1. Why should I hire you as Director Of Nursing?
I've been a Nurse Practitioner for the past ten years – my boss has said time and time again that without me, the hospital would fall apart. I've also taken the time to educate myself on some of the latest industry issues I regularly use (but didn't really understand the ins and outs of). What's good enough for most people is never really good enough for me.
2. Tell me a time when you did not get along with a nurse?
I used to lock heads with a fellow nurse in the INCU ward. We disagreed over a lot of things – from the care of patients to who got what shifts to how to speak with a child's family. Our personalities just didn't mesh. After three months of arguing, I pulled her aside and asked her to lunch. At lunch, we talked about our differences and why we weren't getting along. It turns out, it was all about communication. We communicated differently and once we knew that, we began to work well together. I really believe that talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.
3. Explain how do you handle staffing issues?
Nurse Managers assign nursing staff to each department in the health care unit: radiology, emergency, etc. They do this in coordination with the departments and their own knowledge of current nursing practices, taking into account the needs of the nurses and their schedule as well.
4. Explain me how do you place newly trained nurses in different departments?
My job is to assess nurses during and after the training period and determine which nurse will work efficiently in which department. I make sure that I understand each nurse's limitations and work around them so that I can place them effectively.
5. Explain me me the position: assistant director of nursing you're applying for?
This is a “homework” question, too, but it also gives some clues as to the perspective the person brings to the table. The best preparation you can do is to read the job description and repeat it to yourself in your own words so that you can do this smoothly at the interview.
6. Explain me why are you interested in this particular nursing job?
Again prepare for this by finding out as much as possible about the job and the facility. Demonstrate why this job is the one you particularly want using this background research. For example:
"I am specifically looking for a position in a facility like this because of it's excellent emergency care ....."
7. Explain me how do you stay current with the nursing profession?
Nurse interview questions about your motivation to learn and stay updated are important indicators of your commitment to nursing as a career. Examples include attending conferences, subscribing to professional nursing journals, joining relevant forums and groups and conducting online research.
8. Why do you want to work in this industry as Director Of Nursing?
I've always loved nursing, but my interest in health care really started when I volunteered at a homeless shelter in college. Seeing so many people without care inspired me to pursue a career devoted to caring for others. I kept going back and volunteering, which got me hooked. It was great to be able to contribute positively to society that then led me to a field I feel so passionate about.
9. Can you explain when were you most satisfied in your job?
I'm a people person. I was always happiest – and most satisfied – when I was interacting with patients, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible care. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed – I was rated as “Good or Excellent” 95% of the time in peer reviews. Part of the reason I'm interested in this job is that I know I'd have even more interaction with patients, on an even more critical level.
10. Explain me about your experience in training newly graduated registered nurses?
The nurse manager assesses performance. Normally, a newly graduated RN will be very familiar with all of the new nursing technologies and newly developed medical techniques. They will however usually require information as to how to improve performance, anticipate and prevent misunderstanding/conflicts, define goals, work as a team, etc.
11. Explain me what challenges does nursing profession face today?
Like the overall medical industry the field of nursing also faces the problems of staff shortage and accommodating and catering for high volume population in need of healthcare assistance .
12. Please explain why did you leave your last job as Director Of Nursing?
Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.
13. Please tell me what did you like least about your last job?
There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked less than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While I do love to travel, twice a month was a little exhausting – I didn't like spending quite so much time out of the hospital. I'm happy to see that this role involves a lot less travel.
14. Tell me why should we hire you as Director Of Nursing?
Because I am very compassionate and experienced nursing manager. I offer 8+ years of relevant experience along with proven skills in nurse management, shift scheduling, staff monitoring, team mentoring and staff development.
15. Please tell me what do you think of your previous boss?
My last boss taught me the importance of time management – he didn't pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and manage my case loads way more efficiently.
16. What motivates you as Director Of Nursing?
I've always been motivated by the challenge of a tough patient. In my last role, I came across a particular patient who refused a handful of nurses before he was assigned to me. I was able to find something we had in common, which calmed him down. After the patient saw me make an effort to better understand his situation, he became much more agreeable to my aid. I love facing and overcoming challenges on such a personal level.
Staying up to date with current nursing practices helps understand other departments before assigning personnel there. It is especially relevant when you provide training.
18. Tell me how do you handle nurse staffing activities?
I have good management skills and know how to disseminate duties. I make sure that staffing is sorted out at the beginning of each week and that I have backups in case of emergencies.
19. Do you know patient centered care?
By patient centered care we mean development and implementation of individualized patient care plans that are designed specially and are adaptable according to the patient needs.
Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.
21. Explain me what do you consider your strengths and weaknesses as a nursing professional?
Prepare three or four key strengths that relate closely to the job you are interviewing for. Reinforce each strength with a concrete example.
22. Tell me what are the biggest challenges facing nursing today?
Healthcare systems globally are struggling to meet the demands of the populations they serve. One of the major problems is the current shortage of trained nurses. Use your interview answer to demonstrate that you have thought about this issue and offer up some reasons as to why there is such a shortage of skilled nurses.
Possible reasons include low nursing school enrollment due to poor perceptions of nursing as a fairly rewarded career and nurses leaving the profession before retirement age due to job dissatisfaction. You need to be able to show your interest in nursing as a career by demonstrating that you have thought about the current and future issues facing nurses.
23. Explain me in what departments of health care do you have experience working as a nurse manager?
Introduce yourself to the interviewer. Tell about yourself and your background as a registered nurse and as a manager of nurses. Give specific department names and provide brief elaborations as to what you did there: Intensive care room, emergency rooms and operation rooms where you received and distributed patients.
Two years back when the clinic I worked for was upgraded to hospital status, we were short of staff and the protocols for registering a patient who needed care from more than one department had not been communicated. I took an extra minute to confirm the protocol from higher management and communicated the same to my team same day
25. Explain me what did you like and dislike about your previous position?
The interviewer is evaluating your suitability and compatibility with this nursing opportunity. General likes that are applicable to most nursing jobs include learning opportunities, professional growth, job diversity and directly contributing to improving patient care.
The dislikes should not refer to characteristics of the nurse job you are interviewing for. Stay away from reasons that involve common working conditions such as overtime. Avoid criticisms of your previous employer but refer to the absence of something that you want in your new job such as the opportunity to use your initiative more or learn new skills.
Expect nurse interview questions that explore your motivation for the nursing job and a nursing career.
