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Nursing Mock Interview

Question 48 of 50 for our Nursing Mock Interview

Nursing was updated by on January 18th, 2023. Learn more here.

Question 48 of 50

Describe a recent issue you had with a doctor or co-worker's decision. How did you handle it?

In the fast-paced nursing world, you won't always agree with the decisions that are made by your co-workers or physicians that you work with on a daily basis. When a disagreement happens, you have to make a decision whether it is something to bite your tongue about or if you need to step up and intervene due to a patient safety issue. Showing your interviewer that you trusted your final decision and the outcome of the situation was acceptable is important for this particular question.

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How to Answer: Describe a recent issue you had with a doctor or co-worker's decision. How did you handle it?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Nursing job interview.

  • 48. Describe a recent issue you had with a doctor or co-worker's decision. How did you handle it?

      How to Answer

      In the fast-paced nursing world, you won't always agree with the decisions that are made by your co-workers or physicians that you work with on a daily basis. When a disagreement happens, you have to make a decision whether it is something to bite your tongue about or if you need to step up and intervene due to a patient safety issue. Showing your interviewer that you trusted your final decision and the outcome of the situation was acceptable is important for this particular question.

      Written by Elisabeth Walter

      1st Entry Level Example

      "During my clinical rotations, I was training in a PACU and there was a particular patient that I noticed wasn't coming out of anesthesia very well. After the standard waiting time for their surgery, the patient was still very drowsy and incoherent but the operating physician gave them the clearance to be released to their family members and leave the hospital. I was against the decision, as the patient still couldn't walk very well or talk very well but I wasn't in a position to question the physician's decision. The unit was busy that day and in stressing my concern with my preceptor, she followed up with me weeks later when she had seen the patient was in great shape to come in for a follow-up procedure."

      Written by Ryan Brunner

      2nd Entry Level Example

      "I actually recently dealt with this type of situation during one of my clinical shifts in the emergency department. We had a patient who presented with extreme muscle spasms and joint pain. The patient's joint pain was so bad that she could not move her joints, particularly her jaw. After the physician I was working with examined her, she diagnosed her with pain from an arthritis flare; however, I did not agree with the diagnosis because of the patient's symptoms. Using a professional approach, I urged the doctor to do exploratory testing, giving her clinical rationale of what I thought was wrong with the patient, and once we received the test results back we learned that the patient had a life-threatening infection that needed immediate medical attention."

      Written by Kelly Burlison on March 17th, 2019

      1st Experienced Example

      "During my time working at a skilled nursing facility, we were short staffed one evening during medication passing. Our standard operating procedure was to pass medications to patients in teams of two to ensure that proper medications were being given to each resident. My co-worker told me to do two of the wings alone to save time and I immediately told her that I was uncomfortable going against policy for the safety of the patients. Another co-worker and I teamed up to complete the pass in the entire facility in a timely fashion with no incidents."

      Written by Elisabeth Walter

      2nd Experienced Example

      "In my current position working on an OB unit, a young, single mother came into our unit in full blown labor. She came alone and in talking to her, I learned she didn't have any family or friends near to be with her in time for her first child's birth. As the labor progressed, the physician was noting obvious signs of stress in the baby but was still holding off on performing a c-section. At this point, I began to think that the patient should be put into surgery to get the baby out before any complications. But, the physician's experience held true a while later when a healthy, happy daughter was born to the first time mother. While I didn't agree with the decision to hold off on c-section at the time, trusting the physician's judgment was the best thing that I did and seeing the gratification on the mother was well worth it."

      Written by Ryan Brunner

      3rd Experienced Example

      "I recently had a patient who had a PICC line placed at the beginning of my shift. Later in the day, I began noticing that the patient seemed more lethargic but still arousable. I notified the physician and was told this was only due to the pain medications the patient was receiving and that I shouldn't worry about it. As time passed, I did not feel this was the reason. However, the physician declined coming to reassess the patient when I paged. I discussed with my charge nurse and decided the safest thing for the patient was to call a rapid response. Ultimately, the patient was found to be septic, and immediate intervention was required. Thankfully, we were able to get the patient the treatment he needed right away and prevented it from becoming any worse. After this, the physician came to me and apologized for not taking my pages as seriously as he should have and thanked me for my commitment to my patients."

      Written by Tabitha Cumpian on January 31st, 2023

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "In my current position working on an ED, communicating with co-workers and physicians is very important. One pt came to ED with very sleepy; I thought he's addicted to alcohol.

      While I didn't agree with the decision to check brain CT scan "stat," as a priority, at the time, trusting the physician's judgment was the best thing that I did, Seeing the gratification on the patient was well worth it."

      Kristine's Feedback

      With any example you share, you want to share the outcome. In this particular example, the interviewer will wonder if the physician made the right decision in ordering a CT scan "stat." If it turns out the CT scan was needed stat, then it will support your decision to trust the physician's judgment. I suggest you incorporate these details into your story.
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    About the Author

    Jaymie Payne

    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