7 Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Apr 18, 2018

7 Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Nurse interview questions and answers.

 


 

1. Why did you decide to become a nurse?

This question is an attempt to get to know the candidate better as an individual. Everyone has a reason for going into their chosen profession and this should this should be viewed as an opportunity to explain what one’s motivations are and why they chose to nurse. It would be a good idea to provide a personal example if applicable, but the answer should be honest and sincere.

A good example of an answer would be “I decided to become a nurse because I genuinely love working with people and caring for others. When I was a child, I had an appendectomy and was really apprehensive about it. The doctors were great, but only spent a limited amount of time with me. It was the nurses who spent time, answered questions, and helped put me and my family at ease. They were fantastic during my recovery and that has always stuck with me. That is a big reason I decided to become a nurse.”

 

2.Give us an example of a situation where you had to deal with a difficult and demanding patient and what you did.

Nursing is a field in which you work with many different people during difficult and stressful times. There will always be difficult patients and this question seeks to gauge one’s reaction to a common issue.

“I remember one particular patient who was in a lot of pain and did not want to be touched, was verbally abusive and constantly complaining about their pain. I reviewed his chart and spoke with the attending physician to ensure that we were doing everything we could to manage his pain. After doing so, I let him know that we were doing everything possible to make him comfortable. While what I could do for him was limited, I made sure that he felt listened to and that we weren’t dismissive.”

 

3. Why do you want to work at this hospital, office, etc.?

This is a question to determine what the candidate knows about the facility and if they did their homework. Before interviewing, it is important to research the office, hospital, or facility beforehand and to be able to ask or answer related questions. If a job applicant does not know anything about the office, hospital, or practice it shows a basic lack of preparation and casts serious doubt on whether or not they actually want to work there.

“I would like to work at this hospital because of its excellent reputation for emergency medicine. I started as an EMT and had the opportunity to transport patients to various emergency rooms throughout the city and I was always impressed at the thoroughness, professionalism, and skill of the doctors and nurses that I encountered here. I know that this particular facility gets a good number of advanced trauma patients and I am looking forward to applying what I have already learned while still having the opportunity to learn from a seasoned and professional staff.”
 

4. Why did you choose the particular field of nursing that you are in?

This question is another way to get to know the candidate. Different specialties require different personality types and each has their own unique challenges. The best answer to give is one that provides some insight as to what drives the decision-making process.

“I have always loved aviation and was naturally drawn to emergency medicine. I spent time in the Army as a combat medic and as such spent a lot of time around helicopters both for transportation and for medical evacuations. After I left the Army, I knew that a flight nurse was the best way to build upon my previous interests and experiences in the civilian world.”
 

5. What kinds of personality traits are most effective for nurses to have?

This question is great for gauging a candidate's understanding of the complexity and human side of nursing. Nurses require a number of skills, especially interpersonal skills in order to successfully work with doctors, patients, family members, and other staff.

“In my opinion, the personality traits that make nurses most effective are patience, compassion, and attention to detail.”

6. What are the biggest challenges or issues that nurses face today?

This is a great way to gauge whether a candidate is staying up to date on trends and news in the industry.

“In my opinion, the biggest challenges and issues facing nurses today are mandatory overtime, safe staffing levels, and workplace safety. The current nursing shortage has led to potentially dangerous practices like mandatory overtime and unsafe staffing levels. This increases the stress on nurses, decreases the quality of patient care, and increases the likelihood of medical errors. ”

7.  Why Do you feel you are qualified for the job?

This is an opportunity for the candidates to sell themselves and talk about past education and experiences.

“I feel that I am qualified for the job because I have my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), I am a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and have 6 years of practical experience as a nurse anesthetist. I also stay on top of industry news, studies, and attend seminars or symposiums at least twice a year. I genuinely enjoy what I do and put in extra effort to be the best that I possibly can.”

