{"id":23973,"date":"2021-11-18T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stonebridge-blog.positive-dedicated.net\/?p=23973"},"modified":"2021-11-18T09:32:24","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T09:32:24","slug":"nursing-interviews-5-difficult-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/access-to-higher-education-diplomas\/nursing-interviews-5-difficult-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Nursing Interview\u2019s 5 Difficult Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Training to be a nurse<\/strong><\/a> is a challenging and exciting experience. It prepares you for the rigours of one of the most demanding, yet rewarding, careers available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the one thing that training doesn\u2019t prepare you for is getting through the nursing interview questions once you\u2019ve qualified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job interviews are fairly unnatural exchanges. Usually, a conversation has a natural flow and rhythm and an equal exchange between both parties. However, an interview is an entirely one-sided affair, with a power imbalance just to make things even more awkward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with some tough questions, it\u2019s unsurprising that some people don\u2019t cope with interviews terribly well. When it comes to a nursing interview, preparation is everything. Especially when it comes to those nursing interview questions that can catch out the unwary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering how to sell yourself in a nursing interview,\u00a0whether it\u2019s band six\u00a0nurse interview questions, or for your first job,\u00a0keep reading. Below are the top 5\u00a0nursing interview\u00a0questions\u00a0UK\u00a0applicants should be aware of.\u00a0Continue reading to gain essential advice and tips on\u00a0how to answer them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What\u2019s\u00a0Your Greatest Weakness?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advice: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a question that comes up in most interviews. It often catches the interviewee off guard as it feels counter-intuitive, and \u2018what is your weakness?\u2019 nursing interview questions are no different. Usually, an interview is an occasion when you big yourself up as much as humanly possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the interviewer isn\u2019t looking for you to confess your deepest darkest secrets. Rather they want to get an understanding of your developmental need and your level of self-awareness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refusing to acknowledge your weaknesses isn\u2019t healthy and can lead to a toxic work environment for others. So, your potential employer understandably wants to establish cultural fit as well as suitability to the role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weaknesses could be time management, delegation, perfectionism or not being able to switch off. Regardless, your hiring manager will want to know what you\u2019re doing to offset that so it won\u2019t adversely affect your work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model Answer: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would say that my greatest weakness\u00a0is that I fail to switch off from work at the end of the day. I often think of ways to\u00a0improve the service I give to patients and how I can better meet their needs.\u00a0This is great as it helps me tackle the next day with a fresh perspective, but I am undertaking talking therapy sessions to help me better\u00a0manage emotionally after work.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Name a Work Situation\u00a0Where You Made a Mistake\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advice: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Again, this nursing interview question isn\u2019t designed to catch you out. Rather it\u2019s an opportunity for you to demonstrate your capacity to learn. It also provides the nurse hiring manager with an idea of your attitude and approach to work-based challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The important thing to do with these NHS nurse interview questions is to focus on the positive. Whatever example you choose, highlight what you did wrong but emphasise what you learned. Also, where possible provide a brief example of a subsequent occasion that you handled correctly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willingness to learn is an essential part of nursing. Not just from our mistakes but new treatments, new approaches and changes to best practice. Moreover, nursing is a job that requires a flexible mindset. The person asking the nursing interview questions needs to know that if things go wrong you\u2019re not going to buckle under the pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model Answer: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn training,\u00a0I was once bringing procedural supplies over\u00a0for use in a procedure. The ward was extremely busy, as were the other\u00a0nurses and health professionals in the department. Rather than make numerous trips to collect all the items required, I\u00a0tried to carry them all at once and ended up dropping some on the floor.\u00a0Besides being a trip hazard, this\u00a0also meant items had to be re-sterilised and,\u00a0in the end, I took longer gathering the supplies than I would if I had just carried them carefully in the first place. I learned that it clearly isn\u2019t wise to\u00a0rush\u00a0and cut corners.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Become<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Name a National Healthcare Initiative\u00a0You\u00a0Feel Passionate\u00a0About\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advice: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This nursing interview question has got less to do with the initiative and more to do with demonstrating your level of commitment to your career and the healthcare industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not already aware of any initiatives, then spend some time doing some research and choose a couple of initiatives to read up on. Regardless of anything else you find, you should also be fully versed in the 6Cs initiative championed by the Chief Nursing Officer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the NHS operates a value-based recruitment policy, cultural fit is more important than ever. So, ensuring that your personal values (genuinely) align with those of the NHS is a good idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model Answer: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne campaign I\u2019ve seen which really hit home is the #hellomynameis campaign.