25 Perioperative Nurse Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Perioperative Nurse interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What would be the greatest strength you would bring to our operating team?
How to Answer
The field of perioperative nursing sees some very specific skills and traits. On top of that, the job duties vary greatly from other nursing fields as perioperative nursing requires skills from both the inpatient and outpatient settings. In asking this question, your interviewer is hoping to hear what you feel is the greatest strength you would bring to their team. Your goal in answering this question is to make yourself memorable to your interviewer following their interview process, so make sure to put some serious thought into a question like this and come prepared to wow your interviewer with your answer. Remember that there is no wrong answer here, so feel free to speak passionately no matter how you respond.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"While I'm confident that the technical operating room skills I would bring to this team would be very beneficial, I have to say that my communication skills would be the greatest strength I would bring. In talking with the surgeons and fellow nurses today, I got the strong sense that communication among the team is essential in ensuring that patient safety is of utmost importance through all processes of their procedures. I'm a very open communicator in the work setting and feel that overcommunication is better than not communicating at all. The physicians I've worked with in the past have always appreciated my willingness to listen and speak up when I see fit. I've also been commended for my ability to keep communications respectful and professional in any setting. I'm confident that these skills would bode well for me as a perioperative nurse."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
2. What do you feel would be your biggest weakness as a perioperative nurse?
How to Answer
Whether you are an experienced surgical nurse who has hands-on experience with pre-op, post-op, and direct procedural care or a nurse looking to break into the specialty, your interviewer knows that any candidate they consider will come to their team with their own unique set of weaknesses that they will overcome. By asking this question, your interviewer wants to hear candor in your own shortcomings and that you have an idea of how you will overcome them if you are selected as their top candidate. Put some honest thought into where you feel your top weakness falls and prepare to discuss why that is a weakness for you and how to sell your interviewer on why they shouldn't let this weakness disqualify you from consideration.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"I want you to know that I am very confident in my ability to come to this job and step in with success from day one. I understand that a perceived weakness of mine would be a lack of direct operating room experience and skills during actual procedures. I see this area as a place for me to grow skills I've been working on in wound care, performing blood transfusions, intubating patients, and performing advanced diagnostic tests on patients. If I were to join as your next perioperative nurse, I would be keenly focused on practicing these new skills during my orientation and shadowing period and I'm willing to put in the extra hours to do what is necessary here."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
3. Why do you have a passion for working in the surgical setting?
How to Answer
No matter what background you come from in your professional life, being passionate about working in and caring for patients in the OR setting is something your interviewer will be trying to gauge. You'll really want to sell your skills and passion to your interviewer to show that you are committed to a long-term role as a perioperative nurse with their team. This is a great time to mention a personal story or a professional experience that has inspired you to choose this path. No matter how you answer, make sure you speak with passion about why this is the right path for you and your future as a nurse.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've found myself to be most motivated and inspired in a true team setting, where medical professionals come together to truly change the lives of patients. Some great colleagues that I've worked with over the last few years have had great things to say about their time as a perioperative nurse and I see a future here as one in which I will be engaged at all times. I'm also really excited for the intensity and excitement of practicing in the OR because my style of nursing fits in well here."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
4. Tell us about yourself.
How to Answer
As a perioperative nurse, you will be joining the ultimate medical team atmosphere working among highly skilled surgeons, a variety of anesthesiologists, fellow nurses, and surgical techs. Understanding that you need to be an overall good fit for their team, your interviewer wants to give you the time to talk about who you are, what motivates you, and what interests you have outside of the workplace. While remaining professional, this is the time for you to open up about your personal life outside of the clinic/hospital setting. Knowing that traits like empathy, stress management, and communication are vital for success in this role, try to highlight how your personal life reflects qualities like this.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"Thanks for the opportunity to let you know a little bit about me! My husband and I are raising three amazing children, our oldest will be graduating from high school this coming spring and pursuing an engineering degree. Our middle child is a sophomore in high school and our youngest is in 7th grade. All three are very active in sports and other activities, which keeps us constantly on the go outside of work. It's a life I love, helping to coach basketball and softball teams. We also really love to travel as much as we can and have an upcoming trip to Scotland planned. We are also very dedicated to our extended families and are fortunate to have most siblings, nieces, and nephews within two hours to be able to see and spend time with them frequently. For myself, I'm very physically active and love to cook as much as I can. I find peace and relaxation in spending time crafting new and exciting recipes."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
