Landing a nursing job isn’t just about having the right skills; it’s about showing employers that you can handle the challenges of the job with confidence and compassion. Whether you’re a new grad or an experienced RN looking for a new opportunity, interviews can feel nerve-wracking. But don’t worry! The key to success is preparation.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the most common RN interview questions, why they’re asked, and how to craft strong, thoughtful answers that highlight your expertise.
Registered Nurse Interview Questions with Example Answers
1. Why did you choose nursing?
Purpose:
This question helps interviewers determine your motivation for becoming a nurse. They want to see if you have a genuine passion for patient care and if you are likely to stay engaged in the profession long-term. Employers value nurses who are deeply committed to their work rather than those who see it as just a job.
How to Answer:
When answering, share a personal story or defining moment that inspired you to pursue nursing. Explain what you love about the profession, such as patient interaction, making a difference, or the dynamic nature of healthcare. Try to connect your passion to the values of the organization you’re applying to, showing that your goals align with their mission.
2. How do you handle a difficult patient?
Purpose:
Patient interactions can be challenging, and the interviewer wants to assess your ability to de-escalate situations, maintain professionalism, and provide quality care even when patients are uncooperative. They are looking for strong communication skills, patience, and empathy.
How to Answer:
A good answer should acknowledge that patients may be difficult due to pain, fear, or frustration. Explain how you stay calm, listen actively, and validate their concerns. You can mention strategies such as using clear explanations, showing empathy, and involving family or other staff when necessary. If possible, provide a brief example of a time you successfully handled a difficult patient.
3. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple patients?
Purpose:
Time management and critical thinking are essential in nursing, especially in high-acuity settings. Interviewers want to know how you organize your workload, handle competing priorities, and ensure patient safety.
How to Answer:
When answering, explain your method for prioritization, such as using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) or focusing on the most critical patients first. You should also mention how you effectively delegate tasks and use teamwork to ensure all patients receive timely care. Demonstrating your ability to stay adaptable and organized is key. To make your response stronger, briefly describe a real situation where you successfully managed competing priorities.
4. How do you handle working under pressure?
Purpose:
Nursing can be stressful, and employers want to know if you can stay composed, make sound decisions, and provide effective care during emergencies. They want to see resilience, adaptability, and critical thinking.
How to Answer:
A strong response should emphasize your ability to stay calm and focused under pressure. You can mention strategies like deep breathing, prioritization, and teamwork. It’s also helpful to provide an example of a time you successfully handled a high-stress situation, such as managing multiple critical patients. Make sure to highlight how you maintained patient safety and worked effectively with your team.
5. Describe a time you made a mistake in patient care. How did you handle it?
Purpose:
No one is perfect, and mistakes happen in healthcare. The interviewer wants to see if you take accountability, learn from errors, and follow proper procedures to ensure patient safety. A cover-up or blame-shifting is a red flag.
How to Answer:
When answering, choose an example where the mistake was not catastrophic but still a learning experience. Acknowledge the mistake without blaming others and explain how you immediately took action to correct it. Be sure to mention how you followed proper protocol and ensured patient safety. Finally, discuss what you learned from the experience and what steps you’ve taken to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
6. How do you handle conflict with a coworker?
Purpose:
Nursing is a team-oriented profession, and conflicts will arise. Interviewers want to see how you navigate disagreements professionally and constructively without letting personal issues affect patient care.
How to Answer:
In your response, emphasize the importance of open communication and professionalism. Explain that you address issues directly and respectfully rather than letting them escalate. If possible, provide an example of a time when you resolved a conflict with a colleague through discussion, compromise, or mediation. Make sure to highlight how you prioritize patient care and teamwork over personal differences.
7. What would you do if you noticed a coworker making a medication error?
Purpose:
This question is intended to test your ethical judgment, patient advocacy, and ability to follow protocol. They want to ensure you will prioritize safety over personal relationships and fear of confrontation.
How to Answer:
Your answer should make it clear that patient safety is always your top priority. Explain that you would intervene immediately to prevent harm if possible. After that, you would privately address the issue with your coworker and ensure that the proper reporting process is followed. Avoid making the answer about blaming or punishing the coworker. Instead, focus on preventing harm, supporting a culture of learning, and ensuring best practices are followed.
8. How do you ensure patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance?
Purpose:
Confidentiality is a legal and ethical obligation in nursing. Interviewers want to see if you understand HIPAA regulations and how to handle patient information appropriately.
How to Answer:
To answer this question, explain that you only discuss patient information with authorized personnel and never share details in public areas. Mention specific actions you take, such as logging out of electronic records when not in use, verifying caller identity before sharing information, and following hospital policies regarding patient privacy. If possible, share an example of how you handled a situation where confidentiality was at risk and what steps you took to maintain compliance.
Additional RN Interview Tips
While understanding and preparing for questions that you are likely to be asked are great ways to excel in the interview process, there are other steps you can take to improve your chances of impressing the interviewer. These include:
- Research the facility and role beforehand
- Highlight both your clinical and soft skills
- Showcase your ability to handle stress
- Prepare strong examples from your experience
- Ask thoughtful questions
- Be honest and authentic
- Follow up with a thank-you email
- Stay confident and positive
Whether you’re interviewing for your first RN position or making a career move, these tips will help you make a great impression and increase your chances of landing the job.
Ready to put your newfound skills to the test? Check out our wide selection of RN openings across the country and start applying today!