can be prepared if and when the situation arises."

18. 18.

    How would you handle a situation where a new manager or supervisor starts on your unit and immediately starts changing everything about the way the unit has operated for the past few years?

    How to Answer

    Similar to other industries, medical facilities often change management or leadership, and new supervisors and managers take over. Oftentimes, new supervisors and managers change various aspects of operations, and it can be difficult for staff members, particularly nurses, to adapt to these changes. However, the most successful nurses are able to thrive in such situations and use these opportunities to improve their practice. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how the candidate will cope with such changes, if a change in unit management takes place. When answering this question, you should be honest about your ability to adapt to change in the workplace. To successfully answer the question, you should also indicate that you would remain positive in such situations. If you have specific examples of how you have successfully adapted to changes in leadership during your nursing career, you should incorporate your personal experience into your answer.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I dealt with this type of situation while I was working as a clinic nurse a few years ago. My department, which I had been working in for quite some time, was suddenly put under the management of a different business line. At first, my colleagues and I did not think there would be much change, but we were very wrong. New supervisors were brought into each unit, and they, along with the new administrator, changed almost everything. The transition was difficult, and very stressful at times, but instead of looking at the situation as a negative, I decided to turn it into a positive and use the experience to become a better nurse. Because of my good attitude, the transition was easier for me, and I was able to become more involved in developing new policies and procedures. If I am ever faced with such changes again, I will take the same positive approach and use the experience as an opportunity to grow."

19. 19.

    Often in Electronic Health Records, generic drug names are used in lieu of brand names. Tell me how you would handle a situation where you know the brand name of a drug you need to place an order for, but you are unsure of its generic name.

    How to Answer

    The interviewer is asking this question to determine if the nurse candidate would take initiative to find the name of the generic name for the drug. There are many situations in nursing practice where nurses will not know certain information, whether it be a drug name, a condition, or a specific procedure. Nurses are not expected to have knowledge of all elements in the clinical world, but they are expected to take initiative to find information. To successfully answer this question, you should indicate that you would take initiative in the situation and use available resources (such as textbooks or a reputable website) to find the name of the drug, rather than asking a physician or colleague. A more successful answer to this question would include an example of how you successfully took initiative to find information in a similar situation in your nursing career.
    
    

     Answer Example

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "This is something I have encountered many times in my career as a nurse, especially when I was new to the nursing field, and when I changed from working in orthopedics to gastroenterology. It is difficult to remember all the drug names, and instead of asking someone or assuming I know the correct answer, I always take the time to look the drug names up, using a medication reference book. I find that seeking the information myself helps me better remember the drug names. So, in the long-run, it is better for me to take the initiative."

20. 20.

    Tell me how you would handle a situation where you feel a patient is suicidal or a danger to themselves, but they deny these feelings.

    How to Answer

    Suicide, unfortunately, is very common and, many times, signs that a person is suicidal are missed by family members, friends, and even healthcare professionals. Even if a nurse is not working in a behavioral health environment, they must always be cognizant of a patient's mental well-being and stay alert for signs of suicidal behavior. Even if a patient denies being suicidal or does not score high on a mental health screening, if a nurse feels strongly that a patient may be a risk to themselves, they must alert the patient's physician. To successfully answer this question, you should indicate that you would alert the patient's physician or the attending physician of your concerns, so a full mental health evaluation can be conducted. A more successful answer would include a specific example of how you successfully helped a suicidal patient get help.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I have never experienced this type of situation firsthand, but if I felt strongly that a patient was a danger to themselves, I could not allow it to go unreported, even if the patient denied such suicidal feelings. As a nurse, it is my job to protect patients, and to protect a patient in such a situation, I would alert the physician I was working with and ask them to further evaluate the patient. I am always cognizant of patient's behavior and mental health, even though I work in gastroenterology, because I am aware of how important it is to recognize a patient who is in a mental health crisis."

21. 21.

    Workplace violence is a common issue for nurses. We have protocols in place to prevent workplace violence, but sometimes patients and family members still become violent. Tell me how you would handle such a situation.

