In the UK, nursing remains one of the most in-demand professions, with over 40,000 NHS nursing vacancies reported. Despite this demand, landing a nursing role isn't guaranteed. The interview stage is highly competitive, with employers looking for more than just qualifications.
Note that NHS Trusts and private healthcare providers use interviews to assess not only your clinical competence but also your soft skills. With increasing emphasis on value-based recruitment, especially in the NHS, knowing what questions will be asked and how to answer them can make or break your application. But not to worry. In this article, you will get sample answers and insights, whether you're applying for an NHS role or a private care position.
These are often the first questions you’ll face in a nursing interview. While they might seem straightforward, they set the tone for everything that follows. Interviewers use them to gauge your motivation for entering nursing, how well you understand the role you're applying for, and whether your values align with those of the Trust or healthcare provider.
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
This is an open-ended question designed to understand your background, career path, and what’s led you to this point. Stick to relevant clinical experience and qualifications. Avoid going too personal.
Sample answer:
"I'm a newly qualified adult nurse who recently completed my training at King's College London, with placements in both acute medical wards and community settings. I’m particularly drawn to elderly care and am now looking to start my Band 5 journey within a supportive and value-driven NHS Trust like yours.
2. Why did you choose a career in nursing?
Interviewers ask this question to understand your motivation and whether it comes from a genuine place. They want to see if your interest in nursing is driven by compassion, personal experiences, or a true desire to help others.
Sample answer:
"I chose nursing because I wanted a career that combined science with human connection. During a family member’s hospitalisation, I saw firsthand how much of a difference compassionate nursing care makes and that inspired me to follow this path."
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3. What do you know about our Trust/hospital/care home?
When interviewers ask this, they want to see if you have taken the time to research their organisation. A well-prepared answer shows genuine interest and respect for the place you are applying to work in. They are checking if you understand the services they provide, the community they serve, and any values or priorities that guide their care.
Sample answer:
"I know that your Trust has recently been rated 'Outstanding', and you've made strong investments in mental health services and community outreach. I also admire your commitment to staff development, especially through your preceptorship programme for newly qualified nurses."
4. What would you do if you made a medication error?
Interviewers also ask this to see if you understand the seriousness of medication safety and how you would respond under pressure. They want to know that you will remain calm, take responsibility, and follow the correct procedures.
Sample answer:
"I would immediately inform the nurse in charge and follow the company’s incident reporting policy. Patient safety comes first, so I’d check on the patient, monitor for adverse effects, and complete a DATIX form as required."
5. How do you handle difficult patients or relatives?
If you come across this question, talk about your ability to manage challenging situations while maintaining professionalism and compassion. They want to know that you can remain calm and not take things personally, even when emotions are running high.
Sample answer:
"I always remain calm and listen actively. I try to understand the root of their frustration and offer clear, empathetic explanations. If needed, I escalate to a senior if it’s a recurring issue."
6. Where do you see yourself in five years?
This question is about showing commitment to your career in nursing and having a sense of direction. It is an opportunity to explain how you want to develop your skills, take on new responsibilities, and continue growing within the profession.
Sample answer:
"I hope to complete a mentorship course and eventually progress into a Band 6 role, ideally specialising in palliative care. I’m also interested in contributing to staff training and development."
7. What do you understand by person-centred care?
Person-centred care is a core NHS value. The question tests your awareness of how care should be delivered in modern healthcare settings. It looks at whether you understand that patients are not all the same, and that good care takes into account their individual needs, values, and personal circumstances.
Sample answer:
"Person-centred care means treating patients as individuals, respecting their choices and involving them in decisions about their care. It’s about seeing the person, not just the diagnosis."
8. Why should we hire you?
In case you come across this question, make sure you don’t repeat what is on your CV. Highlight only qualities, experiences, and skills that are most relevant to the role. It’s your chance to summarise your value without sounding boastful.
Sample answer:
"I’m reliable, compassionate, and eager to learn. I bring a strong academic foundation, recent practical experience, and a genuine passion for providing high-quality, patient-centred care. I believe I’d be a great fit for your team."
9. How do you prioritise your workload during a busy shift?
This question tests how well you manage time, think critically, and respond under pressure. These questions are all essential for safe patient care.
Sample answer:
"I begin each shift by reviewing the handover notes and identifying patients who need immediate care or monitoring. I use a priority checklist based on clinical urgency, making sure time-sensitive tasks like medications and observations are done first. I also stay flexible, as priorities can change quickly, and I communicate with colleagues if I need help or need to re-delegate tasks."
10. What steps do you take to maintain patient confidentiality?
In the UK, please note that confidentiality is a legal and ethical requirement under GDPR and the NMC Code. Interviewers ask this to ensure you understand the importance of handling patient information with care and professionalism.
Sample answer:
"I make sure to never discuss patient information in public areas or with anyone not involved in their care. I also ensure that paper records are locked away, and digital records are logged out when not in use. I follow Trust policies and GDPR guidelines at all times."
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11. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a sudden change in a patient’s condition?
Here, they want to assess your clinical awareness, ability to stay calm under pressure, and how you escalate concerns. Use the STAR method to structure your response (Situation, Task, Action, Result). See an example below:
Sample answer:
"While on placement in a surgical ward, a patient who had just returned from theatre became suddenly short of breath and pale. I immediately alerted the nurse in charge, checked the patient's vital signs, and stayed with them while the emergency team was called. The patient was transferred to HDU, and the consultant later said our quick response helped prevent deterioration."
12. What does ‘duty of care’ mean to you?
This is a core concept in nursing. The interviewer is checking if you understand your legal and professional responsibility to protect the well-being of patients.
