10 Outpatient Nursing Interview Questions With Sample Answers - Nurse Money Talk (2023)

When interviewing outpatient nurses, interviewers look for candidates who show enthusiasm for the position.

They also want candidates who are well-organized and can work well under pressure.

Outpatient Nursing Interview Questions with Example Answers

Here are ten possible questions that may be asked in an occupational health nursing interview.

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1. Tell Us A Little About Yourself.

This is one of the most common outpatient nurse interview questions.

It is asked because it allows the interviewer to learn more about your skills and previous experience.

It also gives them a chance to learn more about you as a person.

Answer:

“My name is Jennifer Smith. I recently graduated from the University ABC with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

I have worked as an outpatient nurse for the past three years at Hospital Y. I used to administer medications and monitor patient symptoms.

I want to work in the outpatient department because I love the challenge of caring for patients outside of the hospital environment.

The best part of the job for me is to help patients get better and empower them to make healthier life choices.”

2. What Are Your Strengths As An Outpatient Nurse?

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In your answer to this outpatient nurse interview question, make sure to showcase the strengths that make you an ideal candidate for outpatient nursing.

Answer:

“I feel that my strength is my extroverted nature.

I love to talk to patients. It helps patients to feel comfortable around me and open up about their symptoms and concerns.

I think that being approachable is important in outpatient nursing because it encourages people to share things they may feel embarrassed about and ask questions.

3. What Are Your Weaknesses As An Outpatient Nurse?

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This is a tricky question to answer successfully because you don’t want to describe a weakness that will make you seem like an unsuitable candidate for this position.

To make sure you sound authentic and not ruin your chances of getting hired, use a weakness you have taken steps to overcome.

It shows the interviewer that you are self-aware enough to understand your weaknesses and are motivated to overcome them.

Answer:

“I used to procrastinate with administrative tasks because I thought it took valuable time away from patients.

I always ended up with a tonne of paperwork to finish on a Friday.

To learn how to handle the job’s administrative function better, I spoke to my colleague, who always seemed to be on top of her administrative duties.

She told me she completes all the admin straight after seeing a patient.

It only takes a few minutes because it is just one patient’s admin, and the work does not pile up.

I tried her method, and now, I no longer have a pile of paperwork to sort out every Friday.”

4. How Would You Handle A Difficult Patient?

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Outpatient nurses need to be able to deal with many patients who have complex needs.

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Sometimes a patient will have a bad attitude, but the nurse must always be professional when dealing with them.

The interviewer needs to evaluate your skills in handling stress and problem-solving ability.

Your answer could include an experience where you successfully de-escalated a situation with a difficult patient.

Answer:

“Whenever I see that a patient is agitated, I find that the best way to get them to calm down is by being patient and empathetic.

When they are calm, I can talk to them and discover the underlying reason for their impatience.

Once I know the problem, I can attempt to fix it and resolve it.”

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5. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

Interviewers look for candidates with a developed career plan.

They want to know that you are planning to stay with the healthcare facility for at least five years and are not planning to use them as a stepping stone and leave within a short time.

Your answer should demonstrate that you plan to grow professionally within the healthcare facility and will become an asset to the company.

Answer:

“In the next five years, I plan to further develop my skills as an outpatient nurse and provide an even higher level of care to my patients.

I also plan to take a short certification course to handle administrative and managerial duties better.”

6. Do You Have Any Leadership Experience?

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Leadership qualities are important for outpatient nurses to have, especially if they are applying for a more senior position.

You don’t need to have been in a unit manager’s position to demonstrate that you have some leadership potential.

You can use any other (outside of nursing) leadership experience to let the interviewer know you have leadership skills.

Answer:

“I have practiced my leadership skills at university. I oversaw organizing events at the nursing department.

I also am a committee member at the non-profit organization I volunteer for in my free time.”

7. Do You Work Better As Part Of A Team Or On Your Own?

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It may seem that the interviewer wants you to answer that you love to work as a part of the team.

However, the interviewer’s answer may include being a part of a team and working on your own.

Considering occupational nurse roles and responsibilities, it becomes obvious that you should be competent in working independently and being part of the healthcare provider team.