5. Are you familiar with the process of preparing and maintaining a sterile environment in the surgical setting?
How to Answer
Perioperative nurses are relied upon to maintain a sterile environment in the operating room to ensure that every patient remains as free from infection as possible. The main reason this question gets asked is for your interviewer to ensure that you understand the importance of the seemingly menial tasks you will be performing in sterilizing surgical tools and equipment prior to and following each operation. Now is the time for you to talk about all of the training and experience you have in sterilization processes, so take advantage of it. Make sure to also talk about specific work duties you've held in the past that seriously valued sanitation and sterilization.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 22nd, 2024
Answer Example
"Over the course of my nursing career to this point in the emergency setting, I'm very familiar with the processes of using stem and flash sterilization on equipment like forceps after each patient use. I've hand-delivered equipment to our SPD department and envision that the perioperative nurses on your team work closely with the SPD team. In the operating room setting, there is a much greater need for immediate sterilization of surgical rooms following procedures and these are duties I will always take seriously. Whether it's picking up a mop or using spray to clean up, I'll never be hesitant to do what is right in the name of patient and colleague safety in this role."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 22nd, 2024
6. In the OR, maintaining patient confidentiality takes extra diligence from our nursing staff. How will you prioritize this as our next perioperative nurse?
How to Answer
As you've been trained in any nursing job you've held in the past and throughout your nursing education, patient confidentiality is of utmost importance and guided by HIPAA laws in any institution and department. Within the walls of the operating room, patient confidentiality takes on a different meaning than you're likely used to in moving patients from pre-op care to post-op care. The fact that patient briefings can happen in a busy place also requires an added element of being thorough in how you discuss patient statuses. Make sure your interviewer walks away knowing that you will always be focused on locking down computer screens when you walk away from charting in the EMR and will have conversations that only care providers need to know tactfully and mindfully.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 22nd, 2024
Answer Example
"As I've done throughout my entire career, I will always take patient confidentiality seriously as a perioperative nurse here. When preparing patients for their procedures, my charting will occur quickly and I won't let anyone else access a chart by closing out the file each time I'm done and locking down the PC I'm on when I'm finished. I'll also always have conversations in private and not use patient names whenever possible. Over the course of my nursing career in primary care and dermatology, my track record of patient confidentiality is excellent and I will continue this as an esteemed member of this amazing team."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 22nd, 2024
7. Why should we hire you as our next perioperative nurse?
How to Answer
With a very favorable job outlook in the field of operating room nursing, perioperative nursing positions often see a very well-qualified pool of candidates. The pool can range from new graduates to experienced nurses who are looking to make the end move of their career into the subspecialty. If this question is asked during your interview, you are getting the chance to give your best sales pitch on why you are the best candidate for the job. Take your time in your answer to display why you have the skills to achieve immediate success in the role and why you will be an equally great fit among the team you will be joining. A memorable answer here will require a second reading of the position description prior to your interview and some quick gauging of the people you will be working closely with during your interview.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"I hope I've been able to display all of my experience to you today because I think the skills that I've developed over the first eight years of my nursing career have come together to put me in a great position to succeed as a perioperative nurse here. I would come to this team with direct experience in monitoring patient care plans from my years of experience in the ICU and inpatient setting. I also have in-depth experience in monitoring the condition of patients and ensuring that care is coordinated across multiple disciplines. From what I've gathered today from meeting with your team members, you are looking for a hard-working individual who can handle the fast pace and be the ultimate team player. I'm confident that I would bring all of these traits to this amazing team."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
8. How do you handle stressful situations in your work and why do you think this an important skill for a perioperative nurse to possess?
