This question will let you find out more about the applicant’s personal values and the life experiences that have led him or her to the field of emergency medicine. The applicant may relate anecdotes that suggest he or she thrives in high-stress environments. They may want to give back to the world around them. You’ll discover whether this ER nurse has values that align with yours and whether he or she could work well with your existing team.

• Ability to cope in high-pressure, fast-paced environment
• Attitude that emphasizes teamwork
• Capacity for empathy and compassion

This question helps you find out whether the candidate has a solid understanding of both the standard and more advanced treatments that are appropriate for various cases. You’ll learn how the candidate could work independently and whether he or she would know when to ask for advice from another team member. You can gain insight into the applicant’s understanding of the hospital’s chain of command.

• Excellent knowledge of standard and advanced treatments
• Understanding of when to ask for assistance
• Familiarity with how a protocol works up the chain of command

Many critical cases occur during the overnight hours, and nurses sometimes have to work more independently during these times. This question lets you in on how the candidate would assess the severity of an individual’s injury/illness and whether he or she has the capacity to accurately judge which cases are most urgent. You’ll also learn about whether the applicant is efficient enough to handle the size or caseload of your ER.

• Ability to distinguish between urgent and non-urgent cases
• Appropriate record keeping skills
• Appropriate knowledge of vital signs measurement and health history procedures

Asking this question will help you assess whether this ER nurse has the appropriate level of empathy, compassion, and professionalism for this position. You’ll discover whether the nurse takes enough time when delivering news or whether he or she is too abrupt in doing so. You’ll also learn whether he or she explains things with language that patients and families can understand. This question tells you about the nurse’s people skills and empathy.

• Ability to clearly and compassionately convey information
• Willingness to “go the extra mile” for patients/families
• Accurate understanding of the situation

This question helps you delve into the ER nurse’s interpersonal skills and find out whether he or she would be easy to work with as a staff member. You’ll learn whether the nurse is likely to have the necessary skills to avoid conflict in the first place; you’ll also be able to assess his or her knowledge and application of conflict resolution strategies. You’ll learn whether the candidate is dependable.

• Ability to avoid conflict and utilize appropriate resolution strategies
• Willingness to consider alternative viewpoints
• Ability to calmly accept critical feedback

ER nurses need to be able to assess a patient's symptoms quickly, to administer treatment and stabilize them. This question helps an interviewer gauge a candidate's ability to recognize symptoms and associate them with injuries or illnesses. It also allows them to learn more about a candidate's thought process. A candidate's answer should emphasize:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Commitment to making accurate diagnoses
• Compassion for ER patients