It takes a compassionate, motivated, and dedicated person to choose a career in nursing.
If you’ve worked hard to ensure you are qualified to work in the healthcare field and found an organization to work for, you have faced half the battle.
The next step in landing the job is to research the company interviewing you, practice what you’ll say during the interview, and present yourself professionally.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of older adults and help them thrive while being part of a great team, The Kensington Redondo Beach may be the perfect fit for you.
Read on to learn more about common questions in nursing interviews, tips for a successful interview, the services that The Kensington offers our residents, and why you may enjoy working with us.
10 top nursing interview questions
While some companies may have their own specific interview process, prepping for the most common interview questions and answers can help you score your dream nursing job.
Companies will generally be interested in your skills, character, and what you can bring to the table.
Through a series of questions, they’ll learn your personality type and if hiring you will benefit them and their patients or residents.
Before your interview, consider your nursing career goals and practice answering the following questions.
Why did you choose to pursue nursing?
Answering this question will help the interviewee gain insight into what you are most passionate about and what drove you to your career choice.
Having an understanding of why you chose nursing will provide them with your story, and how the job means more to you than just a paycheck.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
When you answer this question, you want to express the skills you have that match up with the job description. Figure out how to display your critical thinking skills and discuss how you’d apply them to improve patient outcomes.
How many patients have you’ve cared for previously? Do you have certifications or skills that others may not have? If so, explain them and how they’re relevant to the position.
What are your strengths?
You likely have many strengths. You won’t need to cover all of your strengths but choose the ones that show you’re qualified for the job.
If you’re compassionate, patient, and calm during the chaos, or speak other languages, this could put you ahead of other applicants.
What are your weaknesses?
The worst thing you can do is deny you have any weaknesses. While it’s challenging to be vulnerable, especially when trying to land a job, honesty is the best policy.
If you can point out manageable flaws that you can work on, this is a bonus. Being aware of your weaknesses shows self-awareness skills, which is essential.
How do you deal with a difficult colleague?
At nearly every position, you’ll experience a difficult co-worker. When you answer this question, you can try to share a story of how you have dealt with difficult colleagues in the past.
You want to show them that you are a team player and have good conflict-resolution skills.
As a nurse, you’ll work with a lot of people, so being able to handle difficult people and situations is important.
When was a time you overcame a challenge?
Once again, they’ll ask this question to see what type of resolution skills you have.
Not everyone will be happy with your care, but if you can describe a time when you made a dissatisfied or difficult patient feel better, it will help you answer this question correctly.
The goal is always to accommodate a patient’s needs and provide quality patient care whenever possible.
Describe a time when you were a team player?
The answer to this question should always be yes. Nurses must be team players to succeed at their job and work with other nurses to provide care to others.
How do you keep advancing within your field or continue your training throughout your career?
There are various ways to stay up to date on medical advances and patient care techniques. Perhaps you attend events or classes or subscribe to a health or science magazine or newsletter.
Staying in the know will show an employer that you are interested in health, science, and nursing.
Nurses are continuously learning and improving their skills, making it almost mandatory for them to continue their education. This is how nurses learn new methods and techniques to provide the best care possible.
Describe your communication style with patients and families to keep them informed and aware.
While you may understand medical terms, diseases, and treatments, there is a good chance many of your patients won’t.
Employers will want to see that you know medical terminology but also that you can explain conditions to patients and their families in a patient-friendly way. Take this opportunity to highlight your communication skills.
Do you have any questions for us?
You should create a list of questions for the company you are applying for. Read the job description carefully and get any clarification you may need.
This shows that you’re truly interested in the job and will invest your time learning more about them and their expectations.
An employer will always want to hire someone passionate and invested in their job.
Tips for a successful nursing interview
Preparing for an interview can be nerve-wracking, but if you take the time to plan for it, you can be successful.
Before the interview, learn as much as possible about the company. This will help you with talking points, allow you to speak with them about their mission statement, and let you know if you are qualified for the job.
After you’ve researched the company and are confident that you meet its requirements, you can begin to answer nursing interview questions in practice. Double-check the job description and write down any questions you have for them.
With your interview approaching, you will want to consider what you need to bring to the interview with you. You should bring a notepad, pen, and any documents they will expect, such as a resume and professional recommendations.
Finally, you can choose your outfit. This is an integral part of an interview because it will be your first impression.
Wear an outfit that is professional and makes you feel comfortable and confident. This will not be the day to try a new style you are unsure of.
Stay clear of loud outfits, anything too tight or revealing, and anything you would wear to lounge around in.
On interview day, arrive early, and relax. Remember that you’ve prepared for this.
Become a part of a team that feels like family
The Kensington Redondo Beach is an assisted living and memory care community that hires professional, educated, and compassionate people.
Our Promise is to love and care for our residents as we do our own.
Our healthcare team must carry out this promise, provide our residents with high-acuity patient care, and follow specialized care plans. Our training in high-acuity care allows us to care for residents no matter how their condition progresses.
To ensure that our residents live a high-quality lifestyle, we offer them opportunities to engage in life-enrichment activities, enjoy fine dining, and relearn and recover with rehabilitation services.
Many of our residents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, meaning they need a healthcare team that understands their emotions and behaviors and can support them during challenging moments.
Some of the benefits we offer our employees include:
- Competitive Salaries
- Health, Life, 401K & Other Benefits starting at 30 hrs/wk
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Program
- Complimentary Lunches & Dinners
- Annual Performance Review & Increases
- Continuous Educational Paid Trainings
Contact us or check out our blog to learn more about our senior living communities, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and our full-time and part-time positions.