Walking into an interview can feel nerve-wracking, especially when you’re eager to land that perfect Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) job. But don’t worry—you’re not alone. The key to success is preparation and confidence. Employers want to see that you have the clinical skills, compassion, and professionalism needed to thrive in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Here, we’ll break down some of the most common LPN interview questions, explain why they’re asked, and give you insightful tips on how to answer them like a pro. Whether you’re a new grad or an experienced LPN looking for a fresh opportunity, this guide will help you walk into your interview ready to impress.
LPN Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why did you decide to become an LPN?
Purpose: Employers want to understand your motivation for pursuing nursing and whether you are passionate about the profession. This helps them gauge your long-term commitment to the role.
How to Answer: Be honest about your inspiration for becoming an LPN. You can share a personal story about how you became interested in nursing—perhaps a family member was ill, and you saw firsthand how nurses made a difference, or maybe you have always been drawn to healthcare. Discuss your passion for patient care and emphasize how the LPN role allows you to make a meaningful impact. Tie your answer to your long-term goals, such as gaining experience before pursuing an RN degree or specializing in a particular area of nursing.
2. How do you handle stressful situations in a healthcare setting?
Purpose: LPNs often work in fast-paced environments where critical thinking and emotional resilience are necessary. Interviewers want to know if you can remain calm and efficient under pressure.
How to Answer: Provide a specific example of a high-stress situation you’ve encountered in your career. Explain the context (e.g., a sudden patient emergency, handling multiple tasks at once, or dealing with a difficult patient). Describe how you prioritized tasks, maintained clear communication, and sought support when necessary. Emphasize techniques you used to manage stress, such as deep breathing, staying organized, or relying on teamwork. Highlight how you remained focused on patient care despite pressure.
3. Can you give an example of a time you had to deal with a difficult patient or family member?
Purpose: Nurses frequently encounter patients and families who are anxious, frustrated, or uncooperative. Employers need to know that you can de-escalate tense situations while maintaining professionalism.
How to Answer: Choose a real example where you effectively managed a difficult interaction. Describe the situation and why the patient or family member was upset. Explain how you used different techniques, such as active listening, empathy, and clear communication, to address their concerns. If you were able to resolve the situation, describe the outcome. If the situation escalated beyond your control, explain how you sought support from a supervisor or social worker while ensuring the patient received the necessary care. Emphasize that you remain calm, patient, and professional in all interactions.
4. How do you ensure patient safety in your role as an LPN?
Purpose: Patient safety is a top priority in healthcare, and interviewers want to ensure you follow protocols to prevent errors and complications.
How to Answer: Start by emphasizing the importance of patient safety in nursing practice. Mention key measures you take, such as double-checking medication dosages, following proper hand hygiene, and ensuring accurate documentation. Discuss how you communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals to prevent miscommunication-related errors. If applicable, provide an example of a time you caught a potential mistake before it affected patient care. Reinforce that patient safety is always at the forefront of your nursing practice.
5. Describe a time when you worked as part of a healthcare team.
Purpose: LPNs collaborate with RNs, doctors, CNAs, and other healthcare professionals. Employers need to know that you work well in a team setting.
How to Answer: Give an example of a time you played a key role in a healthcare team. Describe the situation, such as coordinating care for a patient, assisting with a complex procedure, or helping a coworker manage a busy shift. Explain your specific contributions, how you communicated effectively with colleagues, and the outcome of the teamwork. Highlight attributes like flexibility, cooperation, and willingness to step in where needed to support patient care.
6. How do you stay updated on the latest nursing practices and healthcare regulations?
Purpose: Healthcare is constantly evolving, and employers want to know that you are committed to continuing education and professional development.
How to Answer: Discuss various ways you stay informed, such as attending nursing workshops, participating in online courses, reading medical journals, or being a member of professional organizations like the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN). If you’ve taken any recent continuing education courses, mention them and how they have improved your practice. Emphasize that you actively seek opportunities to learn and improve your nursing skills.
7. What would you do if a patient refused treatment or medication?
Purpose: Patients have the right to refuse care, and interviewers want to see that you handle these situations professionally while ensuring they are well-informed.
How to Answer: Explain that you would first seek to understand the patient’s concerns. You would calmly educate them about the importance of the treatment or medication, explain any potential risks of refusal, and answer any questions they have. If the patient still refuses, you would document the refusal according to facility policy and notify the RN or physician. If possible, provide an example of a time you helped a patient make an informed decision about their care.
8. Tell me about a time you had to multitask under pressure.
Purpose: LPNs often juggle multiple patients and responsibilities, so strong time management and prioritization skills are essential.
How to Answer: Describe a situation where you had to manage multiple tasks at once—perhaps caring for multiple patients, handling an urgent situation while continuing routine care, or covering for a short-staffed shift. Explain how you prioritized tasks, stayed organized, and delegated when necessary. Highlight your ability to remain calm and focused, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate care without compromising quality.
9. What qualities make you a great LPN?
Purpose: Employers want to assess whether your personal strengths align with the demands of the role.
How to Answer: List key qualities that make you a strong nurse, such as compassion, attention to detail, adaptability, teamwork, and strong communication skills. Provide specific examples of how these traits have benefited your patients or colleagues. For example, if you are known for being detail-oriented, mention how this has helped you catch medication discrepancies or improve documentation accuracy. If you are compassionate, share a story of how you went above and beyond to comfort a patient.
Additional LPN Interview Tips
While preparing for certain questions is an excellent way to shine in your LPN interview, there are additional steps you can take to make a strong impression on the interviewer. These include:
- Research the employer beforehand to get a good understanding of their mission and values.
- Emphasize patient-centered care.
- Demonstrate strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Show you can handle stressful situations.
- Highlight both your technical and clinical skills.
- Ask thoughtful questions.
- Dress professionally and arrive on time.
- Follow up after the interview.
Whether you have interviews scheduled or are still in the job hunt, Sunbelt Staffing offers a wide range of LPN nurse jobs around the country. Explore our LPN openings today to find your next dream role!