How to Answer
In recent years, there have been many studies that have examined the stress levels of perioperative and scrub nurses and they have shown that there are many factors that contribute to high amounts of stress and burnout for those in the field. With factors like large workloads, complicated cases, patient safety, and demands for continued education contributing to this, your interviewer needs to be assured that you will be able to handle the common stressors in a healthy and professional manner. This is a great time to discuss your ability to handle prior stressors in your work with ease, so don't hesitate to talk about your prior jobs and how you managed. Then be sure to tell your interviewer that you are aware of the stressors that await you in this role and that you're excited to take them on.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
Answer Example
"I equate my ability to handle the daily stressors of a nurse with being a mom of two young boys. My focus on the job is on the outcomes of my patients and keeping them safe and healthy. With that always in mind during times when a unit is full or a patient emergency happens, I stay focused on my work, communicate clearly, and work hard to get through the tough times. This is an attitude that has helped all the patients I have provided care for and my own mental and physical health on the job. I'm a firm believer that attitude is everything for nurses and I see it as being very important for perioperative nurses as well. During those busy days in the OR and when communications break down among the team, this team will quickly find out that I work well through any situation and can help through the most stressful of times."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
9. What do you consider to be the proudest moment of your career or education?
How to Answer
As part of a fast-paced surgical team, you will be a part of some amazing accomplishments in patient care and help to save the lives of many patients. Taking pride in your work as a perioperative nurse will be something your interviewer will be looking to see in you, so they pose this question to give you the opportunity to talk about a moment in your career that demonstrates your hard work and passion. Prior to your interview, think back to a time when you and your team put forth a significant effort to achieve a bigger goal or helped provide a great end result for a patient. As you answer this question during your interview, try to highlight your ability to share a sense of accomplishment with your colleagues and help lift the entire team up when a great effort is made.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"About two years ago, I was a scrub nurse in a relatively busy operating room. We were notified very late in the day that three people involved in a serious car accident would be coming to the emergency room and at least two would need emergency surgery. Our charge nurse prepped my team of nurses and the surgeons were preparing as best as they could for what was to come. I began setting up two OR rooms with sterile tools so we were ready to go. I also informed my spouse that it would likely be a late night. Upon getting to the ER by ambulance, we immediately took two patients into the OR and I was on the case of the patient with a punctured lung, several fractured ribs, and some internal bleeding. After hours of surgery and the two patients heading to the ICU, we all breathed a sigh of relief for the effort we had put in that evening and the great outcomes for each patient. When each of the two best friends was released the following week, they came to our OR to personally thank us for our efforts that night."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
10. How would some of your recent patients describe your interactions with them?
How to Answer
With patients in the operating room setting, perioperative nurses work hands-on with them in surgical prep, during the actual procedures, and in post-operative care. Because most patients in this setting are experiencing medical care like they've never received before, having some insight into how your patients respond to you will be important to your interviewer. As you try to use direct feedback you've received from patients or through patient survey data you've received, you'll want to focus on your ability to provide great bedside care with empathy and a keen focus on the needs of the patient during a very difficult and trying time.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
Answer Example
"Over the last few years, I'm really proud to have had some great patient satisfaction survey feedback come back on the care that I provided for patients. I'm also happy to provide what information I can following the interview. Recent patients who have submitted feedback have said that I was very attentive to their care and willing to do what was needed to make them comfortable and help manage their pain. They always appreciate my cheerful demeanor and positive approach to them, no matter what condition they are hospitalized for. I know these direct patient care skills will transition well to a role as a perioperative nurse and I'm very excited about this opportunity!"
