Top 30 Most Common Rn Interview Questions You Should Prepare For
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
Introduction
Preparing for an RN interview is a critical step in landing your dream nursing job. As a registered nurse, you possess vital skills and knowledge, but articulating them effectively during an interview requires practice. This guide provides you with the top 30 most common rn interview questions and detailed guidance on how to approach each one. Interviewers want to understand your clinical competence, communication skills, ability to handle pressure, and your commitment to patient care. By familiarizing yourself with these common rn interview questions and practicing your responses, you can boost your confidence and make a strong impression. We'll break down why these questions are asked, how to formulate your answers, and provide example responses to help you tailor your own based on your unique experiences. Master these rn interview questions and step into your interview prepared to succeed.
What Are RN Interview Questions?
RN interview questions are specific inquiries designed by healthcare employers to assess a registered nurse candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, behavioral traits, and cultural fit within the organization. These questions go beyond basic resume verification, delving into clinical knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, ethical judgment, communication style, and stress management techniques. Common rn interview questions aim to uncover how a candidate has handled real-world nursing scenarios, their understanding of best practices, and their motivation for entering and staying in the nursing profession. Preparing for these rn interview questions allows candidates to showcase their relevant experience and demonstrate their readiness for the demands of the RN role.
Why Do Interviewers Ask RN Interview Questions?
Interviewers use rn interview questions to gain insight into a candidate's practical skills and soft skills that are essential for effective nursing. Clinical questions test knowledge and critical thinking, while behavioral questions, often starting with "Tell me about a time..." or "Describe a situation...", assess past performance as an indicator of future behavior. Interviewers want to see how you handle pressure, conflict, mistakes, and ethical dilemmas. Your answers to rn interview questions reveal your communication abilities, empathy, resilience, and teamwork skills. They also want to gauge your passion for nursing, commitment to continuous learning, and understanding of patient safety and confidentiality. By asking a diverse range of rn interview questions, interviewers build a comprehensive picture of your suitability for the specific nursing role and the unit or facility culture.
Preview List
Tell me about yourself.
Why did you choose nursing as a career?
What are your greatest strengths?
What is your greatest weakness?
Describe a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it.
How do you handle stressful situations?
How do you prioritize patient care?
Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it?
How do you handle difficult patients or family members?
What is your experience with electronic health records (EHR)?
How do you stay current with nursing best practices?
Describe a time when you had to advocate for a patient.
How do you handle a situation where you don’t know the answer?
What motivates you as a nurse?
How do you manage multiple patients at once?
Tell me about your experience with IV therapy and medication administration.
How do you handle end-of-life care?
What would you do if you saw a colleague making a mistake?
How do you educate patients about their health?
What are your career goals?
How do you maintain confidentiality?
Can you describe a time you dealt with a medical emergency?
How do you handle working night shifts or long hours?
Describe your experience with wound care.
How comfortable are you with technology in nursing?
What do you do to prevent infection in your patients?
How do you handle patients with mental health issues?
Tell me about a time you improved a process or procedure.
Why do you want to work at this facility?
Do you have any questions for us?
1. Tell me about yourself.
Why you might get asked this:
This classic opener lets you introduce yourself professionally, highlighting relevant background, skills, and aspirations. It sets the tone for the interview.
How to answer:
Provide a concise summary of your nursing education, experience, key skills relevant to the role, and what excites you about this specific opportunity.
Example answer:
I'm an RN with X years of experience, specializing in [area, if applicable]. My background includes [mention key settings/skills]. I'm highly motivated by patient care and teamwork, and I'm particularly drawn to this position because [connect to job description].
2. Why did you choose nursing as a career?
Why you might get asked this:
Interviewers want to understand your core motivation and passion for the demanding nursing profession. Your "why" indicates your potential longevity and dedication.
How to answer:
Share your genuine reasons, whether it's a desire to help others, interest in healthcare, or personal inspiration. Be sincere and enthusiastic.
Example answer:
I chose nursing because I wanted a career where I could directly impact lives daily. My personal experience witnessing compassionate nursing care solidified my decision; I knew I wanted to provide that same level of support and healing to others.
3. What are your greatest strengths?
Why you might get asked this:
This assesses your self-awareness and ability to identify valuable skills pertinent to nursing. Highlight qualities employers seek in RNs.
