Top 30 Pediatric Nurse Interview Questions

Responding to a code blue or code pink can shake you to your core. The most important thing to relay to your interviewer is that you stay calm and gather the facts. Let the interviewer know that you currently train weekly/monthly on these codes, how to respond and work through a number of situations for practice.

"I am comfortable responding to CODES. Every situation is different, gives the opportunity to work as a team and there is always something to learn from each situation."

We all experience stress on a daily basis...but how you relay this to the interviewer will say a lot about you. Steer clear away from the time that you lost your cool and raised your voice- we all have days like that but now is not the time to bring it up. Tell the interviewer how you manage your work stress and don't take it home with you, as well as not bringing your home stress to work. Here's a sample answer: "Every morning we have a morning huddle for turn over. We discuss current patients, who we are expecting in and what everyone is working on. Our morning huddles help alleviate work stress by distributing the work evenly as best we can. It gives everyone a chance to hear what needs to be accomplished and work together."

"Every morning we have a morning huddle for turn over. We discuss current patients, who we are expecting in and what everyone is working on. Our morning huddles help alleviate work stress by distributing the work evenly as best we can. It gives everyone a chance to hear what needs to be accomplished and work together."

Now is the time to show the interviewer you did your homework. Does the facilities mission and goals mirror yours? Are you excited to work in a facility that has departments you've never worked in? Show the interviewer you did your homework on the facility. Know the number of beneficiaries the facility serves, their specialty clinics, awards they have won and how you want to be a part of that team.

"I've applied to this position because it compliments my education and experience perfectly. The fact that it is walking distance from my home is an added perk!"

The best thing that you can do when asked about your salary expectations is to be open and honest about what you are currently earning, and where you want to be in the future.

"Currently, I am earning a base salary of $78K plus an annual bonus and the opportunity to work overtime. Last year my earnings were $85K and I'd like to earn a bit above that in my next position."

Openly share how you heard about the job. It may have been online, in the local newspaper, or from a friend. If a current employee told you about the job, be sure to mention their name; it will gain you extra recognition with the interviewer!

"I was recruited from LinkedIn by a nursing Recruiter. She reviewed my profile and felt I would be a great match for the position."

In this particular situation, your interviewer is looking for a mentor in the same career field. If your crazy best friend is your life mentor you may want to censor and save those stories for another time. The interviewer is wanting to know who you get your professional direction and advice from. Did a professor take you under their wing and guide you? Has a family member overcome challenges in life and has pushed you to become the person you are today? Share your story but make it brief. There will be more time to share in the lunch room after you get the job.

The interviewer wants to know something personal about you that isn't necessarily listed on your resume. Share a hobby or something personal during this interview question. Don't make it too personal, you don't want things to get awkward.

"I spend my extra time volunteering with my family. My family and I volunteer at a Veterans home in town. I think it's important to give back to the community and have my kids help as well."

Share your story but be sure not to play the blame game. We all experience stress and it will be important not to tell the interviewer that it was your bosses fault for being unprepared and it ended up impacting your clinical assessment with the patient. Talk about this stressful situation not using names and too many particulars that the interviewer could trace back the exact situation when they call back on your references to see what type of employee you were. Many are quick to complain but few have solutions on how to fix it. Show the interviewer how you positively handled the situation. Here's a sample answer: "There was a miscommunication with the patient on whether or not they needed to fast for a lab draw. The patient started to raise their voice in frustration with our front desk staff. I stepped in to see how I could be of assistance. I took the patient back to my office, assessed the situation and found out that the patient had only had a glass of water. After confirming with the laboratory about the test and her intake of water we confirmed that it was fine and she could continue the draw. After this situation, I developed a laboratory take home sheet for the patient that would tell them all the do's and don't in preparation for their upcoming lab test."

"There was a miscommunication with the patient on whether or not they needed to fast for a lab draw. The patient started to raise their voice in frustration with our front desk staff. I stepped in to see how I could be of assistance. I took the patient back to my office, assessed the situation and found out that the patient had only had a glass of water. After confirming with the laboratory about the test and her intake of water we confirmed that it was fine and she could continue the draw. After this situation, I developed a laboratory take home sheet for the patient that would tell them all the do's and don't in preparation for their upcoming lab test."

Tell the interviewer about a time you improved a process in your last job. Do you best to make it a process improvement within the medical career field- this will relate best to the position you are interviewing for and give the interviewer an idea of what you capable of contributing to their company. Did you same money with the last suggestion you made? Save time? When you tell your story, be sure to tell who it impacted. The interviewer will be ecstatic to hear that it not only helped you do your job but helped other staff members do their job too! Remember- you are a new set of eyes, let them know you're excited to help improve the section if needed too.

