20+ Best Registered Nurse Interview Questions

Demand for registered nurses (RNs) is still at historic highs, with an Indeed report finding 53% more nursing job posts in May 2023 than pre-pandemic in February 2020. Yet, despite the global rise in nursing recruitment, hiring managers are finding it harder than ever to attract and hire registered nurses.

Asking the right interview questions to RN candidates can help hospitals and healthcare facilities identify talent that are the right fit and ensure more transparent hiring processes.

Skills & Qualifications of An Ideal RN Candidate

Although facilities will have different needs, there are standard certifications and skill sets that hiring managers should look out for in best-fit candidates.

Required Certifications:

Candidates should receive the appropriate education and have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), associate degree in Nursing (ASN), or an equivalent degree, as well as a registered nursing license and basic life support (BLS) certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideal RN candidates will have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of discretion, critical thinking, and good decision-making
• Precision and attention to detail
• Compassionate and empathetic nature
• Adaptable and flexible to deal with the unpredictability of healthcare settings
• Calm and skilled at conflict resolution

Keeping these qualifications in mind, it benefits hiring managers to ask thoughtful and intentional interview questions that give you a sense of a candidate’s long-term compatibility and success.

20+ Strategic RN Questions to Ask In Your Next Interview

We’ve gone through general questions for any nurse. Now, here are more than 20 interview questions to specifically ask an RN in your next interview.

Registered Nurse Interview Questions About Environment

To avoid misaligned expectations or hiring an employee who isn’t the right fit, it helps to ask questions that establish baseline expectations. Understand what the candidate expects out of their employer in terms of culture, day-to-day environment, training, and benefits, and evaluate if you can deliver on those expectations. Similarly, use these questions to ensure the candidate is a good culture fit for your existing team.

1. What are your expectations for the healthcare facility you work for?
2. What types of hospital settings/facilities do you work best in, and why?
3. What strengths do you bring to the healthcare facilities you work for?
4. How do you handle changes to your work environment? If a new system or schedule is introduced, how do you handle the change and adapt? Share an example of a time you’ve had to adapt to a large change.
5. How do you handle situations when you may not know a workflow, where to find a supply, or are uncertain about how to handle a given situation at work?
6. Have you encountered challenging work environments in the past? What steps did you take to manage conflicts or navigate difficult work settings?

Registered Nurse Interview Questions About Team Dynamics & Communication

Nurses need to rely on their healthcare team and vice versa. To ensure that a candidate has strong interpersonal skills and good instincts for managing conflict, ask strategic questions to understand their team dynamics. These questions should also dig into a candidate’s ability to handle challenging team dynamics or opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills.

1. What types of teams do you thrive with? Can you share the steps you take to build trust and rapport with your healthcare teams?
2. Describe a time when you’ve faced challenges with a facility or team member. How did you navigate the situation?
3. Have you ever needed to step up as a team leader or mentor? If so, describe your leadership style.
4. How do you handle questions from patients’ family and friends? What do you do when someone has questions, but your patient hasn’t given consent for them to receive information?
5. How do you explain healthcare situations without using too much medical jargon? Give an example of a medical situation you’ve broken down and communicated in plain language.
6. Describe a situation when you had to rely on written communication to explain something to your team or a patient.

Registered Nurse Interview Questions About Compassionate Care

Compassionate patient care is an indispensable part of nursing and is tied to patient outcomes. Not to mention that one-third of nurses’ time is dedicated to direct patient care. Asking questions about compassionate care helps interviewers assess a candidate’s ability to prioritize and provide this pivotal skill.

1. What steps or strategies have you used in past situations when dealing with a difficult patient or family member?
2. How do you define compassionate care, and how do you provide it during challenging or stressful situations?
3. Describe a situation when you went above and beyond to provide care for a patient. What prompted your care? What impact did it have on the patient?
4. Have you experienced a patient struggling with pain management? How did you work with them to overcome this?
5. How do you maintain patient advocacy when family and friends are asking for updates and information?
6. What steps do you take to ensure your patients and patient families are providing informed consent?
7. How do you explain medications or treatments without using complex medical jargon?
8. Have you ever disagreed with a colleague over a patient’s care? How did you resolve the situation while prioritizing the patient’s health?

Registered Nurse Interview Questions About Time Management

Time studies continually show that registered nurses spend the majority of their time multitasking. Between acute patient care, chronic pain management, admin, and more, it’s imperative to find candidates who can manage their time efficiently and keep stress low.

1. If you are managing more than two patients with competing needs, how do you prioritize care?
2. What steps do you take to manage your time while prioritizing quality patient care?
3. What successful strategies do you use to manage competing priorities at work?

Find the Right Registered Nurse For You

Don’t let your interview questions be the difference between hiring an All-Star and losing out on the ideal candidate. Replacing nurses, especially with the current shortages, is no easy feat, so it pays to think critically about your interview questions and hiring practices.

Insight Global is a Joint Commission-certified staffing company, and we can help find nurses who are the right fit for your institution. Let us know your needs below!