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Some of you might wonder: is it possible to practice my profession overseas? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Working overseas provides many benefits. Among them is the experience that you’ll get. Moving to a foreign country will expose you to experiences that not many would have. It will expand your perceptions on the profession as you go through the day-to-day challenges. Depending on the country, you get higher wages. A registered nurse in Australia typically gets paid around AUD 53,900 to AUD 75,000. This results in a high quality of life for your family. You can see similar numbers for Singapore, Canada, and the Gulf countries. There are plenty of opportunities overseas. It takes a bit of creativity and resourcefulness to find them, but it’s worth it for all the benefits. It is a must-do for those of you who feel you need a change of pace in life. Opportunities in: Specialize in a field of choice Locum jobs in free time Advance in your Career Work Overseas Ask for additional shifts from your employer Take up health writing jobs Medical Communicator Tutor (University or school) Become a field nurse at community events Something non-nursing, like passion or interest Singapore Home Care Many foreign nurses are being hired to provide home care for the elderly in the city-state of Singapore. They enter with the same work pass as a maid; and live in with the patients that they care for. There is a genuine demand for nurses who are willing to work in these conditions in Singapore. Compared to sending their aging relatives to nursing homes, Singaporeans now prefer them to stay at home, where they are familiar and can be comfortable. You would not need to spend on food and lodging. Also, if not working at the patient’s home, you have more time and freedom on your hands, as compared to working in a hospital. The disadvantage is that your pay is only slightly more than a domestic helper. On average, home care nurses get only about SGD600-SGD1000 a month. Check out Active Global Caregiver, Optinuum Health Services and Homage if you’d like to find out more about this kind of work. Private Practices Many clinics in Singapore are actively seeking out Malaysian Nurses; they even list it out in their job descriptions. The pay is higher compared to working in Malaysian private practices: about SGD2000-SGD3000 per month on average. Regular hours for these institutions means you can opt to live in Johor Bahru, while commuting to work in Singapore. You earn in a stronger currency but live in a more affordable area. However the commute can be really tiring, and it can take hours to travel to and fro across the Johor Straits. Public Hospitals As mentioned, the Singaporean government is investing in a lot of foreign nurses. According to sources, the country is investing SGD 24million to help fill out 9000 jobs in healthcare. They even have overseas nursing graduate programs and scholarships to woo over those from overseas, even if from a different career. Job prospects looks bright. With all the government actions, its a clear indication that foreign nurses are very much needed in years to come. However, it can create high levels of stress to work in such conditions. Short of manpower, it creates a large amount of workload. Singaporean nurses cite great demands at work, and internal conflicts. According to a study, affected nurses cope better when with friends and family. Working overseas normally means leaving friends and family behind, therefore leaving you with a lesser safety net for your mental fortitude. You can check out how non-Singaporean registered nurses can work in Singapore here. Australia Hospitals Also facing a shortage in nurses, they seek to hire foreigners to meet demands. Some will even sponsor you. As a rapidly developing country, Australia has very high standards of nursing care that we can learn from. A job stint there will expose you to cases or methods that you would not normally have the opportunity to see here. A major advantage of being a nurse in an Australian hospital is that it is one of the highest paying countries for nurses. However, the process for Malaysians to immigrate and practice