How to answer:
Choose 2-3 strengths relevant to nursing (e.g., empathy, critical thinking, communication) and provide a brief, specific example for each if possible.
Example answer:
I believe my greatest strength is my ability to remain calm and focused under pressure, combined with strong critical thinking. This allows me to effectively assess and respond quickly during emergencies, ensuring patient safety.
4. What is your greatest weakness?
Why you might get asked this:
This question evaluates your self-awareness and willingness to identify areas for growth. It's also a test of your honesty and initiative.
How to answer:
Choose a real, but not job-jeopardizing, weakness. Explain steps you are actively taking to improve it. Frame it positively, focusing on growth.
Example answer:
Sometimes I can be overly critical of myself when things don't go perfectly. I'm working on this by focusing on process improvement and learning from experiences rather than dwelling on mistakes, and seeking feedback constructively.
5. Describe a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it.
Why you might get asked this:
Assesses your interpersonal skills, professionalism, and ability to handle workplace disagreements constructively and maintain teamwork.
How to answer:
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Focus on your actions and how you worked towards a resolution professionally and respectfully.
Example answer:
A coworker and I disagreed on patient care prioritization during a busy shift (Situation). My Task was ensuring patient safety while resolving the conflict. I (Action) suggested we step aside briefly to review the care plan together calmly. We discussed perspectives, found a common ground based on acuity, and moved forward effectively (Result).
6. How do you handle stressful situations?
Why you might get asked this:
Nursing is inherently stressful. This question gauges your coping mechanisms, resilience, and ability to maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure.
How to answer:
Discuss specific techniques you use, such as prioritizing tasks, taking a moment to breathe, effective communication, or seeking support from colleagues when appropriate.
Example answer:
In stressful situations, I focus on taking a brief moment to gather my thoughts, prioritize immediate needs based on acuity, and communicate clearly with my team. Afterward, debriefing with colleagues or engaging in stress-reducing activities helps me recover.
7. How do you prioritize patient care?
Why you might get asked this:
Essential skill for RNs managing multiple patients. Assesses your clinical judgment, organizational skills, and understanding of patient acuity.
How to answer:
Explain your process, emphasizing assessing patient needs based on urgency and acuity (e.g., ABCs - Airway, Breathing, Circulation), effective time management, and re-evaluation.
Example answer:
I prioritize using a systematic approach, first assessing all my patients quickly. I focus on Maslow's hierarchy and acuity, addressing life-threatening issues or unstable patients immediately, followed by time-sensitive tasks and then routine care, continuously reassessing throughout the shift.
8. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it?
Why you might get asked this:
Tests your honesty, accountability, learning ability, and commitment to patient safety and transparency. Mistakes happen; handling them well is key.
How to answer:
Choose a mistake that was corrected and from which you learned. Describe the situation, the mistake, the immediate steps you took to mitigate harm, and what you learned to prevent recurrence.
Example answer:
Once, I administered a medication slightly later than scheduled (Situation). My Task was to correct this and prevent future issues. I immediately reported it to the charge nurse and physician (Action), monitored the patient closely (Result). I learned to double-check administration times more meticulously and use checklists.
9. How do you handle difficult patients or family members?
Why you might get asked this:
Assesses your empathy, communication skills, patience, and ability to de-escalate tense situations while providing compassionate care.
How to answer:
Emphasize active listening, empathy, maintaining a calm demeanor, setting professional boundaries, and clear, non-judgmental communication. Mention seeking support if needed.
Example answer:
I approach difficult interactions with empathy and patience. I actively listen to their concerns, validate their feelings, and communicate clearly and calmly about the situation and care plan, focusing on finding common ground to ensure their needs are met professionally.
10. What is your experience with electronic health records (EHR)?
Why you might get asked this:
EHR proficiency is standard. This question checks your technical skills and understanding of the importance of accurate and confidential documentation.
How to answer:
Mention the specific EHR systems you've used. Discuss your comfort level with documentation, order entry, and accessing patient information, highlighting accuracy and confidentiality.
Example answer:
I have extensive experience with [mention specific EHR name(s), e.g., Epic, Cerner]. I am proficient in accurate and timely documentation, medication administration recording, order management, and maintaining strict patient confidentiality within the system.
11. How do you stay current with nursing best practices?
Why you might get asked this:
Nursing is constantly evolving. This question assesses your commitment to lifelong learning and providing evidence-based care.