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
11. Are you a team player? How well do you work with others?
How to Answer
Surgical teams in hospitals big and small consist of a large group of highly specialized healthcare professionals. Perioperative nurses play a key role in patient outcomes when working alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, CRNAs, surgical techs, and other professionals in the setting. Knowing that solid teamwork is important on their team, your interviewer is hoping to get an honest assessment of what type of team player you are if they're going to seriously consider you for the role. As you openly discuss your ability to be a great colleague, it will be important for you to highlight your communication and leadership skills as a nurse that you've developed up to this point in your career. If you can, try to mention any direct feedback you've received throughout your career on your ability to be a great team player.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
Answer Example
"Your surgical team would be getting a perioperative nurse who is fluent in changing conditions, always has a positive attitude, and is an open and effective communicator. If you were to contact my references, my current charge nurse would tell you that I have great working relationships with my current nurse colleagues and physicians because I'm always willing to lend a helping hand and do so with a smile on my face. She has given me a lot of feedback over the years and won't hesitate to mention that my communication skills have helped prevent major incidents with patients because I'm always willing to speak up when I spot something out of the ordinary. I can take charge and lead others when needed, while also taking direction easily."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
12. What does safety mean to you in your work each and every day?
How to Answer
Safety in the operating room encompasses a wide variety of hazards for staff and patients. No matter what background you are coming from, it will be important for your interviewer to hear how seriously you will take all aspects of safety on the job as a perioperative nurse. As you answer, start with a focus on the patient and discuss how you work to prevent errors in patient care and how this will relate to working with OR patients. Then elaborate on the physical hazards that exist in sharp objects, lasers, ultrasound equipment, and all other surgical equipment. This is a great time to talk about any formal training you have in blood-borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, and even ergonomics to impress your interviewer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
Answer Example
"If I'm fortunate enough to join this amazing team as a perioperative nurse, I want you to know that the health and safety of my patients and my colleagues are a top priority at all times. For me, safety always starts with being cognizant of all potential hazards in any situation. In the operating room, my annual training in bloodborne pathogens helps me to focus on clean-up both during procedures and once they are done. The safety of my colleagues and myself in these situations is paramount. For my patients, safety is always ensuring that tools and equipment used in the OR are properly sterilized and that all sharps and chemicals are used in a safe manner. I've been the safety champion for my current team for the last four years and would love to help bring new ideas regarding safety to your operating room."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
13. What is motivating you to pursue a role as a perioperative nurse?
How to Answer
Nursing in the operating room setting requires specific skillsets and qualities that other medical specialties don't necessarily have. In asking this question, your interviewer ideally wants to hear that you are drawn to advanced nursing skills that perioperative nurses must master, providing detailed care to patients that need it the most, and being part of a fast-paced and dynamic OR team. Think about why this is a dream nursing career for you and take the time to outline why your background and education have prepared you for success.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
Answer Example
"My years working as a surgical tech really motivated me to continue my education with my BSN in nursing so I could provide further care and make a huge difference in the lives of patients who were undergoing life-changing procedures. I've known that this is my true calling and am excited to graduate soon and continue my career journey as a perioperative nurse with your team!"
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 16th, 2024
14. Cohesiveness with our surgeons is vital for every perioperative nurse on this team. How will you attempt to foster your working relationships with the new surgeons you will be working alongside?
How to Answer
The fast-paced work environment of the operating room calls for solid relationships among all staff, likely none more important than the nurse-surgeon relationship. With each group having its own unique scopes of practice and education, they both play an important role in the outcomes of their patients. On top of this, the long hours in the OR on complicated cases can cause outbursts from surgeons. With all of this contributing to the success of their team, your interviewer wants to hear that you can build solid and trusting work relationships with the surgeons you'll be working with. A great way to answer a question like this is to elaborate further on the working relationships you've had with physicians in previous roles and how communication was vital in ensuring those working relationships impacted everyone positively.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
Answer Example
"Having worked closely with intensivists, surgeons, and hospitalists throughout my career, I know they really appreciate nurses who exude confidence and this is one thing I would always show as a perioperative nurse on your team. Your surgeons will appreciate my open and upfront communication style and my ability to be a team player in any situation we encounter together. My current IBR rounding model has me and the physicians rounding with patients and I feel this has helped strengthen our work together."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
15. How have you handled angry or upset patients in the past and how will your style help you be successful in this position?
