Below are some examples of the types of questions that may be asked and the

suggested answers of which I am sure you can expand yourself. In any answer
please be sure to state the most obvious things and do not just assume that the
interviewers know it, unless you say it you will not get a mark for it...for example
stating that you will wear gloves and aprons when tending to a patient's personal
hygiene needs is necessary and not to be assumed as given or stating when an
incident happens that you will document everything is also essential. We all know
that we will do these things and that they are obvious but unless stated in an
interview the interviewers cannot score you for it.
You must try to give as much detail as possible and answer the questions
step by step as if you were at work in that situation.
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Please give a brief run through your career history to date and what brings
you to being here today.

What skills do you have that you feel contributes to an efficient nursing
team?

What do you feel are your strengths?

What would you consider to be your limitations?

Should it be reported, or you see, any concerning behaviours by a

member of staff or relative towards a patient, what would you do?

What would you consider to be inappropriate behaviour?

You are doing the medication and notice a dose for the previous round
has not been signed for. What steps would you then take?

A patient admitted for depression approached you the next morning, they
are very anxious and wants to leave the hospital. What would you do?

You are working on an acute ward and suspect that some in-patients are
using substances. What would you do?

If successful, what anxieties do you have about working in the UK?

IF YOU RECEIVE A COMPLAINT FROM A PATIENT OR RELATIVE WHAT WILL

YOU DO?

Talk to the patient/family about the situation and assess if you can deal

with the complaint yourself.

Do this in a private environment and listen without interrupting be aware

of their body language and try to resolve the complaint at this stage.
If necessary involve the nurse in charge/sister.
Be familiar with the complaints procedure and adhere to the policy and
inform the patient/relative of the procedure and give them a complaint

information form.
If this is a nursing care complaint, it should be discussed at meetings and
action must be taken to ensure it does not happen again and that care is
carried out based on evidence based practice.Training and staff education

should be considered if necessary.

Ensure that it is documented in the patients notes and complete an
incident form as necessary.

HOW CAN YOU REDUCE THE RISK OF COMPLAINTS?

Use of good communication skills and documentation.

Provide a good quality service.
Develop good relationships with patients and family.
Set high standards, the sort you would like for you and your family.

THE WARD YOU ARE WORKING ON HAS FAILED ITS INFECTION

PREVENTION AUDIT. WHAT WOULD YOUR ROLE BE IN ENSURING THAT IT
DID NOT FAIL AGAIN? HOW WOLD YOU GET STAFF SUPPORT?

Find out why it failed

Ensure all staff are made aware of this staff meetings.., (domestics,
catering, multidisciplinary, health care assistants and nurses) so we can all

do our bit to improve standards. This is a potentially serious situation.

Improve my own personal InfectionPrevention procedures, where possible
Carry out mini audits to ensure standards are improving.
Involve all staff in the next steps to improve standards, have staff meetings
to get ideas on how we will improve our Infection Prevention. Involving
staff in mini audits, discussing the seriousness of lack of Infection

Prevention.
Publish mini audit results for all staff to see.

HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH A PATIENT WHO HAS MRSA OR CDIF
(infection control)?

Barrier nursing at all times

Nurse in a side room.
Ensure all staff that may enter the patient's room is aware of infection

status.
Follow policy instructions for prevention of spreading infection.
Ensure use of equipment to prevent the spread of infection i.e. gowns,
gloves, infected linen skips, patients own clinical observation equipment

act
Ensure the infection control team is aware of patients infection status.
Ensure the patient is receiving the eradication therapy as per the hospital
the doctor prescribes infection policy.

Use

of

appropriate

hand

washing

technique

and

appropriate

decontamination substance e.g. when a patient has CDIF alcohol gel is

not seen to be effective and soap must be used.

Ensure patient and family are aware of infection status and what that
means to them e.g. hand washing for those with CDIF or alcohol gel may

be used for those with MRSA.

Provide patient/family with an information leaflet on infection.
Ensure a proper deep clean of the patients room is carried out after
discharge.

HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH CONFLICT IN THE WORKPLACE?

Speak to the person/persons concerned individually in a private area.

Allow each to discuss the issue with you and be nonjudgmental.
Be aware of own body language when dealing with complaints.
Invite the persons concerned to speak with each other in a private area to
discuss and iron out problems, if the problem cannot be resolved inform
the nurse in charge as conflict not managed appropriately will result in

ineffective teamwork therefore detrimental to patient care.

The manager may need to be informed and further action taken, which

could lead to a disciplinary or further training.

Conflict when managed properly can lead to improved patient care
highlighting new practices and ideas.

YOU ARRIVE ON SHIFT TO FIND YOU ARE THE ONLY QUALIFIED NURSE
WITH 1 HCA (HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT) AND 24 PATIENTS TO CARE
FORHOW WILL YOU DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION?
If there is a policy in place for this type of situation I would follow the procedure
layed out in it.

I would contact the person in charge of the wards for help to get staff from

other wards ect until we can either access bank staff.

My main concern is for my patients and their immediate necessary care, I
would prioritise the care necessary until help from other resources is
obtained.

ie: patients receiving their medications is essential and those who are

incontinent
or dependent on nursing care must also be seen as essential.

HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE YOUR DOCUMENTATION MEETS THE NMC

STANDARDS FOR RECORD KEEPING?

You must keep clear and accurate records of the discussions you have,
the assessments you make, the treatment and medicines you give, and

how effective these have been.

You must complete records as soon as possible after an event has

occurred.
You must not tamper with original records in any way.
You must ensure any entries you make in someones paper records are

clearly and legibly signed, dated and timed.

You must ensure any entries you make in someones electronic records

are clearly attributable to you.

You must ensure all records are kept securely
Please see the NMC The code: Standards of conduct, performance and
ethics for nurses and midwives This will provide you with details of what is
legally and ethically expected from you as a nurse within the UK. It is easy
reading, short and precise.

Please

see:

http://www.nmcuk.org/Documents/Standards/ThecodeA4-

20100406.pdf
WHY IS ACCURATE RECORD KEEPING SO IMPORTANT?

It forms a base for planning patient care and assessing progress.

It assists communication with the multidisciplinary team members.
It provides written evidence that therefore meets legal requirements. If its
not written down it didn't happen

YOU ARE TAKING UP A POST IN A NEW AREA WHAT DO YOU THINK

SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INDUCTION?

Introduced to your preceptor.

Uniform policy if different.
Provided with an induction programme and a competency based skills

booklet specific to the specialty.

Catering facilities/rest rooms.
Orientation to the layout of the unit to include fire exits/crash trolleys.
Procedure guidelines/policy manuals/off duty/sickness policy/annual leave.
Introduced to personnel in the unit i.e. departments and multidisciplinary

team members.
Telephone system/bleep etc.
Documentation.

HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE STAFF DEVELOPS PROFESSIONALLY?

Identify and facilitate training needs.

Ensure compulsory training is kept up to date.
Fairness in allocation with study leave/training courses.
Have regular ward meetings and keep a ward communication book to
advise staff of updates etc. to be read.

YOU ARE ASKED TO UNDERTAKE A TASK/DUTY YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR

WITH WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Explain to the person allocating the duty that you are not competent and
that you will not undertake the task until you have received training and
feel confident to do so in the interest of patient safety and by doing so are

adhering to the NMC code of professional conduct.

Ask to observe the procedure and when confident, undertake the task with

supervision provided by a preceptor.

If the person insists you undertake the duty refuse regardless of rank and
speak to your line manager.

HOW WOULD YOU RECOGNISE POOR STANDARDS IN THE CLINICAL

AREA?

Patient/relative complaints.
Dirty, untidy environment.
Stores not kept up to date.
Increase in infection rates.
Poor staff morale.
Increase in sickness and absenteeism.
Signs and symptoms of stress evident in staff.
Lack of motivation/lethargy.
Poor standard of patient care delivered.
Poor record keeping/communication.
Poor audit outcomes.

