Nurse Job Interview Questions About Handling Stress Print Chris Ryan / OJO Images / Getty Images Table of Contents Expand What the Interviewer Wants to Know How to Answer Interview Questions About Stress Examples of the Best Answers Tips for Giving the Best Answer What Not to Say or Do Possible Follow-Up Questions By Alison Doyle Updated on 02/24/21 Nursing is not an easy job and often involves juggling medical care and communications with doctors, patients, and families, all while potentially dealing with life and death daily. Since nursing jobs can be difficult, it’s more than likely the hiring manager will ask job interview questions about stress, how it affects you, and how you handle it. What the Interviewer Wants to Know No matter what nursing position you interview for, the interviewer will ask, probably in a number of different ways, how you handle stress. It may help for you to understand why a job interviewer asks questions about stress. Essentially, the interviewer is looking for three things when they ask you about stress on the job as a nurse: Whether you acknowledge that stress is an actuality at work.If you have a good handle on how stress affects you personally.If you can rise to the challenge in dealing with stress. How to Answer Interview Questions About Stress When answering an interviewer’s questions about nursing and stress, first acknowledge that stress is an actuality in the nursing profession. An interviewer is not going to count you out as a candidate if you do this since nursing can be a challenging occupation. If you acknowledge the fact that nursing is stressful, it can help your candidacy because you're aware of the work environment. Prior to the interview, think about how the stress associated with nursing affects you personally and how you rise to the challenge of dealing with it. Make some notes about these issues prior to your interview. The sample answers below may help you, but be sure to personalize the responses to fit your circumstances. Examples of the Best Answers These answers may help you develop your own answers to the questions specific to nursing as well as more general interview questions. Example Answer I handle stress by focusing on the most important thing: the care of the patient. I feel I owe it to my patients to stay calm and focused on them. Why It Works: This answer works because it addresses each of the three things the interviewer is looking for when addressing stress on the job as a nurse. Stress is acknowledged as an actuality. The candidate acknowledges how stress affects them on the job and how they rise to the challenge of dealing with stress. Example Answer I thrive on stress, and it enables me to do the best possible job. I just need to make sure that I balance positive and negative stress as the former keeps me motivated and productive. Why It Works: This addresses the second thing the interviewer is looking for when asking about job stress—whether the candidate has an idea of how stress affects he or she personally. Example Answer I like a fast-paced, pressure-filled environment—it makes my job invigorating. Why It Works: The candidate addresses the third thing the interviewer is looking for when asking about job stress—if they can rise to the challenge of coping with stress. Example Answer In the ER setting, there are often stressful situations that arise. I just make sure that the stresses of the job don't interfere with the care of the patient. Why It Works: The interviewer would be pleased that this answer acknowledges that stressful situations are found in nursing. Example Answer I make sure to exercise every night, which helps me reduce stress. Why It Works: The applicant addresses both the second and third issue that the interviewer is looking for by addressing their solution for stress relief. Tips for Giving the Best Answer Solutions for Dealing with Stressful Situations. Describe an incident for the interviewer when you were under significant pressure and how you dealt with it successfully. Problem-Solving. Give a few examples of yourproblem-solving abilities. Describe how you can identify a problem and address it when it's minor in order to prevent the problem from becoming large, unmanageable, and stressful. Motivation. Describe how a stressful work environment motivates you and enables you to thrive. Performance Under Pressure. Talk about how you perform under pressure and what abilities you draw on when the stress level is high. Stressors on the Job. Talk about specific things at work that stress you and the reasons why. Prioritizing Work. Discuss your strategies for prioritizing work so you don't become overwhelmed by too many things at once. Multitasking. Describe how you're able to deal with many tasks and responsibilities in a limited period of time. What Not to Say or Do Nervousness. Don’t exhibit nervousness during your interview and don’t talk about nervousness under pressure when you are on the job. Even though interviews are stressful, it's important to stay calm and handle interview stress as you would stress on the job. Don’t Use the Word Can’t. Don’t say things like you “can’t” multitask or you “can’t” prioritize. Keep it postive and focus on your accomplishments, and what you can do. Possible Follow-Up Questions How would you deal with rudeness from other medical professionals? What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse? Best Answers Why did you choose nursing as a career? Best Answers Key Takeaways Show That You Can Handle Stress: When thinking about your interview, understand you must show the interviewer that you realize how stress affects you and that you know how to deal with it.Share How You Manage Stress: Mention how you can multitask, prioritize your work, and perform well under pressure. Give the interviewer examples of your problem-solving abilities.Try Not to Be Stressed: Try to stay calm and collected, and don’t exhibit nervousness.