nursing there can be lengthy. First you have to register with the NMBA. Then register with ANMAC, complete training with AHPRA, pass ANMAC skills assessment, obtain placement in an institution, and then only finally migrate. You can check out our article on how to become a nurse in Australia for more detailed info. Nursing Homes As Australian society continues surging onward with better healthcare delivery, life expectancies have increased, leading to a ballooning population of geriatrics. Australian hospitals tend to want to discharge patients as fast as they can, resulting in more patients being put into extended or long term care centers. These care centers are sprouting up in all Australian states. They even have one specifically to cater to those of Chinese ethnicity. Malaysians of ethnic Chinese parentage would do well here. Advantages of working here include flexible hours, and locations you can choose. The work experience you gain from here can set you up for specialization in Geriatrics, an increasingly valuable specialty. However, like any business, nursing homes can close down due to lack of funding, or if investor money runs out, like this nursing home in Walcall. You can check out how non-Australian registered nurses can work in Australia here. Saudi Arabia Hospitals The Royal House of Saud is aggressively developing their healthcare system, capacities and how they deliver it to their citizens, according to this report. Nurses from Malaysia get drafted into 1st Grade, which has a salary of RM14,000/month. The Saudis are comfortable with Malaysian nurses because of our proficiency in English. You get to live a very comfortable life as a nurse here. Lodging and food are often prepared by the employer to make it easier on foreign nurses coming into work. This gives a leg up for those unsure how to begin life in a new country. Many Malaysian nurses are already working there. You would have a strong support system for hard times from the community. Not only is the pay very attractive, the extremely low tax rates imposed on you would result in a much higher net income. The healthcare is advanced, even if the Kingdom is struggling to deliver its healthcare to its citizens because of the large country size. Also, since it is home to the two holiest sites in Islam, it is a great opportunity to be closer to one’s faith for Muslims. Unfortunately, Arabs can be culturally more aggressive compared to mild-mannered, timid South East Asians. Also, the Kingdom is a bit further away compared to working in other ASEAN countries. United States and Europe There is currently an extreme shortage of nurses going on in the States. By 2022, it is estimated that the total number of nursing vacancies is projected to be more than a million. According to the latest numbers from the American Census Bureau, the 76-million strong baby boomer generation will triple the number of over-65 population in 2030. This can strain the nursing workforce. It has even come to a point where American institutions are now promoting nursing as a second career. They are even helping to promote the profession to men, who have traditionally shied away from nursing. Working in the United States as a nurse nets you a good pay, and a high standard of living. A similar situation to the USA is also happening in Europe. A lack of interest in nursing amongst the young have pushed several European countries to act by employing foreign nurses to meet demand. Conclusion Moving overseas can be scary. The adjustment phase can be difficult, even to the most open-minded of all migrants. But, like all difficult things, the end result is fruitful. In an increasingly globalized world, more international experiences lead to better global ties, and a more peaceful society overall. One easy way to apply for a job overseas is by MIMS Career. Signup and input your resume details with us, and you can enjoy our fast, secure, and easy 1-click application process to many healthcare employers. Find nursing work that you would get excited about in Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, or Singapore. You can also save jobs to view later, or create email alerts to notify you of new positions you might be interested in.