As a Pediatric Nurse, you know that you have to be a good follower in order to be a good leader. Tell the interviewer about the characteristics you possess as a good leader. Do you listen and empower your co-workers when working within a multi-disciplinary team? Is your work ethic and integrity one that other's strive to learn? Tell the interviewer about a time that you led your team to success. Do you have a past supervisor that can validate your leadership capabilities? Leave that letter of recommendation in the hands of the interviewer at the end of the interview.

"I do consider myself a good leader. Although I haven't held a supervisory role, I do have the qualities that a good leader should have. I listen and empower my coworkers and work alongside them to help them get the job done."

As a Pediatric Nurse, you serve as a family advocate, communicator, liaison, educator, interpreter, and caregiver. You promote, advocate for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of your patient. Many times the youngest of patients have been traumatized by child abuse, sexual assault or exposure to violence or homicide. It is your job to stand up and advocate for the child. Let the interviewer know that you will provide educational and supportive resources to the families, answers questions, and provide guidance throughout the process.

"I serve as the family advocate every time I have a warm handoff to another medical provider. It is important to me to be able to represent the patient and be a part of providing the best healthcare to the patient."

Now is your chance to shine. Your chance to put your stamp on something and make a difference. If you've never managed a medication program before don't worry. Relay to the interviewer that although you haven't managed a medication program for children, you have managed a similar program and it was very successful. Sometimes a new set of eyes is what the interviewer is looking for. Let the interviewer know that you have the motivation and the vision to see a project from start to finish. Given the opportunity, you will manage this program and bring it to new heights.

"After becoming an RN I spent my first year volunteering at my son's school. I worked in the classroom as well as in the front office with the school nurse​. I noticed the nurse had a hard time managing all the medications that the patients were on so I helped her streamline her process. She found the process easy to follow and it helped her manage the school medication program."

If you've noticed in the patient's chart that for the last 4 visits he's been bouncing off the walls you will want to entertain the concern that the parent has brought to your attention. Annotating the concern and bringing it to the Pediatrician attention. You'll be the liaison providing information to include education, behavior therapy, support at home and school, exercise, and proper nutrition. The most important thing that you can do is offer reassurance to the parents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith, thank you for bringing your son in today to be evaluated. I understand you are both concerned that he may have ADHD, is this correct? I will prepare some information for you to review, evaluations for you to complete and return and a behavior plan for you to implement at home. The Pediatrician will talk to you more about your concern. Do you have any questions for me?"

As a Pediatric Nurse, you see this situation quite often. Keeping calm and professional you will assess the child, evaluate the situation all while answering the parent's questions. Let the interviewer know that you would perform the intake and provide the results and your concern to the Pediatrician for their review. Let the interviewer know of the other referral agencies you would tell the parents about. New parent support groups and lactation consultants can be great resources. Let the interviewer know that if the child was given a prescription you would be able to provide a bit more information and tips on feeding as well as where to purchase the item.

"I often see this situation in our hospital. I have built a great relationship with our in-house WIC office and regularly refer parents there. Our local WIC office works directly with the family to provide education and advice."

Oh, ​how kiddo's love pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potato- sometimes a little too much. As a Pediatric Nurse, you've seen this a hundred times and as much as you want to make this a quick in and out appointment you complete your intake as you would with any other patient. Be sure to let the interviewer know that you won't jump to conclusions. All labs will be ordered, notes entered, concerns passed to the Pediatrician as you would with any patient. Here's a sample answer: "I would be sure to ask the parents a bit about the child's diet and nutrition. I'll be curious if they feed the child large amounts of yellow/orange vegetables. If the culprit is too many carrots I'll be able to create a meal plan for the mother to follow and provide information about the concern."

"I would be sure to ask the parents a bit about the child's diet and nutrition. I'll be curious if they feed the child large amounts of yellow/orange vegetables. If the culprit is too many carrots I'll be able to create a meal plan for the mother to follow and provide information about the concern."

As a Pediatric Nurse, one of your many jobs is to calm your patients. Anxiety is common among patients in a medical setting. If monitoring your patient's blood pressure is challenging how do you overcome this? Do you distract the patient with questions about their favorite tv show? Do you sing a song with them? However you calm your patients let the interviewer know your success story.

