Why Choose a Career in Nursing and Healthcare? This is one of the most common nursing interview questions and a strong answer clearly showing your reasons is essential to scoring high and getting the job.
In this post we give you top reasons for choosing nursing as a career and we also give answer guides to some of the other most common nursing interview questions. These questions are frequently asked in interviews, particularly for newcomers to the nursing, but also for those going for promotion into nurse manager posts for example.
Responding effectively to these inquiries is crucial. They are interested in your interest and desire to join the healthcare sector and want to assess your compatibility with the role you are applying for.
How to Answer: Why have you chosen a career in nursing or why become a nurse?
You may be asked this question on your application or in your interview. It is a common interview question, especially for something like Nursing in Healthcare, and variations can include:
- What motivated you to apply with us (NHS, BUPA, Nuffield etc.)
- What prompted you to choose a career as a nurse?
- Why are you considering a career in Nursing?
- What existing skills do you have that you can bring to a Nursing role?
Your motivation for applying will be important here, not just in being able to answer clearly but also when thinking of your career planning and future aspirations.
This kind of question is always tough to answer, especially since the interviewer has likely heard every answer. To help you answer this confidently, and plan your career, here are several different reasons why you should consider a career in Nursing and Healthcare:
To make a difference: Despite facing numerous challenges, nurses in the UK continue to provide high-quality care to patients. Their dedication and commitment to the profession, patients and the community are truly inspiring. Indeed, Nurses not only provide care to individual patients but also contribute to public health initiatives and disease prevention efforts.
Job security: The NHS, with its ongoing need for healthcare professionals, is viewed as a stable career choice. However, there are nurse shortages, which account for more than a third of all full-time equivalent vacancies in NHS trusts in England. This high demand for nurses contributes to job stability in the profession.
Career advancement as a Nurse: After qualifying as a Nurse and gaining some clinical experience, you may want to specialise in a certain field such as operating theatres, care for the elderly, or intensive care. There are also education and training opportunities to advance into – Nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses can get involved through several roles such as preceptors, mentors, practice educators and lecturers.
What core skills do you bring which will be effective in this nursing position?
With this interview question, they are exploring the skills you have which are essential to the nursing role you have applied for.
As you might imagine, there are several skills and abilities that you will need for a successful career in Nursing and Healthcare. These are wide and varied and include the following:
- The ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
- High attention to detail, particularly while under pressure.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are of utmost importance.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- The ability to handle stress and emotions in mentally demanding situations.
- Strong commitment to patient advocacy (including standing up for patients’ rights and ensuring they receive the best possible care.
- Flexibility in changing situations and environments.
- Listening skills.
- A caring and compassionate nature.
- Teaching and advisory skills, as Nurses often have a role in educating patients and their families about health conditions and treatments.
- Time and resource management – Nurses often have to manage multiple tasks at once, so strong management skills are important.
A top tip is to choose 3 – 5 of the essential skills listed on the job description and match these to your own experience. When answering, list these and then give an example from your work to show that you do in fact possess these and can use them in a nursing environment.
What do you understand are the key responsibilities of a nurse at this level?
This nursing interview question is aimed at discovering how much you know about the post for which you have applied, Your answer will give an indication of how much research you ave done and therefore how enthusiastic or keen you are on the role.
See here for 42 Nursing Interview Questions for NHS Band 5,6,7,8 with Answers
In the United Kingdom, the role of registered nurses is crucial as they are at the forefront of delivering, managing, and orchestrating care that is kind-hearted, grounded in research, and focused on the individual. Here are some of the main responsibilities:
- Patient Care: Nurses are primarily responsible for the care of patients. This includes performing physical examinations, monitoring vital signs and administering medication.
- Communication: Nurses need to be able to communicate effectively and clearly with patients, families and other healthcare professionals such as doctors and consultants. This will include explaining treatments, providing health education and discussing patients’ concerns.
- Leadership: Nurses will often lead and coordinate the healthcare team they are a part of. This means they need to be able to work without direct supervision, or with a range of other healthcare professionals, and in interdisciplinary teams.
- Documentation: Precise and prompt record-keeping is a crucial part of nursing. As a Nurse, you would be responsible for maintaining patient records, documenting treatments and recording observations.
- Ethical Practice: Nurses must adhere to ethical guidelines and standards of practice. They are accountable for their actions and must advocate for the rights and safety of patients.
- Ongoing Education: The realm of healthcare is perpetually advancing, and it’s anticipated that nurses stay current with the most recent studies and methodologies. This could entail participating in seminars, enrolling in educational programs, or reading professional journals.
The specific responsibilities of a nurse can vary depending on their role, specialisation, and the setting in which they work. It’s always important to understand the specific job description and requirements for any nursing position you’re considering.
How do you see your career in nursing progressing over the next 5 years?
This is similar to the question asking where do you see yourself in 5 years time. A good answer is one which shows that you see your career progressing, that you are aware of the opportunities that exist and that you have a clear career plan.
In nursing, a well-thought-out 5-year plan often includes a mix of advancing clinical skills, taking on leadership responsibilities, and possibly specialising or obtaining additional certifications. Here are some common goals that you may use in your answer:
1. Building Clinical Expertise: You might focus on honing your skills in a specific area, like critical care, pediatrics, or geriatrics, becoming a resource for other team members in that specialty. This could involve gaining additional certifications.