10 Ways Malaysian Nurses Can Increase Their Income

Some of you might wonder: is it possible to practice my profession overseas? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Working overseas provides many benefits. Among them is the experience that you’ll get. Moving to a foreign country will...

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For those nurses serving with Kementrian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), the start of your work life will present you with one of the toughest choices you’ll make: EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund, also known as KWSP), or choose the pension fund? Both are viable options in securing your financial health after you retire. Although retirement might seem like ages away, a good amount of planning and successful investments can mean the difference between being able to live comfortably in your golden years, or struggle with daily or medical expenses. So which to choose? We’ll break down the points below. Pension fund What is it? It’s a monthly stipend of a set amount, provided by the Public Services Department upon your retirement. In addition to that, you also receive a gratuity payment, and medical/health benefits. Calculation Here we will be assuming that you start work at 20 years old, with a starting salary of RM2,000, and continue working until you retire at 55 with a salary of RM5,600 (3% annual pay increase). Your monthly pension will be your last drawn salary, divided by two. For example, if your base salary is RM5,000 when you retire, your monthly stipend will be RM2,800/mo. In addition to that, you will receive gratuity payment, which is calculated as such: gratuity = 7.5% x 35yrs x 12 months x RM5,600 (final drawn salary) = RM 176,400. RM176,400 will be given as a lump sum, while RM2,800 will be given per month. Again, this is all assuming you retire at 55, with a final salary of RM5,600. Benefits No subtraction from base pay. Unlike EPF, as we will see later, there is no subtraction from your base salary. Guaranteed monthly retirement funding Again, unlike EPF, where your money can be withdrawn for other uses, pension takers are guaranteed to have a monthly source of income. Disadvantages You have to start and end your service in the public/government sector. It might hamper your ability to seek work overseas, better base salaries, or even some chances to study. EPF or Employees Provident Fund (KWSP - Kumpulan Simpanan Wang Pekerja) What is it? EPF is the accumulation of savings generated from deductions of your base salary. Currently, you can choose either 11%, or 8%, as recently announced . This accumulation of money is further grown by annual dividends. On average the dividend is around 6%, depending on the GDP (gross domestic product) of the country. What makes EPF great as long term savings is due to the magic of compound interest. . Your employer also contributes to your fund (12% of your pay). These two things make an EPF account grow substantially when properly managed. 2 accounts Your EPF savings are divided into two accounts. 70% goes into account 1, and the rest to account 2. Account 1 is your retirement funds. Account 2 is withdrawable, under a few conditions: more than 50 years old Housing downpayment for your 1st house housing loan payment education medical costs Hajj pilgrimage Upon reaching the age of 55, you will be able to withdraw from account 1. You will have to choose to withdraw one lump sum, or as a monthly stipend like a pension. Calculation Let’s take the same example as just now. Start work at 20, salary RM2,000, retire at 55, salary RM5,000. Deduction from pay = 11% = RM220 Employer contribution = 12% = RM240 We will assume no withdrawals are made over entire working period EPF annual dividend = 6% The interest adds up year over year, and with the help of EPF’s online calculator , Total EPF savings at 55 years old = RM461,900 It is a marginally higher amount than RM176,400 gratuity you will receive from a pension. Benefits Flexibility. At the age of 55, you can withdraw that money and invest in another scheme, venture, or fund that offers greater returns. Faster growth. As shown, even with a contribution of 11% of your pay, over the course of 35 years it balloons into a large amount of money. Freedom of employment. You no longer have to work within the constraints of the government or public service. You are free to pursue study or work opportunities as you wish. Disadvantages Sometimes things don’t go as planned. You might hit a financial roadblock that forces you to withdraw from your EPF fund. An example of this is a medical emergency. It subtracts 11% of your base salary. 11% might not seem like much, but for people who live paycheck to paycheck, it can be a bitter pill to swallow. Annual dividend from EPF can decrease, depending on economic climate. Making a comparison Monthly funds Assuming that you live until the mean life expectancy age in Malaysia, which is 76 years old. Years to live off retirement fund (pension) = 76-55 = 21 years To make a fair comparison, let’s subtract the gratuity amount of a pension scheme from the lump sum of EPF savings. EPF at 55 years old - gratuity of pension at 55 years old = RM461,900 - RM176,400 = RM285,500 Stipend per month that EPF provides = RM285,500 / 21 years / 12 months = RM1,132.94/month Even if we did not subtract the gratuity value, it would be: RM461,900 / 21 years / 12 months = RM1,832.94/ month It is far less than RM2,600/month from a pension scheme . What if we invest all of EPF savings? Say at the age of 55, you embark on another investment with better returns. We will assume 8%. You pile up all your savings into it. Investment return x EPF savings = 8% x RM 461,900 = RM36,952/year or RM3,079.33/month. It is more than what you’ll obtain from a pension. However you’ll need to ensure that the second investment has better returns than EPF dividends. That in itself can sometimes be a challenge. Conclusion They both have their advantages and drawbacks. It seems like it is up to you to play it well, to ensure you can lead a comfortable life upon retirement. However the main question of choosing either EPF or pension as retirement savings often boils down to your choice of employer. Will you stay with the government sector for another 30+ years? You don’t want to end up with no retirement fund… No EPF or no pension. That’d be the worst. If yes, go for the pension scheme. It is safe, guaranteed, and offers great peace of mind in your golden years. However, with EPF, you are free to take up opportunities that come your way. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Australia are actively seeking out Malaysian nurses with extremely attractive pay. Opportunities for post-graduate education are more limited in the government sector; if in private, you get to choose when you want to do it. You can also fund it with your EPF savings, something you can’t do on a pension. Choose the freedom of choice. Search for high-paying nursing jobs, and overseas jobs on MIMS Career. Browse, save, and apply for nursing jobs, all in one-click. Take the opportunity for higher pay and better work locations. Our pages are all mobile-responsive, allowing you to take that leap for a better job whenever, wherever you are. All our job postings are heavily screened to prevent scams and mistrustful behavior. Our Most Popular Articles Think About These 5 Things Before You Decide On A Specialization 5 Things Nurses Need To Know To Be Paid More 10 Ways Malaysian Nurses Can Increase Their Income

EPF (KWSP), or Pension? Which to choose?

