A geriatric nurse is someone who handles the care of elderly patients. When healthcare facilities hire nurses for their geriatric patients, they ask interview questions for geriatric nurses that help them decide the right person for the job.
In general, geriatric nurses need to be patient, compassionate, detail-oriented, and knowledgeable.
Working with geriatric patients can be challenging because most times there is more than one medical condition to take into account.
Geriatric patients also require a lot of compassion and excellent bedside manner from their nurses to make them comfortable in an unfamiliar setting.
These interview questions and answers for a geriatric nurse interview outline the seven most common topics addressed by interviewers.
Use these to help you prepare for your interview and make the best impression on your next potential employer.
Geriatric Nurse Interview Questions and Answers
1. What experience do you have working with geriatric patients?
This will help your interviewer gauge not only your knowledge of the common ailments and challenges of working with geriatric patients but also your level of comfort.
They want to know if you will need extra time to adjust to the higher level of care and bedside manner some older patients need.
Example answer:
I have been working in the field of geriatric medicine, so I am familiar with the typical conditions and ailments many of these patients suffer from or are susceptible to.
I also understand that tending to some geriatric patients may require more patience and understanding than other patients.
2. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Although this may seem like just a starter question, the interviewer needs to establish if you’re a good fit for the position and on their team.
Give some background on your education and relevant work history, but also incorporate a few fun personal facts such as hobbies or interests.
Example answer:
I graduated from Johns Hopkins University and spent four years working with geriatric patients at Boston Hospital.
I love jogging and knitting in my spare time.
I’ve always been drawn to working with geriatric patients after witnessing the excellent care my grandparents received.
3. Why did you decide to become a nurse?
Interviewers want to know that they are hiring the best of the best.
Nursing is more than just medical care; it is also taking care of the person as a whole.
They want to know that you can efficiently and effectively take care of patients and also have the bedside manner to be gentle and comforting to geriatric patients.
Example answer:
I love caring for people and was inspired by my mother who was a nurse for thirty years.
I know what it’s like to value good care for your loved ones and want to be able to provide that for all of my patients.
4. Have you ever dealt with patients that have complex conditions?
The interviewers are testing your knowledge here because there are a lot of geriatric patients that have more than one medical condition and it can be tricky to balance multiple medications.
What they are looking for is someone who can multitask and keep pristine records so that their patients receive the best care.
Example answer:
I have worked in an intensive care unit and with geriatric patients during the past five years in my career as a nurse.
I know how important it is to keep detailed charts and double-check medication before administering treatment to a patient.
Especially patients that may be extra vulnerable like those in the geriatric population.
See also: Hospice Nurse Interview Questions
5. What goals do you have for your career?
Most healthcare facilities are looking to hire nurses who are planning to stay long-term so they want to hire someone who isn’t a flight risk right out of the gate.
See also: Flight Nurse Interview Questions
Be honest about your goals but emphasize your commitment to their facility.
Give reasons that would motivate you to stay.
Example answer:
I have always wanted to work at Boston Hospital and set my life up around my career here.
Working with geriatric patients has been my ultimate goal since I started nursing school.
Eventually, I would love to work my way up through the ranks to become charge nurse of the geriatric ward.
See also: Nurse Leadership Interview Questions
6. What is the most rewarding part of being a geriatric nurse?
This is the perfect opportunity to show your compassionate side.
The interviewer is looking for someone who is invested in their patients and will give the best care.
Someone who seeks the position for reasons other than financial stability is much more attractive to interviewers because there are more rewards associated with the job than just money.
Example answer:
I love being able to give comfort and care to those who are in a time of their life when they need the most compassion.
Hearing the stories of their lives as I help them heal or make them more comfortable is one of my favorite parts of the job.
See also: Interview Questions for Nursing Home Administrator
7. How would you handle a patient who may be frustrated or angry?
All healthcare professionals know that patients are not cooperative 100% of the time and knowing how to handle a situation concerning a frustrated patient is essential to patient care.
The interviewer wants to know that you will act professionally and compassionately toward the patient in this type of instance.
Example answer:
I have worked with frustrated and angry patients before.
I know the key is listening to their concerns so that I can address them and come to a solution that they feel comfortable with but that also gives them what they need in terms of treatment.
Being calm and not rising to their anger is very important.
See also: Home Health Nurse Interview Questions
Geriatric Nurse Interview Questions and Answers PDF
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Conclusion: Interview Questions for Geriatric Nurses
Interviews can be intimidating but they don’t have to be scary if you prepare ahead of time.
If you want to be a geriatric nurse, you already have the desire, you just need a little bit of preparation.
Go over these geriatric nurse interview questions and formulate your answers so that you can be prepared for your interview and crush it with confidence.
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