Interview Preparation

1. Why do you want to come and work in the UK?

Focus on the positive main reasons you want to relocate, some examples may include:
 New Career Opportunities.
 Personal Development.
 Professional Development.
 Training Opportunities.
 Experience a new culture.
 Language skills improvement.
 Family life opportunities.
 Experience the operation of a different and well-functioning Medical Health System.
 Improved quality of life.
Do not be afraid to use your own personal and professional reason in conjunction with the above
list.

2. Can you tell me about yourself?

Always focus on the positive aspects of yourself when asked this question, a good way to
structure this answer is to start with:
 A brief description of your current situation (Employed? Family? Where you live?
Goals for the future?) Etc.
 A brief description of relevant education and achievements.
 A brief description of relevant experience and achievements.
 Use three positive words to describe you personally eg. (Ambitious).
 Use three positive words to describe you professionally eg.( Quick Learner).
Remember keep this brief and stay on topic. Average length of this should be 3 minute and
should not exceed 5 minutes in length.

3. Do you know what a Care home is?

It will be beneficial to your interview preparation to take the time to conduct some brief research
on the definition of a Care Home/Nursing Home in the UK. You should base your research on
things like:
 Sizes of Nursing Homes.
 Standards Expected of Nursing Homes.
 Facilities and Activities provided by Nursing homes to residents.
 Staff and management of Nursing Homes.
 Care/ Support/ Safety provided by Nursing Homes.
 Nursing Home Resident’s needs.
 Differences between a Care Home and Hospital in the UK.

If you have had previous experience in a UK or Irish care home do not forget to mention this as
it is very important and relevant to your interview.

1
 Interview Preparation

4. What do you feel are the main responsibilities in this job (as a Registered Nurse in a
Care Home?)
From your experience and education you should prepare a list of approximately 5 of what you
feel to be the main responsibilities of a competent Registered Staff Nurse in a care home. Some
examples of which might include, but are not limited to the following: Remember all lists should
be unique to you as a Nurse.
 Leadership.
 Care Plans
 Demonstrate Respect and dignity to residents.


Fill in the blanks above.

5. What qualities are essential for an RGN in an elderly care setting?

As a Registered Nurse you have responsibility for leading your shift to ensure we deliver
excellent standards of care; promoting independence and dignity and positively enhancing the
lives of individuals in our care. Again always remain positive in your approach to answering
these types of questions and utilize simple and positive language. Some examples are:
 Empathy
 Passion/Compassion
 Respectfulness.
Draw up your own list of approximately 3-5 sample qualities you feel are most applicable to the
post of RGN in an elderly care setting.

6. Do you know what types of ABUSE?

There are 5 main types of abuse relevant when caring for elderly patients:
 Physical
Example-

 Emotional
Example-

 Sexual
Example-

 Neglect
Example-

 Financial
Example-
2
 Interview Preparation

Conduct some brief research into each type of abuse and link it to a real life example to
demonstrate your understanding above.

7. Do you know what a pressure ulcer is and how many types are there?
Pressure ulcers are also known as bed sores. They occur when skin breaks down due to
constant pressure, especially over bony areas of the body, and they occur especially on bed-
ridden persons.
They are classified in 4 stages, starting from stage I and up to stage IV. Each stage gets
progressively worse. Research each type in brief.
Conduct some brief research into Bed sores/ Pressure ulcers paying particular attention to:
 Causes
 Types
 Treatments
 Symptoms
 Nutrition
 Prevention

8. Explain what you know about Diabetes? Types, treatment and prevention.
Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes high blood sugar levels. There are 3 types of
diabetes. List the three types below:
1.
2.
3.
Conduct some brief research of your own focusing on:
 Types.
 Treatments
 Prevention
 Long term Effects
 Nutrition
 Symptoms
 Causes

9. A Relative comes to you and makes a complaint about their mothers care, explain to me
what you do?
Such reports should be taken on a case by case basis, as circumstances vary and each individual
involved is different. Health care professional should in these cases be qualified to utilise their
own common sense and apply it accordingly. Most establishment have set policies and
procedures when it comes to handling sensitive situations, but most will follow similar steps as
detailed below:

3
 Interview Preparation

Apologise Report/
Acknowledge Take action Follow Up
the complaint and reassure document
to rectify Complaint
where
necessary

Have you ever received a complaint? How did you manage it?

10. How can you ensure a high standard of Care is delivered?

You have to remember that every patient is a human being, and not something that needs
repairing. You have to know your patients and their needs, and be able to do your duties
according to those needs they have.
 Training
 Support
 Resources
 Teamwork
 Self-Belief
 Innate compassion
Are all very relevant to the delivery of quality care.

