13 Mar Nurse Interview Questions UK
If you’re an UK RN, you’re probably preparing for nurse interview questions after getting invited to meet the hospital or healthcare facility. Finding interview questions that recruiters are likely to ask can be tricky. Don’t worry! Our specialist recruiters at Proximity Healthcare share the interview questions they ask the most and why, as well as what they look for in answers. Read on for insider knowledge of what recruiters ask for nurse interview questions.
Have you ever had to cover for another nurse’s shift at the last minute? How did you navigate this?
In essence, this question tells us how flexible and adaptable you are, that you prioritise teamwork, and how you handle pressure and can stay calm and focused under time constraints.
How to answer
To effectively answer this question, focus on the good parts of covering for someone– you might mention that patient safety is more important to you than a fixed schedule. This shows you’re flexible and care about your teammates, as well as good at taking initiative.
Another good idea is to share a story of the last time you covered a shift and why. Explain how you handle pressure and can stay calm and focused under time constraints.
How do you navigate difficult family members of patients?
This question helps recruiters assess whether you have the interpersonal skills to thrive in an often cut-throat, socially high-pressure environment. Successful treatment often relies on clear and compassionate cooperation with the patient’s family to build trust. Family members are vital to providing emotional support and key information about patients, so working with them effectively truly improves the quality of care. This question is also a means for recruiters to see whether you’re able to stay calm under pressure and can problem-solve under stressful circumstances.
How to answer
A good answer to this question is to explain examples of how you have dealt with difficult family members.
Why did you choose to become a nurse?
Recruiters ask this to assess your enthusiasm for the job, as this is a tell-tale of whether you’ll stay in the profession long-term. It also reveals attractive skills and qualities, such as passion for the job, compassion, and a desire to help others– all crucial in nursing. Understanding what makes you tick as an RN is one of the criteria we use to understand whether you’re the right match for a hospital.
How to answer
You might answer with a story that lit the flame for you to become a nurse, mentioning what makes you makes you passionate about working in a healthcare setting.
What is your favourite medical discipline to work in and why?
This question is designed to gauge whether you’re a fit for the specialty they’re hiring for, or just applying for any old nursing position. Your answer tells us whether you’re genuinely interested in your chosen field.
How to answer
If you’re applying for a cardiac unit, for instance, you might say Cardiology, because you’re fascinated by the workings of the heart and enthralled by the fast-paced environment.
Tell me about a time in your nursing career when you made a mistake. How did you overcome it?
Everyone makes mistakes– recruiters want to see how you handle slip-ups in order to assess your willingness to take accountability for your accidents– that you reflect on your mistakes and learn from them. We’re also interested in how you approach the problem and employ critical thinking for effective solutions.
How to answer
To properly answer this question, pick a minor mistake you made, like vein fishing as a new grad. Emphasise the responsibility that you took for the accident. In the vein fishing accident, you might have apologised to the patient and asked a superior the proper way to insert IVs and locate veins. Explain what you learned from the experience and how it made you a better nurse.
Have you ever faced an ethical dilemma at work? What did you do?
Nursing is full of situations where the right course of action isn’t always clear-cut. By asking about a past dilemma, the recruiter can see how you approach complex situations, weigh options, and make choices under pressure. This question also evaluates your ethical compass. Strong morals are crucial to working as an RN. It also helps us gauge your decision-making process; whether you advocated for the patient, followed best practices, and ensured patient safety.
How to answer
To answer this question, explain an ethical dilemma you faced, such as a patient wishing to terminate a pregnancy. Termination of pregnancy might not align with your morals or belief, but you obeyed the patient’s wishes. Focus on how you followed ethical guidelines and advocated for your patient, as well as a positive outcome that resulted. The key is show off your ethical practices, critical thinking, and your commitment to patient care.
We hope we’ve aptly explained why recruiters ask the questions they do, and how to properly answer them. Remember: the key to answering most nursing interview questions is to show off your reasoning, passion for nursing, and commitment to patient safety and advocacy. For advice on best nursing interview practice, contact our friendly recruitment team— we’re happy to help!