What motivates you to provide top-of-the-line nursing care?
Most people who go into the nursing profession are naturally attracted to helping people who are most in need of help. They thrive on helping patients through very tough times by providing both medical care and emotional support. No matter how many years of experience a nurse has, they must stay motivated in order to provide top-of-the-line nursing care. Nursing, while often a very rewarding career, can be exhausting and emotionally draining, so it is important for nurses to be able to stay motivated in their current work environments. The interviewer is asking this question to determine what motivates the candidate and to determine if their environment would be a good fit for the candidate. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide details as to what motivates them to become a better nurse. A more successful answer would include a specific example of a situation that motivated a candidate to continue or better their nursing practice.
"When I began my pursuit of a nursing career in college, I knew that I was born to help people when they are at their most vulnerable. In any environment, whether it be outpatient, inpatient, or skilled nursing, making a positive difference in the day of each of my patients is what drives me to become a better nurse, and it makes all the hard and emotional days worth it. Because I know I am making a difference in the lives of others, it is easy for me to get up and come to work each day."
"During high school, I knew that nursing was my true calling in life when my grandmother was ill in the hospital and I watched the great care she received while there. During my clinical rotations through nursing school, I had the awesome opportunity to work in several specialty areas and in each one, I found myself in a great place internally just being able to help patients. The opportunity on the Med/Surg unit at your organization has me very excited to be able to help patients and family members when they are at their most vulnerable, and the fact that I will be able to help patients and their families is what will drive me to become a better nurse and provide the best care possible."
"As I've progressed through my career as a nurse, I've had the opportunity to work on a Med/Surg unit, Home Health and in a Family Practice clinic. While each job was very unique in the patients that I worked with on a day to day basis, seeing the joy in their eyes and hearing the thanks in their voices for me being their nurse has given me all of the motivation I have needed and has pushed me to be a better nurse over the years. I have worked my entire career to be able to finish it working in the women's health clinic at your organization, and to help the needs of the patients there will be my primary motivating factor moving forward."
"Going into nursing, I initially thought that the simple fact that I was helping others would be motivation enough; however, at the time, I did not recognize how stressful and emotionally draining nursing can be. So, throughout my career, I have found additional motivation by leading quality improvement projects to improve patient outcomes in my clinical unit. By leading the clinical team of nurses and physicians in developing interventions, collecting data, tracking metrics, and ultimately determining if we have improved patient care and outcomes, I have found much motivation to improve my nursing skills and to become a better nurse and leader. I hope there are opportunities to participate in such projects at your organization while I fulfill my clinical duties as well."
"I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a nurse. I find everything medical to be fascinating. I enjoy helping others and being able to teach them along the way things they are able to do in their daily lives to improve or maintain their health. Something that motivates me every day is knowing that our patients choose us to be their care providers. Nowadays there are many provider options available, but they have chosen to come to our facility. Knowing they made that choice I want to do all I can to help them return to a state of health, happiness, and independence."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
What motivates me is my patients recovering and leaving the hospital. We realistically see patients at some of the toughest points in their lives. Being able to come in, work a shift, and see the patients improve little by little until they're ready to return to their life is the greatest reward there is.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer is so authentic and heartfelt - any interviewer should appreciate this approach.
Anonymous Answer
What motivates me to give top-of-the-line nursing care are my experiences with bad nursing care. I have experienced family members in another country receiving poor nursing care and died because of it. My passion as a caregiver combined with these experiences will ensure my patients receive the care that I wish I could have given my family members.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a significant personal driver and, no doubt, a very challenging situation to experience. It's wonderful that you can take this difficult experience and turn it around to help others.
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