25 NHS Band 7 Theatre Nurse Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our NHS Band 7 Theatre Nurse interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 10 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Discuss your overall experience in the surgical setting and how this will help you as a Band 7 theatre nurse.
How to Answer
As a Band 7 theatre nurse, your position will include working with patients during the preoperative, anesthesia, surgical, and recovery phases of their operation and procedure. This is very hands-on and highly skilled work, so your interviewer wants to hear you thoroughly discuss any nursing experience you have in this realm throughout your career. While they can likely see your overall experience from your CV, this is the time for you to elaborate on any experience you have in surgical preparation, assessing patients before procedures, preparing surgical equipment, and first assisting in the operating room.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"As you can see from my CV, my career has progressed over time from a Band 5 nurse as a new graduate to where I'm at today as a band 7 nurse. My experience has been very well-rounded, capped off over the last four years in a private eye clinic. In this role, my Ophthalmologist typically performs procedures two days per week and I spend most days with him in the OR. My duties here have included prepping patients for their procedures through the administration of eye drops and other things. I also am bedside during procedures to aid in instrumentation and anesthesia administration. In this role, I feel my experience will bode well as I come aboard with a lot more to learn."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
2. How do you keep yourself up to date and educated in the nursing profession? And why do you feel this will continue to be important as a Band 7 Theatre Nurse?
How to Answer
Maintaining and further developing direct nursing skills will be important for you as a Band 7 Theatre Nurse because direct patient care will still be a big part of the role. Your interviewer wants to get the sense that you stay actively involved in training opportunities and participate in any of the larger societies and groups for nurses. Talk openly about how you embrace furthering your own knowledge to help in your career and pay special attention to anything you do to further your skills in the operating theatre.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've been actively involved in the British Nursing Association and the Association for Perioperative Practice. In recent years, I've made it a priority to attend the AfPP national conference because it is a great opportunity to talk with other theatre nurses, hear great presentations, and learn about new equipment and technologies in the industry. I also really enjoy the Journal of Perioperative Practice for its literature reviews and research-based articles because I'm very interested in new studies to better patient care. As your next Band 7 theatre nurse, I will continue to participate in these associations and urge that my staff will as well."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
3. How would you handle conflicts among two nurses on this operating theatre team?
How to Answer
Conflicts among nurses in any setting can happen for many reasons, but the results of the conflict can impact both patient safety and department morale. One of your duties as a Band 7 Theatre Nurse will be managing conflict among team members fairly and swiftly to ensure that the overall operations of the team aren't jeopardized. As you put some thought into your own style of conflict management, make sure to reiterate to your interviewer that you would always foster open communication and find a solution that works for all to keep the team working cohesively and ensure patient care never suffers.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Over my years in nursing, I've witnessed firsthand how things like personality differences and personal stressors can cause conflict among nurses on a team and the negative impacts these conflicts can have. If two of my theatre nurses were having a workplace conflict in my time as a Band 7 theatre nurse here, I would be very direct and involved in ensuring that the conflict was discussed and settled with a compromise moving forward. I never hesitate to have these difficult conversations and think it's most important to ensure that things are talked through. I know that all nurses are passionate about their work and this passion leads to conflict at times. But what's most important is refocusing that passion on the patients, who truly are the ones that matter in the work that we do."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
