Recently Updated Practical Nurse Interview Questions
Q – 1 Tell me why do you want to be a nurse?
Ans- Most people are going to answer something along the lines of “Because I like nursing.” This is fine but a bit boring. You should use anecdotes and stories about your personal experience to liven up your response so that you seem more like a person than a nursing automaton regurgitating memorized information.
Q – 2 Tell me what motivates you to work in the nursing field?
Ans- Critical situations and tough patients motivate me. In my last job, I was confronted with a patient, who was not handled by a number of nurses, later I took charge of him and solved his problem by understanding his situation. I really love to overcome challenges.
Q – 3 What is your greatest failure as Practical Nurse?
Ans- In my first job, I made a mistake in the patient’s chart. Fortunately, my supervisor noticed it. Since then, I always double- check my charts.
Q – 4 Explain me do you have experience working as part of a team or managing a team?
Ans- Practice nurses are not usually required to be strong team leaders. It’s usually the practice nurses themselves who are led as part of a team. They receive instructions from senior personnel and help them.
Q – 5 Tell me what is the most difficult part of being a nurse?
Ans- According to me, the most intricate part of being a nurse is having a patient, who suffers from an incapacitating disease, which is incurable.
Q – 6 Tell me do you have any professional affiliations?
Ans- Absolutely, I feel it’s important to stay informed about trends and news in the nursing profession. I’m a member of the [insert association here], and the [insert association here].
Q – 7 Please explain what your current/former boss would say about you?
Ans- The interviewer is basically looking for clues that will shed light on your work ethic and interpersonal skills. Direct quotes work well. “Jill always said I was dependable” is a direct quote that says a lot.
Q – 8 Tell me what do you find most difficult about being a nurse?
Ans- I think for me, the most difficult part of being a nurse, is when I have a patient that is very uncomfortable, or in a lot of pain, and I cannot comfort them.
Q – 9 Tell me how would you know you were successful on this Licensed practical nurse job?
Ans- There are several ways to assess: You set big challenges for yourself and met them. Your achievement is a big success. Your boss told you that you were successful.
I am sure that I was successful. I have dreamt to work for your company and I can do anything to make my dream become true. And I am really interested in this job, for my passion not for money.
Q – 10 How much will I make as Practical Nurse?
Ans- This is a highly inappropriate question to ask, especially during a first interview. Asking this question can lead the interviewer to believe that salary is more important to you than the actual position… not a good impression to make. Unless the interviewer brings up salary, be patient with this as well.
Q – 11 Explain to us how you perform under pressure?
Ans- The settings in which nurses work can quickly turn into pressure-cooker environments. To be blunt, the interviewer does not want to hire anyone who is so emotionally fragile that they’ll shatter like plate glass when faced with the day-to-day pressures of the job.
Q – 12 Tell me how would you handle a patient who complains about everything?
Ans- I would first ensure that the patient had no valid complaints, and then just be patient and reassuring that we were doing everything we could for them.
Q – 13 Tell me do you have experience administering first-aid or emergency treatment?
Ans- Practice nurses may be required to do that in certain situations. Their task is to monitor recuperating patients and they are most often the ones to be nearby when an emergency situation arises. You can also add an explanation of how first-aid or emergency procedures are applied, or give an example that actually happened.
Q – 14 What is your biggest strength as Practical Nurse?
Ans- Employers often ask for greatest strength or strengths during an interview. This can provide valuable insight into a nurse and their self-concept. Take the time to think about a complete and honest answer to this question. Do not misrepresent or exaggerate yourself to sound good.
Everybody has their own strengths. It is important to recognize these and highlight them. Common answers to this question can include: patience, intelligence, problem solving ability, dealing with stress, interacting with patients or their families, etc. The list of possible answers to this question is almost unlimited. The important thing is to be confident but not arrogant. Be assertive and proud of your strengths!
Q – 15 Tell me how would you deal with a doctor who was rude?
Ans- If the doctor was not happy with my care of a patient in some way, I would want to know how, so I could take corrective action to remedy the situation. If I needed to, I would even bring the question to my supervisor for help resolving the issue.