Answer:

“I enjoy collaborating with colleagues, but I can also work on my own. In my previous position, I worked a night shift and was expected to care for patients on my own.

I felt competent to do that, and if I wasn’t sure about something, I asked my seniors to make sure I did not make a mistake.”

8. What Would You Do If You Saw A Co-Worker Provide Inappropriate Care To Patients?

An outpatient nurse’s integrity and a strong sense of ethics are important qualities.

So are their interpersonal skills. Your answer must demonstrate that you have the integrity to always do the right thing regarding patient care and have the interpersonal skills to handle such situations effectively.

Answer:

“If I see someone provide inappropriate care to patients, I would immediately approach them and discretely stop them.

I would assess the patient’s condition and if no harm came to the patient, I would take my colleague aside and explain to them why I think what they did was wrong and how it could have affected the patient.

If my colleague insists on doing the wrong thing after I spoke to them, I would inform the nursing supervisor of what I witnessed and work with them to resolve the matter.”

9. How Do You Deal With Stress?

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Outpatient nursing can be physically and mentally demanding. Most days are chaotic, with many patients that need to be attended to.

A good outpatient nurse needs to be in good physical and mental health to be able to handle the stressors.

Answer:

“I am good at not letting the stress get to me at work. I stay focused on the tasks that need to be done without becoming overwhelmed.

I also take good care of myself outside of work by eating a healthy diet and exercising for stress relief.

These strategies have served me well, and I can adapt them to fit in with working for your facility.”

10. Why Do You Want To Work For Us?

By asking this question, the interviewer wants to establish if you are serious about this position and if you took the time to research the healthcare facility before the interview.

Your answer should mention something about the organization’s vision, mission, values, and goals.

Answer:

“I would love to work for you because your mission aligns with my passion for patient care.

I have the necessary qualifications you require for the position, and I am dedicated to providing the best possible care to my patients and upholding the good reputation of your healthcare institution.

Your demand for excellence resonates with my focus on staying on top of the changing trends in healthcare, and I am eager to contribute my expertise.”

Key Takeaways

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The above model answers must be personalized by adapting them to your circumstances.

Preparing for how you answer the interview questions beforehand will make you appear more confident during the real interview.

(Video) TOP TEN NURSE Job Interview Questions + MY ANSWERS

Confident answers build credibility in you as a candidate and increase your chances of getting the job offer. Let’s hope you will get it.

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FAQs

What are Band 5 outpatient nurse interview questions? ›

NHS Band 5 interview questions
  • Why do you want to work with the NHS? ...
  • How might you deal with emotionally taxing situations in this role? ...
  • What is your priority when looking after patients? ...
  • Detail a time when you've had to work under pressure. ...
  • What is your proudest achievement in your nursing career to date?
Jan 17, 2023

What are the 10 most common interview questions? ›

10 classic interview questions
  • Tell me about yourself. ...
  • Why do you want to work for us? ...
  • Give an example of where you've been able to use your leadership skills. ...
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses? ...
  • Where do you see yourself in five years? ...
  • What is your greatest achievement? ...
  • Why should we hire you? ...
  • Are you a team player?

What are the 6 C's of nursing interview questions? ›

Interviewee: Before your interview, you must ensure you understand the six Cs of nursing, which are: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

What are the most common interview questions for nurses? ›

Other common nursing interview questions and answers
  • What do you like most about being a nurse? There are a lot of things that I like about being a nurse. ...
  • What do you find most difficult about being a nurse? ...
  • Why are you leaving your current position? ...
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a nurse?
Oct 19, 2022

What are the 6 C's? ›

Do you already know what the 6Cs are? What nouns beginning with C do you think might be essentially important in delivery of health and social care? So, the 6Cs are care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

What are common band 6 nurse questions? ›

Band 6 Nurse Interview Questions
  • Why Have You Applied for This Job? ...
  • What Is Your Understanding of the Band 6 Role You Are Interviewing For? ...
  • What Are the Six 'C's, and Why Do You Feel They Are Important? ...
  • If One of Your Nursing Team Frequently Arrives Late to Their Shift, How Would You Address This?
Mar 10, 2023

What are the 7 most common interview questions and answers? ›

How to master these 7 common interview questions
  • Where do you see yourself in five years time? ...
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses? ...
  • Why should I hire you? ...
  • Tell me about yourself/your work experience. ...
  • Why do you want this job? ...
  • What are your salary expectations? ...
  • Why are you the right fit to succeed in this role?