    How to Answer

    Unfortunately, nurses and other clinicians are often subjected to violent acts, committed by patients and/or family members. Many times, when patients become violent, it is unintentional and a result of confusion, pain, mental health issues, or other ailments. However, whether the violence is intentional or a result of a medical issue, these situations put nurses in stressful and dangerous situations. In such situations, it is important for nurses to stay calm and follow protocols, such as alerting colleagues and security of the situation. Primarily, it is important that the nurse not attempt to mitigate the situation themselves and/or become defensive and retaliate against the aggressor. To successfully answer this question, you should ensure the interviewer that you would stay calm, follow protocol, and not retaliate against the patient or family member. A more successful answer to this question would include an example of how you followed protocol and effectively dealt with a violent or threatening situation.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "In my nursing career, I have been in situations where patients have become violent, but all were due to dementia or confusion, as I have spent a significant amount of time caring for elderly patients. In these situations, I have always followed protocol for de-escalating the situation or using restraints, if appropriate. If I were ever in a situation where a patient or guest was intentionally violent or threatening, I would attempt to de-escalate the situation, and if I were unable to, I would follow protocol, which I hope would include involving management and/or security. Never would I retaliate against a patient or family member, and I would be sure to follow the policy of the company."

22. 22.

    As clinical healthcare professionals, we have all been in situations where we have developed special bonds with patients and their families. Explain how you handle such situations when these patients face difficult diagnoses or unexpectedly pass away.

    How to Answer

    Because nurses spend so much time caring for their patients and their families, many times, they develop special bonds and relationships with these individuals. The bonds that nurses form with their patients are also formed due to the sincere empathy that nurses naturally possess. Many times, when patients are facing a difficult medical diagnosis or are at the end of their lives, it can be difficult for nurses, since they have created these personal bonds with their patients. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how you would react in such a situation. The expected response would be for the nurse to offer the family their support and condolences and allow the family privacy to grieve. The candidate should avoid providing an example of when they became overly emotional in the presence of family members.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "Working in the inpatient section of a cancer center, this is, unfortunately, something I have dealt with many times in my career. I always strive to build relationships with my patients and their family members, as I find this makes them feel more comfortable and at ease in a very difficult situation. However, because I develop these personal connections, it is often devastating for me when things do not go well for the patient, and I see them and their family members upset. In these types of situations, I first give the patient and/or family, depending on the situation, a bit of time to be with one another. Then, I stop in and ask if they need anything and offer my condolences. I also provide information on community resources, if needed. It is my job to support the family and not make the situation harder on them, so if I find myself becoming emotional, I step into a private staff-only area and take a few seconds to compose myself."

23. 23.

    Describe a time you effectively handled a hostile patient or family situation? What was the outcome?

    How to Answer

    It is important to always remember that patients and families are under a lot of stress, and there is a difference between an angry patient or family member and a threatening one. It is difficult to handle or deal with patients or families that are frustrated with care, particularly when it is care that you've performed. Handling an emotional situation intelligently is difficult to do, but very worthwhile, as it improves patient outcomes. In general, it's always best to remain in the situation and speak professionally with warmth and authenticity. People begin to heal when they feel heard, and most people begin to lessen intensity when they feel their concerns are being taken seriously. When a patient or family member verbalizes being upset, the best thing to do is to stay in that space and let them begin to tell their story, without interruption or defensiveness, as long as you feel safe. Once you understand a little about what they are concerned about, ask some clarifying questions so that you know how to best elevate the concern or handle it. Pay attention to your body language, stay calm, and look for a win-win situation.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I was working on a medical-surgical floor and a patient had gone to surgery. The patient's family member was waiting in the room. The surgery took longer than expected and crossed shift change. The morning shift left and I was not aware that the patient's family did not know of any updates. I was preparing my medications when I could hear the family member's elevated voice from the room. She was on the phone talking in a panicked voice telling someone that something was terribly wrong. I knocked on the door and asked if I could help her. She asked where her nurse was, and I told her that I was the new nurse. She was terribly upset that the other nurse did not give her an update. I told her that I would call the recovery room for an update and did so, and was instructed that the patient was in recovery and would be there a while. I told the family member, who was visibly relieved. I also ordered a tray from the cafeteria for the family member and took it to her, as she had been worried and waiting all day and she was grateful."

24. 24.

    What is the best way to handle a patient who is refusing their medications?

