How to Answer: Can you recall a time when you had a disagreement with a co-worker or boss? If so, how was it resolved?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Travel Nurse job interview.
12. Can you recall a time when you had a disagreement with a co-worker or boss? If so, how was it resolved?
How to Answer
Any time you work with someone else, there is a chance of having a disagreement about something at one time or another. The interviewer knows this. It's human nature for people to have their own opinions. What is important to the interviewer in this question is whether or not you are willing to compromise and work through difficult situations with your co-workers. Being unwilling to compromise or find alternative solutions to a dispute can affect everyone on the team, even if it is indirectly. Sharing a personal experience is OK, but do not embellish it to 'be the hero.'
Written by Darby Faubion
1st Entry Level Example
"I am a pretty easy-going person and do my best to avoid conflict. Like anyone else, I am sure there have been times that a co-worker and I have had a difference of opinion, but there has never been an instance that the disagreement was something that would have interfere with my work."
Written by Darby Faubion
1st Answer Example
"I believe if we think about it, each of us could remember at least one disagreement with a friend or co-worker. Although I consider myself to be pretty easy-going, I am also very passionate about my patients and the care that they receive. I have been aware of disagreements between other co-workers, but really like to think of myself as more of a peacekeeper. I feel like professional people should be able to discuss things logically and come to an agreement that is satisfactory for everyone involved."
Written by Darby Faubion
1st Experienced Example
"I think the most common disagreement between myself and others have involved our personal feelings about how healthcare should be carried out. However, I have learned, as have most of the people that I have worked with, that while our opinions are important, plans of care are designated by strict guidelines and with the input of everyone on the care team as well as the patient. Learning to respect those guidelines and patient wishes usually resolves issues that arise."
Written by Darby Faubion
2nd Experienced Example
"I usually try to be the peacekeeper however I think everyone encounters disagreement or confrontation at some point in their career. I previously had a disagreement with my charge nurse regarding a daily nursing assignment. It had been my third shift in a row and I had been given a completely new assignment from the previous days even though all of my previous patients were still on the unit. I asked the charge nurse if I may speak with her and I quickly and privately exampled my concerns. She validated my concerns and was able to share with me how she determined the nursing assignment for the day. In her doing this I was able to learn that there had been some changes in the patients' status over the night and that if I had kept the same nursing assignment it would have been much heavier than it was the previous two days and not the safety option. This was very helpful for me to understand and it showed me the importance of communicating well with all members of my team."
Written by Tabitha Cumpian on December 28th, 2022