Q – 16 Tell me a difficult situation and describe how you handled it?
Ans- If you have healthcare experience, they want to know how you have dealt with angry doctors, emotionally upset families, or difficult patients. If you lack healthcare experience, you can discuss a difficult situation that occurred in school or a previous workplace.
Q – 17 What duties would this position entail as Practical Nurse?
Ans- No matter how much research you do on the organisation, the only way you will have a clear picture as to what exactly will be expected from you is by getting that information directly from the interviewer. Although the job of an LPN is generally the same, duties may differ slightly from organization to organization, state to state and department to department.
Q – 18 Explain me who will I be working with?
Ans- This question is a simple one yet can make a huge difference in the day to day functioning of your job as an LPN. Some LPN’s are the leader of their unit, supervising over nursing assistants, CNA’s, or personal care assistants. In this case the primary individuals being worked with would be subordinates and the nurse bears responsibility not only for their care but care of those being supervised.
Of course, LPN’s are always supervised by a Registered Nurse or a physician, however they may not be physically present at all times. Sometimes LPN’s work with a team of other LPN’s to ensure duties are completed. Nurses are always part of a larger healthcare team but it is good to get an idea of who primary interaction will be with, after the patients of course.
Q – 19 Where do you see yourself in the future as Practical Nurse?
Ans- Flippant and humorous answers should be avoided. Since the intention is to seem like a motivated individual capable of making serious commitments, you should discuss your goals for your career in the nursing profession. Depending on the time frame mentioned in the question, you might want to adjust your response for more realistic outcomes.
Q – 20 Explain me why are you leaving your current job as Practical Nurse?
Ans- My previous job taught me so many things and developed necessary qualities required to be a proficient nurse. But now, there is no room for growth, and I am looking forward for new challenges to thrive in nursing.
Q – 21 Tell me why do you want to work as a CNA?
Ans- Provide an answer showing your passion to work in the health care field but with your own personal touch. Say something like, “I have known since I was a child that I wanted to work in a job where I could truly help others and know that I want to enter the health care industry in some way. When I was in high school, my grandmother became too ill for us to care for her on our own.
My family hired a home health agency to provide nursing care for her. Now my grandmother is doing very well and I truly believe a lot of that is because she had such wonderful nurses. I decided to become a CNA because I would like to help others the way those lovely ladies helped my own grandmother.”
Q – 22 What do you think of your previous boss as Practical Nurse?
Ans- My last boss at the hospital where I worked taught me the importance of time management. He was extremely deadline-driven and wouldn’t take excuses if the job wasn’t done properly and on time. His no-nonsense approach pushed me to work harder and manage my case loads much more efficiently.
Q – 23 Explain me what you know about _____ nursing?
Ans- Insert any nursing specialty into the blank space provided. You will stand out to the interviewer as a candidate who truly has passion about the specialty if you know more about it than the average person. If your dream is to work as a nurse in a well-baby nursery, you’d better be knowledgeable about the area in which you envision yourself working.
Q – 24 Tell me what measures have you taken to upgrade your knowledge?
Ans- I enrolled myself in an advanced course for improving my managerial skills and also attended various seminars for enhancing interpersonal skills.
Q – 25 Explain me how do you react when you get a tough patient?
Ans- I realize that some patients are more difficult to deal with than others, whether it is because of their medical condition or because they have a certain disposition. At my previous job, I came across an elderly gentleman who was extremely cantankerous because of dementia. Right away, I tried to find the cause for his anger. I eventually discovered that it was because he was experiencing physical pain.
When I took steps to remedy that pain, he calmed down a little, and we were able to treat him properly.
Since I first got into nursing, I’ve always strived to cultivate empathy for patients, and that has helped me immensely whenever I come across someone who seems like they may not want to be helped.
Q – 26 What is your biggest weakness as Practical Nurse?