    How to Answer

    Most often, patients have the right to refuse their medication. As difficult as it is to accept their decision, it is their right in most instances to refuse. However, it is your responsibility to assure they are knowledgeable about the medications and possible consequences if they miss a dose or stop taking it altogether. Your job as a nurse is not to convince them to take their medications, but to make certain they understand and are informed as to why the medication is necessary and what may happen if they refuse. If there is anything you can do to aid in educating the patient, be sure to do it. If language is a barrier, an interpreter should be provided. Consider if the patient is confused or if they simply don't understand the need. If they do refuse, your job will then be to document refusal and the rationale for the patient's refusal, as well as your attempt to educate and inform.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I worked with a patient who had just started on an SSRI a couple days prior, and she stated she didn't want to take it because it didn't work, and it was making her nauseated. Being that I understand that it takes at least 4 weeks for this type of medication to work, and sometimes patients experience temporary side effects before the desired effect, I was able to explain that to her in a way she could understand, and she was much more willing to comply."

25. 25.

    Your patient’s family brought too many boxes of candy, and the patient wants you to take the unopened one. How do you handle this scenario?

    How to Answer

    Nurses are highly respected as ethical professionals and have been voted the most ethical profession for 15 years in a row. It's not an ethical practice to accept gifts from patients, no matter how small or tasty. Nurses have to uphold ethical boundaries and maintain that trust. The patient is vulnerable and in the nurses' care, so the nurse should not accept personal gifts. The best way to handle the situation is to have the ethical standard to thank the patient for the thought, and to decline the offer, with the explanation that it would not be ethical to accept. The family or patient could offer it to the nursing manager of the floor for all the nurses to enjoy, but that would be a management decision on the nurse manager's part.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I would politely decline any offers of gifts, no matter how small, as I feel that nurses should have solid, ethical standards. Patients are vulnerable and in our care, and to take something from them could be seen as taking advantage of them. They could be medicated, stressed, or afraid. I think it's best to have a policy that nurses do not accept gifts from patients. I would be sure to thank them for the offer and explain the reason why I could not accept, but further express how grateful I was for their appreciation of my service and work."

26. 26.

    How do you prioritize tasks when things on the unit get unexpectedly fast moving?

    How to Answer

    Nursing is always a dynamic environment and changes should be expected. For that reason, nurses should come to work prepared for the day, which includes arriving on time and being well-nourished and well-rested. Running in late, brewing coffee before report, and not being mentally prepared can put a nurse behind in their day before the day gets started. A nurse prioritizes their day before stepping on the unit. That being said, during report that same nurse triages patients and makes a mental grid of the tasks of the day. He or she prioritizes the most important tasks for each of their patients, and front loads the day to get the bulk of them done so that there is wiggle room later in the day for unexpected and new priority tasks. Great nurses collaborate with peers, delegate when possible and necessary, and ask for help, when needed.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I don't always know what kind of day I'll have exactly, but I can expect that I am going to be busy! For that reason, I prepare for my day the night before, so I am not rushed or hurried or forget anything. I even pack my lunch the night before. I always arrive on the unit about 15 minutes early, so that I have a chance to round with the nurse who's leaving and triage my day. During report, I highlight the most important thing for each patient's morning and afternoon, and that's the first thing I tend to. It could be blood work, testing, IV change, reports of increased pain, etc. I always do a quick check-in with each patient before I start my morning med pass and review their schedule with them. Being organized really helps me be efficient, which frees up time if I unexpectedly need it."

27. 27.

    Describe a time when you did not communicate well, either in writing or verbally. What was the outcome and how did you handle it?

    How to Answer

    Great nursing care depends on great communication. It's often said in nursing, 'If it is not written, it wasn't done'. Documenting in the medical record is a legal entry which can be used in court, so learning how to communicate succinctly, correctly, legibly, and timely is extremely important. Oral communication is equally as important and can be muddied with body language, colloquialisms, slang, dialect, accents, and even volume. By definition, effective communication is the process of exchanging knowledge and information in a way that its purpose or intention is understood by the receiver.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "When I first became a nurse, I was nervous and probably too chatty and talked way too fast. I remember one patient just looking at me and nodding her head. She was an elderly woman and a little confused at times, and she was saying she didn't like the pink pill. I smiled and chatted over her and just really didn't stop to hear her, and she always took the pink pill so I didn't think anything about it. I was encouraging her to take her pills when her daughter spoke up and said, 'I think the doctor discontinued the Prozac which was the pink pill today!' My patient was trying to tell me something about her pill and because I didn't listen closely, I almost made a medication error! I didn't make the error, but I still reported the incident to my nursing supervisor as a near miss. The doctor had just left the room and had not entered the order yet, but I still should have listened to my patient. I apologized to her and her daughter, but I learned an important lesson that day, and that is to talk less and listen more to my patients."