How to Answer
In any hospital or clinic setting, patients can become uneasy, unsettled, and even downright angry. The situation that patients find themselves in heading into or following surgery involves high levels of discomfort, fear, and pain, which naturally leads to anger. Your interviewer needs to be assured that you would join their perioperative nursing team with thick alligator skin and a penchant for doing what is right for the patient no matter the situation, so they ask this to hear you discuss a specific time you worked with an unsettled patient. As you discuss the particular situation you found yourself in, focus on your ability to put the patient at ease with your personable approach.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
Answer Example
"Just a few months ago, we had a young patient who had been in a car accident and had a severely fractured leg. As we were prepping for surgery, the patient was in excruciating pain and both he and his father were very vocal about their displeasure of the situation. With my focus on the patient first and foremost, I moved swiftly to begin the administration of pain medication in conjunction with the anesthesia team. With the father in the room upset, I took time when I could to explain to him what was happening now and when he'd go into surgery. When the time came for the dad to leave surgical prep, I walked him to the waiting room and tried to highlight the success the orthopedic surgeon has had with this surgery in both children and adults. He thanked me for the time and the patient's operation went phenomenally."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
16. Clear communication during patient hand-offs during shift changes are vital. What hand-off procedures are you familiar with if you were to join our nursing team?
How to Answer
Shift hand-offs among operating room teams are vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. While the department you are looking at joining likely already has a well-documented shift change procedure, your interviewer is looking to hear that you understand the importance of quality shift changes and what processes you have used in the past. No matter how you answer, make sure to reiterate that you are excited and willing to learn the way of doing things in the operating room you would be joining.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
Answer Example
"In my current department, shift change is very highly organized and begins with a brief huddle that includes the team going off shift and the team coming on. It is led by the charge nurse on staff that day. Open verbal communication helps everyone to know about the cases that happened that day, patient statuses, and what to expect for the remainder of the day. I love that it also provides a bit of camaraderie for the team. For me personally as your next perioperative nurse, a shift hand-off would not be complete until I have completed all of my patient documentation and updated the oncoming staff of all patient statuses and supply concerns we have in the OR rooms."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
17. Patient education skills are important for any perioperative nurse. What skills would you bring to our team?
How to Answer
With patients about to enter and exit surgery, perioperative nurses are expected to educate them on their procedure and recovery which will help reduce their overall anxiety levels, teach them how to manage post-operative pain, and potentially shorten any stays in the hospital following surgery. In posing this question, your interviewer wants to hear you talk about your approach to providing education to patients. Use your past experiences to discuss how you clearly communicate vital information to patients in a way that they understand and how you do so with an empathetic approach. As it's so important in the surgical setting, make sure to highlight how you'll address any concerns that patients and their families have and how you give direct instructions on how patients will recover from their procedure.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
Answer Example
"Getting a patient mentally prepared for their operation and ensuring they understand all steps that follow really helps ease their mind, puts them in a relaxed state, and ensures their quickest possible recovery time. As your next perioperative nurse, I will always take the time to clearly explain to patients and families what the procedure will fully entail. My approach is to introduce everyone involved to the care team, the anesthesiologist, and the surgeon prior to the procedure so they can see that we are all invested in the best outcome possible. I'm also very focused on letting patients and families know what the best approach is for their recovery. If they will have physical therapy to complete, I talk through what they can expect. If wound care will be necessary, I talk about and give them materials on how to best manage upon going home."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
18. Talk about your ability to have difficult conversations with patients and their family members as a nurse.
How to Answer
In the OR setting, perioperative nurses can be expected to discuss serious medical conditions, complications from surgery, emotional concerns regarding the health of patients, and even the death of a patient. Your interviewer will want to hear that you have a strategy for how to approach and deliver these conversations if you were to join their team. In your answer, you'll want to discuss how you prepare yourself and the setting to deliver information to your audience in a knowledgeable and compassionate manner. If you have examples of times when you've held difficult conversations as a nurse in the past, this is a great time to mention how you handled those.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
Answer Example
"I feel this is an area that I've really grown in throughout my nursing career because I was honestly very uncomfortable with these conversations as a recent graduate. Thankfully I had some great mentoring nurses in my first few years in the field. Now, when I know I need to let a patient know of a difficult diagnosis or talk to a family about a bad outcome with a patient, I start by collecting my thoughts and emotions and plan out my conversation. The next step is to find the right setting to have the conversation and I base this on who I will be talking with. If it's a conversation with family members, I look to use a family waiting room area where we can be alone and not have outside distractions. In talking to my audience, I'm very forthright with the information, discuss what the next steps are, and leave the door wide open for questions to come my way. This approach has really helped recently when a complicated surgery on a patient caused excessive bleeding and we had to keep the patient in the ICU for a few days following surgery. The patient's children were very emotional and the oldest son was very scared and fearful. My reassurance of the care they would receive in the coming days helped them understand and appreciate everything we were doing."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 15th, 2024
