Nursing Mock Interview
Practice 50 Nursing interview questions covering clinical scenarios, patient care priorities, and ethical decision-making.
Question 4 of 50
How have you responded when your supervisor asked you to work an additional shift to fill vacancies?
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Entry Level 1
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Community Answers
Elisabeth Walter is an experienced Recruiting Consultant and Enrollment Advisor.
Any nurse knows that one of the downsides to the career is the need for coverage on most units 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. There may be times when you are asked to alter your schedule or pick up additional shifts to fill for vacancies in the work schedule. Due to being shorthanded, you may also be asked to stay for longer hours on your current shift. Working as a cohesive team is important among fellow nurses in a department and they need to be willing to help each other out when needed. As well, it is important for you to be open and honest about your availability and for you to ensure that the job you are interviewing for fits your schedule.
Elisabeth Walter is an experienced Recruiting Consultant and Enrollment Advisor.
"I know that working as an obstetrics nurse on 12-hour shifts that teamwork and helping cover for each other is important. In my current position, we have policies on notification for paid time off, shift swapping and calling in sick. I have been open to help cover extra shifts when needed and staying over for some extra time on shifts as long as I have some notice because I need to make childcare arrangements for our little one."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
"As a new nurse entering the workforce, I will be more than willing to pick up extra shifts and work extra hours when needed. I am very eager to work with and learn from as many experienced nurses as I can and this would enable me to do that. Through college, I worked in the student center book store and I picked up any extra shifts that my school schedule allowed me to. There, covering the schedule was a team effort and we had to be in constant communication due to us all being full-time students."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
"Through my career as a nurse, all units that I worked on functioned as a cohesive team and this was very important when it came to covering shifts. Just recently, I was working day shifts on my unit when we were notified that two of the evening shift nurses came down with the flu. Being down a couple of nurses due to turnover, my supervisor made calls to those on night shift to see if two people could split the shifts and work 12 hours. I volunteered to stay over four extra hours without hesitation and when two night shift nurses stepped up as well, we had the unit covered for the evening."
Kelly Burlison is an experienced healthcare and quality measurement professional with experience interviewing in the healthcare field focusing on IT.
"Since I am just now finishing my nursing program and am a newly licensed nurse, I have not yet encountered this situation; however, I am very eager to learn and am willing to cover extra shifts when needed. Before my career change into nursing, I worked in the business/IT industry, and I often had to pull long days with many hours, so I am used to going above and beyond the standard work week in order to get the job done. As a nurse, my priority will be caring for our patients, and I will pitch in and help however I can in order to ensure they are cared for."
Tabitha Cumpian is an RN Lead with experience in multiple clinic specialties and has functioned as a program manager.
"As a seasoned nurse, I have experienced this on several occasions in the past. I do have children so I first have needed to ensure I have child care but then I have always been happy to pick up and work additional shifts. I feel that as a healthcare team, we must be willing to work together to cover shift needs so that our patients are always cared for in the best possible way."
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Anonymous Answer
As a new graduate, I will be more than willing to take on additional shifts while still being mindful of my level of mental exhaustion and will make a choice based on whether or not I can care for patients to the best of my ability at that time.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer shows a firm level of responsibility while still balancing teamwork. Nice!
Anonymous Answer
As a substitute teacher, I am always filling vacancies; sometimes, I have been called to work at the very last minute; I show up as fast as possible. I understand that I play a vital role in the team, and I show up for my team.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is great! Your background as a substitute teacher aligns very well with the expectations of a nurse. This answer should give your interviewer a lot of confidence that you are ready and willing to jump in when needed.
Anonymous Answer
I understand that this happens quite often in this particular profession and I have been in this position multiple times. I simply think about the needs of the patients and this motivates me to work these additional shifts especially when I know I am available. I believe it is all a part of being compassionate and caring.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great job! Interviewers want to know that candidates are willing to take on additional shifts in a pinch.
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