How to answer:
Discuss concrete ways you stay informed, such as attending continuing education courses, reading professional journals, participating in workshops, and following guidelines from professional organizations.
Example answer:
I stay current by regularly attending continuing education webinars, subscribing to nursing journals, and participating in hospital-based in-services. I also follow professional organizations' guidelines and engage in peer discussions to learn about new practices and research.
12. Describe a time when you had to advocate for a patient.
Why you might get asked this:
Advocacy is a core nursing responsibility. This assesses your willingness and ability to speak up for patients' needs, rights, or wishes.
How to answer:
Share a specific situation where you identified a need or concern and took action on behalf of the patient, potentially involving communication with the care team or family.
Example answer:
A patient expressed discomfort with a prescribed treatment due to cultural beliefs (Situation). My Task was to ensure their wishes were heard. I (Action) discussed their concerns with them, then communicated these clearly to the physician and care team. We adjusted the plan respectfully (Result).
13. How do you handle a situation where you don’t know the answer?
Why you might get asked this:
No one knows everything. This assesses your judgment, resourcefulness, and commitment to patient safety by seeking correct information rather than guessing.
How to answer:
Explain that you would prioritize patient safety by seeking guidance from reliable resources or experienced colleagues (e.g., charge nurse, senior RN, physician), consulting policies, or using evidence-based resources.
Example answer:
If I encounter something I'm unsure about, my priority is patient safety. I would consult reliable resources like facility policies, drug handbooks, or trusted online databases. Crucially, I'd seek immediate guidance from a charge nurse, supervisor, or physician.
14. What motivates you as a nurse?
Why you might get asked this:
Understanding your motivation helps gauge your passion, job satisfaction, and potential for long-term commitment to the role and the organization.
How to answer:
Share genuine sources of motivation, such as making a positive impact on patients' lives, the continuous learning opportunities, teamwork, or the challenges and rewards of the profession.
Example answer:
What truly motivates me is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in someone's life every day. I find fulfillment in providing comfort, educating patients, and being a source of support during challenging times for them and their families.
15. How do you manage multiple patients at once?
Why you might get asked this:
Tests your multitasking, organizational, and prioritization skills, which are vital in busy nursing environments.
How to answer:
Describe your strategy, often involving prioritization based on acuity, grouping tasks, effective time management, utilizing tools like checklists or report sheets, and communicating clearly with your team.
Example answer:
I manage multiple patients by first prioritizing based on acuity using report information and initial assessments. I cluster tasks when possible and use a structured report sheet to stay organized. Consistent communication with CNAs and other team members is also key.
16. Tell me about your experience with IV therapy and medication administration.
Why you might get asked this:
Essential clinical skills. This assesses your competence, safety protocols, and experience with these fundamental nursing tasks.
How to answer:
Detail your specific experience, including starting IVs, administering various types of medications (oral, IV push, infusions), performing calculations, following the "five rights," and accurate documentation.
Example answer:
I am highly proficient in IV therapy, including site selection, initiation, and monitoring. I have extensive experience administering medications via multiple routes, strictly adhering to the "five rights" and performing necessary checks and calculations to ensure patient safety before documentation.
17. How do you handle end-of-life care?
Why you might get asked this:
This sensitive area assesses your empathy, communication skills, and ability to provide compassionate care to dying patients and their families.
How to answer:
Emphasize providing comfort measures, managing pain and symptoms, offering emotional support to the patient and family, facilitating communication, and respecting the patient's wishes and advanced directives.
Example answer:
I approach end-of-life care with immense compassion and respect. I focus on providing comfort, managing symptoms effectively, and offering emotional support to both the patient and their family, ensuring their dignity is maintained and their wishes are honored throughout the process.
18. What would you do if you saw a colleague making a mistake?
Why you might get asked this:
Assesses your ethical judgment, courage to address safety issues, and understanding of professional responsibility and reporting protocols.
How to answer:
Explain that you would prioritize patient safety. Describe how you would address the issue professionally, often privately with the colleague first, and escalate according to facility policy if the patient's safety is compromised.
Example answer:
My first priority is patient safety. If I saw a colleague making a potential mistake, I would calmly and respectfully address it with them privately to clarify the situation. If the issue wasn't resolved or patient safety remained at risk, I would follow facility protocol and report it to the charge nurse.
