Nurse

Nurse qualifications to look for

A Registered Nurse monitors patients, administers medications, keeps records, consults with healthcare providers, and educates patients on their healthcare next steps. 

A Bachelor's degree in nursing and a state license are essential requirements for this position. Top candidates will also be trained in BLS/CPR and be ACLS-certified. 

Your interview questions will vary depending on the candidates’ level of experience. Nurses coming out of graduate school will have a level of experience in the field, while nurses finishing undergraduate programs may be able to talk about the technology they used in training. 

📌Don’t forget: Check local legislation as licensure requirements vary per location and job description. 

Keep an eye out for candidates who are:

• Critical thinkers  
• Strong communicators
• Good with people 
• Flexible 
• Detail-oriented
• Compassionate
• Knowledgeable about procedures
  

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Nurse interview questions

• What attracts you to our facility? Have you worked in a similar environment previously?
• How has your education and training prepared you for this position? What was your favorite course in nursing school?
• What clinical experience has helped you grow into your career? 
• How well do you think you communicate with patients and their families? How comfortable are you doing this?
• What’s difficult about meeting the needs of patients? How do you manage these demands?
• What time-management strategies do you use that will help our team? 
• Describe a time you resolved a problem with a distressed patient. What happened and what as the outcome? 
• Describe a time you advocated on behalf of your patient. What was the situation and the outcome? 
• How would you care for an alert patient who suddenly became confused and disoriented? What are the steps to keep them safe? 
• What charting systems have you used? Walk me through the process of charting a patient. 
• What would you do if you were assigned to a specialty area you weren’t familiar with? Are you good at working outside of your comfort zone? 
• What do you do in situations where you see someone make a mistake that may impact patient care? How do you respond?
• How do you keep up with changes in this field? Do you follow specific resources?