Nursing Interview Questions and Answers Part 4
16. Why did you choose this particular unit (it could be an ICU, Trauma Unit, Cardiology unit, etc) to work in?
Answer:
This question is for an experienced nursing candidate or for someone who has applied for a specific unit. With this question, the interviewer is trying to understand you more as an individual and what your personality is.
You can tell the interviewer if you have done an additional course in handling a particular unit. As each of these units get different kinds of patients, needing different type of care. The interviewer would want to know what made you take this decision.
Sometimes the interviewer would also want to know if you are flexible in working with other units.
17. Where do you feel you need to work on yourself?
Answer:
With this question, the interviewer is trying to know your weakness. Everyone has some or the other weakness, so it is OK. Tell the interviewer about your weakness and more importantly what are you doing to improve upon it.
For e.g., if you are trying to move into a little senior role like that of a head nurse, you can say something like, "Some days back, I realized that I need to improve upon my time management skills. Soon, I started maintaining a to-do list and prioritizing my tasks. This has helped me tremendously and I'm already seeing that I'm finishing my tasks on time and more effectively."
18. Is communication with the patient's family an important task for a nurse?
Answer:
For a nurse, communication is a very important skill. You can say that a kind word is very comforting for the patient as well as for the family members. Speaking calmly and clearly with the family about patient's condition is very assuring. The patient's relatives are relieved that they are in correct hands. It improves their level of trust and they don't keep running to the nurse every now and then.
This is helpful to both the nurse and the family members in staying calm and more focused.
20. Why did you leave your last job or why are you looking for a change (if still employed)?
Answer:
This question is not specific to this role but you may expect this question in your interview. This is a very subjective question. You are not expected to talk bad about your previous or current employer rather you can say you are looking for growth and hence looking for a change.
19. Being a nurse is very demanding and sometimes a thankless job, what do you feel about it?
Answer:
With this question, you can make a negative aspect of working as a nurse into a positive one.
You could say that being there for the patients and helping them comfort their pain, listening to their concern and finally getting to see a smile on their face makes this job rewarding.
20. How has your training helped you?
Answer:
Training is an important aspect of the nursing career. It gives you practical knowledge which is not present in any book or journal.
You could use your own training experiences to answer this question. Talk about what was taught to you during the training and how implementing it at various occasions helped you.
For example: You can say that you learned a lot in the neonatal care during your training and you provided special care to premature babies. You can also mention about any specialized courses you have done or if you were a part of any special program in your training hospital.