4. What role do you feel you would play in nurse retention on the unit?
How to Answer
Staff turnover rates in the NHS trusts have increased significantly in recent years and your interviewer is well aware of this fact. Knowing that the most common factors for nurses leaving their jobs include burnout, the organization's level of care for patients, and staff mental health, your interviewer wants to hear what role a Band 7 Nurse plays in their operating theatre to ensure retention of highly skilled staff. To successfully answer a question like this, try to highlight your ability to create an engaging and motivating work atmosphere. Also, make sure to touch on the importance of making people feel welcomed into an atmosphere that is open to dialogue on how to improve and allowing staff to feel a great work-life balance.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"This is a great question and one I've put a lot of thought into in looking to obtain a promotion to a Band 7 level role. I've certainly felt the impact of high turnover in recent years, having to work short-staffed all too often. Your operating theatre has some of the most well-trained and highly qualified nurses in the industry and retaining them will always be a top priority for me. Part of my role will be to build a workplace culture where the thoughts and ideas of staff are heard, so they feel engaged in decision-making and problem-solving within the department. I also am a firm believer in regular touchpoints with staff to gauge their workload and overall stress on the job. I would always be a proponent of fair work scheduling to help avoid burnout at all costs."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
5. How would you approach giving a difficult performance review to a member of your nursing team?
How to Answer
As you have learned throughout your career up to this point, nursing teams are cohesive, family-like units. This overall culture and nature of the profession can be difficult for Band 7 Nurses when it comes time for a critical performance review of staff. If you have never been involved in the performance review writing process, some things you want to think about prior to your interview are your ability to be fair and honest, with a focus on helping the employee improve. If you have experience in the performance review process from your work in the past, discuss what you learned that you would bring to the Band 7 Theatre Nurse role.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"In these situations, it is always best for the organization, the operating theatre team, and the individual employee to be as accurate as possible in writing the review and delivering it to the nursing staff member. My work would start with my documentation on where the employee is lagging so I could provide factual information to them. When it came time to deliver the review, my approach would be to discuss both the positive and negative aspects of their work, and then look to have an open dialogue about how improvements can and need to be made. As a Band 7 nurse on the unit, it would be my responsibility to then coach the nurse and ensure that all goals along the way were reached. I want to be clear that, in cases where safety and regulatory compliance weren't compromised, my approach to the employee would be positive and encouraging."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
6. What leadership style would you bring as our next nurse?
How to Answer
No matter if you're looking to be promoted to the Band 7 level or have been working there for years, the team that is considering hiring you will want to know what type of leader you will be on their team. Since the role will likely involve overseeing a team of nurses in the operating theatre setting, some skills and leadership qualities you want to discuss having are the ability to build a team atmosphere, solid decision-making skills, high emotional intelligence, and a high degree of professionalism. This question also allows you to elaborate on any direct leadership experience you would bring to the role, so be sure to discuss any that you have.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I would be a servant leader because of my ability to nurture, develop, and foster great relationships among a team and prioritize skill development among my team. The operating theatre needs a strong Band 7 nurse to ensure that a team is high functioning and I'm confident that I am the right candidate for this position. In recent years, I have been a charge nurse and have been given the opportunity to lead shifts in this setting. I've developed skills in conflict resolution and problem-solving that will be beneficial for me in this role."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
7. Are you able to meet all of required work hours as our next Band 7 theatre nurse?
How to Answer
Full-time hours for theatre nurses can include early start times, nights/evenings, weekends, and holidays. Further, Band 7 Nurses in this setting may be required to work additional hours due to their supervisory duties. Before your interview, be sure to thoroughly read through the job description so you have a good feel for the required hours. Then come prepared to highlight your overall availability while being as open and honest as possible. If you do have any personal/family conflicts, now is the best time to mention them so your interviewer can consider them accordingly if you emerge as their top candidate.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Yes, I'm really excited about the opportunity to work more standard day shift operating theatre hours and I also have a lot of flexibility to start shifts early and be in the OR late in the evenings and on weekends. In my family situation, my spouse works from home and is able to handle family duties with our children when needed. My current position schedules out a month, so we are able to plan ahead. Can you elaborate more on how scheduling works for this position and all of the theatre nurses here?"