Ans- This is commonly asked before, after, or together with the previously mentioned question. When preparing for this common question, take the time to really think about your weaknesses and how you can improve them. Be honest with yourself and find areas where you need personal or professional improvement. There are several ways to approach this question.
One way to answer this question with a positive spin is answering by stating a weakness in which you have or are currently improving. This shows a potential employer that you are conscientious and capable of self-improvement. Consider the following example:
“Being organized was not always my strong point; however at my last job I worked with a co-worker whom I admired for her time management ability. She helped me to develop a system for time management and organizing my day. This has helped me and I plan to continue my self-improvement.”
In this sample response the nurse identifies a potential weakness, organizational skills, then goes on to explain how they recognized the weakness and are attempting to fix it. Another great way to answer this question is to focus on nonessential skills. These are skills that are not necessarily needed to complete a job. For example, as a nurse communication skills are very important.
Some nurses are great at communicating one on one with patients or in small groups with family members yet they lack the ability for public speaking to larger groups of people. If this is true, be honest. State your weakness but don’t forget to also emphasize the strength that goes with it.
Q – 27 How long until I can get promoted as Practical Nurse?
Ans- Asking this question during an interview can lead to the interviewer inferring that you are not really interested in the position you are applying for. While it is great to have aspirations of promotion and moving upwards on the career ladder, be careful how this is worded.
A better question to ask would be “Is there room for promotion with this position?” This shows you are interested in advancing but also interested in the position you applied for.
Q – 28 Tell me what makes you prepared to be a nurse?
Ans- You could launch into a spiel about your education and your nursing experience, but that can seem unfocused. Instead, you should use your experiences to highlight personal strong points that will make you better suited to handling the duties and responsibilities expected of the nursing position in question.
For example, if the position requires extensive patient-centered care, you might want to discuss how your experiences taught you to easily communicate medical information to people unfamiliar with the jargon.
Q – 29 Tell me do you belong to any nursing organizations?
Ans- The interviewer may ask this question of an LPN who has worked before or is currently working. Nursing organizations provide a good forum for networking and skills development. What the interviewer is trying to find out is whether you are committed to the profession enough to want to continue to grow your knowledge by spending more than just the required hours at work.
Answer by supplying the names of the organizations to which you belong; if you do not belong to any state that you are interested in joining a local organization.
Q – 30 Tell me what interests you about working at this particular facility?
Ans- Quite honestly, it is your cardiac care unit. As I mentioned earlier, I have a particularly strong interest in cardiology and you hospital has has one of the top three cardiac units in the country.
I really want to get as much nursing experience as I can with cardiac patients in a hospital that is leading the way with the latest heart research and procedures. Your facility has a very good reputation for its programs and population and I believe I can gain a lot by working here.
Q – 31 Tell me how would you transfer a patient from a bed to a wheelchair?
Ans- Some of the patients that you will come into contact with may not be able to move independently and need to rely on the nursing staff to assist them. As an LPN you need to know how to move a patient from a bed to a wheelchair and vice versa without hurting them. The interviewer in this case wants to know that you understand the correct procedure for transferring a patient.
Q – 32 Tell me why do you want to work in the healthcare sector?
Ans- I believe that with this profession, I can make a difference, and make people feel better. Seeing so many people in pain and misery motivated me to practice nursing.
Q – 33 Please explain how would you handle a patient who complains?
Ans- I would consult the on-duty doctor’s opinions about the patient to see if he has been suffering from any pain or distress, then, I will work out the most suitable approach.
First, I shall try to comfort the patient and calm him down. Then, I ask about his problem and discuss with the on-duty doctor if necessary to resolve that.
First, I will listen carefully to his complaint and consider the situation carefully. Then, I will reassure the patient by sharing my sympathy with him and figure out what I should do to help him.
Q – 34 Tell me what inspired you to be a nurse?
Ans- This is a question all nurses should be comfortable answering. This question is asked during almost every interview. There are various forms of this question including: “Why did you become a nurse?” or “What made you decide to become a nurse?” No matter how it is phrased this question is an important one. This question is one that is aimed at the core of every nurse.
