Nursing Interview Questions and Answers

The 100 Nursing Interview Questions and Answers PDF is a Free Bonus download for those appearing for a nursing interview. Nursing professionals can gain free access to our compendium of over 100 interview questions with answers for nurses is meant to help nursing professionals in answering nursing related questions and excel at the nursing interview. We also personalize the nursing job interview questions and answers as per your professional profile, skills and competencies and experience, to help you in answering nursing interview questions.

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Categories of Nursing Personnel 

Categories of nursing personnel can be broadly categorized by their role (e.g., direct care provider, educator, administrator) and by their level of practice (e.g., Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse). Within these categories, nurses also specialize in different fields like pediatrics, mental health, or oncology.

By level of practice

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Provides direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor.

Registered Nurse (RN): Provides and coordinates patient care, educates patients, and provides advice to and about patients.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): An RN with a master's or doctoral degree and specialized training. This includes roles such as Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and Certified Nurse-Midwife.

By role and responsibility

Direct care providers: Includes staff nurses, senior staff nurses, and specialized nurses like ICU nurses or labor and delivery nurses.

Management and administrative roles: Includes positions like Nursing Supervisor, Ward Sister, Assistant Nursing Superintendent, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, Nursing Superintendent, Chief Nursing Officer, and Nursing Director.

Educational roles: Includes positions like Nurse Educator, Clinical Instructor, and roles within nursing schools and colleges, such as Lecturer, Professor, or Principal.

Specialized roles: Includes roles like Nurse Researcher, Public Health Nurse, and those in specific clinical areas such as oncology, cardiac nursing, and mental health nursing.

By patient population

Adult nurse: Cares for adult patients in various settings.

Children's nurse: Cares specifically for children.

Mental health nurse: Provides care and support to patients with mental health conditions.

Learning disability nurse: Supports individuals with learning disabilities.

We cover Interview Questions and Answers for the following categories of Nursing professionals:-

• RN job interview questions and answers 

• critical care nursing interview questions and answers 

• ICU interview questions and answers for nurses 

• ICU nurse interview questions and answers 

• ICU RN interview questions and answers 

• interview questions and answers for staff nurse 

• nursing interview questions and answers for freshers 

• hospital interview questions for nurses 

• staff nurse interview questions and answers pdf 

• nursing job interview questions and answers 

Questions Asked at a Nursing Interview 

Are you searching for interview tips for nurses questions and answers?  

Common nursing interview questions cover your professional motivation, strengths, weaknesses, and how you handle stressful or challenging situations. You can expect nursing interview questions about your experience with specific clinical skills, teamwork, dealing with difficult patients or colleagues, and your career goals. Behavioral nursing interview questions often require you to describe a situation using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). 

Preparing for a nursing interview requires more than just clinical knowledge; it demands you demonstrate your critical thinking, compassion, teamwork, and resilience through real-life examples. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses for clarity and impact. 

Here’s a comprehensive, categorized list of over 100 nursing interview questions (10 questions under each of the 11 most common categories).

This list covers general, behavioral, situational, technical, and other key areas typically explored in nursing interviews across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.

1. General / Introductory Nursing Interview Questions related to introduction of yourself in interview 

Nursing Interview Questions related to introduction of yourself in interview may consist of the following:

• Tell me yourself. in interview?

• Tell me about yourself.

• Why did you choose nursing?" or "What motivated you to choose a nursing career?

• Why did you choose nursing as a career?

• What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?

• What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

• Where do you see yourself in five years?

• Why are you interested in working at our hospital or healthcare facility?

• Why do you want to work for our organization?

• How do you stay motivated during challenging shifts?

• What do you consider your greatest professional achievement?

• How would you describe your work ethic?

• What do you think are the most important qualities for a nurse to have?

• How do you maintain compassion and professionalism under pressure?

2. Behavioral Nursing Interview Questions (Past Experience-Based)

Behavioral nursing interview questions may include:

• Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult patient.

• Describe a situation where you worked under pressure.

• Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how you handled it.

• Describe a time you went above and beyond for a patient.

• Tell me about a time you had to adapt to change.

• Describe a time you had to resolve a conflict with a coworker.

• Tell me about a time you demonstrated teamwork in a challenging situation.

• Describe a situation where you provided exceptional patient care.

• Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism and how you responded.

• Describe a time you had to make a quick decision during a critical situation.

3. Situational Nursing Interview Questions (Hypothetical Scenarios)

Situational nursing interview questions may include:

• What would you do if a patient refused their prescribed medication?

• How would you handle a sudden medical emergency during your shift?

• What would you do if you noticed a fellow nurse violating hospital policy?

• How would you respond if a doctor dismissed your concern about a patient’s condition?

• How would you deal with an angry or upset patient’s family member?

• What would you do if you were unsure about a procedure or instruction?

