Nursing interview questions (and what to ask back)
The questions nurse managers actually ask, how to answer, and the questions that tell you if the job is any good.
What they’ll ask
- Tell me about a time a patient’s condition changed suddenly. Walk through what you noticed, who you told, what you did, how it turned out.
- How do you prioritise with several patients? Name a real method: airway-breathing-circulation, acute before stable, time-critical meds first.
- Tell me about a conflict with a coworker or doctor. Keep it calm, focused on the patient, and show how it was resolved.
- Why this setting? Have a real reason: the population, the schedule, the learning.
Use the STAR format
Situation, Task, Action, Result. One or two minutes per answer.
What to ask them
- What are the nurse-to-patient ratios on a normal day, and on a bad one?
- How long is orientation, and will I have one preceptor?
- How is overtime handled, and how often is it mandatory?
- Why did the last person in this role leave?
General information, not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; your state board of nursing has the final word. Pay figures: BLS OEWS May 2024 national medians.