19. Are you able to meet all of the hours and shift requirements for this position?
How to Answer
Perioperative nurse hours can vary greatly from hospital to hospital. In larger trauma centers, operating rooms can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week 365 days per year. In other smaller hospitals, the hours ORs are open can be significantly less. How each hospital staffs their OR can differ as well. You want to ensure that you've read the job description before your interview to see what hours the institution posted and come prepared to discuss your overall availability to work the required hours. Now is the time to disclose any scheduling conflicts you may have and ask for any clarifications you would like further information on regarding scheduling.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
Answer Example
"Yes, from what I understand from the job posting, your perioperative nurses work 10-12 hours shifts on a rotating schedule from early morning starts and early evening end times to later afternoon and evening shifts. I'm also able to handle all on-call requirements. We have very solid childcare arrangements for our kids, but I'd love to hear more about how shifts are scheduled. Can you talk a bit about how schedules are released to staff?"
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
20. What do you feel makes you the top candidate to join our organization?
How to Answer
If the team you are interviewing with has a great candidate pool, the interviewers can turn the tables and give you the chance to discuss why you should be their next perioperative nurse. As you prepare your sales pitch before your interview, the first thing you want to keep in mind is to make yourself memorable following your interview. To do so, try to highlight any unique experiences, training, and education you would bring to the team. Then, you'll want to match yourself with some of the top qualities that the most successful perioperative nurses possess. These include being technologically advanced, preferring variety in your day, possessing excellent communication skills, and having great critical thinking skills.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
Answer Example
"When I was notified of this opening by one of your team members, I immediately was drawn to it because I've been working the first four years of my career out of nursing school with the goal to become a perioperative nurse. In the inpatient hospital setting, I've continued to develop and become more comfortable in my analytical skills with patients which I know would be great to have in the OR setting. I would also come to your team as a nurse who always advocates for patients and has great communication skills. I'm very comfortable working with physicians and know that your team of surgeons and anesthetists would receive me well."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
21. Perioperative nurses are required to spend long hours on their feet and must have the physical ability to lift unconscious patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Will you be able to manage these physical requirements of the job?
How to Answer
The physical demands of being a successful perioperative nurse are plenty. On a busy day in the operating room, many cases will be coming through and you will be running from pre-op to the operating room all day, with hardly a break to sit down. On top of this, the equipment in the OR can be heavy and teams are often required to transfer patients by hand from bed to operating table. It will be important for your interviewer to know that you are confident in your ability to handle all of the physical requirements of the job, so they pose this question. The best things to mention as you answer are your recent experiences with these physical requirements and the things you do to stay in great physical shape.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
Answer Example
"Yes, I feel very confident in my ability to handle all of the physical requirements of a perioperative nurse. My weight training and running in my personal time help me in transferring patients and working 12-hour shifts currently in the ICU setting. For me, getting plenty of rest and good nutrition outside of work helps me come to each shift refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges that come my way."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