• How would you react if your workload became unmanageable during a shift?

• What steps would you take if you suspected a case of patient abuse?

• How would you handle a shortage of critical medical supplies?

• What would you do if a patient complained about your care?

4. Clinical Nursing Interview Questions

Clinical nursing interview questions may include the following clinical questions in nursing interview: 

• What are the five rights of medication administration?

• How do you prevent hospital-acquired infections?

• How do you handle a medication error?

• What steps do you follow for proper wound care?

• How do you assess pain in non-verbal patients?

• What are the early signs of sepsis you would look for?

• How do you prioritize patient care during a busy shift?

• What is your approach to IV insertion and maintenance?

• How do you handle a patient with sudden cardiac arrest?

• What vital signs are most critical to monitor in post-operative patients?

5. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Nursing Interview Questions

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Nursing Interview Questions may consist of the following:

• Describe a time you prevented a potential medical error.

• How do you handle conflicting priorities between multiple patients?

• How do you make quick decisions in high-pressure situations?

• How do you identify early signs of patient deterioration?

• What steps do you take to ensure accuracy in your documentation?

• How do you stay detail-oriented during a long or hectic shift?

• How would you handle a situation where you disagree with a physician’s order?

• Describe a time when you had to think creatively to solve a clinical problem.

• How do you evaluate whether a treatment plan is effective?

• What’s your process for learning from past mistakes?

6. Nursing Interview Questions About Leadership and Teamwork 

Nursing Interview questions about leadership and teamwork may include: 

• How would you describe your leadership style?

• Tell me about a time you led a team or took charge during your shift.

• How do you motivate your team members during a stressful period?

• How do you handle disagreements within your team?

• How do you delegate tasks effectively among staff?

• How do you support new or junior nurses on your team?

• Tell me about a time you managed a staffing shortage.

• How do you promote collaboration between nurses and physicians?

• How do you ensure effective communication during shift handovers?

• What do you believe makes a nursing team successful?

7. Your Strengths and Weaknesses Nursing Interview Questions

Some of the strengths and weaknesses nursing interview question can be listed hereunder:- 

• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

• What are your greatest strengths as a nurse?

• What is your biggest weakness, and how are you addressing it?

• How would your colleagues describe you?

• What personal qualities make you a good nurse?

• What do you do when you feel overwhelmed at work?

• What makes you different from other nursing candidates?

• What areas of your practice would you like to improve?

• How do your strengths contribute to patient care?

• What skills have you developed most during your nursing career?

• How do you turn weaknesses into opportunities for growth?

8. Healthcare Nursing Interview Questions

Expected healthcare nursing interview questions can be listed hereunder:- 

• What do you know about our hospital or healthcare facility?

• Why do you want to work here rather than somewhere else?

• How do our hospital’s values align with your professional goals?

• What do you think sets our organization apart from others?

• What challenges do you think our healthcare facility currently faces?

• How do you think nurses can contribute to improving patient satisfaction here?

• What are the most important qualities a nurse should demonstrate in this institution?

• How do you see yourself contributing to our team’s goals?

• What have you learned about our community and patient demographics?

• How do you think healthcare trends are affecting hospitals like ours?

9. Professional Values and  Cultural Fit Nursing Interview Questions

Expected professional values and  cultural fit nursing interview questions can be listed hereunder:- 

• What does patient-centered care mean to you?

• How do you handle diversity and cultural differences in patient care?

• How do you deal with ethical dilemmas in nursing?

• How do you maintain a positive attitude during stressful situations?

• How do you handle conflicts between your personal values and workplace policies?

• What does teamwork mean to you in a healthcare setting?

• How do you promote inclusivity and respect among your colleagues?

• How do you ensure compassion remains at the heart of your practice?

• What motivates you to do your best at work each day?

• How do you contribute to a positive workplace culture?

10. Salary, Schedule, and Availability Nursing Interview Questions

• What are your salary expectations for this role?

• Are you willing to work night shifts, weekends, or holidays?

• When would you be available to start working?

• Are you open to relocation or floating between departments?

• Would you consider overtime or extra shifts when needed?

• Are you interested in full-time or part-time employment?

• Do you prefer a specific department or unit?

• Are you currently interviewing elsewhere?

• How flexible is your schedule?

• What type of work-life balance are you seeking?

11. Closing Nursing Interview Questions (for the Candidate to Ask the Interviewer)

• What does a typical day look like for nurses in this unit?

• How is performance evaluated for nurses here?

• What professional development opportunities does the hospital offer?

• How do you support new nurses during the onboarding process?

• What are the biggest challenges currently faced by your nursing team?

• How does the hospital encourage continuing education and certification?

• What is the nurse-to-patient ratio in this department?

• How do you promote communication between departments?

• What are the next steps in the hiring process?

• How does your hospital support nurse wellness and mental health?