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
8. What would be your approach to diversity and inclusion as our next Band 7 theatre nurse?
How to Answer
As the largest healthcare provider in the UK, the NHS serves a very diverse patient base. The organization itself has a very thorough and detailed equality, diversity, and inclusion improvement plan that you can read up on prior to your interview. It will be important for your interviewer to hear that you embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and that you'll continue to do so as their next Band 7 theatre nurse. Pull from your experience how you've specifically embraced working with and caring for people from all different backgrounds. Then ensure your interviewer is aware that you will always be culturally sensitive with any patient you are caring for.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I treat every patient and colleague as a person and always put myself in their shoes and do for them as I would want done to me. These are values that were instilled in me by my parents growing up and I would carry forward as a Band 7 theatre nurse. I would continue to embrace the NHS's culture of addressing discrimination among my team and holding staff accountable for inclusion initiatives here. I think my coaching and experiences would be beneficial in this role here. Over the last nine years of my career, I've cared for patients of Polish, Indian, Italian, Portuguese, and Pakistani descent to name a few. No matter what a patient's background was, I looked to understand their needs and the best way to care for them no matter what."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
9. During you career as a nurse, have you taken a part in any extra projects or initiatives outside of direct patient care?
How to Answer
Whether you will be a brand new Band 7 nurse or are an experienced Band 7 nurse looking to join this operating theatre team, being open to and ready to participate in bigger work projects involving quality, patient care, and hospital administration will be important to your interviewer. This will be the time for you to further elaborate on any projects you have been involved with throughout your career, so take advantage of it. Some keys to impressing your interviewer will be to discuss what you learned from those teams and your future desire to help lead the department and institution to greater things.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Yes, I certainly have! Over the last three years, I've been on our hospital's quality council and have been so happy to represent our entire nursing team. As part of this council, I work with administrative and consultant leaders on new initiatives for quality improvement regarding patient care. I'm a leader on this council who always gains insight from my nursing colleagues and brings issues and concerns to the table. My colleagues appreciate my openness and honesty, while also being flexible. I'm really looking forward to the chance to take on other projects and leadership council work as your next Band 7 theatre nurse."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
10. Have you ever committed an error in your work as a nurse or been part of a team that did? If so, how did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
Accountability for the direction and actions of the nursing staff in the operating theatre is a key duty for Band 7 nurses. It will be important that your interviewer knows that you will be held accountable at all times and that you will hold your team accountable as well. Don't take the easy way out and say that you've never been part of any error or mistake in your work, because your interviewer will see right through that. In the example you give, you want to ensure that you describe what the situation was, why the error occurred, the action you took to make it right, and what you learned from that situation that you brought forward in your career and will bring to this role.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"A few years ago, I made a documentation error in a patient's e-chart that was thankfully later caught by the nurse who relieved me on the next shift. She called me at home to go over the information I put in the record, and I had put the prescription dosage from another patient on the unit in the record. I immediately reported the error to my charge nurse over the phone, and he okayed my colleague to correct it. After reflecting on the situation that night, I should have charted each patient while seeing them and not waiting to chart them all after I saw multiple patients. It was too easy to misremember information and this is a mistake that I will never make again moving forward. I'm a firm believer in personal accountability because my colleagues and patients depend on it. As your next Band 7 theatre nurse, ensuring team accountability will always be something I stress."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
11. Patient advocacy and risk assessment are vital duties for our Band 7 theatre nurse. How seriously do you take safety in your work?
How to Answer
Band 7 Nurses are charged with conducting in-depth risk assessments within their units. In the operating theatre, safety is of utmost importance and comes in many different forms. This question gives you the time to discuss how you've prioritized safety in the past, but it is also used so your interviewer can hear you discuss how you will prioritize safety in this role specifically. Your answer should highlight any formal safety training you've received as a nurse and things you've done in the past to ensure a safe environment for both patients and your colleagues. Then discuss why safety is important in the operating theatre setting, and make sure to briefly include touching on things like sterile tools and properly functioning equipment as part of that process.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Having the best interest of the patient and my colleagues is always a top priority for me. From hand washing and scrubbing into operating rooms to ensuring I am well rested and ready for each shift, I'm able to ensure that every patient I encounter is free from outside illnesses and I am always on top of my game with them. If I were to become a Band 7 theatre nurse here, I fully realize that I would be responsible for the safety of the entire unit, and my first step would be to always lead by example. Teaching and showing the importance of being detailed in all of our work will always be important, as will always ensuring that equipment is tested before each case."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