2. Taking on Leadership Roles: Within 5 years, you might see yourself move into a Band 6 or 7 post, perhaps as unit manager, or nurse leadership position. These roles allow nurses to influence policies, mentor others, and improve patient care at a systems level.
3. Specialising or Expanding Skill Set: Specialisation can provide growth opportunities and fulfillment, whether that means focusing on a particular patient population, like oncology, mental health, or critical care, or mastering new techniques and technologies.
4. Developing as an Educator or Mentor: As experience grows, so does the potential to take on mentoring roles, educating new nurses, or working with students in clinical settings.
5. Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Some nurses also pursue research to contribute to evidence-based practices, which enhances the nursing field and patient outcomes. This might involve collaborating on studies or leading quality improvement projects.
A 5-year plan in nursing balances direct patient care experience with professional development, allowing nurses to become stronger, more versatile caregivers or to branch into specialised or leadership paths.
See More Nursing Interview Questions for NHS Band 5,6,7,8 with Answers.
Why do you think you are suited to a career in nursing and healthcare?
This question is usually asked of those entering the profession for the first time. A good answer requires self-reflection and an understanding of your characteristics and abilities and how they can be useful in a caring environment.
Here’s a handy little list for you, do you have these attributes?
Have a genuine interest in healthcare: If you have a sincere interest in healthcare, enjoy helping others, and want to make a positive impact on people’s lives then nursing could be a great fit for you.
Observant, organised, and flexible: Nurses have to be observant, detail-oriented and organised. They monitor patients’ conditions, administer treatments, and keep accurate records.
Have studied formally over the last 12 to 24 months: There are different paths to becoming a nurse. The two main ways in the UK are a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing and a Degree Apprenticeship.
Can handle stress and emotional situations: Having relevant work experience (perhaps as a volunteer) is going to help here, but generally speaking a Nurse can’t be someone who is easily overwhelmed in stressful or emotional circumstances.
Transferable skills: Even if you have no formal nursing background, you shouldn’t rule yourself out if the skills and experience that you do have are relevant in a nursing environment.
Keep in mind, that the field of nursing demands ongoing education and growth. If these characteristics resonate with you and you’re dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care, then pursuing a career in nursing and healthcare could be an excellent match for you!
What qualifications do you need to apply for a career in Nursing and Healthcare?
To pursue a career in Nursing and Healthcare, there are several qualifications that you will need depending on the particular area that you want to focus on. These qualifications include:
Nursing Degree
The majority of people qualify by studying for a degree in nursing. This involves a lot of practical hands-on experience with patients in hospital and community settings.
There are four fields of nursing to specialise in; Adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disability nursing and mental health nursing. Some degree courses allow for ‘dual field’ studying, where you study in two of the fields.
Entry requirements for nursing degree courses vary because each university sets its entry criteria. However, you will probably need at least two (usually three) A-levels or equivalent qualifications at level 3, such as a T level or BTECs, plus supporting GCSEs including English, maths, and in one of the sciences (normally biology or human biology). Some universities offer courses with a foundation year for those lacking the required entry qualifications.
Postgraduate Courses
If you already hold a degree in a relevant subject, you can often get recognition for this, enabling you to do a postgraduate course in two rather than three years.
From here you can choose to study for a Master’s (MA) degree or a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip).
Apprenticeships
You may be able to do a registered nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA), which combines academic study and “on-the-job” training.
How do I apply for a career in Nursing and Healthcare?
It’s relatively easy today to find and apply for positions in many industries and sectors, and this includes Nursing and Healthcare. Such positions are usually to be found on the websites you would expect them to be – such as NHS Health Careers, for example.
There are some steps to follow when applying for your new job:
Firstly, find suitable roles
Positions are posted on a variety of websites and recruitment portals. These can include the NHS, as mentioned above, and specific recruitment sites such as Nurses. Sites like these let you apply filters so you can narrow down your search to location, specialisation etc.
Research the job you want to apply for
Before you apply for a Nursing in Healthcare position, you need to make sure that the job is right for you. The phrase “Always read the label” has never been more accurate – learn what is going to be involved in that role. If you apply for an Adult Nurse position, only to find out much later that you would be more suited working as a Children’s Nurse then you aren’t going to find the job as fulfilling or rewarding.
Prepare your application
Next, you have to set aside time to prepare your application. Most applications require you to include a CV and a cover letter. This is an excellent opportunity to leave a lasting impression. Use it to showcase your abilities, and underscore your accomplishments.
Ensure that all skills and experiences you mention are relevant to the position you are applying for and be sure to customise your responses to fit the job role.
Once everything is ‘done’, make sure you proofread it to make sure there are no mistakes.
The application process
Aside from narrowing down your job search to the position you want to apply for, the actual application can take several steps depending on the job you are applying for.
Generally speaking, this involves:
Pre-Application Questions and Application Form: Answer any pre-application questions that the employer has decided should be asked. If the answers supplied are sufficient, you will be presented with the application form itself.
Personal Information: The form will open in the Personal Information section first. However, you can usually complete the sections in any order.
Type of Application Form: There are three types of application forms that an employer can select to use on NHS Jobs:
- The majority of positions use the Regular Application Form.
- For roles in the medical or dental fields, the Medical & Dental Application Form is used.
- Certain positions that necessitate less data collection use the Brief Application Form.
A Career in Nursing and Healthcare can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling one and can be an excellent worthy career choice.
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