How to Answer: Can you describe a career nursing role model and why?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Nursing job interview.
28. Can you describe a career nursing role model and why?
How to Answer
This is your chance to give props to someone who mentored you along the way either directly or indirectly. It could have been the nurses on the front lines of 911 when you were a child or current nurses on the COVID front. Or a teacher, or your grandmother who served in France in WW1. What was it about them that inspired you in your nursing journey and how did it impact your nursing practice? Think about the answers and be prepared to showcase your mentor or hero.
Written by Ryan Brown on June 5th, 2019
1st Entry Level Example
"When I was a nursing student and was in my first round of OB, I was assigned a little newborn named Baby Bupp. I didn't know anything about babies, and he looked so tiny, fragile and red-faced. Every time I went to pick him up, he screamed and I might have screamed a little too! I remember my nursing instructor, Miss Emma Flynner, coming over to ask me how I was doing. She had such a gentle way about her and I didn't feel nervous. I told her that I didn't know what to do with little baby Bupp or any baby for that matter! She turned to me and said these words which I never forgot and I remember them with all my patients when I'm struggling. She said, 'Brenda, whenever you don't know what to do with a baby, just love the baby. That's as good a start as any."
Written by Ryan Brown on June 5th, 2019
2nd Entry Level Example
"My nursing instructor was an incredible mentor and leader. I admired her for her ability to engage the class and teach hands-on, providing constructive and positive coaching and guidance. She was extremely knowledgeable and shared so many of her nursing experiences with us as real-life examples. I looked up to her as a professional but also as a person. She was kind and caring, always genuinely interested us as students first, then our success as nurses."
Written by Jaymie Payne on December 18th, 2022
1st Experienced Example
"My current manager and I have worked together for about two-years and I really look up to her as a people leader and clinician. She is probably the most professional and ethical person I've ever worked with. She never gossips, speaks poorly of others, or treats patients rudely. She leads by example and is someone who never asks others to do something she isn't willing to do. She's patient, mentors new nurses, and never gets annoyed when you ask her a question. She's very fair and treats all employees equally. She really has set an amazing example of what a good leader looks like, and I aspire to be more like her."
Written by Jaymie Payne on December 18th, 2022
2nd Experienced Example
"I was blessed with a phenomenal mentor when I transitioned to a highly specialized outpatient department. There was a lot to learn in the department, and the majority of it was essentially new to me. My mentor was incredible and from the very beginning developed a strong working relationship with me. She built a wonderful rapport with me and helped me to feel comfortable in the environment. She welcomed me by letting me ask as many questions as I could come up with and at times would question me throughout my training to spur on more conversation and critical thinking. I remember feeling very confident and informed by the end of my orientation and hoping that someday I would be able to be as good of a mentor to someone else as she was to me."
Written by Tabitha Cumpian on January 31st, 2023
About the Author
I began my healthcare career when I was a sophomore in high school and became an STNA (state-tested nursing assistant) at a local long-term care facility. I then went on to work as a nursing assistant at a local hospital and home healthcare agency. During that time, I pursued my Bachelor's in Business Administration: Human Resource Management and transitioned to working for one of the largest long-term care and post-acute rehab companies in the country. I supported the talent acquisition function, and in the span of 8 years, I screened and interviewed over 1,500 nurse aides, LPNs, and RNs.
I hold a very special place in my heart for nurses, as it's often a thankless and tiresome job. Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse, and I have great respect and admiration for those that choose this career path. As a content writer and interview coach for MockQuestions, my goal is to help you prepare and succeed in your upcoming interview. This article offers interview tips and advice along with 50 practice interview questions and answer examples to help you better understand what to expect and prepare for interview day! Wishing you the best of luck!
Learn more about Jaymie Payne