12. How would the patients you've worked with throughout your career describe you?
How to Answer
While the job of a Band 7 Theatre Nurse will hold ultimate responsibility for the performance of the nursing team in the unit and the overall delivery of care there, direct patient care is still an essential part of the job. In posing this question, your interviewer is giving you the chance to describe the care you provide and they do so by asking you to step into the shoes of your patients. This is a great time to pull from direct feedback you've received in the past from your patients, NHS surveys, or your colleagues. Make sure to highlight how your skills and personality traits on the job will benefit you as a Band 7 Theatre Nurse.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've always been commended by patients for my ability to listen intently to them and put them at ease when they are in pain or need. In more recent NHS patient surveys, several patients have called out my nurturing care of post-op recovery and my director brought those comments to me directly. My commitment to patient care is something I will be proud to bring to this role as a Band 7 theatre nurse."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
13. Talk about a time when you were proud of your care team. Why do you think this level of pride will be important in this nursing role?
How to Answer
As a Band 7 Nurse in the operating theatre, you will be leading teams in complex and potentially life-saving procedures. Natural leaders in the role will take a great sense of pride and celebrate great outcomes in difficult situations, so your interviewer wants to hear you elaborate on your ability to take pride in team efforts. In the example you give, highlight the entire situation your team faced and then walk through the full effort that was undertaken to provide a great result. Make sure to give the sense that pride will be an important part of your work as a Band 7 Theatre Nurse.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"This is a great question and my answer is going to come from a time that I think about often in my work. Around five years ago, a patient didn't survive a very risky operation. Going into surgical prep with the patient, some members of my team were meeting with the family to let them know of all the risks involved with the surgery and reiterating the medical necessity for survival. After the patient passed, the surgeon and I met with the patient's family and we did everything we could to help them cope with the situation. Knowing that some of the family had traveled a great distance, my care team stepped up to help them find hotel accommodations for the night and to get them food in our hospital chapel. In the weeks that followed, we received a very nice care package on our unit and a beautiful thank you letter from the family. While a very unfortunate situation, it goes to show that a team effort filled with empathy can make even the most difficult situations warming to people."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
14. Working in the operating theatre setting requires a great deal of attention to detail and the ability to multi-task. What do you do to help keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed in your work?
How to Answer
Band 7 theatre nurses will always be balancing many responsibilities with their staff and with direct care of patients. This will include ensuring that the team of nurses on the unit is properly staffed in the OR, surgical prep, and recovery units, all while maintaining the regular clinical duties that they have for the particular day. With this question, your interviewer is ultimately trying to hear how you are able to successfully manage a large workload and do so while maintaining your mental sanity. The best way to answer a question like this is to talk about a time when your daily shifts were overwhelming and discuss how you worked through the day with ease. Make sure to highlight the way you communicate and use tools to keep yourself organized and on track in your work.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I think my track record as a nurse for the last eight years speaks volumes to my ability to manage a large inpatient patient load, while more recently also juggling being a shift leader as a Band 6 nurse. I look back to the pandemic year when hospitals were overflowing with patients all over the UK. The unit I was on at that time was no different for over 8 months. Days were long and beds were full, but my mindset was to always focus on one patient at a time and provide the best care possible to them. If work became backed up, I made sure to huddle with any teammates I could to make a plan of attack with the patients. This experience helped me greatly as I look to join your team as your next Band 7 theatre nurse."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
15. Talk about a time when you had to deal with a significant change in your work procedures or in your workplace. How did you handle that change?
