Registered Nurse screening interview questions

What a good registered nurse screen should establish

• Active licensure and relevant certifications
• Clinical experience matched to the unit
• Patient safety mindset
• Communication with patients, families, and physicians
• Shift availability and flexibility

The questions, and what to listen for

1. 01

   Which states are you licensed in, and what certifications do you hold (BLS, ACLS, PALS, specialty)?

   Listen for: Clear, verifiable answers matched to the role.

2. 02

   Describe your clinical experience by unit type and patient population.

   Listen for: Depth relevant to the open unit (ICU, med-surg, ED, etc.).

3. 03

   Tell me about a time you caught a potential medication or documentation error.

   Listen for: Vigilance, followed protocol, communicated appropriately.

4. 04

   How do you prioritize when several patients need you at once?

   Listen for: Acuity-based triage, delegation, communication with the charge nurse.

5. 05

   Describe a difficult conversation with a patient's family.

   Listen for: Empathy, clarity, honesty within scope.

6. 06

   How do you handle a disagreement with a physician about a patient's care?

   Listen for: Advocates for the patient, uses chain of command respectfully.

7. 07

   Which EHR systems have you charted in?

   Listen for: Epic, Cerner, Meditech, or others; quick adaptation.

8. 08

   What shifts, rotations, and float assignments are you open to?

   Listen for: Honest fit with staffing needs.

9. 09

   How do you manage stress and avoid burnout on demanding units?

   Listen for: Realistic strategies and self-awareness.

10. 10

    Why are you looking for a new position now?

    Listen for: Coherent, professional reasons.

Red flags

• Vague about licensure status or disciplinary history
• Speaks dismissively about safety protocols
• Cannot describe a specific example of patient advocacy