For those nurses serving with Kementrian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), the start of your work life will present you with one of the toughest choices you’ll make: EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund, also known as KWSP), or choose...

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Emergency Nursing Emergency medicine, formerly known in some countries as accident and emergency medicine (A&E), is the medical specialty involving care for undifferentiated and unscheduled patients with illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Overview As first-line providers, emergency nurses and doctors are responsible for: initiating investigations and interventions to diagnose and/or treat patients in the acute phase coordinating care with doctors from other specialties making decisions regarding a patient’s need for hospital admission, observation, or discharge. Emergency nurses generally practice in hospital emergency departments, wards, units or intensive care units. They may also be working at pre-hospital settings via emergency medical services, such as in the event of a calamity like a road accident. Moreover, emergency nurses also may work in primary care, such as urgent care clinics. History During the 18th century the French Revolution brought upon the development of the ambulance. After seeing the speed with which the carriages f the French flying artillery maneuvered across the battlefields, French military surgeon Dominique Jean Larrey applied the idea for rapid transport of wounded soldiers to a central place where healthcare was accessible. Emergency medicine and nursing is a relatively new field. It was only in 1979 that a vote by the American Board of Medical Specialties that emergency medicine became a recognized medical specialty in the United States. Other countries followed suit soon thereafter. Scope of Work Emergency nursing is a specialization based on the knowledge and skills for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and urgent aspects of illness and injury affecting patients of all age groups with a full spectrum of undifferentiated physical and behavioral disorders. It further encompasses an understanding of the development of pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency medical systems and the skills necessary for this development. Common Tasks Triaging of patients Suture complex lacerations reduce a fractured bone or dislocated joint treat a heart attack manage strokes stop severe nosebleeds placing a chest tube conducting emergency tracheostomy Work location Emergency nurses are tasked to provide the acute care of internal medical and surgical conditions. In many emergency departments, nurses are tasked with seeing an alarmingly large number of patients, treating their illnesses and arranging their next steps. Training There are a variety of models for emergency nursing training across the globe. In some countries the emergency nurse rides in the ambulance to and fro the scene of emergency. This is done to provide stabilizing care to the affected patient. Nurses in emergency departments require a broad field of knowledge and advanced procedural skills of many nursing fields. They must know how to: Resuscitate a patient Carry out surgical procedures provide cardiac life support Manage patients’ airways Specialization for emergency nursing often happens after a post-basic certification proceeding three years of service as a registered nurse. Required skillset Emergency nurses require an extensive amount of cool-headedness to handle the oncoming onslaught of daily tasks that present themselves. A great number of emergency ward cases are urgent and time-sensitive in nature, therefore the nurse needs to exercise great caution and patient, while being curt and efficient at the same time. Good teamworking skills is essential. The role of an emergency nurse also involves proper triaging of patients into in- or out-patient services, and work with various specialists or fields to determine the best course of action following prognosis. A positive, proactive, and supportive nurse is beneficial in any emergency setting. Clear communication skills are required in order to convey the correct information to emergency dispatchers or hospital emergency personnel. Failure in conveying correct medical info will prove to be disastrous for the patient, incur financial losses, and increase chances of litigation due to malpractice. Career opportunities Emergency nurses can work in a wide variety of settings, and they include: First aid volunteers Emergency medical services (BOMBA, paramedics) paediatric emergency medicine rescue squads emergency medical technician traumatology It is not uncommon for nurses to leave clinical work in order to focus on research, especially at the post-graduate levels of study. Search for high-paying nursing jobs on MIMS Career . Browse, save, and apply for nursing jobs, all in one-click. Take the opportunity for higher pay and better work locations. Our pages are all mobile-responsive, allowing you to take that leap for a better job whenever, wherever you are. All our job postings are heavily screened to prevent scams and mistrustful behavior. Our Most Popular Articles Think About These 5 Things Before You Decide On A Specialization 5 Things Nurses Need To Know To Be Paid More 10 Ways Malaysian Nurses Can Increase Their Income

Career Highlight: Emergency Nursing

Emergency Nursing Emergency medicine, formerly known in some countries as accident and emergency medicine (A&E), is the medical specialty involving care for undifferentiated and unscheduled patients with illnesses or injuries...

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