How to Answer: Nursing can be very demanding at times. How do you prioritize when multiple patients seem to demand your attention at once?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Licensed Practical Nurse job interview.
11. Nursing can be very demanding at times. How do you prioritize when multiple patients seem to demand your attention at once?
How to Answer
Working in any medical unit or clinic comes with times where the task load is crazy. During these times, nurses are often the glue that holds everything together, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Talk about how you prioritize multiple patients or tasks, putting a spotlight on your problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 16th, 2020
Entry Level
"During my internship in an urgent care clinic, we had a hectic day where many patients were coming in due to widespread flu. In working with my preceptor, I learned how to communicate with patients effectively. His calmness in handling the situation was inspiring. Also, personally, during my final year of coursework in college, I was taking 18 credits each semester. During these semesters, I had to learn to prioritize my classwork by due dates and order of importance. By utilizing checklists and working through each thing one at a time, I learned invaluable skills that I will bring into my career as an LPN."
Written by Darby Faubion on January 22nd, 2019
Answer Example
"During busy times, I remember that the needs of the patient come first. My triage skills come into use to prioritize the order in which I provide patient care. It's critical to exercise good communication between myself, the physicians, and my patients. Once I have established a good line of communication, I remember to stay calm and handle patients with quality care and empathy one at a time."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 16th, 2020
Experienced
"One day, I was working a shift as an LPN in the emergency room. There were already several patients in the ER; then, we had a couple of other trauma cases come in, which were a high priority. When this happened, we had to work as a team to communicate with current patients who were waiting that an emergency had occurred and their wait times may be affected. In the end, being able to prioritize the patients and my duties were crucial in helping the day run smoothly."
Written by Darby Faubion on January 22nd, 2019