How to prepare for a nurse interview?

Learn important names and key leaders within the organization. These can typically be found on the company website or through sites like LinkedIn. These are the decision-makers for the company, so knowing who they are and what they do can be important.

Read employee reviews on sites like Indeed or Glassdoor to read how past and current employees feel about working for the company. Get insight into their culture and work environment. This can give you insight on how to answer questions about departments, teamwork, and overall the overall feel of how they conduct business.

Be prepared to discuss your own work history and experiences. Think of 8 to 10 accomplishments or personal achievements. Prioritize achievements that highlight your character traits and ways that your accomplishments have benefitted your patients or organization.

Here are examples of the types of interview questions you can expect:

Introductory questions: Your interviewer may ask you to share details about yourself. When you answer this question, share your enthusiasm for nursing and what led you to this field.

Questions about stress: Being a nurse is stressful and your interviewer will want to hear how you react in stressful situations and how you counteract stress.

You may be asked questions like "How do you perform in a very fast-paced, pressure-filled environment?". If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, let your interviewer know that. If you implement strategies to counteract stress, discuss that. Let them know that in stressful situations, you stay focused on your patients and their care.

Questions about teamwork and communication: Nurses don't work in isolation, so your interviewer will want to make sure you're a good fit for the team that you would be working with. They want to know that you can collaborate and communicate well with others.

Your answer should explain that you work well in a variety of situations and that you're flexible and open-minded to approaching tasks. Let them know that you are comfortable taking the lead in certain situations as well as stepping back when needed.

Situational questions: Before the interview is over, they will likely ask you a few situational questions. You may be asked questions like "What would you do if a patient in your care complained constantly?". Share any previous experiences you have in this type of setting in your answer. Show your personality, work ethic, and communication.