Research the Company and Role

Before the interview, spend time learning about the organization you’re applying to. Understand their mission, values, and the specifics of the role you are interested in. This will not only help you tailor your answers but will show the interviewer that you are serious about the position.

• Visit the company’s website to understand their services, culture, and recent news.
• Read about the department you’ll be working in, if applicable.
• Familiarize yourself with the company’s core values to align your answers with their goals.

Prepare Scenarios

Interviewers often ask behavioral questions to see how you handle various situations. One of the best ways to answer these is by using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Situation: Describe a specific situation or challenge.
• Task: Explain what your responsibility was in that situation.
• Action: Detail the steps you took to address it.
• Result: Share the outcome, emphasizing the positive impact of your actions.

Prepare at least 3-5 STAR stories ahead of time that showcase your problem-solving, leadership, or teamwork abilities. Think about how you can adapt these stories to several different interview questions. With 3-5 stories that showcase you responding to adversity, you should be able to answer almost ANY interview question.

Practice Common Nursing Interview Questions

You should have a clear sense of whether a formal clinical interview will be part of the process based on the role. Most questions in nontraditional nursing interviews tend to be behavior-based, so it’s essential to practice adapting your STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to these types of questions. As you rehearse, consider the kind of responses you would seek if you were the hiring manager. For questions addressing weaknesses or challenges, select examples that demonstrate personal growth. Highlight how you learned from past experiences and applied those lessons to improve future outcomes. Below are some sample scenarios to help guide your preparation.

• Can you describe a time you dealt with a difficult patient? How did you handle the situation?
• Tell me about a time you needed to deliver feedback to a coworker that was not well received. How did you handle this?
• Describe a situation where you identified a gap in a process or system. What actions did you take to address it, and what impact did it have?
• Can you give an example of how you have adapted to a significant change in your role or in healthcare? What strategies did you use to stay effective during the transition? (Pro tip: stay away from Covid related changes)
• Discuss a time when you had to manage competing priorities or multiple responsibilities. How did you organize your tasks, and what was the result?
• Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t meet expectations? How did you handle the feedback, and what did you do to improve moving forward?

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Never underestimate the importance of asking thoughtful questions at the end of your interview. The questions you choose can reflect your knowledge of the company, your understanding of the role, and your level of preparation. Avoid surface-level questions such as inquiries about paid time off or uniform policies, as these can be addressed later in the process. Instead, focus on deeper topics like company culture, team dynamics, or growth opportunities, which can demonstrate your genuine interest and insight. Here are a few examples below.

• What are the biggest challenges facing your nursing team right now?
• How do you support nurses in this role when it comes to career growth?
• What does success look like for someone in this role?