How to Answer
On top of healthcare industry changes that occur due to regulations and innovation, Band 7 nurses are tasked with quality improvement initiatives. Your interviewer will fully expect you to embrace and champion change as their next Band 7 theatre nurse. Try to think about the most major workplace change you have had to handle during your career and come ready to discuss how you worked through the change with an open mind, a great attitude, and a positive end result. To further your answer here, be sure to discuss the communication skills you used throughout this process.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Last year, the organization I work for implemented MedRight as our new EMR. A lot of staff were very scared and worried about switching, but I took it upon myself to learn the benefits of the new system and be proactive about discussing those benefits with our team. When it came time to train and convert existing data over to it before going live, I was always willing to lend a helping hand and show others on my team along the way. As a Band 7 theatre nurse, you will always be able to count on me to maintain this same positive attitude during change moving forward."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
16. What do you feel would be your biggest initial weakness on the job?
How to Answer
Candidates for this role as an NHS Band 7 theatre nurse can come from a variety of different backgrounds and your interviewer knows that every candidate will come with their own set of unique weaknesses. They're hopeful to hear that you are self-aware of your biggest weakness and that you've put thought into overcoming it if hired for the job. If you are seeking a promotion from a Band 6 position, formally leading others in the medical care setting may be new to you. If you list this as a weakness, be sure to highlight any informal leadership experiences and any formal training you've received. Perhaps the theatre nursing setting will be new to you. If so, be sure to discuss how your prior experiences and skills you've developed will help you overcome that.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"In looking at opportunities for a promotion to a Band 7 level nurse over the last six months, it was important for me to find a role in the operating theatre as that's where I've grown my career to this point. This opportunity seems like such a great opportunity for me and one I'd be able to step into and have success from day one. I fully understand that my perceived weakness is being a new Band 7 nurse and I would have to say that is the one weakness I would have. However, over the last four years, I have been responsible for overseeing day shifts in our operating theatre with a team of up to six nurses at a time. I've learned great skills in delegating work and making critical decisions. If I'm fortunate enough to be offered this position, I would plan to spend a large portion of my orientation focusing on getting up to speed on budgeting processes, recruitment of new staff, and how training is administered to both current and new staff. I'm excited to take on this challenge and know I can succeed!"
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
17. What are some of the first things you'd like to accomplish in this role?
How to Answer
Interviewers in the NHS setting need to know that people they are considering hiring have thoughts on what they'd like to accomplish during their initial weeks on the job. This shows that they've put real thought into the job and are committed to it. Since Band 7 nurses manage a team of other nurses and oversee their work, part of your answer should entail getting to know your entire new team to build great rapport with them. On top of that, learning a new leadership process at the institution you are interviewing with will be important in your initial days on the job. Then, as you venture into the theatre nursing field, becoming comfortable and familiar with the new setting you will be joining will be an important first step as well.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I've had some opportunity to think about this before the interview and I firmly believe that my first goal should be to spend some one-on-one time with all of the staff I would be managing. As a new Band 7 nurse here, our working relationships will be essential to keeping a great workflow and patient outcomes in the operating and recovery rooms and I want to ensure that these get off to a great start from day one on the job. Since I have extensive experience as a theatre nurse, I still feel it would be very important for me to acclimate myself to new workflows and working in new operating rooms in my initial days on the job. During that time, I would want to spend some time with the surgeons as well for introduction."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
