[Link]  
 
 
Possible  Interview  Questions  and  Information  
 
General  Nurses  
 
Prior  to  interview  you  should  think  about  the  responses  to  the  
following  questions.    
 
Why  do  you  want  this  job  and  why  do  you  want  to  work  in  this  hospital?  
 
Think  carefully  about  this  question  –  stress  positive  aspects  that  have  attracted  
you.  
 
What  do  you  know  about  the  hospital?  
 
This  is  your  chance  to  impress!  
 
Why  do  you  want  to  work  for  the  hospital?  
 
Emphasise  positive  reasons,  maybe  indicate  that  you  have  done  some  research  
i.e.  looking  up  websites  etc.  
 
What  do  you  know  about  the  Irish  Health  Care  System?  
 
Refer  to  website  [Link],  [Link]  ,  [Link]    
 
What  do  you  know  about  An  Bord  Altranais?  
 
Refer  to  website  [Link]    
 
How  does  the  nurse’s  code  of  professional  conduct  affect  your  work?  
 
The  purpose  of  the  code  is  to  assist  the  nurse  to  make  professional  decisions,  to  
carry  out  his/her  responsibilities  and  to  promote  high  standards  of  professional  
conduct.  This  code  provides  guidelines  in  accordance  with  the  nurses  act  1985.  
Some  of  the  aspects  of  nursing  covered  by  this  code  include  confidentiality,  
professional  behaviour,  informed  consent,  competence,  scope  of  practice  and  
responsibility  of  care.  
 
What  qualities  do  you  think  may  be  required  for  this  position?  
 
Be  familiar  with  the  job  description  of  the  position  you  are  applying  for.  Other  
qualities  could  include  leadership,  supervisory  skills,  communication  skills,  
interpersonal  skills,  problem  solving  etc…  
 
What  qualities  can  you  bring  to  this  position?  
 
Include  strengths  that  you  think  you  have  and  can  bring  to  the  position  with  
examples  of  times  you  demonstrated  these.  
 
What  do  you  look  for  in  an  employer?  
 
Stress  opportunities  for  personal  growth,  new  challenges,  ongoing  education  etc.  
 
Personal  Questions…….  
 
- Tell  me  about  yourself?  
 
- What  are  your  short  and  long  term  personal  career  goals?  
 
- What  rewards  you  the  most  in  your  chosen  career?  
 
- How  do  you  think  others  would  describe  you?  
 
- What  are  your  strengths  and  weaknesses?  (it  is  very  important  to  have  a  
weakness  as  it  shows  a  degree  of  personal  awareness)  
 
- How  do  you  feel  you  work  within  a  team  and  in  what  way  do  you  feel  you  
contribute  to  a  team  (give  examples)?  
 
- How  would  you  describe  your  sense  of  humour?    
 
- How  do  you  feel  past  workmates  and  employers  would  describe  you?      
 
- What  accomplishments  are  you  most  proud  of?  
 
 
1 Can   you   talk   me   through   the   ward/area   you   work   in   and   briefly   discuss  
your  daily  duties?  
 
2 Please  give  brief  outline  of  your  nursing  experience  over  the  last  2  years.  
 
3 Can   you   talk   me   through   a   time   when   you   interacted   with   doctors   or  
other   members   of   the   multidisciplinary   team   to   influence/   change   the  
care  given  to  your  patients?  
 
4 Can  you  talk  me  through  a  time  which  demonstrates  your  ability  to  deal  
effectively  with  Emergency  situations?  
 
 5 Have   you   found   this   the   most   difficult/challenging   task   or   issue   in   your  
nursing   career?   If   not   can   you   recall   a   difficult   or   challenging   situation?  
How  did  you  address  the  situation?  What  was  the  outcome  following  the  
intervention?  What  did  you  learn  from  it?  
 
6 How   is   your   understanding   of   infection   control,   how   do   you   prevent  
infection?  
 
 
Medical  Questions……  
 
- What  are  the  five  rights  of  Medication  Administration?  (refer  to  ABA  
guidelines)  
 
- A  patient  refuses  to  take  their  medication  –  what  would  you  do?  
 
- What  is  the  normal  temperature  for  an  adult?  

- What  is  the  normal  range  for  an  adult  pulse?  

 
- What  is  the  normal  range  for  an  adult  blood  pressure?  
 
- What  is  a  normal  range  for  an  adult  respiratory  rate?  
 
- What  is  a  normal  range  for  an  adult  pulse  oximetry?  
 
- If  you  noticed  an  abnormality  in  any  of  the  above  describe  what  your  
action    would  be  (list  action  for  each)    
 
- In  what  situation  would  you  use  the  Glasgow  Coma  Scale?  
 
- Give  an  example  of  when  you  have  had  to  educate  a  patient?  
 
- Describe  the  process  of  administering  of  a  blood  transfusion  include  
initial  checks,  monitoring  of  patient,  time  allowance  etc.  
 
- What  does  PCA  stand  for,  in  what  situation  would  you  use  this  and  what  is  
the  protocol  for  checking  a  patient  when  using  PCA?  
 
- What  tool  do  you  use  to  assess  pain?  
 
- Describe  the  importance  of  clear/concise  documentation?  
 
- What  would  you  do  if  your  patient  was  complaining  of  chest  pain?  
 
• Remember  these  questions  are  just  examples  of  those  you  may  be  
asked.  Please  read  up  on  notes  in  relation  to  your  specialty,  
conditions  of  the  patients,  anatomy  and  physiology,  equipment  used,  
nursing  care,  drugs  used  and  day  to  day  questions.  
  
• If  you  do  not  hear  the  question  properly  please  politely  ask  the  panel  to  
repeat  the  question.  
 
• You  will  be  given  scenario  questions  please  think  about  concise  
examples  of  what  you  would  do  in  certain  situations.  
 
Best  Wishes  for  your  Interview………