\u00a0Reading about how often healthcare staff fail to introduce themselves to patients they are treating who are often\u00a0in pain, vulnerable and unsure of what their future health holds for them was\u00a0heart-breaking.\u00a0I couldn\u2019t imagine being in that terrifying position then being seen\u00a0by someone who didn\u2019t\u00a0take the time to make a human connection. Besides directly relating to the 6CS\u00a0as a means to\u00a0provide compassionate care, it\u2019s just basic human decency. Now I make sure to be overly approachable and\u00a0ensure\u00a0every person knows my name on the ward!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. What\u00a0Do\u00a0You Understand\u00a0by\u00a0The Term \u2018Diversity at Work\u2019?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advice: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This nursing interview question can seem simple but diversity at work has a lot of layers to it. Your interviewer is looking for a deeper understanding than \u2018treating everyone the same\u2019 or \u2018don\u2019t discriminate\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The person across the table from you is looking for an understanding of the different issues that face different groups in society, as well as an understanding of equality of access to services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will also want to know that you will treat all your colleagues and patients with dignity and respect. Examples of how you\u2019ve demonstrated an awareness of diversity would help you here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An anecdote from your past that validates your conduct and commitment to diversity would help you here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model Answer: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor me, I think it\u2019s understanding that different people can perceive the same situation differently. Patients may have social or cultural beliefs, biases or prejudices, values or traditions that can all impact how they view something, or affect the way they interpret information. In healthcare, this is extremely important to realise, as it could lead to a patient\u2019s misinterpretation, reinterpretation or failure to understand important information you have told them. <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also works both ways though, as we ourselves\u00a0need to be aware of the way\u00a0we\u00a0perceive situations too, so we don\u2019t\u00a0incorrectly assume\u00a0something about\u00a0our\u00a0patients.\u00a0I think the best way to\u00a0avoid friction and build a better patient-nurse relationship,\u00a0is to\u00a0state and find facts early on.\u00a0If I clarify my role and what I aim to\u00a0do right away, I\u00a0can avoid misperceptions about\u00a0the\u00a0importance\u00a0of my work\u00a0or\u00a0my\u00a0authority.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Online<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. How\u00a0Do\u00a0You Explain\u00a0Your Gap in Employment?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advice: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a nursing interview question that can catch people out \u2013 especially if their CV is light on details. The best thing in all cases when it comes to gaps in employment is to include them on your CV and be honest about the reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget, nurse hiring managers scrutinise CVs regularly so inconsistencies are easy to spot. However, most hiring managers are reasonable people. Especially in the nursing sector. So, if you took time off to go travelling, care for a relative or write a novel, that\u2019s fine. The nursing interviewer just wants to be reassured that you weren\u2019t fired from your last role for gross misconduct and you were so unemployable you retrained as a nurse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, if you\u2019re studying to get your nursing qualifications to then go on to train as a nurse, that\u2019s an entirely acceptable reason to be out of work. Include it on your CV as that level of commitment will count in your favour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model Answer: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reason I was out of work for a year before I embarked on my studies and training to become a nurse is because I took a year out to explore the world. I thought this was a great way to have some fun before coming back and knuckling down to prepare for my new career. Plus, it was a great reward after working so hard to achieve my A Level results!\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Qualified for a Nursing Degree! <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We hope you enjoyed these nursing interview tips. If you want to become a nurse but you don\u2019t have the relevant qualifications to start your training, we can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stonebridge Associated Colleges<\/strong><\/a>\u202fis one of the UK\u2019s leading distance learning providers, helping thousands of people achieve their academic and professional ambitions every year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our\u202fAccess to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing)<\/strong><\/a>\u202fis an online course that will help you meet the requirements of an approved nursing degree. Click the link below to view this course in more detail. Alternatively, you can learn more about it by speaking with our Course Executives, who can run you through the modules and what you need to enrol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call them now\u00a0on\u00a00121 392 8288<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0contact them online<\/strong><\/a>!<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"online<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Training to be a nurse is a challenging and exciting experience. It prepares you for the rigours of one of the most demanding, yet rewarding, careers available.  However, the one thing that training doesn\u2019t prepare you for is getting through the nursing interview questions once you\u2019ve qualified.  Job interviews are fairly unnatural exchanges. Usually, a conversation has a natural flow and rhythm and an equal exchange […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":28491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[539,665],"tags":[999,997],"class_list":["post-23973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-access-to-higher-education-diplomas","category-nursing","tag-how-to-do-well-in-your-interview-for-a-nursing-role","tag-nursing-interview-questions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23973"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29045,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23973\/revisions\/29045"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}