Nurse managers are responsible for supervising their unit staff while ensuring patient satisfaction, quality, and safety. Oftentimes unit nurses look to advance their nursing careers and become nurse managers. However, interviewing for the role can be intimidating and it’s hard to know what to expect.
Let’s review some common interview topics and tips so you can ace your interview.
Like most nursing interviews, nurse manager interviews are scenario and behavioral-based. Typically, questions are open-ended and are phrased as “Tell me about a time when …” or “Give me an example of a time …” The interviewer is looking for you to answer questions based on past experiences and behaviors. Your answers can indicate to the interviewer if you are a good fit for the position based on prior performances.
Let’s review some common nurse manager interview topics.
Working as a nurse manager can be stressful at times and there can be many conflicting priorities. Your interviewer will most likely ask for an example of a past stressful situation, how you handled it, and the outcome. Your response should explain your past experience and the ways you coped with stress. If you don’t handle stress well, avoid telling the interviewer this. Instead, explain how you used problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to overcome the situation.
As a nurse manager, you will work with many people across the organization. Expect the interviewer to ask about a situation where you collaborated with others. They may ask how you work in a team or during a group project and what was the outcome. Another sample question might ask if you had a conflict with a coworker, how you handled the situation, and what was the resolution. To answer this question, think about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker and how you made it a positive outcome for both parties.
Expect the interviewer to ask you about your strengths and weaknesses. Come prepared with at least three strengths and how they would benefit a nurse manager. While weaknesses can be difficult to talk about, always have one in mind. When you think about your weakness, try to spin it into a positive light and how you are improving your area of weakness.
A nurse manager role requires leadership skills, so most likely your interviewer will ask about this in some form. They may ask about past direct supervisory experience, your management style, and how you inspire others. If you do not have any past supervisory experience, discuss how you have been a leader in your current role or situations where you used leadership skills. For example, if you were a charge nurse or head of a committee, let the interviewer know.
Being a nurse manager will always involve problem-solving skills, especially when it comes to appropriate staffing and patient assignments. Prepare a list of past experiences where you can showcase your problem-solving skills. Include an example of how you handled the emergency and the outcome.
Creating and practicing potential interview questions, responses, and scenarios is important when preparing for an interview. While you may be prepared beforehand, there are also some important tips to practice during your interview.
Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Let’s review some essential interview tips below.
Try some of these tips and other interview tips on your next nurse manager interview and you may just land your dream job.
Written by: Amanda Marten
Amanda Marten FNP-C, MSN has been a certified nurse practitioner for over three years. With eight years of nursing experience, she has worked in a variety of specialties, including urgent care, travel nursing, post-surgical, and intensive care.
