These days, depending on where you live, finding a job may be a difficult task. I remember being very anxious whenever I had to go on an interview. Instead of getting nervous and worrying over your nursing interview, take some time to prepare for it – and calm yourself – with these tips.
Nursing Interview Tips
Remember your passion.
This is the most important part of a successful interview. As the information you provided on the application landed you the interview, it’s time to shine. Let them see your passion through an enthusiasm for the job. Showing passion is easy when it’s there – show it with your word choices and your behavior during the interview.
Consider your attitude.
Your attitude will greatly impact the impression you give the interviewer. Make sure that you’re positive, sincere, and let them know that you are willing to put forth the most effort and work hard toward success with the position. A “can-do” attitude is best.
Practice your interview.
Take time to sit down with someone and practice your questions and answers. This practice session will give you time to work on your nerves so you’ll be calm during the actual interview. It will give you time to practice your wording and to prepare yourself for any difficult questions you may face. If you have time, run through the mock interview again after you’ve pinpointed any areas you believe need improvement. Don’t overdo it, because you don’t want to sound rehearsed during the real thing.
Research the company you’re interviewing for.
Interviewers are impressed when their candidates know about the company. This doesn’t mean you should flaunt what you know or that you should recite it at random, but take time to look at information on the company so you’ll be educated on anything the company is currently dealing with, as well as where the company comes from.
Dress nicely and arrive early.
First impressions are everything, and you need to be appropriately dressed and arrive on time to make yours a good one. If you’re not sure what to wear, here are a few pointers:
- Dark suits and long-sleeved shirts are best. Men should always wear a tie.
- Keep body piercings and tattoos concealed. Men should not wear their earrings, and women should only wear one set. Keep all other jewelry to a minimum, limited to one ring on each hand.
- Keep pockets empty, as bulges and sounds of items moving around will be a distraction.
- Women should use a clear or conservative color of nail polish, and nails should be neatly trimmed.
- Shoes should be clean and polished.
- Hair and face should be well-groomed. No beards; if you wear a mustache, keep it neatly trimmed.
- Carry a briefcase, not a purse.
- Do not wear hose with a run in them, and keep them close to your skin color.
- Keep makeup, perfume, or cologne to a minimum.
Nurse Phone Interview Questions and Tips
While following the above tips should provide you with a solid baseline for nailing your next interview, there is also a chance you may be asked to interview over the phone. Many healthcare organizations rely on the phone interview to narrow a short list of candidates to meet in person. Translating your warmth and professionalism over the phone might not come naturally. That is why it is important to know how to prepare for a phone interview as a nurse.
What can you expect from a nursing phone interview?
Knowing the most common nursing phone interview questions and answers is where to start your preparations. Most nurse phone interviews last about half an hour. The flow for different nursing jobs will vary.
Common interview questions for nurses with sample answers
These RN phone interview questions may also apply to entry-level and specialty nurse interviews. Think through your answers and write a few bullet points for each.
1. Why did you choose a career in nursing?
This question is designed to uncover your motivations and values. Your future employer might want to know if you might be a fit with their culture and mission.
2. What do you like most about nursing?
This question is a deeper dive into what you love about the field of nursing and what makes the work meaningful to you. It is a chance to talk about advancing your nursing career and what you can contribute to the interviewer’s organization.
3. Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult patient. How did you handle it?
The employer is looking for how well your compassion, patience, and problem-solving skills hold up under stress. This is an opportunity for you to explain how you helped a patient and family members through a difficulty to improve their comfort and understanding.
4. Describe a situation where you displayed teamwork. What were the results?
Working as a nurse requires being a team member. That is why nursing phone interview questions often touch on this theme. Talk about how you deal with conflicts and disagreements with patients, peers, and superiors. Don’t badmouth or blame anyone. Focus on how you handled the situation positively.
5. How do you prioritize tasks on a daily basis?
Your workload can be challenging. Your potential employer will want to know how you handle competing demands and stress. Are you able to maintain a sense of calm, to organize and multitask without compromising quality of care?
6. Have you disagreed with a doctor? How have you handled it?
Even the best doctors can make a mistake or overlook something important. The interviewer wants to know if you have the capability to note details and the confidence to bring up issues without being confrontational. This question builds on your teamwork skills as much as it probes your ability to catch the details.
7. Tell me about a time you played a leadership role.
In dynamic healthcare environments, you may be called to take charge at a moment’s notice. The interviewer wants to hear how you take on responsibility, how you gather information and make decisions, and how you contribute to a high-functioning team.
8. Can you tell me about a communication challenge, such as explaining something medically complex to someone without medical training?
Communication is a huge part of any nursing role. No list of nursing phone interview questions would be complete without one or two questions about communicating with doctors, others on the medical team and with patients and their families.
9. Describe a time when you stepped into a situation without a good understanding of what was going on with a patient.
The interviewer wants to know how you get up to speed in unfamiliar situations and how resourceful you are in doing research. Are you willing to ask the right questions? Admitting you don’t know is a strength. Knowing who to ask and how to find answers is vital.
10. Why do you want to work here?
Employers want people who are motivated and committed. They want to know if you have done your homework on the position and the organization, and to know what contribution you hope to make.
8 Nurse Phone Interview Tips
How to prepare for a phone interview as a nurse doesn’t stop with simply preparing your answers to common nurse phone interview questions. You will feel more confident and ready if you also keep these nurse phone interview tips in mind.
1. Research the job and facility to get a sense of culture.
The more you know about the employer, the better you can tailor your answers. It’s less about adjusting to the workplace than it is about finding a place where you can naturally fit. Carefully read the job description and note how you fit.
2. Prepare your answers and questions beforehand.
In addition to preparing answers to the general questions above, look into RN phone interview questions and questions about specialties to be ready for a curveball. The more you prepare, the more confident you will feel and the better you will come across.
3. Practice answering questions out loud.
Don’t just think through your answers in your head; say them out loud. What is easy to read isn’t always easy to say. Taking through your answers a few times ensures you are less likely to stumble over your words.
4. Select a quiet place for your nurse phone interview.
If you are in a loud and busy location, it will be hard to concentrate. You and your interviewer might struggle to hear each other. A quiet place with privacy will make it easier for you to do well.
5. Make sure you have a strong phone connection.
A poor cell phone connection can throw a monkey wrench into everything, creating confusion and wasting time. Arrange to be in a place with solid cell coverage–or better yet, use a landline.
6. Keep your nursing resume handy for quick reference.
In addition to notes about nursing phone interview questions, have your resume in hand. You might need it for specific dates and qualifications. Take the time to improve your nursing resume at the start of your job search.
7. Be expressive and positive to leave a good impression.
Be willing to express yourself during the call so the interviewer knows you as a person, not just a list of qualifications. Maintain a positive attitude to leave a good impression that will truly appeal to your potential employer.
8. Follow up afterwards to express interest.
Rounding out these nurse phone interview tips is the need to follow up within a day of your interview. It will help you stand out as someone who cares about the job. Thank the interviewer and reinforce your interest in the position.
The most important thing to remember is: relax. A job interview is important, yes, but you should remain calm enough to handle anything the interviewer may throw at you. Good luck!
Start your career in nursing with a successful interview
If you are ready to find a new nursing job, Sunbelt can help. We’ve been connecting qualified nurses like you with the country’s top healthcare facilities and systems for more than 30 years. Explore these open nursing jobs. One might be perfect for you.