7 Best Orthopedic Nurse Interview Questions

Orthopedic nurse interview questions

If you’ve qualified as an orthopedic nurse, then you’ve already done plenty of hard work!

Interviewing for a job can be a stressful time, and you always want to make a good impression, regardless of how nervous you might be.

But don’t worry, as we’ve put together the kinds of orthopedic nurse interview questions you can expect to be asked, along with the appropriate responses.

Before long, you’ll be working in your dream job, having aced the interview.

Orthopedic Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Potential employees interviewing for posts tend to find that the most common orthopedic nurse interview questions they’re asked are:

  • Can you tell us about yourself?
  • What qualities make you feel confident that you’re right for this role?
  • What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
  • What are your expectations regarding salary for this role?
  • Why did you leave your last position?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
  • Do you have any questions for us?

You might be surprised by how easy some of these questions sound, but in the heat of the moment, it can be tough to not only answer them but answer them well, in a way that will impress your prospective employer.

So, here’s how you can answer each of these orthopedic nurse interview questions in turn and give the interviewer no choice but to consider you for the role.

1. Can you tell us about yourself?

By this question, the interviewer is interested in how you’re a good fit for their organization.

They have no interest in your life story and they don’t even really care to hear about your hobbies or the time you went backpacking in Thailand.

Instead, the way to answer this question is to always keep it relevant to your employment and educational history.

It’s here that you mentioned when you qualified as an orthopedic nurse, and where you studied.

You can speak a little about your placements and experience, any accomplishments you’re proud of in your career, and any educational accomplishments.

If you were valedictorian or graduated with honors, then now’s the time to mention it.

See also: Orthodontic Assistant Interview Questions

2. What qualities make you feel confident that you’re right for this role?

The interviewer must know why you stand out against others who, on paper, may be just as qualified as you.

So, be sure to read the job posting carefully and refer to it in this answer, along with personal experiences or achievements that match what they’re looking for.

Just remember to be honest.

If it’s a job you really want, and you honestly feel you’re fit for, then a confident, honest answer will speak volumes.

See also: Occupational Health Nurse Interview Questions

3. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

The strength part of the question is much easier to answer because it’s similar to the way you’d answer the question of why you’re a good fit for the role.

Personal achievements, successes you’re proud of, and how much you like working in a team are all excellent ways of highlighting your strengths.

But the trick to answering the question about weaknesses is to make it sound as though what you see as a weakness is what your prospective employer will see as a strength.

Don’t tell them that you have trouble getting up in the morning, or that the sight of blood makes you faint.

Neither are weaknesses you should ever share in an interview!

Instead, answer with such responses as “I’m too hard on myself when I make a mistake” or “When I don’t do a job that meets my high standards, I can feel like I’ve failed.”

See also: Tell Me About a Time You Failed Nursing Interview

These responses will show that you have high expectations of yourself, and your work.

See also: Dementia Nurse Interview Questions

4. What are your expectations regarding the salary for this role?

The salary question is always a tough one.

You don’t want to ask for an unrealistic figure, nor do you want to sell yourself short.

It’s important to do research in this area, to find out the average rate for orthopedic nurses in your zip code and with your experience.

If this is your first post, you can easily answer that in this job, you’re looking for experience first, and that salary isn’t what drives you.

If you’re applying for a more advanced role, though, you can always defer the question until later, and ask to see the company’s salary structure so you can see where you’d fit in.

See also: Diabetes Specialist Nurse Interview Questions

5. Why did you leave your last position?

As a graduate, this is an easy question to answer as you’ll be applying for your first role.

If not, then never answer with a response that involves criticizing your boss or previous team members.

Instead, focus on how your answer will appeal to your new employer.

Responses such as:

I was drawn to this position because it looks like the kind of challenge I need.

or

I’m looking for an opportunity for real career progression.

both complement the new company you’re interviewing for.

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6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

Employers want to know that they’ll get their money’s worth from you and that you won’t be leaving in a few months’ time, where they’d have to advertise for your role once more.

Use this time to talk about your career goals in conjunction with the role you’re seeking.

Speak about experiences you want to sharpen, orthopedic skills you want to pick up, and opportunities for advancement that you’d like to work toward.

This shows that you’re serious not only about your job but about achieving career milestones with this company.

See also: Telephone Triage Nurse Interview Questions

7. Do you have any questions for us?

The worst thing you can do is answer “No” to this question.

It can give the impression you’re not focused on the interview or the company because it’s impossible not to have questions about a brand-new role or company.

Instead, use this time to get an appraisal of how your interview is going.

Ask the interviewer such questions as “How do you feel my resume and qualifications will be a good fit for this role?”

If it feels appropriate, ask your interviewer what they enjoy about working for this company.

There is always a chance that the interviewer will be your new boss, so you can also ask more orthopedic-related questions, such as advances in technology or approaches and methods the company likes to take.

See also: Interview Questions for Geriatric Nurses

Orthopedic Nurse Interview Questions and Answers PDF

Download our comprehensive PDF guide featuring expertly crafted orthopedic nurse interview questions and model answers.

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Conclusion: Interview Questions for Orthopedic Nurses

No two interviews will be the same.

If you’re applying for several different orthopedic nurse posts, then you might find that the orthopedic nurse interview questions between the interviews will vary.

However, many interviewers tend to follow the same kind of structure, so you can certainly be prepared for some or even all of the following questions to arise.

Good luck with your orthopedic nurse interview!

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