28. 28.

    Tell me about a time where you developed empathy by stepping into a patient's shoes?

    How to Answer

    Illness can impact a life dramatically and sometimes changes everything for a patient. Sometimes the patient is confused, depressed, terrified, or very anxious about perceived life changes. It is not enough to simply provide excellent physical care. Nurses are sometimes the 'safe' person who the individual can trust to express their fear, shame, hopelessness, depression or whatever. A great nurse is someone who has worked on learning emotional competence and is able to hold space for that individual by listening and providing solid action steps towards some kind of assistance.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "When I was a student in the emergency room, a young child was brought in who was hit by a falling branch at daycare. He looked perfect and uninjured, but the CT scan revealed a crushed skull with very little hope of any kind of recovery. He was laying on the gurney looking like a perfect angel sleeping, and the mother was not hearing the doctor's dire prognosis. She was screaming and crying and sobbing, and it was as agonizing to hear as I'm sure it was for her to feel. I was a student nurse and could have slipped away from that pain, but for some reason I stayed, despite my strong desire to go anywhere else. The team started working on the child, leaving the parent frightened and wailing in the corner. I stepped up next to her and just touched her arm. She clung to me and on that day, I realized the true essence of nursing."

29. 29.

    Explain your decision making process when you are challenged with a novel or challenging situation in nursing.

    How to Answer

    Nurse interviewees should answer behaviorally-based questions using the S-T-A-R approach. Be sure to describe the situation, task, action, and results of the scenario being questioned. The best answer to any question concerning nursing decision making should include the S-T-A-R approach and a nursing process such at S-O-A-P-I-E-R, or Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Plan-Intervention-Evaluation-Reassessment.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "When I am faced with something challenging, like something I've never attempted before, I ask myself if the task is within the scope of my nursing practice and if I am competent to perform the task. If I can answer these two questions, I review the policy and procedure manual for the correct technique. If I cannot answer these questions confidently, I ask for supervision and assistance. I apply the nursing process, when applicable. I always go back and review my choice and ask for feedback from my supervisor."

30. 30.

    Nursing can be extremely stressful. What do you think your personality strengths are in regards to handling the stress of nursing?

    How to Answer

    Nurses experience long, demanding, and sometimes exhausting shifts. Interviewers ask questions that allow the prospective job candidate to showcase their emotional and personality strengths. The interviewer is seeking a candidate with honesty, candor, and emotional and psychological resilience. The interviewer is not looking for a smooth and polished answer, but rather an authentic answer that is unique to the candidate and illustrates their best qualities.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I am easy going, but I'm not a pushover. I work well on a team, but I make up my own mind about things. I think that's important because I must work within the constraints of my nursing license. I am very inquisitive and asks lots of questions, which makes me a better nurse, I think!"

31. 31.

    Describe a time you set a goal for yourself and achieved it. What did you do to ensure that you met your goal?

    How to Answer

    Nurse interviewers like candidates who set goals and accomplish them. The rationale for asking this question is to gain insight into how the candidate's mind works when problem solving. This is a great time to showcase your problem solving skills. For example, if you lost weight and got in shape, the ideal answer would have the elements of being coachable, listening to guidance, developing a plan that was S-M-A-R-T, and perhaps reverse engineering your goal. This is not the time to say you bought meal replacement shakes and drank Red Bull all day to boost your metabolism, or that you starved yourself. This is the time to outline the process and commitment that led to your success.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "When I have an important goal, I like to break it down into baby steps or smaller pieces. Then, I feel accomplished when I achieve each smaller goal and this allows for opportunities to adjust my bigger goal, if needed. If I have to lose weight for my friend's wedding, I get a calendar and count the days and break it up into weeks. If I have 12 weeks and a goal weight, then I know that I have to lose a certain amount each week to stay on track. Every week I weigh myself, and if I did not make my target, then I review my plan and course correct. I do this with all my projects. I consider the time it will take, the equipment, and whatever else. I try to find someone who is already doing it well and take their advice. I figure that once I get better, I can listen to myself a little more, but in the beginning, I follow someone else's advice who has already achieved the goal."