If you haven’t thought about this yet, think about it now! There are various reasons for wanting to become a nurse. Many want to help others, some are inspired by other family members or friends, still others are intrigued by the medical side of nursing and like the gory details. Most likely the answer is multi-faceted and complex. There is no wrong or right answer to this question, just be sincere and truthful to yourself.
Q – 35 Do you know what is the nurse-to-patient ratio?
Ans- Finding out how many patients, residents, or clients you will be responsible for is very important. This can vary extremely and can depend on patient acuity, facility standards, and legal requirements. There are no specific federal standards for the number of patients allowed per nurse.
In high acuity environments this can be as low as 1 to 3 patients, however this is not typical. In today’s healthcare working environment nurses are often stretched to their limits. This nurse has been responsible for medications, treatments, wound care, and documentation for 35 patients. Some nurses report caring for upwards of 50 patients per shift. This is not typical either but it does happen.
The important thing to remember is that each patient is receiving adequate care. If patient load is too high to permit this, speak up! Also be sure to work as part of a healthcare team. Utilize and collaborate with nursing assistants, other LPN’s and RN’s. Also remember, while a patient load may seem high at first, once you are comfortable with the job and start to establish a routine you should be able to care for everyone easily.
Q – 36 Explain me how would you handle a patient who constantly complains about pain?
Ans- In this situation I would take the following course of action:
A) I would bring this concern to the attending doctor and make sure that the patient’s pain was being managed in the most effective way.
B) I would reassure the patient that everything possible was being done to alleviate their discomfort and
C) I would listen sympathetically to their complaint, reassure them that their concerns were being heard, and that we were doing everything possible to help them.
Q – 37 Explain us what are your strengths and weaknesses?
Ans- This is a favourite question during interviews, and those professionals who offer LPN job interview tips recommend that to prepare your answer to this question you review your qualifications. Pointing out one’s strengths is generally easier than one’s weaknesses.
It is easy to say that you are a good communicator, that you are not a clock-watcher, or that you are excellent in making a patient feel comfortable and lifting their spirits. It is not that easy to admit that you are a bit scared to give an injection however.
The way to answer regarding a weakness is to put a positive spin on it; say that you are a bit nervous about giving injections, but that you volunteer at a old-age home one off-weekend per month and that you it includes giving injections, and the more you give them the more confident you are becoming. This demonstrates that you recognise your weaknesses and are prepared to do something to rectify them.
Q – 38 Tell us what made you choose nursing as a career?
Ans- I’ve always loved nursing, but my interest in healthcare really started when I volunteered at a homeless shelter in college. This really inspired me to pursue a career where I could devote my time to looking after others. The more times I volunteered, the more I knew that nursing was what I really wanted to do.
I wanted to do something that is challenging, interesting and make’s a real difference in people’s lives. I feel very passionate about the healthcare profession and also see it as a way of contributing positively to society.
My mother was a nurse and when I was growing up I saw the satisfaction she gained by helping others. This also contributed very greater to my interest in pursuing nursing as a career.
Q – 39 Explain me what are some positive personality traits that will help you in your job?
Ans- Instead of saying something generic like, “I am a great communicator or I pay close attention to detail”, provide a personal story. “I have always been the type person to go the extra mile in everything I do in life. I give it 110%. When I was completing my training course, I was working with a patient I had gotten to know well. Her conversations with me one morning were nothing like we had before.
I just had a feeling something wasn’t right even though she looked well and her vitals were fine. Even so, I talked to my supervisor to let her know something was wrong. The doctor was called and it turned out the patient was ill that day. Since I had always taken time to really talk to and understand my patients, I was able to help when she was not well.”
Q – 40 Explain me how would you deal with an irate patient?
Ans- As an LPN you may have to deal with patients who are in pain, worried about the financial affect of their health issues or frustrated about being in hospital and away from their business or loved ones. It is important that a licensed practical nurse understand the patient’s feelings and perspective in order to deal with the situation best.
The interviewer is interested in hearing how you would approach such a situation, and you should answer truthfully, citing examples of how you have dealt with this type of situation in the past.
