Question

 1:  Tell  us  something  about  yourself.  

It  is  the  most  common  question,  which  gives  you  an  open-­‐ended  opportunity  to  
point  out  your  strengths  and  skills.  Instead  of  wasting  time  in  explaining  your  
educational  history;  let  the  interviewer  know  that  you  are  the  perfect  person  for  
the  respective  job.  You  can  also  illustrate  by  giving  examples.  

Sample  Answer:    I  am  a  highly  motivated,  energetic  and  compassionate  person,  

who  wants  to  dedicate  his/her  whole  life  to  nursing.  I  am  a  great  communicator  
and  love  helping  people.  My  previous  credits  and  experience  of  4  years  taught  me  
the  importance  of  patients’  care  and  developed  a  sense  of  responsibility.  

Question  2:  Why  do  you  want  to  work  in  the  healthcare  sector?  
A  person,  who  decides  to  become  a  nurse,  has  some  different  reasons  other  than  
earning  money,  to  enter  this  field.  This  question  gives  you  a  chance  to  express  your  
desire  to  help  out  individuals  and  how  important  human  life  is  for  you.  

Sample  Answer:  I  believe  that  with  this  profession,  I  can  make  a  difference,  and  
make  people  feel  better.  Seeing  so  many  people  in  pain  and  misery  motivated  me  
to  practice  nursing.  
Question  3:  Why  are  you  leaving  your  current  job?  
Instead  of  criticizing  your  previous  job,  pinpoint  the  positive  aspects.  Never  give  a  
negative  reason  for  leaving,  stay  away  from  bad  mouthing  your  employer  or  
colleagues.  Focus  on  the  opportunities  that  will  come  with  the  new  job.  
Sample  Answer:  My  previous  job  taught  me  so  many  things  and  developed  
necessary  qualities  required  to  be  a  proficient  nurse.  But  now,  there  is  no  room  for  
growth,  and  I  am  looking  forward  for  new  challenges  to  thrive  in  nursing.  
Question  4:  Where  do  you  see  yourself  in  five  years?  

The  main  objective  of  the  interrogator  is  to  know  whether  you  are  a  career-­‐
oriented,  ambitious,  determined  worker  and  have  a  positive  outlook  in  nursing.  So,  
avoid  discussing  your  dreams  and  share  an  answer,  which  exhibits  your  real  
commitment  and  interest.  
Sample  Answer:  In  5  years,  I  would  like  to  have  profound  knowledge  of  nursing  by  
way  of  earning  a  doctoral  degree,  so  that  I  can  serve  people  with  more  advanced  
techniques.  
Question  5:  Why  should  I  hire  you?  

It’s  the  job  of  an  interviewer  to  hire  the  best  person  for  the  position.  This  question  
gives  you  a  golden  chance  to  impress  the  recruiter  by  highlighting  your  skills.  

Sample  Answer:  You  should  hire  me  because  I  have  4  years  of  experience  in  
nursing  that  equips  me  with  the  ability  to  handle  critical  cases  with  utmost  
patience.  I  can  be  an  asset  for  your  health  care  centre  and  strength  in  times  of  
weakness.  I  will  do  my  best  to  bring  innovation  in  nursing  that  can  improve  health  
care  outcomes.  
Question  6:  How  would  you  handle  a  patient,  who  complains  about  
everything?  
The  main  motto  of  asking  this  question  is  to  determine  whether  you  are  capable  of  
handling  difficult  situations  or  not.  While  answering  this  question,  you  can  share  
any  difficult  situation  that  you  have  managed  in  your  previous  workplace.  