19. How do you educate patients about their health?
Why you might get asked this:
Patient education is crucial for health outcomes. This assesses your communication skills and ability to tailor information for understanding.
How to answer:
Discuss how you assess a patient's learning needs and readiness, use clear and simple language, utilize teaching materials, check for comprehension using methods like "teach-back," and involve family if appropriate.
Example answer:
I tailor education to the patient's specific needs and learning style. I use clear, jargon-free language, break down complex information, and often use the "teach-back" method to ensure they understand their condition, medications, or discharge instructions effectively.
20. What are your career goals?
Why you might get asked this:
Interviewers want to see if your aspirations align with opportunities within the organization and if you are committed to professional growth.
How to answer:
Share realistic short-term and long-term goals. These might include gaining experience in a specific area, obtaining certifications, pursuing advanced degrees, or taking on leadership roles.
Example answer:
In the short term, my goal is to excel in this RN role, honing my skills in [specific area relevant to job]. Long term, I aim to obtain [certification] and potentially explore opportunities for professional development within the facility, perhaps in precepting or specialization.
21. How do you maintain confidentiality?
Why you might get asked this:
Patient confidentiality (HIPAA) is paramount. This assesses your understanding of and commitment to protecting sensitive patient information.
How to answer:
State your commitment to adhering to HIPAA regulations and facility policies. Mention concrete practices like securing patient charts/computers, not discussing patient information inappropriately, and using secure communication methods.
Example answer:
Maintaining patient confidentiality is non-negotiable. I strictly adhere to HIPAA regulations and all facility policies. This includes securing electronic and physical charts, only discussing patient information in private, designated areas, and ensuring computer screens are not visible to others.
22. Can you describe a time you dealt with a medical emergency?
Why you might get asked this:
Assesses your ability to think critically, act quickly, and function effectively as part of a team during high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.
How to answer:
Use the STAR method. Describe a specific emergency, your role and immediate actions, how you collaborated with the team, and the outcome. Emphasize calm action and teamwork.
Example answer:
We had a patient experience sudden respiratory distress (Situation). My Task was to assist the team response. I (Action) immediately called for help, positioned the patient, and initiated oxygen as per protocol while the code team arrived. I then assisted with compressions and documentation (Result: Patient stabilized).
23. How do you handle working night shifts or long hours?
Why you might get asked this:
Many nursing roles involve non-traditional hours. This assesses your ability to adapt, manage fatigue, and maintain vigilance and safety despite challenging schedules.
How to answer:
Discuss practical strategies you use to stay focused and energetic, such as prioritizing rest and sleep during off-hours, maintaining healthy habits (nutrition, hydration), utilizing breaks effectively, and supporting colleagues.
Example answer:
I manage shifts by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule on my days off as much as possible. During shifts, I focus on proper nutrition and hydration, take my breaks to rest and refocus, and communicate with my team to ensure we support each other, especially during overnight hours.
24. Describe your experience with wound care.
Why you might get asked this:
Common nursing task. Assesses your practical skills and knowledge regarding wound assessment, dressing changes, and infection prevention.
How to answer:
Mention the types of wounds you've cared for (e.g., surgical incisions, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers), your experience with different dressing types, sterile technique, wound assessment, and documentation.
Example answer:
I have experience caring for various wounds, including post-surgical, pressure, and chronic ulcers. I am skilled in performing sterile and clean dressing changes, wound assessment (size, depth, drainage, tissue type), identifying signs of infection, and educating patients on care.
25. How comfortable are you with technology in nursing?
Why you might get asked this:
Technology is integral to modern nursing. Assesses your adaptability and willingness to use and learn new tools like EHRs, monitoring systems, and telehealth.
How to answer:
Express comfort with common nursing technologies (EHRs, IV pumps, monitoring equipment). Highlight your ability and willingness to learn new systems quickly and effectively.
Example answer:
I am very comfortable with nursing technology, having used multiple EHR systems and various monitoring devices throughout my career. I understand the importance of technology for accurate care and am always eager and quick to learn new software or equipment as needed.
26. What do you do to prevent infection in your patients?
Why you might get asked this:
Infection control is fundamental to patient safety. Assesses your knowledge and adherence to critical safety protocols.
How to answer:
Discuss core practices such as meticulous hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), adherence to sterile technique for procedures, proper cleaning and disinfection, and patient/family education on infection prevention.