Q – 41 Behavioral Practical Nurse Job Interview Questions:
Ans- ☛ Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult patient
☛ Have you ever had to deliver bad news to a patient? How did you do it?
☛ Describe a time you didn’t get along with a superior
☛ Have you ever disagreed with a colleague for a treatment or nursing procedure? How did you resolve it?
☛ Tell me about a time a patient thanked you for providing excellent care
☛ Have you ever made a mistake concerning a patient? What did you learn?
Q – 42 Operational and Situational Practical Nurse Job Interview Questions:
Ans- ☛ If you were given instructions from a RN you didn’t agree with, what would you do?
☛ Imagine a patient or a family member were dissatisfied with the provided care. How would you handle it?
☛ What would you do if a patient refused to take their medication?
☛ You enter a patient’s room and you find their vital signs are not very good. What do you do?
Q – 43 Role-specific Practical Nurse Job Interview Questions:
Ans- ☛ What do you find most rewarding in your job?
☛ What is the most difficult part of being a LPN?
☛ What are some routine procedures that a LPN performs?
☛ What are vital signs and at what frequency should they be monitored?
☛ How do you ensure the comfort of an elderly patient?
☛ Do you have experience in administering injections?
☛ How do you replenish your knowledge in [specialty area]?
☛ What do you like about working as a team?
☛ How do you handle stress?
☛ Do you prefer working independently or under supervision?
Q – 44 Sample Practical Nurse Job Interview Questions:
Ans- ☛ How do you stay current in your practice?
☛ Explain evidenced-based practice and how you use it.
☛ Tell us about a time when you advocated for a patient.
☛ How did you handle an irate physician, co-worker or patient? What were the results?
☛ How would you deal with a co-worker who broke policy?
☛ What do you feel you need from the managers to ensure a successful orientation?
☛ Don’t forget to ask the interviewer questions as well. Some examples of questions you may want to ask include:
☛ What is the nurse/patient ratio?
☛ What do you do to ensure a safe work environment?
☛ What challenges is the unit facing?
Q – 45 Explain me what experience do you have in this field and Licensed practical nurse position?
Ans- Speak about specific matters that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you do not have any specific experience, get them as close as you can.
If you are being asked this question from your employer, you can explain about your experience. Tell the employer what responsibilities you were performing in your previous job. You can tell about the programs you have developed and modules you have worked on. You can also tell about your achievements in different programs.
Q – 46 Tell me where do you see yourself in 5 years as Practical Nurse?
Ans- This is a question no one can answer for you. This is a question that must be thought about and answered honestly. Interviewers can often spot dishonesty and answers that are confabulated just to sound good. Think about where you see yourself in 5 years… really think about it if you haven’t already.
Many LPNs interviewing for nursing jobs are already enrolled in or plan to attend RN school. This is a good thing to let the interviewer know. Let them know your intentions to become a Registered Nurse and why you want to further your education. If you have a certain nursing specialty in mind, convey this, especially if it is relevant to the facility you are interviewing for.
When interviewing potential hires, employers don’t need or want to hear that you want to work for them forever; they simply need to know that they will be rewarded for “investing” in you as an employee. Try to tie the job you are applying for with your future goals.
Focus on the experiences and knowledge you want to gain from working at a certain facility. Also focus on the impacts and influences you wish to have on patients and others working at a certain facility.
Q – 47 You’ll be working with a team of other nurses. Tell me how do you get along with others?
Ans- I enjoy working with other people, and I like to learn from them, too. I realize that sometimes personalities clash, but I’ve found that maintaining a positive attitude and always trying to be polite can smooth over disagreements. I appreciate how input from others can help me to become better at my job.
Q – 48 Tell me what is your single biggest failure?
Ans- This is one of those occasions when it might be better to avoid the absolute truth. Take one of your bad experiences, mention how you have learned from the experience, and how those lessons help make you a better nurse. Unless you are prepared to discuss how your biggest failure has made you a better person, don’t bring it up.