IF YOU WERE A PATIENT IN HOSPITAL WHAT WOULD QUALITY CARE FEEL

LIKE TO YOU?

When nurses take the time to speak to me, (polite, smiling, clean and
presentable, compassionate and make me feel if only for a minute that I
am the only one they have to care for). When they have time and are not

always rushing on to the next job.

The ward is exceptionally clean (clean bedding, floors, toilets ect..)
The food is warm and nutritious and I have a choice, fresh water regularly.
The aim is to improve my health and get me home asap as I do not wish to

stay in hospital!
I am seen asap by all members of the multi-disciplinary team necessary

promptly thus not delaying my stay in hospital.

I am seen as a person and treated with respect and dignity at all times.

IF YOU CAME UPON A PATIENT WHO HAD FALLEN IN THE CLINICAL AREA
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Call for help.

Assess the environment/area for hazards or danger and remove to make

the area safe.

Assess the patients injuries and reassure the patient. Ensure the patient
is safe. Can the patient mobilise? Is it advisable for the patient to try to
mobilise? They may only be moved if there is no sign of neck or spinal
injury or limb fracture. It may be safer to make the patient comfortable

where they are and keep them warm until a doctor comes.
If deemed safe to move the patient do you need to give analgesia prior,

need the use of a hoist

Check clinical observations (temp, pulse, bp, spo2, resp)
Help patient to somewhere comfortable...chair or bed
Discuss with patient/witnesses how this happened, what led to this, how

they felt just prior to it?

Ensure nurse call bell to hand for future mobilising.
Document incident in the patients notes and complete an incident form,
ensuring that all details are accurate and entered on the form i.e. time,
place, obstructions and all incident forms must also be completed by the

doctor.
Care for the patient as per the doctors instructions i.e. hourly obs,

analgesia etc.
Ensure nursing care plans updated and falls assessments.
Ensure other nursing staff aware of incident.
Inform patients relatives if patient consents as soon as possible after the

incident occurs.
Reflect on it? how to avoid this again.

HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH A PATIENT WHO WAS UPSET AND WORRIED
ABOUT CATCHING A HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTION?

Take the time to sit down and discuss this with them and try to reduce their

anxieties.
Ask why they are worrying about this, is it something you can rationalise to

them.
Advise them of your wards high standards of care and the Infection

Control procedures in place to help prevent such things happening.

Move patient to a side room if they are very anxious if possible.

Advise the patient it is their right to ask all people who come to them to

wash their hands before touching them.

Advise all staff of this patients concerns and document.

YOU HAVE ADMINISTERED THE INCORRECT DRUG/WRONG DOSAGE

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Check the patients clinical observations.

Inform the doctor immediately.
Inform the nurse in charge.
Check the patient's medical history and allergy status.
Check the drug side effects and interactions with other medications.
Inform the patient of the mistake and reassure. if they wish to make a

complaint deal with as per complaints policy.

Document in patients notes precisely what happened.
Ensure you monitor patients condition and clinical observations regularly
until the doctor is happy with their condition and possible side effects of

drug not occurring.

Complete an incident form.
Inform other members of staff.
Critical incident analysis is necessary reflect on the incident and where

and why it happened.

Although we have a no blame culture

under the code of professional

conduct staff are accountable for their own actions.

A PATIENT UNDER YOUR CARE IS A FAMILY MEMBER/FRIEND, HOW DO
YOU ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY FOR THIS PERSON?

Trust, honesty and reassurance.

No idle talk.
Data protection.
Safe storage of notes.
Refer queries to other staff.
Remember your nursing code of professional conduct and explain to

family if they ask you questions.

Respect patients wishes to confidentiality and reassure that you cannot
and will not repeat information to others unless they give you permission.

Ask if they would like you involved in their care.

WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE TERM EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE

It is the practice we put in placed based on trials/research and the best

outcomes from that, in hope that we are then providing the best care
possible for our patients at that present moment in time. This does
however continue to change as further research is carried out and better
outcomes are achieved. This is why it is essential that all nurses keep up
to date with literature relevant to their place of practice and ensure they
read the new policies provided by their trust as things continually change.

