Interview preparation

Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview, read below for
some questions that you need to think about.

For candidates without experience

School/Training experience
1. When did you finish nursing school/ when did you take your nursing degree?
I finished my nursing school in 20.../
I took my nursing degree in General Nursing 20...
2. Tell me more about your experience as nurse during your studies (give me more
information about the internships you have done during nursing school).
Possible answers:
a. During my activity as nurse trainee I gained an important experience, I applied
the theoretical knowledge on the practical cases. I learned how to interpret the
vital signs; I understood how to create a good relationship with patients,
doctors and surgeons.
Haematology, Cardiac surgery and on all theatres, were the wards where I
discovered a passion for nursing procedures using particular tools (for example
ecg, pulse oximeter, blood pressure machines, medical sticking plaster, ecc...),
drug therapies, treatment of injuries (clean, disinfect, cover and educate the
patients) and sterile practices.
In the wards I learned the importance to respect the 7-Rs rule; it is the right
and safe way to do our job. If this checklist is memorized and followed in every
single case, the errors would be significantly reduced or eliminated

The 7- Rs are:
1. The right medication;

2. The right patient;

3. The right dose;
4. The right time;
5. The right route;
6. The right reason;
7. The right documentation.
In the theatre was for me an amazing experience because I saw an interesting
and complex environment, in this contest the multidisciplinary attitude is the
cornerstone for a theatre nurse who assists surgeons and patients (right surgical
position, monitoring vital signs, ecc..).

b. During my time in these wards I did some of the following:

Administrating treatments prescribed by doctors;
Providing emergency care;
Monitoring the patient's condition;
Completing the documents for drug evidence;
Completing the patients record documents;
Measuring the vital functions, noting the clinical observation sheet;
Providing general hygiene conditions at work;
Communicating with patients;
Interactive communication within the professional team;
Preparing and sterilizing instruments and materials;
Knowledge of patient preparation and materials needed for the collection of

biological products, functional exploration, radiological examinations, etc .;

Making Functional and common laboratory investigations;
Providing care to prevent complications in different conditions;
Making health education to maintain health;
Application of the rules of labor protection and fire prevention;

For people who did volunteers

Since 2014 to today, during my last university experience I worked as volunteer rescuer
for an ONG. I have given assistance to the people suddenly struck by illness or injury (car
accident, cardiac arrest, potential spinal injuries, fractures, crisis for hypoglycaemia,
hyperglycaemia, hypotension or hypertension). Generally speaking, I supported the most
important activities for what concerns the first aid, such as drugs management, with the
team of doctors of the National Health Service.

 For candidates with experience

1. Can you tell me more about your experience? / Can you tell me please in which
specialities / area of the hospital you have more experience in?
Possible answers:
I have experience mainly in Emergency, ICU and Gastroenterology, etc
I worked as a Nurse in for years, I took care ofpatients on a daily basis.
2. Can you tell me more about your main duties and responsibilities? / What were

your general responsibilities? (for General Nurses)

Medication Management: Oral, Topical, Rectal and Parenteral such as IV, IM and
subcutaneous
Liaising with medical team on ward rounds
Wound care/ Dressings using an aseptic technique.
Performing physical exams and health histories on patients
Taking blood samples and venepuncture
Pre-operative and post-operative care of surgical patients
Psychological support for patients
Vital signs assessment and monitoring
Providing health promotion, counselling and education to patients
Documenting in care plans, medication charts, admission and discharge notes
Directing and supervising care delivered by other healthcare personnel such as
health care assistants.

3. In what position would you like to work? What area of the hospital?
Possible answers:
I would like to work in General Nursing/ICU/Oncology, etc
4. Which department do you like most? And why?
If I will have the possibility to work in UK as a nurse, my aspiration is to find a job
in theatre or alternatively in a Cardiology or haematological ward. I'm interested to
know and use complex tools to care for the patient. Theatre environment
fascinated me because represents a difficult multidisciplinary field with hard
protocols (for example: sterile procedures). Surgeons, nurses and health care
assistants work together for one objective, the patient's health.

5. Have you started your NMC registration yet? What do you know about the NMC
registration?
NMC is the National Council of Nurse and Midwives in UK, the registration with a
personal PIN number is necessary to work in respect of law. This month I requested
the application pack on NMC website. Im waiting the degree certification and
other document to complete this bureaucratic practice. At same time Im
improving my language competence, when Ill begin to live in UK, I will attend an
advanced English course for nurse, with or without a NHS-Trust partnership.

6. If so, in which stage of the registration are you?

I received my application pack.
I send them back my application and Im currently waiting for my application to be
processed.

Motivation for the job

1. Why did you applied for this job?
Incorrect answers:

Well, I want a job/a new job/ a change in career

I just want to work

I want to pay the mortgage/rent.

I want to earn more money

I hate the job I have; I need to do something different

Some correct answers:

I believe that my skills, qualifications and experience are perfect for this job and I

think I can use my abilities to the maximum.

I consider that this opportunity is perfect for consolidate my career because I will

learn a lot about my work and my profession.

Ive applied as it is an excellent match for my skills etc. It would be a fresh

challenge and a chance to try something new.