Q – 49 Explain me what have you done to improve your knowledge that related to Licensed practical nurse position since the last year?
Ans- Try to include improvements that are relevant to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones in handy to mention in this circumstance.
Employers tend to look for goal-oriented applicants. Show a desire for continuous learning by listing your non-work related hobbies. Regardless of what hobbies you choose to present, remember that the goal is to prove self-sufficiency, time management, and motivation.
Everyone should learn from his mistake. I always try to consult my mistakes with my friends and relatives, especially with elder and experienced persons.
Q – 50 Tell me will I have to take a drug test?
Ans- NEVER ask this question during an interview. Asking this question implies you are worried about a drug test and can lead interviewers to believe you are an illegal drug user. Nurses should always remain drug free and clear minded to provide the best quality of care to their patients. Many LPN positions do require a drug test prior to employment. Let the employer bring this up and make sure the results will be negative.
Drug addiction is a mental disease and a serious problem. Nurses often have higher rates of drug abuse than other careers for various reasons including access to drugs and high stress levels. If you are a nurse struggling with drug addiction there is help available.
Don’t hesitate to contact a local rehabilitation center or your local board of nursing. There are special drug rehabilitation programs specifically designed for nurses. Take advantage of them and heal yourself. Patient safety is always number 1 priority. Practicing impaired is NOT caring for the patients’ best interest.
Q – 51 Tell me how would you handle a family member who is unsatisfied with a patients care?
Ans- This question has a fairly straight forward answer. Make sure to apologize to the family member, even if you have done nothing wrong. Then listen to their concerns and gather any necessary information. Assure the family member that their loved one is receiving high quality care and that they will be taken care of.
If there are any concerns the family member has that require investigation or follow-up, always do it! Interviewers want to know you have the ability to problem solve as well as the ability to communicate effectively and be sincere with patient families. Never tell a family member that you do not have time for them or their loved one. Be empathetic and act as if it were your loved one being cared for.
Q – 52 Tell me how do you handle stress as Practical Nurse?
Ans- This is a question interviewers love to ask. Stress is an inevitable part of any job, especially in nursing. Nurses have some of the highest levels of job related stress of any career. Some specific stressors vary depending on position and facility; some are universal. Either way you can count on having to manage stress on the job. The key to this is learning what works for you.
Once you figure this out, you can easily relay this to a potential employer. Good ways to manage stress on the job can include simple things such as deep breathing or counting to ten. As cliché as they sound they can often work. Other more creative ways to manage stress include preventing it in the first place. Good organizational skills and time management skills can make the difference between a crazy or stressful shift and one that is more under your control.
Collaborating with other team members and not being afraid to ask for help when it is needed are also great ways to decrease stress. One important thing to remember is that as nurses, we are there for the patients. We are there to ensure high quality care. It is important to stay calm and focused during stressful situations.
Of course, there are less than desirable answers to this question as well. One common method of stress management is smoking. Despite knowing the dangers millions continue to smoke cigarettes and nurses are no exception. This is not a good thing to tell potential employers.
Never lie if the interviewer asks, but don’t give smoking as one of your preferred stress management techniques. This is unprofessional and not in the best interest of you or your patients. Many facilities nationwide have a ban on smoking for patients and employees.
Q – 53 Tell me what are the daily duties of this position?
Ans- Job duties and responsibilities can vary greatly depending on facility, patient load and acuity, and the healthcare setting. If the interviewer does not go into some detail about what you will actually be doing on a daily basis, don’t be afraid to ask. Knowing the specifics of what you will be doing can help ensure the position is a good match.
Some LPN positions are aimed more at basic care of patients. Many LPN positions are medication or treatment nurse positions. LPN’s are often designated as charge nurses as well. Being a charge nurse adds a list of responsibilities which can range from writing care plans and supervising care to supervising nursing assistants. Many practical nurses are given supervisory positions straight out of school.
If your school offered a leadership class or similar you may feel prepared for this. Some nurses do not desire the extra responsibility of a charge nurse status.
Q – 54 Explain me an example of some routine procedures that a practice nurse performs regularly?