YOU ARE ADMINISTERING MEDICATION TO A 57 YEAR OLD LADY AND HER

HEART RATE IS BELOW 40. HER MEDICATIONS ARE PARACETAMOL,
WARFARIN, DIGOXIN, AND AMOXICILLIN. WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU
TAKE AND WHY?

Hold digoxin (when a patient is on digoxin you must always check their
pulse rate for 1 minute prior to giving and if it is less than 60 bpm then it
must be held, note rate, rhythm and quality) and get patient reviewed by
the doctor. Hold because digoxin slows the heart rate in people with eg:
atrial fibrillation/flutter and if it is already low without their daily tablet it is

essential to get them checked out before giving another dose.

Check all other clinical observations and ask the patient how they are

feeling.
The doctor will most likely request blood samples to be taken to assess

the level of digoxin (if it is within therapeutic range)

Explain to patient what is going on and document everything.

WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE TERM CLINICAL GOVERNANCE?

It is a framework, which helps all clinicians to continuously improve quality

and safeguard standards of care.

Patient services continuously improve.
Staff treats patients courteously and involves them in decision making

about their care.

Patients have all the information about their care.
Ensures health care professionals have the right to education and training.
Uses techniques to monitor and improve practice and anticipates potential

problems.
Clinical errors are prevented whenever possible.

HOW

WOULD

YOU

CONTINUE

TO

PROFESSIONALLY

DEVELOP

YOURSELF?

Preceptorship/clinical supervision.
Induction programme in new areas to gain competence in practice.
Peer support/role models.
Continuing education specific to areas through courses, journals, online,

study days, conferences.

Through association membership.
Reflective practice, portfolio keeping, action learning groups, research.
Critical incident analysis, ward meetings.
Adhere to up to date guidelines and policies.

IF YOU WITNESSES A COLLEAGUE SPEAKING/TREATING A PATIENT

INAPPROPRIATELY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Intervene
Attend to the patient foremost, ensure no harm has come to the patient,
assess the situation if you need help, if not comfort and reassure the

patient.
Speak to the person concerned reference the matter, maybe they need

training.
Report to the nurse in charge.

Relatives may need to be informed.

Complaints procedure needs to be explained to the patient.
Critical incident form may need to be completed.
Ensure the incident is documented in the patients notes. The answers
given are not conclusive and only here to aid you in your interview,
anything you can add will only improve your chances.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT (all these questions

have come up in previous interviews so it is in your best interest to think about
them and add your own answers if possible as mine are not conclusive!)
-

WHAT EXCITES YOU AND FRUSTRATES YOU AS A NURSE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN THIS

POST IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL TODAY?

WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU HAVE THAT WE WOULD BE LOOKING

FOR?

PATIENT SAFETY IS A KEY ELEMENT OF THE TRUSTS QUALITY

FRAMEWORK. AS A STAFF NURSE, HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO
PATIENT SAFETY.

HOW CAN YOU SEE IF A HIGH STANDARD OF CARE IS BEING

DELIVERED ON YOUR WARD?

-GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES OF WHY YOU WOULD PERFORM RISK

ASSESSMENTS IN THE CLINICLA AREA?

HOW CAN YOU AS A STAFF NURSE ASSIST IN THE REUCTION OF

HAI (HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTIONS)?

AS THE NURSE IN CHARGE HOW CAN YOU BE CONFIDENT YOUR

TEAM MEMBERS ARE DELIVERING A HIGH STANDARD OF CARE?

WHAT WOULD YOUR ROLE BE IF YOUR WARD FAILED ITS

DOCUMENT AUDIT AND HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE IT NEVER
HAPPENED AGAIN AND HOW WOULD YOU GAIN STAFF SUPPORT IN
THIS?

http://www.rcn.org.uk/downloads/support_for_you/member_support_services__factsheets/job_preparation/Staff_Nurse_Interview_Questions.pdf

http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/264267/Interview_Skills.pdf