What are the top 15 interview questions? ›

15 tricky job interview questions — and how to nail them
  • Can you tell me a little about yourself?
  • How did you hear about the position?
  • What do you know about the company?
  • What are your greatest professional strengths?
  • What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
  • What is your greatest professional achievement?

What are the 4 P's of nursing? ›

It's structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust.

What is the most important C in nursing? ›

Care is the first C; Care is defined as the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something. The primary duty of the nurse is to care for the patient. Amongst all the C's this is the most important.

How do you ace nursing interview questions? ›

Nursing Interview Tips
  1. Know where you're going. Healthcare facilities are often big and confusing. ...
  2. Dress professionally. Professional attire tells interviewers you take them and the job seriously.
  3. Rehearse your nursing interview questions. Don't just prep answers. ...
  4. Pamper yourself. ...
  5. Listen and take notes.

What is the hardest part of nursing interview question? ›

The hardest part about answering why you want to be a nurse is that you need to be honest, without sounding trite. “I just want to help people” is a phrase that has been heard far too often in nurse job interviews.

What is your greatest strength interview question as a nurse? ›

Sample answer:

My greatest strength comes from my ability to educate and empathize with patients. I can speak in their terms and help them understand what's going on with their bodies. I strive to enter into their shoes and treat them as people first, not just patients.

What are the 7 principles of care? ›

(A principle is a particular approach to doing something.) The principles of care include choice, dignity, independence, partnership, privacy, respect, rights, safety, equality and inclusion, and confidentiality.

What are the 5 core competencies of nursing? ›

  • Provide patient-centered care.
  • Work in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Employ evidence-based practice.
  • Apply quality improvement.
  • Utilize informatics.

What are the 5 concepts of caring in nursing? ›

What Are the Five C's of Caring? Sister Simone Roach came up with the five C's of caring: commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence. The five C's are considered beneficial to improving coworker and patient relationships and increasing a nurse's chances for career advancement.

What is the most important 6 C in nursing? ›

The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice', which was first established by NHS England Chief Nursing Officer, Jane Cummings, in December 2017.

What is nursing 6 C's reference? ›

The result was the 6Cs – care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words? ›

"Enthusiastic, confident and friendly are three words I'd pick to describe myself. My enthusiasm for health care allows me to stay motivated at work and find importance in what I'm doing. My confidence helps me recognize my abilities while also knowing that there's always room to learn more.

What are the 3 most popular questions asked at any interview? ›

Common interview questions
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in working for this company?
  • Tell me about your education.
  • Why have you chosen this particular field?
  • Describe your best/worst boss.
  • In a job, what interests you most/least?
  • What is your major weakness?

What is a strong interview question? ›

Good Interview Questions. What single project or task would you consider your most significant career accomplishment to date? Is it better to be perfect and late, or good and on time? Tell me about a time you screwed up.

How do you handle stress and pressure? ›

Build Good Coping Skills
  1. Take some time to think about the situation you're facing. Try to describe your situation in a sentence or two. ...
  2. Notice and name the feelings you have about the situation. Accept your feelings — it's understandable to feel the way you feel, given your situation. ...
  3. Learn more.

How do you talk smoothly in an interview? ›

INTERVIEW COURAGEOUSLY
  1. Present a relaxed professional image. ...
  2. Maintain eye contact with your interviewers. ...
  3. Speak slowly and with a calm, pleasant vocal tone. ...
  4. Finish the ends of your sentences and pronounce all parts of many syllable words. ...
  5. Know your personal and professional messages. ...
  6. Pause effectively between thoughts.