32. 32.

    Tell me about a successful team project that you've collaborated on. What was your role?

    How to Answer

    Answering this question is an opportunity to showcase that you can work on a team and collaborate with others for good outcomes. Explaining your role and how it came about allows the interviewer to see a different facet of your abilities. A team leader is assigned in most teams. If you are typically the leader, explain what skills you have that allow for effective leadership. If not, you could elaborate on why you were not chosen or why you didn't volunteer. Your answer should illustrate cooperation, collaboration, and a willingness to contribute to add value.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I served on the safety committee when I worked at the nursing home, and it was made up of a team of nurses that represented the different units. We had a team leader who was appointed by the director, but we were all in charge of presenting our individual units' safety concerns and ideas. I learned a ton of new ideas and ways to think about safety when I was on that committee. I think we did great individual work for our unit, but more importantly, great collective work for the nursing home."

33. 33.

    Would you call yourself a team player? How do you handle yourself when you disagree with the team consensus on how to handle a situation?

    How to Answer

    This is a tricky question that deserves a thoughtful answer. Many times, nurses work in a team environment, but they remain responsible for working within the scope of their nurse practice act. Interviewers certainly do not want a maverick individual who will butt heads with everyone, but they also do not want an individual who will be swayed by group think. So, the answer provided should be one that showcases both a willingness to work as a team and a determination to independently do the right thing for your license and hospital, as well as the patient.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "When it comes to taking care of my patients, I assume full responsibility for the care I provide. However, I try to be flexible when it comes to working within a larger team. For example, our unit director took a staff poll for Christmas scheduling, with one of the options being that everyone rotate 4 hour shifts on the major holidays. I really wanted to the 8-hour option, with less overall holidays, but the majority wanted the 4-hr shifts. I was disappointed but grateful that my nursing leadership tried to accommodate everyone's suggestions and allow everyone input. While I was disappointed I had to work on Christmas, our shift made the best of it and everyone brought in their favorite cookie to swap."

34. 34.

    You are very busy and a bit overwhelmed with your daily tasks, but it is time for your morning team huddle. What do you do?

    How to Answer

    The interviewer is asking this question to assess the emphasis the candidate places on the team in which they work. While the candidate may be busy and overwhelmed, it is still important that they attend the 10-minute team huddle to debrief with their team members, unless there is an emergency and they cannot attend the huddle. During the huddle, a couple of things may happen - other team members may be able to help the candidate with their work, or, the candidate may learn that everyone on the team is extremely busy, and they need to redistribute work. To effectively answer this question, you should indicate that you would take time to attend the team huddle, despite being overwhelmed.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "I would make sure all my patients were properly cared for and then attend the team huddle. It is my understanding that huddle meetings are very short and are important for team updates, so I would make it a priority to attend. And, if I were so overwhelmed that I felt I was at capacity, a huddle meeting is where I could express my concerns and let it be known that I may need help. I know that nursing can be overwhelming at times, but it is important to remember that we are all part of a team and attending daily huddle meetings is very important."

35. 35.

    You are a floor nurse in your unit and have close relationships with several of your colleagues. When your supervisor goes on vacation, she appoints you to be in charge. How do you approach supervising the nursing staff in your unit?

    How to Answer

    Oftentimes, when a nursing supervisor is out on vacation, sick, or personal leave, they will appoint someone from their staff to serve as acting supervisor in their absence. While serving as acting supervisor, it is important for a nurse to treat their colleagues fairly and put any personal relationships they have with their coworkers aside. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how the candidate would respond in this situation and if the candidate would treat all their colleagues equally. To effectively answer this question, you should indicate that you would put all personal relationships with your coworkers aside while you are acting as supervisor and treat everyone fairly. A more successful answer to this question would include an example of how you effectively served as acting supervisor of a nursing unit during your career.
    
    

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Kelly Burlison wrote: "If I was serving as acting supervisor, I would set any and all relationships I had with my peers aside and treat everyone the same. I have been in this situation before, where I have stood in for my manager while she was on vacation, and I found that the only way to be successful and fair, was to compartmentalize everything while in charge. It can be a difficult situation to be in, as sometimes your work friends want you to make special concessions for them, but in order to be fair, you can't do that. So, in this situation, I would make it clear that I am not their friend, I am their supervisor, and I am going to follow the rules as stated in the handbook, for everyone."