Top 7 New Grad RN Interview Questions to Ask

New grad registered nurses (RNs) can be great additions to your care team. Not only are they vital for meeting the demands of a short-staffed industry, but they’re often very eager to learn and develop their skills. If you’re considering hiring a newly minted nurse, you may be wondering what new grad RN interview questions to ask your candidates.

To help you effectively vet and hire the right person, we’ll outline seven of the top interview questions that you can ask an RN who is just starting their career. Don’t forget to prepare a targeted job description that can help you find qualified applicants to interview. You can also browse new grad nurse job openings to get an idea of what qualities other facilities are looking for and how they’re appealing to nursing professionals.

Below you’ll find a downloadable new grad RN evaluation form that can help you keep a record of your next round of interviews.

7 New Grad RN Interview Questions

New grad RN candidates may not have professional nursing experience, but their clinical rotations provide them with a strong foundation for patient care. Here are seven questions that are tailored to evaluate a new nurse’s abilities within the context of their background and training.

1. What brought you to the nursing profession?

This is an open-ended question that allows you to get to know your candidates on a more personal level. From their answers, you can get a better sense of what they value and what motivates them to continue in this profession.

What to listen for:

• Personal examples or stories that inspired the candidate’s career decision
• Realistic expectations of the nursing profession and the demands of the role

Potential follow-up questions:

• Why are you interested in working at our facility?
• Have there been any specific moments in your clinical rotations that reinforced your interest in nursing?

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This is one of the most common new grad RN interview questions, and answers can give you clues into whether the job aligns with a candidate’s goals. This can help you understand what a candidate is looking to get out of the role, while providing an opportunity for them to learn more about what your facility offers.

What to listen for:

• Clear commitment and dedication to the nursing field
• Alignment in personal goals and the facility’s opportunities

Potential follow-up questions:

• What new skills and technologies are you interested in learning?

• Are there any certifications or specializations that you’re interested in obtaining?

3. If we asked a recent clinical instructor what your greatest weakness was, what do you think they would say?

Nursing students get all kinds of feedback from instructors while they’re developing their skills in school. However, a new grad RN will still be constantly learning on the job — so it’s important that they remain open to receiving feedback and understand how to respond to it constructively.

What to listen for:

• Self-awareness of how to address weaknesses and continue to improve
• Openness and adaptability to applying feedback in practical ways

Potential follow-up questions:

• How have you handled negative feedback from instructors or professors in the past?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake and what you did to address it.

4. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient during your clinical rotations.

Understanding how to navigate difficult interactions is an essential skill in nursing. This question assesses how a candidate has handled this in the past and whether they’re able to deliver patient-centered care during challenging situations.

What to listen for:

• Empathy and compassion when addressing each patient’s unique situation
• Ability to remain professional and respectful, even under stress

Potential follow-up questions:

• Have you ever had a conflict with a colleague or coworker? How did you resolve it?
• What are some lessons that you’ve learned from dealing with these situations?

5. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond to help a patient or colleague.

When vetting a new grad RN, behavioral interview questions like this can provide valuable insight into how they might act on the job. While it’s normal for new grads to have some skill gaps in their first few years, their attitude plays a crucial role in shaping team dynamics and their ability to adapt to the floor.

What to listen for:

• Demonstrated willingness to take initiative and help out team members or patients
• Examples that showcase compassion and the ability to work well with others

Potential follow-up questions:

• Tell me about a time that you had to advocate for a patient’s needs.
• What motivates you to deliver high quality, compassionate care?

6. What do you value most on a unit?

This is a culture fit question that allows you to learn more about what a candidate values and how they might mesh with your current team. For new grads, prioritizing things like teamwork and communication is especially crucial, since these qualities support their transition into the profession.

What to listen for:

• Positive priorities such as teamwork, communication, or diversity and inclusion
• Compatibility with values and workplace expectations

Potential follow-up questions:

• What qualities will you bring to this unit?
• What do you think makes a strong nursing team?

7. Walk me through your process of prioritizing tasks.

For new grad RNs, transitioning from caring for one patient to managing multiple patients at a time is a common challenge. Asking new grad RN interview questions like this allows you to evaluate their critical thinking skills and ability to prioritize tasks using clinical decision-making.

What to listen for:

• Strategies that demonstrate strong organization and time management skills
• Ability to make clinically sound decisions that inform daily care process

Potential follow-up questions:

• What are some strategies that you use to manage stress?
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a patient emergency.

Start Assembling Your Ideal Nursing Team Today

Now that you have a solid list of new grad RN interview questions, it’s time to start finding applicants to interview. Looking for faster and easier ways to reach top candidates? Discover how IntelyCare can connect you with a nationwide network of nursing professionals.