New Grad RN Interview Questions || All Answers are Valid.
What sparked your passion for nursing? correct answers Preparing for these interviews made me
really realize that there are two main answers to this. I had always known that after caring for my
father as he waited for a liver and kidney transplant had turned me towards nursing. He waited a
long time, was in and out of various hospitals and declined so much during that time that we very
nearly gave up hope of it ever happening. It did by the way! Watching and helping dedicated
nurses care for him, made me realize what an impact a good nurse can make opposed to one
going through the motions. Small comforts are everything when you are living your life looking
at the same four walls and being subjected to the same treatments and interventions day after
day. Often patients lose their dignity, their independence and sometimes a measure of their
humanity. The absolute least that they deserve is whatever small comfort we can provide. He had
my mother and I at his bedside 24/7 and still mishaps and miscommunications happened! It
terrified me then and still does to think about those who are seriously sick and have no-one to
advocate for them. I was looking for a noble profession to devote myself to and knew that I had
found it!
The second event that solidified my commitment to nursing was when my nephew, who was 3
or 4 got mauled by a dog while we were visiting relatives out of town. It was the 4th of July and
we'd just come back to my cousin's house from watching fireworks. She was caring for her
daughter's American Bulldog and the loud noises had freaked it out. My cousin was standing in
her doorway keeping the dog back, when we pulled up outside her house. My nieces and nephew
adore my cousin and so they ran to hug her. My nephew was fastest, got to her first and lept into
her arms. The dog rushed forward and clamped it's large mouth around his tiny thigh and began
to shake him
Describe some specific ways that clinical rotations prepared you for a nursing career? correct
answers Being in the UCSF PICU reminded me that a certain level of self-doubt or even fear is a
healthy thing. I came in intimidated, found a comfort zone, realized that that comfort zone was
an illusion, and left intimidated but with faith that in time I could be a great PICU RN! Nicholle,
my preceptor built my confidence by giving me easier patients until I was almost completely
caring for them independently - when I was confident and comfortable. She revealed to me that,
while giving the same care that I was - in the moment, she was looking out for and anticipating a
dozen other possible scenarios based on her assessments and observable data. I'm so glad that I
had that progression of thought to learn from! My L and D rotation prepared me by reminding
me that you should always be your patient's fiercest advocate and that if you are respectful,
personable, competent and show that you care, patients will put their trust in you in nearly any
situation. It is your duty to not betray that trust once you've earned it, and to stay focussed on
what's important for them and their wellbeing.
,What are the best and worst things about being a nurse? correct answers Best: Is definitely seeing
a patient turn around and improve. To see hope and effort realized. While I was in the PICU, we
had a toddler that finally got to go home after 8 months of being there. I remember, the nurses on
the unit got together and made a big posterboard card congratulating him and his parents on the
graduation and wishing them Best Wishes. They even got balloons! When transport came to take
them and the 4 carts of belongs they had accumulated in the room, nearly the whole unit turned
out to cheer them as they paraded through the halls to the exit. I got a little choked up and
thought that, with all the losing battles we fight, what a great thing it is to get such a sweet win,
once in a while.
Worst: First is sometimes not having the tools or ability to alleviate the suffering of your patient.
This along with the fact that nurses take a certain amount of their work home with them, can
sometimes make it a very hard job. Second is Code Browns! I've gotten so used to them, that I
don't really mind them. Between my nearly 5 years at UCSF and during my CNA and Nursing
clinicals, I've literally wiped hundreds of butts! But, I mind the much less when it's baby poop.
What are your certifications and specialties, if any? correct answers TeamSTEPPS - an evidence-
based set of teamwork tools, aimed at optimizing patient outcomes by improving communication
and teamwork skills among health care professionals.
Specialties: customer service. Chez Blue Hill - healthcare and restaurant service share a lot of the
same skill set. The stakes are far higher in the PICU, ICN, ..., of course! But, caring about
people, their well- being and what they care about is something that has always been important
to me and that I've developed a range of tools and ways of interacting, in order to do effectively
and gracefully. I particularly, enjoy working with children because they are much more straight
forward than adults. The approach is completely different! with adults if you get them to trust
you, that you're competent they often grow to like you. With kids, get them to like you, or think
you're cool and their much more willing to trust you. Of course, I've always strived to do both,
because you want the parents to like trust and like you, if they can. But, parents often warm to
those their children warm to. I've learned this volunteering in the CHO ED (can we still call it
that?) and during my time in the PICU here as a capstone student. Above everything else,
showing clearly that your main intention is to care for them and their safety and comfort is
something that I learned working at 14M is crucial for establishing rapport.
Working with doctors and other medical professionals can be difficult; how you deal with
workplace stress? correct answers 14M collabs with nearly every adult medical team at UCSF.
