1. Tell us what are necessary qualities for a nurse to possess?

The answer to this question will reflect your work priorities and what characteristics you feel to be most important.

"Over time, I have seen that excellent communication is first and foremost, whether I am comforting a patient or discussing treatments with a doctor. Another important quality is organization. In such a sensitive environment, one mistake could be the difference between life and death.Lastly, patience is essential to possess. You must be a people person and be able to endure any possible turn of events."

2. Explain me a time when you felt overwhelmed with your work or patient-load. What did you do?

Give a specific example of a time you were overwhelmed. Explain step-by-step the actions you took to overcome this feeling and to focus on the task at hand.

3. Please explain me a time you provided effective patient or family education?

Tell a story about a time when you knew your patient or family retained your teachings. How did you know that you effectively communicated the piece of education?

4. Please explain about a time you failed. How did you deal with this situation?

Share a story about when you experience failure. Talk about your feeling and why you felt that you failed. Discuss anything positive that came from this failure? What did you learn from failing? What might you do differently now?

5. Tell us what is the most difficult part of being a nurse?

This can be a tricky question to answer because you want to be honest and genuine, while still showing that you love your job.

"I absolutely love being a nurse, but as with all jobs challenges will cross my path. The hardest part of being a nurse is seeing a patient in pain or unhappy and being limited in the extent I can comfort them. The reality is that as a professional I can only do so much. However, I realize this helps me so that I do not become too emotionally invested in my patients."

6. Tell us a time when your facility was undergoing some change. How did that impact you, and how did you adapt?

Talk about a time your facility changed. Maybe they were acquired by another facility. Perhaps they transitioned to a new computer system. Describe the change and the steps you took to adapt to such change.

7. Please explain a time when you had not communicated well. How did you correct the situation?

No one is perfect, we all have flaws. Discuss a time when you experienced miscommunication at work. What were the circumstances? How did you know you did not communicate well? What did you learn? What were the results?

8. Explain me how would you handle a patient that constantly complains about pain?

There is bound to be a difficult patient so you need to know how to handle such a situation. Use your past experience to show how you have previously overcame a similar circumstance.

"It all comes down to reassurance and proper care. This reminds me of a patient I had a few years ago. She told me about the excruciating pain she was experiencing several times.My first thought was to make sure we were doing our jobs right so I conferred with the attending doctor to ensure the patient's pain was being managed in the most effective way possible. Then, I listened and empathized with my patient while simultaneously reassuring her we were doing everything possible to ease her discomfort."

9. Tell us about a time a patient or their family were particularly pleased and appreciative of your care?

Tell a story about a family who was happy with your care. What did you do in particular that they were pleased with? How did you know they were happy? What were the results of this situation?

10. Explain me a time when you were the resident medical expert. What did you do to make sure everyone was able to understand you?

Tell a story about a time when others were relying on your medical expertise. Talk about the specific circumstances and words you used to ensure that they understood the language. What did you talk about? What was the result?

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