18. What do you believe sets you apart and makes you the best candidate?
How to Answer
As the natural progression of promotion in nursing, promotion to a Band 7 level is highly sought after in the field. If you are among a pool of highly qualified candidates for the Theatre Nurse role, your interviewer may pose this question to allow you to give your best sales pitch on yourself. This is the time for you to best match your qualifications, your experiences, and your overall interest in taking the Band 7 theatre job to the next level. As you answer, try to exude both confidence and humbleness to truly impress your interviewer.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"First and foremost, I've dedicated the last four years of my career to learning and training more on becoming a clinical team leader and developing skills to oversee the work of a dynamic team of theatre nurses. I've completed management training courses as you can see from the transcripts I've submitted and have taken advantage of development opportunities in my current role. For the last two years, I've been training new staff that join our team and I absolutely love being this positive role model. On top of this, I also have a lot of experience in the operating room. This includes first assisting during operations, which I know is a skill you are looking for in your next Band 7 theatre nurse."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
19. Talk about a time you had to care for a patient that was irritable or angry. How did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
As a Band 7 theatre nurse, you will be working with patients in the OR setting who will be in all sorts of frames of mind heading into surgery. Knowing that some patients are downright in a foul mood, it will be important for your interviewer to get the sense that you can manage these patients in a compassionate manner. Think about a time you worked with an angry patient and used your communication and interpersonal skills to still make it a great experience for them. Then, as you answer, make sure to reiterate how these same skills will be important to you in the OR setting.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Just a few months ago, we had a patient that was in severe pain from a broken leg that was heading into emergency surgery. He was not happy with any of the surgical prep we were doing, and for good reason because of the pain he was in. Through the curse words he was throwing my way, I continued to maintain a calm voice and let him know every action I was taking to put him at ease. My thick skin that day was important in ensuring that he felt as minimal pain as possible and I'm confident that this skill I possess will benefit me greatly as a Band 7 theatre nurse. The next day, I was able to follow up with the patient and he was very apologetic for his words and thanked our entire care team for his successful surgery."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
20. Many nurses report experiencing "burn out" at some point in their careers. What do you do to help prevent this in your life?
How to Answer
Given the current state of healthcare around the globe, many studies prove that stress and burnout are very high among nurses. You are likely already aware of this fact as you've worked your way up to the Band 7 level of nursing. Theatre nurses are subjected to the additional stress of short staffing, high caseloads, and long work hours so your interviewer needs to be assured that you would come with the mental fortitude to keep your stress levels manageable. Your interviewer will be looking to hear how you destress and take care of your physical and mental health outside of work, so be sure to open up about that. Additionally, don't hesitate to discuss how you've been successful at preventing burnout up to this point in your career.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"To me, this all comes down to striking a balance between my work and personal life and doing so even when the hours get long. As a Band 6 nurse for the last eight years, I've worked long grueling days and have witnessed colleagues get to their breaking point. I have a very supportive and caring family, and time outside of work starts with them at all times. We love to stay physically fit by hiking and spending time outside. I find that this helps ease my mind from a tough day at work and refreshes me for my next shift. As a Band 7 theatre nurse on your team, I also want you to know that I would come with the ability to leave work issues at work when I walk out the door. I feel this is very important to maintaining that healthy work-life balance."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
21. Are there any types of colleagues that you have difficulty working with?
How to Answer
Band 7 nurses work among a team of clinical leaders, consultants, and administrators. Coupled with the fact that theatre nursing requires them to work alongside a strong operating team consisting of very strong personalities and workstyles, your interviewer needs to be assured that you will be able to collaborate with the strong individuals on their theatre team. This is the time to be honest about any personality or work styles that tend to clash with yours, but be sure to talk about how you can and have worked effectively with these types of people in the past and will moving forward as a Band 7 theatre nurse.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I've always prided myself on my ability to work effectively with the strongest and hard-nosed personalities through my time as a nurse. As a Band 5 nurse right out of school, I was thrust into a hospital setting with a very dynamic team of consultants and senior nurses. I learned quickly to listen intently, and speak up when needed and I was very respected for this attitude. The one type of colleague I would have to say that I most struggle with are those who don't hold themselves accountable for their actions. Having worked with colleagues like this in the past, I see no room for that on a healthcare team. Everyone makes mistakes and owning up to them is something I will always hold staff to as your next Band 7 theatre nurse."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
22. Have you ever been involved in a conflict with a consultant you were working with? If so, how did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
In just about any care setting, the nurse/consultant relationship can be tested based on several different things. This includes orders for a patient or how to proceed with care. As you are an experienced nurse interviewing for this position, your interviewer fully expects you to have had some sort of disagreement with a doctor in the past. Think about a time when you had a minor disagreement and clearly explain how you used your communication skills to be professional and keep the best interest of the patient in mind in the situation you were in. Further your response by letting your interviewer know that your working relationship was kept positive moving forward.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I have never had a major conflict or argument with any of the consultants I have worked with fortunately, but we have had professional discussions on the best care to provide for patients in the days that I was working with general practitioners. I remember one patient who was suffering from severe asthma and was also moderately obese. The GP was mainly focused on helping the patient with their obesity, thinking that the asthma would be reduced if they lost weight and got more in shape. I had a very frank discussion with the physician while the patient was still in the clinic that her asthma should not be overlooked. He thanked me for the discussion and immediately began further treatment for her there."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
23. A theatre nurse can be put in some very stressful situations. How do you typically handle high intensity situations on the job?