, I've learned from observing our nurses to be clear, concise and to not be afraid to assert your
patients priorities and the priorities you have for them. Remember that other care-team members
may be focussed on different things. So, try and see their point of view, as well. Patience,
respectfulness, focus and humor go a long way to making interactions less stressful. At SMU
every course had a group project, so I learned quickly how to negotiate working with those with
a variety of personalities and priorities, by employing the strategies I've mentioned. As far as self
care: cycling, cooking, family/friends, explore different places/perspectives/frame of mind,
fiancé ICU RN - so venting to each other, without violating HIPPA guidelines, of course!
How would you handle a difficult patient? correct answers I've often had to deal with difficult
patients, as a PCA and during nursing school. The first thing is to not gang up on them, try to
intimidate them, or overwhelm them! Unless, of course they are physically aggressive to a point
beyond containment by anyone other than security. If their agitated but still somewhat
reasonable, it's best to try and work together one on one. Sit down if it's safe or get on an equal
eye level. After that, I always try to impress upon them that I really am on their side and that I
want what's best for them. After that, deciding what's best for them often becomes a dialogue and
I make sure to hear what they say and let them know that I understand their concerns or point of
view. I ask question to make sure that I get what they're saying and so they know I am trying to
truly hear and understand where they are coming from.
Doing this first, before asserting my point-of-view can often lead to a willingness to
compromise. Patients of just really want to know that someone is listening to them and that
someone cares. Once a compromise is reached, following through on my part is absolutely
essential! it's also essential to hold them to what they've agreed to.
I've had to deploy these tactics so often in my medical and educational career, that they've long
become ingrained.
Have you interacted with any patient families who are unhappy with your care? correct answers
During my preceptorship in the PICU, I Nicholle and I were assigned an infant trach to vent
patient that who had been proned a few days proir. This baby did well on his belly but was very
touch in go if flipped or during any sort of repositioning. The nurses had rescue meds drawn and
at the ready (which consisted of epi and another pressor, I'm not recalling). Needless to say, the
mother was very wary of having her child cared for by a student.
After we had gone in introduced ourselves and done our first preliminary assessment, I
mentioned this to Nicholle after we had stepped out. I said that I was very interested in the
patient and the case and wanted to learn as much as I could, but that I could tell that the mother
was a little hesitant to let me be hands on with her very fragile baby. I also said that, since the
patient was such a busy one, it might make more sense, in the beginning for me to support
What sparked your passion for nursing? correct answers Preparing for these interviews made me
really realize that there are two main answers to this. I had always known that after caring for my
father as he waited for a liver and kidney transplant had turned me towards nursing. He waited a
long time, was in and out of various hospitals and declined so much during that time that we very
nearly gave up hope of it ever happening. It did by the way! Watching and helping dedicated
nurses care for him, made me realize what an impact a good nurse can make opposed to one
going through the motions. Small comforts are everything when you are living your life looking
at the same four walls and being subjected to the same treatments and interventions day after
day. Often patients lose their dignity, their independence and sometimes a measure of their
humanity. The absolute least that they deserve is whatever small comfort we can provide. He had
my mother and I at his bedside 24/7 and still mishaps and miscommunications happened! It
terrified me then and still does to think about those who are seriously sick and have no-one to
advocate for them. I was looking for a noble profession to devote myself to and knew that I had
found it!
The second event that solidified my commitment to nursing was when my nephew, who was 3
or 4 got mauled by a dog while we were visiting relatives out of town. It was the 4th of July and
we'd just come back to my cousin's house from watching fireworks. She was caring for her
daughter's American Bulldog and the loud noises had freaked it out. My cousin was standing in
her doorway keeping the dog back, when we pulled up outside her house. My nieces and nephew
adore my cousin and so they ran to hug her. My nephew was fastest, got to her first and lept into
her arms. The dog rushed forward and clamped it's large mouth around his tiny thigh and began
to shake him
Describe some specific ways that clinical rotations prepared you for a nursing career? correct
answers Being in the UCSF PICU reminded me that a certain level of self-doubt or even fear is a
healthy thing. I came in intimidated, found a comfort zone, realized that that comfort zone was
an illusion, and left intimidated but with faith that in time I could be a great PICU RN! Nicholle,
my preceptor built my confidence by giving me easier patients until I was almost completely
caring for them independently - when I was confident and comfortable. She revealed to me that,
while giving the same care that I was - in the moment, she was looking out for and anticipating a
dozen other possible scenarios based on her assessments and observable data. I'm so glad that I
had that progression of thought to learn from! My L and D rotation prepared me by reminding
me that you should always be your patient's fiercest advocate and that if you are respectful,
personable, competent and show that you care, patients will put their trust in you in nearly any
situation. It is your duty to not betray that trust once you've earned it, and to stay focussed on
what's important for them and their wellbeing.