Ans- Taking swabs, blood samples, urine samples, and treating and dressing wounds. Another kind of routine procedure is consulting and advising patients in matters of further treatment and general health. Try not to just list things from your average day. Make it a coherent description which shows that you understand your mission as a nurse.
Q – 55 As you know this job may require you to work long days, including some nights and weekends. How do you feel about that?
Ans- The most important thing is to provide quality patient care, and I know from experience that when a facility is understaffed, it can take away from how much attention the patients receive. That is why I try to be available as much as possible. I don’t mind working nights and weekends, and I’m no stranger to long days. At one of my other jobs, I would commonly work double shifts. That isn”t ideal, of course, but I can do it when it’s necessary.
Q – 56 Explain me what do you believe are some of the qualities that a licensed practical nurse most needs?
Ans- An LPN should be personable and focused on patient care. Getting along with others is vital because nursing is a people-oriented career. Also, an LPN meets so many different kinds of people from a wide range of backgrounds that it is absolutely vital to be able to adapt to these different situations. The personalities on a nursing team can also vary widely.
Attention to detail and communication are key, too, because people’s lives are involved. It’s important to stay in touch with other team members, particularly the RN who is on duty, so no patient gets overlooked.
Q – 57 Tell me does the organization offer career development and further study opportunities?
Ans- This type of question lets the interviewer know that you are dedicated to the profession, are in it for the long haul and are keen to improve your knowledge by ongoing learning. It shows dedication, drive, and determination. Organisations like to know that their employees are not just going come to work daily as something they must do, but really enjoy their job and want to stay with the company.
Q – 58 Explain about your experience in working in an educational setting?
Ans- Have you worked in a school before? Have you been a professor or a nursing school teacher? Share your work experience. If you don’t have any working experience in an educational setting, let the client know that the education setting is something that has always intrigued you and that you think it would be a great opportunity to expand your top notch skills.
Q – 59 Tell me what would you say is the most valuable knowledge you have gained in your career as an LPN?
Ans- Professionals learn from their on-the-job experiences, and the interviewer wants to learn what you have gained from working with patients when they are at their most vulnerable, and whether you have grown through your experiences or are just going through the motions. Respond with an experience that changed your perspective of the patient experience, or that gave you an insight on how to improve your work quality.
Q – 60 Tell me how would you handle a family who is displeased with your patient’s care?
Ans- I would listen to all of their concerns and make sure that if any were well founded, that they were addressed immediately.
Q – 61 Tell me what made you choose nursing as a career?
Ans- I have always wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives. I see the nursing field as a challenging and exciting opportunity to do just that!
Q – 62 Tell me why are you a good hire?
Ans- Take the time to mention the qualifications and experience that have gotten you the chance to impress. However, also take the time to mention qualities that make you stand out because your competitors probably have similar qualifications and experience.
Q – 63 Tell me you may face some stressful situations in this job. How do you perform under pressure?
Ans- I used to work in an ER, and I learned that the key to keeping cool under pressure is prioritizing what needs to be done first. This gives me focus, and focusing on one thing at a time stops me from being overwhelmed. It also helps to prevent costly mistakes.
Q – 64 Tell me what experience do you have administering injections and vaccines?
Ans- Nurses give injections all the time. Describe which population sectors you usually work with, though it might be all sectors. Nurses vaccinate anyone from infants to senior citizens. One of the most common injections is the travel vaccine.
Q – 65 Explain me what do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?
Ans- There are many things I find extremely rewarding about nursing. It can be something like seeing the joy when a mother hold her newborn infant for the first time or helping someone get back on their feet after recovering from major surgery. I also find interacting with patients and their families very rewarding.
Q – 66 When you feel most satisfied in your job as Practical Nurse?
Ans- I really enjoy caring people and helping them in coping up with their illness. I love to work with children.
Q – 67 Tell me what would you do if your shift replacement did not arrive on time or at all?
Ans- I would notify my shift supervisor and offer to stay until my replacement arrived.
