Master 25 Clinical Nurse Specialist interview questions covering evidence-based practice, leadership, and patient outcomes.
Question 21 of 25
Entry Level
Experienced
How to Answer
Example Answer
Community Answers

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I can work with pretty much anyone. If we don't see eye to eye, I will work to find common ground."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I enjoy the people I work with and can get along with anyone. I have made some of my closest friends from different hospitals which I have worked. I know how important harmonious relationships in the hospital are for not only camaraderie but also for accomplishing optimum result for our patients."

Heather Douglass has over 20 years of experience as a Career Coach, Recruiter, and HR Specialist. Much of her experience is as a Technical Recruiter in the healthcare industry.
The interviewer wants to gauge if you can maintain healthy relationships in the workplace. They want to know more about the dynamics with your coworkers. Think about what you enjoyed about some of your relationships with past coworkers. Excellent communication, sense of humor, and support are all great qualities that make co-worker relationships healthy and harmonious.

Heather Douglass has over 20 years of experience as a Career Coach, Recruiter, and HR Specialist. Much of her experience is as a Technical Recruiter in the healthcare industry.
"I get along great with my coworkers. I try to maintain a positive attitude and be supportive, whether I am offering to assist someone who is overwhelmed, or if I am taking time to listen to someone who is having a bad day."
Write Your Answer
0 - Character Count
Anonymous Answer
I enjoy the people I work with and can get along with co-workers. I try t maintain a positive attitude within the team. I pay attention and spend time listening and speaking to my team members. I will work to find common ground.

Rachelle's Feedback
These are all terrific ways to build rapport and maintain good relationships with coworkers. If you'd like to elevate your response from 'telling' to 'showing AND telling,' I recommend adding a story-based example in the end. I have provided a starter for you below.
"I enjoy the people I work with and can get along with most co-workers. I do this by maintaining a positive attitude for my team. I pay attention to my co-workers and spend time listening to them speak. I also work to find common ground. One example of my relationship-building skills is when...(give a brief story-based example using STAR)."
Anonymous Answer
When given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of job interviews in the past, I like to ask the panel of interviewers (if they're working in an adjacent role to the one I'm interviewing for) what it is they enjoy most about their position. I listen for indications of camaraderie and teamwork in the workplace; it is important to me that I am exuding an inclusionary and supportive vibe to all of my colleagues and it is encouraging to hear from the interviewers that they work in an environment where this type of enrichment is at the forefront - on the basis of both working morale and the goal of improving patient health outcomes through cohesion and coordinated efforts.

Amanda's Feedback
I think I can see where you're headed here, but this question is trying to get at how you get along with your current coworkers rather than how you discover from an interviewer what another potential work environment is like. But you're right in that collaboration, between physicians and nurses, sharing responsibilities for solving problems, and making decisions that facilitate optimal patient care is a must. So, consider taking your answer a step further to tell the interviewer what you do other than take a collaborative approach to get along. How do you build trust, successfully resolve conflict, or encourage others?
Unlock expert responses that healthcare systems use to evaluate advanced practice candidates.
Get StartedJump to Question

Written by Rachelle Enns
25 Questions & Answers • Clinical Nurse Specialist

By Rachelle

By Rachelle