,What are the best and worst things about being a nurse? correct answers Best: Is definitely seeing
a patient turn around and improve. To see hope and effort realized. While I was in the PICU, we
had a toddler that finally got to go home after 8 months of being there. I remember, the nurses on
the unit got together and made a big posterboard card congratulating him and his parents on the
graduation and wishing them Best Wishes. They even got balloons! When transport came to take
them and the 4 carts of belongs they had accumulated in the room, nearly the whole unit turned
out to cheer them as they paraded through the halls to the exit. I got a little choked up and
thought that, with all the losing battles we fight, what a great thing it is to get such a sweet win,
once in a while.
Worst: First is sometimes not having the tools or ability to alleviate the suffering of your patient.
This along with the fact that nurses take a certain amount of their work home with them, can
sometimes make it a very hard job. Second is Code Browns! I've gotten so used to them, that I
don't really mind them. Between my nearly 5 years at UCSF and during my CNA and Nursing
clinicals, I've literally wiped hundreds of butts! But, I mind the much less when it's baby poop.
What are your certifications and specialties, if any? correct answers TeamSTEPPS - an evidence-
based set of teamwork tools, aimed at optimizing patient outcomes by improving communication
and teamwork skills among health care professionals.
Specialties: customer service. Chez Blue Hill - healthcare and restaurant service share a lot of the
same skill set. The stakes are far higher in the PICU, ICN, ..., of course! But, caring about
people, their well- being and what they care about is something that has always been important
to me and that I've developed a range of tools and ways of interacting, in order to do effectively
and gracefully. I particularly, enjoy working with children because they are much more straight
forward than adults. The approach is completely different! with adults if you get them to trust
you, that you're competent they often grow to like you. With kids, get them to like you, or think
you're cool and their much more willing to trust you. Of course, I've always strived to do both,
because you want the parents to like trust and like you, if they can. But, parents often warm to
those their children warm to. I've learned this volunteering in the CHO ED (can we still call it
that?) and during my time in the PICU here as a capstone student. Above everything else,
showing clearly that your main intention is to care for them and their safety and comfort is
something that I learned working at 14M is crucial for establishing rapport.
Working with doctors and other medical professionals can be difficult; how you deal with
workplace stress? correct answers 14M collabs with nearly every adult medical team at UCSF.
, I've learned from observing our nurses to be clear, concise and to not be afraid to assert your
patients priorities and the priorities you have for them. Remember that other care-team members
may be focussed on different things. So, try and see their point of view, as well. Patience,
respectfulness, focus and humor go a long way to making interactions less stressful. At SMU
every course had a group project, so I learned quickly how to negotiate working with those with
a variety of personalities and priorities, by employing the strategies I've mentioned. As far as self
care: cycling, cooking, family/friends, explore different places/perspectives/frame of mind,
fiancé ICU RN - so venting to each other, without violating HIPPA guidelines, of course!
How would you handle a difficult patient? correct answers I've often had to deal with difficult
patients, as a PCA and during nursing school. The first thing is to not gang up on them, try to
intimidate them, or overwhelm them! Unless, of course they are physically aggressive to a point
beyond containment by anyone other than security. If their agitated but still somewhat
reasonable, it's best to try and work together one on one. Sit down if it's safe or get on an equal
eye level. After that, I always try to impress upon them that I really am on their side and that I
want what's best for them. After that, deciding what's best for them often becomes a dialogue and
I make sure to hear what they say and let them know that I understand their concerns or point of
view. I ask question to make sure that I get what they're saying and so they know I am trying to
truly hear and understand where they are coming from.
Doing this first, before asserting my point-of-view can often lead to a willingness to
compromise. Patients of just really want to know that someone is listening to them and that
someone cares. Once a compromise is reached, following through on my part is absolutely
essential! it's also essential to hold them to what they've agreed to.
I've had to deploy these tactics so often in my medical and educational career, that they've long
become ingrained.
Have you interacted with any patient families who are unhappy with your care? correct answers
During my preceptorship in the PICU, I Nicholle and I were assigned an infant trach to vent
patient that who had been proned a few days proir. This baby did well on his belly but was very
touch in go if flipped or during any sort of repositioning. The nurses had rescue meds drawn and
at the ready (which consisted of epi and another pressor, I'm not recalling). Needless to say, the
mother was very wary of having her child cared for by a student.
After we had gone in introduced ourselves and done our first preliminary assessment, I
mentioned this to Nicholle after we had stepped out. I said that I was very interested in the
patient and the case and wanted to learn as much as I could, but that I could tell that the mother
was a little hesitant to let me be hands on with her very fragile baby. I also said that, since the
patient was such a busy one, it might make more sense, in the beginning for me to support