Sample answer:
"Duty of care means that I have a legal and moral obligation to act in the best interests of my patients, protect them from harm, and deliver safe and effective care. It also includes recognising when to escalate concerns and following up to make sure those concerns are addressed."
13. What would you do if you saw a colleague not following proper procedure?
This one tests your understanding of professional accountability and willingness to speak up for patient safety. Be careful in your answering.
Sample answer:
"If I saw a colleague not following proper procedure, I would first assess whether it posed an immediate risk to patient safety. If it did, I would intervene straight away and then report the incident to a senior nurse. If it was less urgent, I would have a private word with the colleague and raise it through the appropriate channels if needed. Patient safety always comes first."
14. How would you handle a situation where a patient refuses care or treatment?
If the interviewer ask you this, it is to check your understanding of consent, autonomy, and communication. Patients have the right to refuse treatment, and your job is to respond appropriately.
Sample answer:
"I would first ensure the patient has all the information they need to make an informed decision. I’d listen to their concerns without judgment, explain the risks of refusing treatment, and document the discussion. If the refusal continued, I’d involve the wider multidisciplinary team and respect their decision, as long as they have capacity."
15. What would you do if you were unsure about how to carry out a procedure?
This is about patient safety and professional accountability. The interviewer wants to know that you’re willing to ask for help when needed and that you know your limits.
Sample answer:
"If I wasn’t confident in carrying out a procedure, I would ask a senior nurse or my preceptor for guidance or supervision. Patient safety comes first, and I know it’s part of my responsibility to seek help when I need it, rather than risk making a mistake. I see it as part of the learning process."
16. What are the 6Cs of nursing, and why are they important?
This question assesses your understanding of the fundamental NHS values. You don’t need to recite textbook definitions. What you can do is to demonstrate an understanding of each and why they are important in daily practice.
Sample answer:
"The 6Cs are Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment. They form the foundation of good nursing practice. For example, compassion helps build trust with patients, competence ensures safe care, and communication is key in teamwork and understanding patients’ needs. They guide how we treat patients and each other, and I aim to uphold them in every interaction."
17. How would you manage a patient who is at risk of falls?
Managing a patient at risk of falls means recognising potential hazards early and taking steps to reduce them. A risk assessment helps identify factors such as poor mobility, medication side effects, or confusion that could increase the chance of falling.
Sample answer:
"I would complete a falls risk assessment using the Trust’s tool and ensure safety measures like bed rails, non-slip socks, and call bells are in place. I’d also inform the multidisciplinary team and review their medication and mobility aids if needed."
18. What would you do if you were short-staffed and couldn’t complete all tasks?
The focus is on prioritising effectively, ensuring that the most urgent and essential patient needs are met first, such as safety, medication, and immediate care. It also demonstrates whether you know how to escalate concerns appropriately. Informing senior staff, working with colleagues to share tasks, and communicating clearly with the team are all key parts of managing the situation.
Sample answer:
"I would prioritise tasks based on clinical urgency and inform the nurse in charge if essential care couldn’t be safely delivered. I’d also communicate clearly with the team to redistribute workload and ensure patient safety is not compromised."
19. Can you describe a time you received constructive criticism and how you responded?
This explores how open you are to feedback and whether you can see it as an opportunity to develop rather than a personal attack. It shows self-awareness, resilience, and maturity in handling situations where improvements are suggested.
Sample answer:
"During a placement, I was told that I needed to improve the clarity of my written documentation. I took the feedback seriously, asked for examples, and began reviewing notes with my mentor. Over time, my entries became clearer and more structured, and I now value feedback as an essential part of developing safe practice."
20. What would you do if a patient became aggressive or verbally abusive?
This looks at how you handle conflict while protecting both yourself and others. The key is to show that you stay calm, keep your own emotions in check, and use respectful communication to try to defuse the situation.
Sample answer:
"I’d stay calm, give the patient space, and avoid confrontation. I’d try to understand the trigger and use a non-threatening tone to de-escalate the situation. I’d also ensure I was in a safe position, inform colleagues, and document the incident. If necessary, I’d involve security or follow the Trust’s violence and aggression policy."
21. What would you do if you made a medication error?
22. How would you manage a patient who is at risk of falls?
23. What would you do if you were short-staffed and couldn’t complete all tasks?
24. What would you do if a patient became aggressive or verbally abusive?
25. How would you recognise and respond to a deteriorating patient?
26. How do you ensure accurate documentation and record-keeping in practice?
27. What steps would you take to prevent infection and maintain good hygiene standards?
28. How would you support a patient with dementia who is distressed?
29. Can you explain the importance of safeguarding and what action you would take if you had concerns?
30. How do you manage confidentiality when dealing with patient information?
31. How do your personal values align with those of our organisation?
32. What qualities make you a good fit for this team?
33. How do you balance professional responsibilities with your own well-being?
34. What area of nursing are you most interested in developing further?
35. How do you stay motivated during long or difficult shifts?
36. How would you explain a complex medical procedure to a patient in a way they can understand?
37. How do you manage communication when delivering bad news to a patient or their family?
38. How do you adapt your communication style when speaking with patients of different ages or cultural backgrounds?
39. What steps do you take to ensure patients and families feel listened to and respected?
40. Can you describe a time when poor communication caused a problem and how you handled it?
By reflecting on the types of questions in this guide and practising the responses, you will go into your interview ready to show the very best of what you can offer. Remember to draw on real experiences and demonstrate your commitment to providing safe, person-centred care.
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