Sample  Answer:    The  major  reason  of  complaints  is  their  diseases,  which  makes  
them  unhappy.  As  a  nurse,  I  would  understand  their  situation,  listen  and  reassure  
them  that  the  best  possible  services  are  given  to  them.  
Question  7:  What  is  the  most  difficult  part  of  being  a  nurse?  
Nursing  is  not  an  easy  job.  You  keep  on  learning  throughout  your  career.  By  asking  
this  question,  the  interviewer  wants  to  know  your  views  about  the  hardships  of  
this  profession.  
Sample  Answer:  According  to  me,  the  most  intricate  part  of  being  a  nurse  is  having  
a  patient,  who  suffers  from  an  incapacitating  disease,  which  is  incurable.  
Question  8:  Discuss  your  biggest  strengths  and  weaknesses.  
The  interviewer  wants  to  check  your  strengths  in  order  to  match  them  with  the  job  
requirements.  Prepare  a  list  of  three  or  more  strengths,  such  as  your  leadership  
qualities,  optimistic  approach,  interpersonal  skills,  that  can  be  a  treasure  for  the  
organization.  Be  very  honest  about  your  weakness,  discuss  them  and  mention  the  
measures  for  improving  them.  
Sample  Answer:  I  have  outstanding  leadership  qualities  and  interpersonal  skills,  
which  help  me  to  coordinate  well  with  my  colleagues.  
I  do  not  quit  easily,  until  the  work  is  done  in  a  proper  manner;  it’s  my  major  
weakness.  

Question  9:  What  measures  have  you  taken  to  upgrade  your  knowledge?  
If  you  have  attended  any  seminar  or  pursued  a  degree  for  the  sake  of  enhancing  
your  knowledge  and  competency  in  working,  mention  them.  
Sample  Answer:  I  enrolled  myself  in  an  advanced  course  for  improving  my  
managerial  skills  and  also  attended  various  seminars  for  enhancing  interpersonal  
skills.  
Question  10:  Describe  your  former  supervisor.  

Don’t  commit  the  mistake  of  criticizing  your  former  supervisor,  stay  positive  and  
state  what  you  have  learned  from  him.  

Sample  Answer:  Kevin  was  a  competent  supervisor  with  exceptional  leadership  

qualities,  who  always  maintained  healthy  interpersonal  relationship.  I  have  
learned  a  lot  from  her.  
Question  11:    What  motivates  you  to  work  in  the  nursing  field?  
This  question  is  really  a  huge  opportunity;  grasp  it  by  highlighting  your  positive  
features  rather  than  giving  vague  answers.  You  can  also  illustrate  your  real  life  
experiences.  

Sample  Answer:  Critical  situations  and  tough  patients  motivate  me.  In  my  last  job,  I  
was  confronted  with  a  patient,  who  was  not  handled  by  a  number  of  nurses,  later  I  
took  charge  of  him  and  solved  his  problem  by  understanding  his  situation.  I  really  
love  to  overcome  challenges.  
Question  12:    What  is  your  greatest  failure?  
It  would  be  better  for  you  to  avoid  the  real  truth.  Don’t  mention  your  major  failure.  
The  interviewer  wants  to  bring  out  your  flaws  and  measures  you  have  taken  to  
overcome  them.  You  can  explain  one  of  your  bad  experiences  with  tangible  
examples  and  reveal  what  you  have  learnt  from  them.  
Sample  Answer:    In  my  first  job,  I  made  a  mistake  in  the  patient’s  chart.  
Fortunately,  my  supervisor  noticed  it.  Since  then,  I  always  double-­‐  check  my  charts  
Question  13:    When  you  feel  most  satisfied  in  your  job?  
Share  your  interests,  likes  and  dislikes,  and  showcase  your  determination  for  
nursing  that  explains  why  you  are  right  for  the  job.  
Sample  Answer:      I  really  enjoy  caring  people  and  helping  them  in  coping  up  with  
their  illness.  I  love  to  work  with  children.  
Question  14:    Describe  your  salary  requirements?  

This  is  a  tricky  question;  it  will  reveal  whether  you  prefer  money  more  than  
nursing  or  vice-­‐versa.  Avoid  giving  exact  number  and  re-­‐iterate  your  dedication  for  
the  job.  
Sample  Answer:    I  am  expecting  an  appropriate  salary  for  this  role,  based  on  my  
work  knowledge  and  nursing  experiences.