Questions healthcare interviewers often ask
- Tell me about yourself and why you want this unit.
- Describe a time a patient's condition changed quickly. What did you notice and what did you do?
- Tell me about a conflict with a coworker or a physician and how you handled it.
- How do you prioritize when several patients need you at once?
- Tell me about a mistake you made and what you changed afterwards.
- How do you handle a patient or family member who is upset?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Where do you see yourself in two years?
Answer the "tell me about a time" questions in four parts: the situation, your task, the action you took, and the result.
Questions to ask them
- What is the usual patient ratio on days and on nights?
- How long is orientation, and who precepts new staff?
- How often does the unit float staff, and to which units?
- How is overtime and mandatory overtime handled?
- What are the shift, weekend and holiday differentials?
- What does the sign-on bonus require (length of commitment, repayment if you leave)?
- How are schedules made, and how far ahead are they posted?
- What is staff turnover on this unit like?
After the interview