A research nurse has the responsibility of carrying outpatient care, data management, and ethical standards in clinical research trials.
Interviewers can be very particular about the candidates they hire for this kind of job.
It’s important to know what kind of research nurse interview questions you’ll be asked in an interview for a research nurse position.
Research nurses are held to a high standard considering that patient confidentiality and ethical guidelines are upheld in order for the clinical trial to be valid.
Preparing for your interview as a research nurse will help you feel confident about the answers you give and show that you are ready to take on such a challenging role.
In this article, we’ll review seven of the most common interview questions for research nurse positions.
We’ll also include tips on how to answer the questions according to what interviewers are looking for and some example answers.
Research Nurse Interview Questions and Answers
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
This is usually the first question in any job interview and gives you the chance to hit your highlight reel.
Mention where you went to school and any achievements in your career that help you to stand out.
Providing information about extracurricular activities will also help show that you know how to have a good work-life balance.
Example answer:
I went to medical school at Boston University and have worked as a nurse for six years now.
I have had extensive experience in the research field working on Alzheimer’s clinical trials.
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I enjoy hiking and mountain biking in my downtime.
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2. How would you describe good clinical practice?
Good clinical practice (GCP) is essential for any research nurse as they have to follow strict guidelines in order for the research study to be valid and the patient to be protected.
Any interviewer will want to know that you know what GCP is and how important it is.
Example answer:
Good clinical practice is a set of standards and guidelines for ethical practice in research studies involving humans that encompasses all aspects of the study.
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Including designing the trial, recording the results, and reporting them to the proper authorities.
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3. How would you describe your attention to detail?
Being thorough and detailed is extremely important for a research nurse.
Taking extensive notes during a clinical trial, and ensuring that all the rules are followed and that patients receive the properly assigned treatment or placebo are all key roles that research nurses play to accomplish the success of the study.
Example answer:
I have participated in various research trials and take extensive notes on every aspect of the patient’s care and observations before, during, and after the trial.
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I double-check to make sure that all rules are followed, and triple-check the assignment of the patient before administering any experimental drug or placebo.
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4. Why do you want to work as a research nurse?
This question provides you with an excellent opportunity to highlight your passion for research and explain what strengths you have in the field that would make you an asset to their team.
Use examples of past research studies you have been involved in to bolster your argument.
Example answer:
I love the opportunity to discover something new in the field of medicine.
I was most recently involved with a clinical study on autoimmune diseases which was very rewarding.
Your upcoming case study on Sjogren’s disease particularly caught my eye as something I would like to be a part of.
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5. How would you deal with a conflict that arose in the workplace?
This provides the interviewer with a good impression of your ability to work with others and take on leadership roles if you have good conflict resolution skills.
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If possible, use an example from your own experience to illustrate how you resolve issues between yourself and other coworkers and what you learned from the experience.
Example answer:
If a problem arose between myself and another coworker, I would confront my coworker to see if we can resolve the issue ourselves.
If we would need to invite a neutral party, then we would.
I would do whatever it takes to come to a resolution so that we can work together to provide the best possible care for our patients.
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6. How important is patient confidentiality in a clinical study?
Heavily emphasize how important patient confidentiality is.
The interviewer is looking to see how seriously you take the privacy of patients in a trial.
If you are flippant about this point, you may be perfect in every other aspect but still, get passed over for the job.
Be sure to review all aspects of patient protection.
Example answer:
Patient confidentiality is the most important concern right after a patient’s health.
It is extremely important to safeguard any personal information that is written down or recorded digitally to ensure that the patient is not abused in any way.
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7. How would you handle a patient if they didn’t understand the form of consent?
There are two good ways to answer this that will reveal what kind of nurse you are.
You can either be independent and take the initiative to explain it to the patient.
Or you can ask for a superior’s help and show off your teamwork skills.
Props to the candidate that can do both.
Example answer:
If a patient doesn’t understand the consent form, I would do my best to explain it in different terms.
If they are still confused, I would ask for help explaining from a different team member.
It’s important to ensure the patient understands the form they are signing.
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Research Nurse Interview Questions and Answers PDF
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Conclusion: Interview Questions for Research Nurses
A research nurse is a rewarding job but it also requires someone who:
- pays attention to detail,
- understands the importance of patient privacy and strict ethical standards,
- and can work well in a team setting.
Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who possesses all of these attributes.
Study and prepare answers for these interview questions and you can walk into your research nurse interview with confidence.
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