What are 6 common interview questions? ›

Answering Six Common Interview Questions
  1. Tell me about yourself. This is often the opening question in an interview. ...
  2. Why should we recruit you? ...
  3. Why do you want to work here? ...
  4. What are your weaknesses? ...
  5. What did you dislike about your last job? ...
  6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

What is the 9 11 question for an interview? ›

Name of person being interviewed: Where were you when the attacks happened? What was your initial reaction? How did it affect the rest of your day? Did you personally know anyone who died in or was personally affected by 9/11?

What are the 4 C's of nursing assessment? ›

Explore the 4c's of Enhancing Physician/Nurse Interprofessional Practice: Communication, Collaboration, Culture of Safety and Compassionate Care.

How do you introduce yourself as a nurse? ›

Don't stand next to someone waiting to be introduced. Instead, extend your hand and state your name. For example: “Hello, I'm Juliana Pericci.” The other person should return your greeting and introduce herself. If she doesn't, ask her, “And your name is….?”

What are the 3 Ps of nursing? ›

The direct care core is more commonly referred to as the 3 P's of Nursing: Physical/Health Assessment. Physiology and Pathophysiology. Pharmacology.

What does AC mean in nurse? ›

a.c.: Abbreviation on a prescription meaning before meals; from the Latin "ante cibum", before meals. This is one of a number of abbreviations of Latin terms that have traditionally been used in writing prescriptions.

What is the hardest level in nursing? ›

Hardest Nursing School Classes
  • Pathophysiology. In this course, students learn how different anatomical systems work and how diseases or injuries affect these systems. ...
  • Pharmacology. ...
  • Medical Surgical 1 (also known as Adult Health 1) ...
  • Evidence-Based Practice.

Why are ABCs important in nursing? ›

A part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC),which are physiological elements that are needed for the body to survive and help determine one's level of health. Observing ABCs is a rapid assessment of life-threatening conditions in order of priority.

What is your weakness as a nurse? ›

Reflect on your weaknesses

Spending too much time on paperwork. Paying too much attention to detail. Attempting to complete too many tasks at once. A lack of clinical experience, which may apply to recent graduates or new nurses.

How do you deal with a difficult patient interview answer? ›

How to deal with a difficult patient
  1. Create a suitable environment. ...
  2. Listen carefully. ...
  3. Give an empathetic response. ...
  4. Identify the cause of the problem. ...
  5. Ask for help. ...
  6. Repair the relationship. ...
  7. Maintain professionalism. ...
  8. Use appropriate nonverbal communication.
Mar 10, 2023

Why should we hire you? ›

“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”

What are your core values nursing interview? ›

The hiring panel may ask you about the six core values to assess your knowledge. The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice'. They'll want to know what you think about the 6 Cs and understand how you can effectively put them into practice.

What is a sample answer to tell me about a time you failed nursing? ›

Sample Answer:

A time when I felt like I had failed was during nursing school. I had a hard time working through a skills lab and felt like I was failing as a nursing student. I had limited experience going in and it seemed like everyone else was easily grasping the skills.

What is the best strength of a nurse? ›

What Makes Someone a Good Nurse?
  1. Caring. ...
  2. Communication Skills. ...
  3. Empathy. ...
  4. Attention to Detail. ...
  5. Problem Solving Skills. ...
  6. Stamina. ...
  7. Sense of Humor. ...
  8. Commitment to Patient Advocacy.
Feb 25, 2020

What is your biggest strength sample answer? ›

“My greatest strength is my problem-solving skills. I pride myself on being able to quickly and efficiently analyze and solve complex problems by considering different perspectives. This skill allows me to remain effective even in a stressful situation.

What is your greatest achievement sample answer for nurses? ›

Many nurses say that attaining their nursing degree has been their greatest achievement. Others state that forming a family has been their greatest achievement because it has given them a greater understanding of the human experience.

What is your strength best answer in healthcare? ›

Sample answer: "One of my biggest strengths is my ability to manage time efficiently. I know that healthcare professionals are often required to multitask with tight deadlines, which is why I pride myself on being able to prioritize tasks and complete them promptly."

