How would your clinical peers or leaders describe you?
This question provides the interviewer with insight into your self-awareness and allows you to speak about what you feel your greatest strengths are. Think about feedback that you've gotten from your nursing instructor, your nursing peers, or other clinical team members. Consider skills or qualities you may have seen in the job description that would be desirable to the NHS; for example, being a team player, reliable, effective communicator, problem-solver, detail-oriented, etc. Avoid sharing any negative habits or feedback.
"I think my instructor and peers would say that I'm focused on patient safety and reducing or eliminating nursing errors. They would tell you that I take every precaution when I work the nursing floor, ensuring I double-check names and medications, document carefully, and review documents, orders, and charts for accuracy. I'm always looking for discrepancies or areas where an error could be made. If I don't know the answer to something or I question something, I never guess or assume, but rather research it carefully to be sure I understand, so I'm not misguiding someone or giving inaccurate information that could harm them."
"My colleagues and managers have always recognized me as a team player. I take pride in this and strive to be as collaborative and supportive of the team as possible. They would say I am reliable and always willing to jump in and help when possible, whether it's a physician, another nurse, or support staff. We're often short-staffed, so if I can get ahead in my shift, I always go to my colleagues and offer to help pass meds, obtain patient vitals, or help chart to assist them with getting caught up. Nursing can be very stressful, but when you are a part of a team that you know works together and supports one another, it makes the job much easier. It also promotes a high level of quality care for our patients."