"In our clinic, I regularly use a blood pressure cuff that measures the child's blood pressure with a device worn as a bracelet. The child is instantly put at ease and always asks questions about it. In no time, the reading is complete."

Definitely, don't stretch the truth on this answer. Interviewers will do their homework on the facilities you've worked for. If you've never worked for a large facility and you've always had a small workload, that's ok! Share your experience with the interviewer and be confident. Share how you stay organized and on top of your work. Let the interviewer know that you can handle any size workload that comes your way.

"Currently a full workload for me is approximately 12 children seen in a day. What is your average caseload here?"

Are your parents visual or verbal learners? This is something you'll need to let the interviewer know that you ask your parents about. Providing the right information in the most appropriate way for the parent will come down to them reading it or throwing it in the trash. Once you've identified how your parents learn information, you'll let the interviewer know that you will deliver the information in a safe and private place. You'll answer all the questions the parents have and make up a list for them to ask their Pediatrician.

"I first need to evaluate what type of learners my parents are- visually or verbal. Once identified, I can present my information the way that they will understand it best. At the end of the appointment, ​I provide a quick recap of what I covered and answer any questions they may have."

This could be a tough question to answer if you are not able to work nights. Answering this question negatively isn't necessarily a deal breaker. The interviewer may know of a day shift opening in a few weeks and will keep your name on the back burner until then. The interviewer may be able to work with your shift request.

"I was hoping this was a day shift position. I will be happy to work nights but need 1 weeks notice so I can arrange childcare."

As a Pediatric Nurse, you can probably count on one hand how many times you've had a cooperative 3-year-old. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Performing an exam sitting on the floor with your patient....check. Making silly sounds to keep their attention...check. Making balloon animals with surgical gloves to make little ones happy....check. You've done it all. Share a particular story that would make the interviewer remember you from the rest of the Nurses they interview. Be sure not to use names, keep it upbeat and positive.

"I've always needed to be flexible with my treatment options when it comes to my Autistic patients. I've found that enlisting the help of​ the accompanying parent has helped when it comes to providing treatment."

Some children react better if you tell them step by step of what is happening. Some children react better to just closing their eyes until it is over. You'll let the interviewer know that you will talk to your patient about both options and let them choose.

For some, administrative duties are the boring part of the job. Complete notes, update charts and organized paperwork will make your day go so much smoother. Let the interviewer know that you are an organized person that excels at administrative duties. An added bonus to this answer would be to mention that you enjoy supporting your administrative staff when they need assistance. Always a great idea to show you're a team player. Here's a sample answer: "Whenever I get some downtime I like to work with the administrative team at the front desk. I help them answer phones, pull charts and enter notes. I've found that when we all work together the day goes much smoother."

"Whenever I get some downtime I like to work with the administrative team at the front desk. I help them answer phones, pull charts and enter notes. I've found that when we all work together the day goes much smoother."

As a Pediatric Nurse, you may be expected to be in a lead position. You will lead and mentor your staff. Dividing the workload and ensuring that all members support the team equally might be a challenge. But you are up for this challenge! If you are new to this role, let the interviewer know that you are ready for this new opportunity. If you have managed staff and workload in the past, let the interviewer know how many people you supervised and what the workload looked like. Tell the interviewer about the dynamics of the office and how you brought/kept people together professionally.

"I haven't had the opportunity to manage staff yet but I do currently organize​ and assign workload to the three Nurses that work on shift with me. During our morning huddles, we identify what patients we have for the day, how work should be divided and help each other prioritize our workload."

Did your experience begin when you became a parent? Do you have experience caring for a child with special needs? Talk to the interviewer about your experience level and share a short story if you'd like. Personalizing your experience will show the interviewer the passion you have for your job.

Have you had the opportunity to work in a pediatric intensive care unit caring for children that became critically ill or injured? If you have, tell the interviewer the number of years and a few specialties that care unit specialized in. If you haven't had the chance to work within an intensive care unit, but would like to, show your excitement and eagerness to learn. Sometimes having the education and a new set of eyes is what the interviewer is looking for.

"I have only worked in an ICU setting for the last past year. Before working in the ICU I worked in the ER for 8 years. Both are fast-paced and share similar situations. I look forward to the opportunity to learn more in this ICU setting."

Now is your time to get answers to your questions that have come up based on your grueling interview. Steer clear of salary, benefit and other questions that might make you sound pushy or that you are trying to negotiate the terms of a job that hasn't been offered to you yet. Take this time to clarify questions of what hours you will be working, what type of patients they see most of and why the interviewer enjoys working for this hospital.

"Why do you enjoy working here?"