Example answer:
Infection prevention is a top priority. My core practices include rigorous hand hygiene before and after all patient contact, appropriate use of PPE, maintaining sterile technique for procedures like dressing changes and IV insertion, and educating patients and families on their role in prevention.
27. How do you handle patients with mental health issues?
Why you might get asked this:
RNs often care for patients with co-occurring mental health needs. Assesses your empathy, communication skills, and collaborative approach.
How to answer:
Emphasize providing compassionate, non-judgmental care. Discuss active listening, establishing trust, using therapeutic communication techniques, ensuring a safe environment, and collaborating with mental health specialists.
Example answer:
I approach patients with mental health issues with empathy and patience. I focus on building trust through active listening and therapeutic communication, ensuring they feel safe and respected. I also understand the importance of collaborating with mental health professionals and following their care plans.
28. Tell me about a time you improved a process or procedure.
Why you might get asked this:
Assesses your initiative, critical thinking, and commitment to improving patient care, efficiency, or safety on your unit.
How to answer:
Use the STAR method. Describe a specific situation where you identified an inefficiency or problem, proposed a solution or modification, and how it led to a positive outcome (e.g., time saved, reduced errors, better patient experience).
Example answer:
We had frequent delays getting necessary equipment for a specific procedure (Situation). My Task was to find a more efficient way. I (Action) suggested creating pre-assembled kits with all needed supplies. This was implemented (Result), significantly reducing setup time and improving workflow efficiency.
29. Why do you want to work at this facility?
Why you might get asked this:
Assesses your genuine interest, research skills, and whether your values and career goals align with the organization's mission and culture.
How to answer:
Show you've done your research. Mention specific aspects of the facility that attract you, such as its reputation, specialties, mission, values, opportunities for professional development, or community involvement.
Example answer:
I am drawn to [Facility Name] because of its reputation for [mention specific strength, e.g., excellent patient outcomes, commitment to nursing education]. I admire [mention specific program, value, or specialty] and feel my skills in [your relevant skill] would be a strong asset to your team.
30. Do you have any questions for us?
Why you might get asked this:
This is your opportunity to show genuine interest, clarify expectations, and assess if the facility is a good fit for you. Not asking questions can be perceived as a lack of interest.
How to answer:
Always have thoughtful questions prepared. Avoid questions easily answered on the website. Ask about typical patient-to-nurse ratios, orientation/mentoring programs, opportunities for continuing education, unit culture, or specific expectations for the role.
Example answer:
Yes, I do. Could you describe the typical nurse-to-patient ratio on this unit? I'm also interested in learning more about the opportunities for continuing education or professional development available to nurses here.
Other Tips to Prepare for an RN Interview
Beyond mastering the common rn interview questions, several strategies can significantly boost your preparation. Research the facility thoroughly – understand their mission, values, and the specifics of the unit you're applying to. This allows you to tailor your answers to rn interview questions and show genuine interest. Practice your responses out loud, perhaps even recording yourself or doing mock interviews with a friend or mentor. This helps you sound natural and confident. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method for behavioral rn interview questions. "Tell me about a time..." questions are common, and structured examples make your answers clear and impactful. As the saying goes, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Ensure your professional appearance is neat and appropriate for a healthcare setting. Arrive on time and bring extra copies of your resume and references. Leveraging tools designed for interview preparation can also be beneficial. Consider using a resource like Verve AI Interview Copilot (https://vervecopilot.com) to practice responses to common rn interview questions and receive feedback. Practice makes perfect, especially when preparing for challenging rn interview questions. Utilize available resources, including practice platforms like Verve AI Interview Copilot, to refine your delivery and content for these essential rn interview questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long should RN interview answers be? A1: Aim for concise answers, typically 1-2 minutes per question, unless asked for a detailed scenario.
Q2: Should I bring anything to the interview? A2: Yes, bring copies of your resume, licenses/certifications, and a list of references.
Q3: Is it okay to take notes during the interview? A3: Briefly jotting down points is acceptable, but maintain eye contact while listening and speaking.
Q4: How should I follow up after an RN interview? A4: Send a thank-you note or email within 24 hours, reiterating your interest and thanking them for their time.
Q5: What if I don't have experience in a specific area mentioned? A5: Be honest but emphasize transferable skills and your eagerness to learn.
Q6: What is the STAR method? A6: A structure for behavioral questions: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