22. What EMR systems do you have familiarity working in and how will you prioritize documentation in this role?
How to Answer
In the operating room setting, documentation of patient activities is vital in ensuring that accurate patient information is accessible by the care team at all times and to increase the overall safety of the patient by avoiding medication errors and duplication efforts. But the OR setting is very fast-paced and prioritizing documentation of patient activity is something every perioperative nurse needs to prioritize. In asking this question, your interviewer is looking to hear that you prioritize your documentation as a nurse and which systems you have experience working in. Talk openly about your familiarity with different programs, while also highlighting your ability to pick up all of the little nuances of any system.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
Answer Example
"I fully understand the importance of patient documentation to ensure that further care for patients is always coordinated and that their safety is taken into account at all times. Throughout my career, I've made sure to put in medication administration immediately so any nurses and physicians following up with patients are informed of their latest dosages. In the perioperative setting, I know that things can get hectic with the number of cases happening at once. No matter what, ensuring notes are entered would be something that I always take the time to do. Over the course of my career, the majority of my EMR experience has been in Cerner and Epic. No matter what system I have worked in, I pick up on them very easily as they're so intuitive for direct care staff. Can you talk a bit more about the system you are currently using?"
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 14th, 2024
23. How much supervision do you feel you would need in your initial months on the job as a perioperative nurse?
How to Answer
As a perioperative nurse, you will be working among a harmonious team of medical professionals that includes surgeons, anesthetists, surgical techs, and other nurses. But you will also have your autonomy in responding to patient care needs in pre-op and post-op states. In asking this question, your interviewer is looking for your honest assessment of where you will stand coming into the job based on your training needs and timeline for getting up and running on the job. As you prepare an answer, keep in mind that they have a really good feel for your experience based on your resume. Be as honest as you can when you answer, your interviewer will appreciate it.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 13th, 2024
Answer Example
"I feel very comfortable in my preoperative assessment skills and knowing my way around many different surgeries in the OR, particularly orthopedic surgeries and general surgeries. Over the last four years in my current role as an OR nurse, the skills I've developed and the experiences I've gained will help me greatly as part of your team. With that said, I would take my time during the orientation process to get to know my colleagues and the surgeons I would be working with so I can ensure that workflows are never disrupted. Learning the patient flow and documentation processes would also be a top priority for me. I would foresee myself having direct supervision for the first month or two, and then be up and running on my own in no time."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 13th, 2024
24. Working as a perioperative nurse requires a great deal of attention to detail and often multi-tasking. What do you do to help keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed in these situations?
How to Answer
In the OR setting, perioperative nurses work closely with patients throughout their care and this includes completing paperwork, prepping for procedures, providing assistance to surgeons in the OR, and monitoring and discharging patients from post-op care. In a busy and hectic environment, your interviewer needs to be confident in your ability to multi-task and ensure no minor detail is overlooked when it comes to overall patient care. This question gives you the chance to talk about your ways of keeping yourself organized in your work and how you keep a clear mind when things get stressful, so take advantage of it by highlighting how you do both in your current position and will continue to do it as their next perioperative nurse.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"For me, staying stress free and focused in my work comes down to the most basic mindset of keeping my mind on my patients at all times, their needs, and their outcomes. This focus allows me to avoid outside distractions and ensure that no situation gets me down or hampers my duties. As you can see from my resume, I've spent the last six years as a focused and dedicated medical-surgical nurse in one of the state's largest hospitals. I've managed patient floors full of patients in all conditions and I'm confident that the multitasking skills I've developed there will help me greatly as a perioperative nurse with your team. I focus on one patient at a time and utilize a simple notebook and checklist to ensure that nothing gets overlooked with their care."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
25. Our operating room is full of dynamic and unique personalities. What type of personality do you have?
How to Answer
In asking this question, your interviewer is politely letting you know that their OR is full of bold personalities and this is to be expected among a passionate group of nurses and surgeons. They ask this question in hopes for you to give your honest thoughts on your personality, while also having you talk about how it works well with every differing personality style you will meet on the team you are interviewing to join. As you discuss your personality style, make sure to highlight how it has helped you nurture and develop great working relationships in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024
Answer Example
"If I'm fortunate enough to join this amazing team as a perioperative nurse, your team will quickly find that I'm assertive, able to speak my mind, and confident in my work to be able to work effectively with even the most demanding surgeons. I'm also very willing to take direction and make the work atmosphere as fun and engaging as possible. My current colleagues, as you'll find in my reference letters, always appreciate my open mind and my ability to get along with any person, in any situation."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 21st, 2024