Q – 68 Tell me how have your clinical rotations prepared you for a nursing career?
Ans- I experienced an externship at [insert company here], which gave me the hands-on experience with patients I need in order to make a difference on day one of my new career.
Q – 69 Tell me what motivates you as Practical Nurse?
Ans- You should not pass up this chance to play up your positive attributes in preference for a standard response. Illustrate the things that motivate you by bringing up an example from your actual experience. Use the example to highlight your positive attributes without deviating from answering the actual question.
Q – 70 Why are you leaving your current position as Practical Nurse?
Ans- Never mention the bad points that may have caused you to seek out something better. Instead, mention the things that you have learned and maintain a positive, forward-looking perspective. Point out that you are searching for new challenges and experiences that will help you grow as an individual.
Q – 71 Tell me do you have any plans to pursue your RN certification?
Ans- Yes, I would like to eventually become a registered nurse and maybe even pursue a specialty. I think this would make me more valuable to patients and to my employer. My ultimate career goal is to learn as much as I can so I can have the greatest impact possible. I’m also interested in taking on a lead role in nursing.
Q – 72 What kind of salary do you need as Practical Nurse?
Ans- A loaded question. This is a nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?
In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.
Q – 73 Why do you want to work in this industry as Practical Nurse?
Ans- I’ve always loved nursing, but my interest in health care really started when I volunteered at a homeless shelter in college. Seeing so many people without care inspired me to pursue a career devoted to caring for others. I kept going back and volunteering, which got me hooked. It was great to be able to contribute positively to society that then led me to a field I feel so passionate about.
Q – 74 Do you know what main characteristics should a practice nurse posses?
Ans- A practice nurse should be presentable and personable while she performs her tasks deftly and efficiently, with minimal unpleasantness for the patients.
Q – 75 Tell me could I have a tour of your facility?
Ans- This is a question that often does not need to be asked. Many interviewers offer a tour of the facility with the interview. They may even conduct the interview while walking through the facility. However, if the employer does not offer a tour, ask for one. This can give you valuable firsthand knowledge of a facility. Be sure to pay attention to patients and how well cared for they are.
Notice staff members and how they interact with each other; does everyone seem miserable or is everyone smiling? Use all your senses to evaluate a facility.
Q – 76 Tell me what would you do if you saw another staff member?
Ans- Do something wrong? …break policy and procedure? Mistreat a patient? This question has several variations but all are aimed at the same issue. The interviewer is trying to figure out if you have integrity and are trustworthy. While it may not be first instinct to “rat out” a fellow nurse or other employee, you must remember the bottom line: patient care and safety.
If you see another nurse mistreat a patient or break a rule that could lead to patient harm speak up! There are procedures in place that protect whistle blowers. Always follow the chain of command in your facility and report things that need to be reported.
Q – 77 Tell me do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
Ans- This question can be a tricky one to answer. One way to overcome this is simply to not pick one option. Spin the answer to show that you have the ability to work in both situations. Nurses are part of a larger healthcare team which is responsible for patient care. As such, nurses must be able to work as part of a team. Emphasize your ability to collaborate as well as being able to work independently; both are critical skills for nurses.
Q – 78 Tell me why do you want to work here as Practical Nurse?
Ans- This is a very commonly asked question as well. There are many settings and facilities in which nurses can work. The interviewer wants to know why you chose their facility. The answer to this question can be augmented by researching the company before hand.
Having some background can provide concrete reasons to work for the company and let the employer know you did your research. Another good thing to do when applying to a facility is to ask about its reputation. Ask around and see what can be found “through the grapevine.”
Of course take personal testimonies with a grain of salt and remember there are always two sides to every story. However if a facility has a good reputation, it is most likely well deserved. Show the interviewer that you did your homework and let them know that you like their positive reputation.
Find out if the facility you are interviewing for has a special focus or function; rehabilitation, geriatrics, pediatrics, oncology, etc. If you are drawn to a facility because you want to work in a certain specialty, let the interviewer know that. They will likely be happy you chose them over similar facilities.