Tell me about an ethical dilemma you faced in the workplace and how you handled it.
The NHS places a high value on integrity in their day-to-day mission. It's not uncommon for ethical dilemmas in the workplace to occur from time to time, so speak openly about any relevant experiences you've had with this type of situation. Think carefully about your answer, as it will leave a strong impression. Demonstrate your ability to follow a company policy if applicable and your commitment to protecting patients, staff members, and the organisation. Give an example of how you've "done the right thing," even when it was difficult, and describe the outcome or impact it had.
"Before nursing school, I worked as a nursing assistant and faced an ethical dilemma relating to the incompetence of one of my coworkers. He was a really nice person, but he was not a quality nursing assistant. He often violated protocols on the shift and caused hardships for the rest of the staff. It was tough because I didn't want to get him in trouble, but I also knew the right thing to do was to address the behaviours for the safety of our patients and the health of our team. I tried talking to him one-on-one to remind him of handwashing protocols and minor issues, but he just brushed me off and said he knew what he was doing. When he began to break rules about how we safely lift patients and transfer those who require more than one person, I knew I had to report it to my supervisor immediately. I always want to show compassion and kindness to my colleagues, but when they make decisions that endanger patients, other staff, or the company, I have to speak up, even when it's uncomfortable. The supervisor addressed the issues with him, and shortly after, he ended up resigning."
"When I worked at the care home with nursing, an ethical dilemma that I frequently faced was family members who didn't want their loved one to have certain medical information or diagnosis information and asked us not to tell them or to lie about it. I always followed my belief that my duty of care was to the patient, not the family, and patients have a right to their health information so they can make informed decisions about their care and treatment. If it were a case where a family asked me to wait to tell them something until they were present, I would consult with the physician to see if they were on board as long as the delay wouldn't harm the patient. I would never outright lie to a patient about their diagnosis."
Unlock all 30 NHS Band 5 Staff Nurse questions
Master NHS values-based questions and clinical scenario responses that panels expect.
Get Started