How to Answer
In the operating theatre, Band 7 nurses can be put in stressful and high-pressure situations where a patient's life may be on the line. This is added above and beyond the known issues of occupational burnout due to staffing issues and physical requirements of any nursing job. Here, your interviewer needs to be assured that you will join their team ready to handle the intense pressures that may come your way as part of their team. The best way to answer this question is by using a real-life example or two of times when your nursing career has put you in high-pressure situations and walking through how you used your on-the-job skills and your solid mental state to get through.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"During my years with Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, I spent a lot of time in the children's emergency department, and thinking on my feet in critical situations is a skill that I developed over time that will benefit me as a Band 7 theatre nurse. I remember one night when we had a patient who was bleeding severely after an auto accident in our ED. Knowing that time was precious, the team I was leading looked to me for direction and I didn't hesitate to act quickly. I quickly charged our team with using a tourniquet and then got the patient set up to take vitals. Once they took charge, I began working with the rest of the staff on the next steps. Had I hesitated that night, it could've turned into a very bad outcome. After a few nights in the hospital, the patient was discharged and his parents came back upon discharge to thank our team for our care."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
24. What relationship building skills do you feel are important for a Band 7 theatre nurse to have?
How to Answer
A patient-centered approach is vital for any nursing specialty, but the theatre nursing setting is a bit different in the fact that long-term relationships aren't developed and the need to build quick rapport and trust is vital. Your interviewer poses this question to ensure that you understand the importance of this and how you would go about building this rapport upon first contact with OR patients. This is a great time to pull from any prior experiences you have done this throughout your career to this point.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"Patients that are about to go into surgery are most often in a fearful and anxious state. As a Band 7 theatre nurse, I would take it as my responsibility to make them feel comforted, cared for, and safe at all times. This would always start with a clear explanation of everything that will be happening for them and what to expect. Including the families in these communications would also be important to build trust. From there, ensuring that the patient sees my positive attitude and empathetic approach is what will really help them be more at ease as they're about to begin their procedure. Then, once in recovery, I will always ensure that they are well cared for, comfortable, and understand all things on the road to their recovery."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
25. What interests you the most about working in the theatre nursing setting?
How to Answer
Working day in and day out in a surgical setting takes a motivated and skilled Band 7 nurse, so your interviewer wants to hear what interests you the most about joining their team. This is especially true if your earlier positions as a Band 5, 6, or 7 nurse weren't in this specialty. Make sure to elaborate on your excitement for working with patients in the OR setting and try to highlight the skills and knowledge you've developed throughout your career that will assist you in this role.
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"For me, this is all about my passion for helping patients throughout an operational journey where it can be one of the most difficult days of their lives. With my genuine approach to patients and my experience in the OR setting as a cardiac nurse, moving to a theatre nursing setting full-time is something I've had my heart set on for a long time."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 9th, 2024