20+ Best Oncology Nurse Interview Questions

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be nearly 2 million new cancer cases in 2023. Many of these patients will undergo treatment and be under the care of an oncology nurse, one of the trained medical professionals who work with patients suffering from or at risk of developing cancer.

The role of an oncology nurse requires someone with the right hard and soft skills to support patients going through cancer treatment. With that in mind, let’s look at the skills hiring managers should seek out in ideal oncology nurse candidates and the best questions to ask during an oncology nurse interview.

What Skills Should an Oncology Nurse Have?

Oncology nurses support cancer patients and their families with comprehensive care throughout their entire cancer journey. This includes:

• Offering education during diagnosis
• Monitoring the ongoing condition of cancer patients and managing systems
• Administering chemotherapy and other medicines, as well as managing chemo side effects
• Assessing patient’s physical, mental, and emotional needs throughout their cancer journey
• Communicating the patient’s status to family members or medical staff
• Advocating for patients
• Supporting patients through cancer remission
• Providing compassionate end-of-life care or bereavement support

Oncology nurses are registered nurses (RNs) with over 1,000 hours of oncology nursing experience and an official Oncology Nursing Certification. Specialized training is recommended for these roles in order to support cancer patients through treatment, symptom/pain management, chemotherapy administration, radiation therapy, blood transfusions, palliative care, and even end-of-life care.

To be successful, the ideal candidate should have a strong foundation of skills, including:

• Bedside manner/patient rapport: Oncology nurses support patients going through the most stressful times in their life. They should provide empathy and compassionate care to their patients to help ease any stressors associated with cancer treatment.
• Decision-maker: With the number of rare cancers and treatments on the rise, oncology nurses need to be familiar with the care options available. In tandem, ideal candidates should show critical thinking skills to prioritize decisions around patient-centered care.
• Team player: According to one study, patients with less than one year of cancer care history saw an average of 28 physicians, and they probably saw even more oncology nurses. Oncology nurses are part of a team working towards the goal of treating cancer in an individual, and therefore the ideal candidate will be able to work well in team dynamics.
• Flexible: Cancer can be unpredictable. Oncology nurses should be prepared for changes in patient treatment or complications that can arise.
• Continuous learner: Oncology nurse competencies should grow and evolve throughout their career. Ideal candidates should apply evidence-based care, stay up-to-date on the financial impact of cancer treatment on their patients, and always work to improve their knowledge of cancer modalities and treatments.

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Top Oncology Nurse Interview Questions

When interviewing an oncology nurse candidate, be sure to begin the conversation with general nurse interview questions that ask the individual to share their background and training in nursing. From there, it benefits hiring managers to ask strategic interview questions that showcase a candidate’s competencies in oncology-related skills.

Oncology Nurse Interview Questions About Bedside Manner

• What steps do you take to make a patient and their family at ease during their cancer treatment?
• Have you had a patient react negatively to a treatment or care plan? How did you react and manage the situation?
• Do you have experience supporting children with cancer? What steps do you take to help them feel comfortable?
• How do you ensure patients and their families understand their treatments and the medical jargon associated with their care?
• How do you assess and treat varying pain levels experienced by cancer patients?
• Describe a time when you had to deliver bad news to a patient or family. How did you answer their questions while remaining compassionate?

Oncology Nurse Interview Questions About Decision-Making

• Share a time when you have had to make a difficult decision under pressure. How did you maintain composure and come to a decision? What was the outcome?
• Describe the steps you would take if you encountered a situation where you didn’t know the answer about a patient’s care or where to find a resource.
•  How do care for the family while prioritizing your patient’s health?
• What information do you typically record throughout a patient’s cancer treatment?
• How would you respond to patient safety concerns around treatment plans?

Oncology Nurse Interview Questions About Team Dynamics

• How do you work with other medical professionals to provide the best possible care to your patients?
• Describe a situation where you disagreed with a colleague or medical supervisor about a patient’s care. How did you address your concerns, and what was the outcome?
• How would you respond if you noticed a fellow oncology nurse make a mistake while treating a patient?

Oncology Nurse Interview Questions About Adaptability

• When a new type of cancer treatment becomes available, how do you adapt to the new treatment and help patients adjust to the change?
• Share how you prepare treatment for a new patient while maintaining the quality care of your current patients.
• Have you experienced a time in your oncology/nursing career that changed your outlook on a medical topic? Describe the experience and how your outlook shifted.

Oncology Nurse Interview Questions About Professional Development

• What strengths do you bring to the oncology department as an oncology nurse?
• Which oncology treatments are you most experienced in, and which treatments would you like to gain more experience with? Why?
• How often do you take oncology training or update your knowledge base to stay current with oncology best practices?
• Have you participated in any oncology research projects? Share your role and the outcome of your work.

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Finding Oncology Nurses

Cancer patients, or patients at risk of developing cancer, should have knowledgeable, compassionate oncology nurses to support them. Ask these 20+ strategic interview questions to ensure your next oncology nurse is the right cultural fit and aptly trained for the role.