I already have the skills and the experience you

It is exactly the sort of role I am looking for. I am confident I will be able to make a
major contribution and would become a valuable member of your team.

2. Why do you want to move abroad?/ Why do you want to move in UK?
Incorrect answers:
Because I get more money/I am paid more
Because we are treated with respect
Because in Romania we have a corrupt system

Some correct answers:

I want to experience and develop my skills in a new system, more patient-focused,

and I think that UK has that

I actually really enjoy my current job but I feel it is time for me to move on. I feel
that I have learnt as much as I can in the role and I would now like to take on a

new and fresh challenge.

I have friends or family living in the UK.

3. Why are looking for Jobs in the UK? Why do you want to come in England?
There are 2 main reasons why I'm looking for job in the UK. The first one it's
about the organization and valorisation of nursing profession, the growing of the
nursing competencies always begins from UK health system, and literature nursing
studies are based on Anglo-Saxon system. The second point concerns my personal
view of life. I want the chance to make career and live in the centre of modern
society where the opportunities are better. In this contest the UK represents the
possibility to realize myself.

4. Where do want to live, in a small town or in a big city?

Small Town Answer
I prefer a job contract for a great public NHS Trust not far from a big
southern England town. This choice is motivated for the better possibility of career
and formation in a big hospital-Trust. For my idea of life, I don't like to live in the

big cities like London, they are very expensive and chaotic, I prefer small town at
few hours from an important city or touristic town.

More usually asked questions

1. Can you tell us about an occasion of when you showed initiative and took action
without waiting for instruction or direction?
Suggestion: Give an example when you acted in this way and outline the fact that
you looked for the patient best interest.
Sample answer: When I worked as a Nurse in Emergency I found a patient in
cardiac arrest.
I called for help but because the patient condition was critical I start doing the
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and saved the patient life.
2. Tell us about a time when you contributed to exceptional team work
Suggestion: After you give an example from your previous experience, try to
outline the fact that is crucial to have effective nursing teamwork. The main
reason why is because a good teamwork will bring better patient satisfaction and
in the same time more job satisfaction
3. Can you give an example of when you went over and above your duties to help
someone?
Sample answer: Similar to no 1 answer
4. What do you think will be the main challenges of nursing in England? How will
you manage these?
Suggestion: Don't say anything about English language
Sample answer: I will familiarize myself with the ward and hospital policies and
procedures. Then I will get to know the patients, nursing techniques in practice in
the UK and drug names. I would need induction, orientation and a mentor.
5. Why do you want to be a nurse?

Sample answer: I did choice to become a nurse because I want to realize all of my
potential. I felt the necessity to increase my knowledge in a different field and
nursing it was the right area to improve my medicine knowledge and my will to
help people. I like to know and to use the complex tools and medications to care
patients. In this job activity it's very important to be an empathic professional,
because the patients don't know the procedures and they are afraid for their health
conditions.

6. Can you tell us what qualities you believe you would bring to our team?
Suggestion: I work very well under pressure; Im passionate,
caring/compassionate, hard worker, etc.
Sample answer: In my opinion, firstly a good nurse should love this profession
(caring people) and she should be kind, tolerant, empathetic, organized,
responsible, fair and non-judgmental.

7. How do you prevent an infection and why is it important to prevent an

infection?

Suggestion:

Ongoing education in infection prevention and control

Hand Hygiene is essential
Take precautions in infected areas: masks, aprons, gloves of course,

sterilized material if it is necessary

Keeping wounds clean

To prevent infection in hospital the first rule is the respect of protocol and guideline.
The hand wash (there are a different kinds, like surgical hand wash or aseptic hand
wash, they use a different type of disinfection, different movements and time), and
the correct gloves (sterile or not) protect the operators and patients. Using the right
procedures during our nursing activity, and using the personal protective equipment we
can reduce or eliminate the infection cases.

8. What do you do if a patient is Hypoglycaemic?

Sample question: I check his glycaemic value, respecting the protocol; I can do a
capillary draw to measure the value of sugar blood concentration. I will repeat this
checking at a right interval time (generally 4 times a day, before meals). I register the
values and I communicate them to my referent.

9. What do you do if your patient suddenly feels unwell?

Sample question: I must check and monitor the vital signs (pulsations and
electrocardiogram, blood pressure, oxygenation, I do a capillary draw to measure the
value of sugar blood concentration - glycaemic measurement). I put the patient in a
safety area and in a right position like Trendelenburgs position in case of hypotensive
crisis. Then I quickly call my colleague to realize all necessary procedures, following
and respecting the protocol and guidelines.

Scenario questions:

10.The head nurse in charge has to go home sick and asks you to take charge of
the ward, but you are now short staffed. How will you ensure that patients
receive the care that they require?
Sample answer: I would keep calm at all times and I would prioritize the most
urgent situations.

11.In the event of a patients death, how would you manage this sad situation, how
are you going to announce the family? What are you doing in order to be more
supportive?
Sample answer: Im taking the family in a discreet place and communicate them
the sad news showing compassion and understanding for their loss.
I would have dignity, respect and consideration for the family members.