What do you get when you cross a physician with a nurse? A Clinical Nurse! These specialized, advanced nurses are experts in their field, and a huge asset to their employing clinic or hospital. Clinical Nurses are in high demand due to their outstanding medical knowledge, and because they take lower salaries than most M.Ds.

If your organization is hiring a Clinical Nurse to be a part of their staff, you’ll need to ask questions in the interview which help you understand the extent of the candidate’s expertise in their speciality, their experience as a practitioner, and extra-clinical work. Below you will find a list of interview questions which will help you get started.

What Qualifies a Clinical Nurse?

Because Clinical Nurses are authorized to diagnose and prescribe treatment to their patients, it is required that a Clinical Nurse hold an advanced degree.

Typically, a Clinical Nurse will initially earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), after which they may hold an RN having passed the National Council Licensing Examination. In order to officially become a Clinical Nurse, they will then earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree (MSN), after which they will be able to teach nursing at a university level, as well as provide patient care. Some Clinical Nurses may choose to go on and earn a Doctorate of Science in Nursing degree, although this is not required.

A Clinical Nurse must also specialize in a discreet discipline within the field of nursing. Having met the appropriate educational requirements, as well as working in a relevant clinical setting for a minimum of 500 hours, a Clinical Nurse may then be certified in their specialty by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The requirements for becoming a Nurse Practitioner are similar, however Clinical Nurses are not able to operate autonomously out of their own practices. They must work in hospitals or established clinics.

Interview Questions for Clinical Nurses

Clinical Nurse Interview Questions for Training and Education

  • Please describe your educational path. When did you begin your initial training as a Nurse? When did you earn your MSN?
  • What is your field of speciality? Why did you choose this field?
  • Tell me about your clinical experience relevant to your field of speciality. Where were your hours earned?
  • Walk me through a diagnostic procedure which is typical to your field of speciality.
  • Please describe the theoretical work done during your MSN work. How will that work influence your work at this organization?

Clinical Nurse Interview Questions for Patient Care

  • Please describe an interaction you had with a hostile patient. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?
  • Think of a routine procedure or a diagnosis which is common in your field of specialty. Describe this procedure or diagnosis to me as you would to a patient who is unfamiliar with medical terminology.
  • Please describe your go-to strategy for calming a frightened or anxious patient.
  • If I asked a patient what they believe you do well as a Clinical Nurse, what do you believe they would tell me?
  • Please describe your proudest moment in patient care to me.

Clinical Nurse Interview Questions for Adaptability

  • Please describe a time when you misdiagnosed a patient. How was your mistake caught? What did you do to address the misdiagnosis?
  • Tell me about a time you received criticism from a manager or peer. How did you respond? How did you implement or learn from their feedback?
  • Tell me about a time you failed as a Clinical Nurse. How did you learn from this failure?
  • Earning your Master’s in any field is a taxing and time-consuming process. How did you take care of yourself and your body during this time so that you could be fully present with your work?
  • Tell me about a time when you found yourself the only medical expert present at your place of work or training. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?

Clinical Nurse Interview Questions for Practitioner Skills

  • Tell me about a time during your clinical hours wherein a patient was not responding to your treatment. What was the problem? Were you able to address it? What was the outcome?
  • Please describe the course of treatment for an illness or injury which is a common diagnosis in your field of specialty.
  • Please describe the course of treatment for an illness or injury which is a rare diagnosis in your field of specialty.
  • Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement about diagnosis with a physician or other Clinical Nurse. What steps were then taken to determine diagnosis?
  • Think of a diagnosis in your field of speciality which often requires long, ongoing treatment and aftercare. Please describe how and why this care is provided.

Clinical Nurse Interview Questions for Communication

  • How might you go about giving bad news to patients or their families?
  • Tell me about a time when you had a dispute with a rude or egotistical doctor over patient care. What did you do to resolve the conflict? What was the outcome?
  • Tell me about a time you were able to convince a nervous patient to go through with a procedure. How did you do so?
  • Tell me about a time when you needed help on a project or with a patient. How did you ask for support? What was the outcome?
  • Imagine that you are working with a newly hired and inexperienced Nurse. How would you explain to them routine procedure in your field of specialty?

Final Thoughts: Clinical Nurse Interview Questions

Clinical Nurses can be an invaluable asset to your nursing staff. These outstanding practitioners are in high-demand for their advanced expertise and exceptional patient-care skills. Apply the above interview questions to your next Clinical Nurse hire, and find qualified candidates who will take your organization to the next level.

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