What is expected from a band 5 nurse? ›

The post is for a qualified nurse who wants to further their experience and skills in nursing. The post holder will be responsible for the assessment of care needs, the development of programmes of care and their implementation and evaluation. The post holder is expected to take charge of the ward as required.

What are Band 5 nursing skills? ›

Band 5 Nurse – a definition

With an overarching approach based on compassion, empathy, kindness, respect and dignity, your duties will include: Collaborating with your team to develop needs based, and person centered care plans. Using assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation to deliver those plans.

What are the expectations of a Band 5 nurse? ›

The band 5 nurse develops, implements, and evaluates nursing practice standards. While supervising all employees who fall under their remit, they also provide clinical leadership to junior staff. Band 5 staff nurses also participate in the department's budget monitoring and management.

What are the key tasks of a Band 5 nurse? ›

The post holder will work as part of a team to provide a safe, effective, efficient care environment for patients, relatives and carers. They will be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care under indirect supervision from senior staff.

Why should we hire you as band 6 nurse? ›

SUGGESTED ANSWER: “Being someone who is passionate about the application of effective clinical practice, and also being determined to deliver the highest standards of patient care, I feel the role of a Band 6 Nurse is a perfect match for my experience, interpersonal skills and also my future career plans.

What is a Grade 6 nurse? ›

Band 6 nurses are often called 'Junior Sister', 'Specialist Staff Nurse' or 'Specialist Nurse Practitioner'. To exemplify, a nurse may choose to specialise in district nursing, intensive care or paediatrics. To successfully progress onto Band 6 level, you'll need to pursue further training within a specialist area.

What is the highest band a nurse can be? ›

What Level Of Responsibility And Duties Can You Expect Within Each Nursing Band?
  • Band 5 – Newly Qualified Nurse.
  • Band 6 – Nursing specialist or Senior Nurse.
  • Band 7 – Advanced Nurse / Nurse Practitioner.
  • Band 8 – Modern Matron or Chief Nurse.
  • Band 9 – Consultant.

What does 5 C's of nursing mean? ›

What Are the Five C's of Caring? Sister Simone Roach came up with the five C's of caring: commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence. The five C's are considered beneficial to improving coworker and patient relationships and increasing a nurse's chances for career advancement.

What are the 6 roles of nursing? ›

Prompts About the Roles and Functions of the Nurse:

Make a set of flash cards that lists and defines the six roles that nurses must play in patient care (caregiver, decision maker, communicator, manager of care, patient advocate, and teacher).

What are skill levels nursing? ›

BENNER'S LEVELS OF EXPERTISE

The five identified levels are novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert (Benner, 1984). As a learner moves through these five skill levels, changes occur in three specific areas of performance (Benner, 1984).

What band does a nurse start on? ›

Newly qualified registered nurses start at Band 5. Usually, these nurses start in a hospital setting and progress within their ward, gaining valuable experience to move up within their banding.

What do Band 7 nurses get? ›

Band 7 Advanced Nurse / Nurse Practitioner

Important responsibilities include the ability to conduct detailed clinical assessments, make diagnoses and prescribe medicine to patients. At this level, a nurse's role begins to include many responsibilities that you normally associate with a doctor.

What is a band 3 nurse? ›

Band 3 - Emergency Care Assistant. Employees would be expected to use their knowledge to apply to new situations within a range of work procedures. Roles would require a level of formal training or relevant experience. ​

What is a Level 5 nursing associate? ›

This Nursing Associate Foundation Degree apprenticeship will help your nursing associates handle complex demands of service users and patients, while developing the confidence to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and a range of settings.

What are the main responsibilities of a nurse? ›

Assessing, observing, and speaking to patients. Recording details and symptoms of patient medical history and current health. Preparing patients for exams and treatment. Administering medications and treatments, then monitoring patients for side effects and reactions.

What is a band 4 nurse? ›

Band 4 — Theatre Support Worker

In this role, you will be required to support the surgical team. You will have to take responsibility for patients on the trolleys, work closely with doctors performing surgery on patients, prepare patients for anaesthetics and set instruments and equipment, to name a few.

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