11. Explain to me how you would administer medications safely?

Take some time to familiarise yourself with the “Rights” of Medication administration:
 Right Medication
 Right Patient
 Right Dosage
 Right Time
 Right Method of administration
 Right Response.

4
 Interview Preparation

12. How would you lead your team as you shall be working with unqualified CARE
Assistances?
How you answer this is dependent on your very own style of leadership and team working.
Some key words to utilise when answering such a question are:
 Effective Communication skills
 Interpersonal Relationships with resident s and Colleagues.
 Organisation and management Skills.
Attempt to come up with at least two more examples for yourself in order to make your answer
different and unique to your own personal style.

13. How do you keep up-to-date with changes in nursing guidelines and other healthcare
approaches in the UK?
With all the technology we currently have at our fingertips Nurses have no excuses for not
keeping abreast of changes in legislation etc. relevant to them as professionals.
In an interview situation you will be expected to know the very basic information about UK
Healthcare regulatory bodies.
Some effective and cost efficient ways of keeping up to date are as follows:
 Social Media.
 Newspapers.
 Professional Magazines.
 NMC website. www.nmc.org.uk
 CQC website (Institution responsible for inspecting Nursing Homes in th UK).
www.cqc.org.uk

14. What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

In preparation for your interview take some time to research this question under the headings of:
 Symptoms
 Treatment
 Prevention
 Long term effects
 Causes
 Nutrition
Prepare an individual list of three things that fall under each individual heading.

15. What is an anticoagulant and when would it be used?

Anticoagulants are a group of drugs that work to prevent the coagulation of blood. They are used
to treat or prevent atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, congestive
heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, etc.

16. Give a specific example of a time when you knew you did a good job as a nurse.

5
 Interview Preparation

The most effective way to answer a question like this is to think of a real life example. You may
need to exaggerate the answer slightly to make it more memorable. An example of this is:
 When you received formal recognition from management and residents families for
acting as a leader, problem solver and a quick thinker in the Nursing Home at a
distressing and highly pressurised period of time, where there was an outbreak of
infection in the dementia unit. Which of course you found highly motivating.
Now prepare you own answer below:

17. What would you do if you gave a resident the wrong medication?
It is important to always think logically when asked these types of questions. Imagine yourself in
the exact same situation and approach the solution with a calm head. Some steps to take in such a
situation would general include:

Prepare formal
Report to management Continuoulsly monitor
documentation and
and collegaues the resident
retain on residents file.

18. What changes in behaviour might be associated with a resident becoming

depressed and what interventions would you put in place?
Signs include:
 Withdrawing from friends and family
 Avoiding situations
 Not gaining enjoyment from activities
 Becoming angry and aggressive all of a sudden.
Remedies include:
 Psychological/Therapy
 Medical/antidepressants
 Lifestyle changes.

19. What would you do if one of the residents went missing in your shift?
 Alert Family members
 Alert Management
 Take appropriate action.

20. What are the main challenges in caring for someone who is elderly frail or has
dementia? (B) What do you know about dementia?
Maintain the following for the resident:

6
 Interview Preparation

 Dignity
 Good Hygiene
 Good Health and nutrition
 Good sleeping patterns
 Medication management
 Positive attitude.
Now come up with 2 more challenges yourself and write them below:

20. (B) Dementia Definition- a chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by
brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired
reasoning. Have you cared for a resident with dementia before?

21. How would you handle a resident who has been having persistent falls?
With regard to a situation like this every case is different, but most commonly the logical process
would include:
 Finding the cause.
 Reporting
 Increase exercise
 Monitoring the resident closely
 Continuous review of the environment and medications.

Now imagine the resident has osteoporosis and dementia and add three more precautions
you would consider below:

22. What would you do if you walked into a room and a patient had had a fall and was on
the ground?
 Assess the resident
 Assess the environment
 Check consciousness
 Check vital signs
 Conduct CPR
 Check for fractures etc.
 Ask for help where necessary
 Follow up
7
 Interview Preparation

 Document

23. How do you prevent pressure ulcers?

Fill in the blanks:
 Continuous changing of residents _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
 Keeping the affected area _ _ _ _ _
 Drinking plenty of _ _ _ _ _ _
 Increasing the resident’s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ intake (nutrient found in red meats and nuts etc.)
 Considering the use of an _ _ _ mattress for the resident.
 Massaging the affected are with prescribed _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

24. Can you name the 5 rights of medication administration:

Fill in the blanks:

1. Right 2. Right 3. Right 4. Right 5. Right

Medication Doseage _________ Time __________

25. What do you know about the employer / Why do you want to work for the
employer?
It is vital you have conducted some basic research on the company for which you are
attending an interview with. It shows that you have an interest in the company background,
operations, their culture and their philosophies as a group. It is a definite question in every
interview and the knowledge you transfer here may be what makes the difference between
you and your competitor. It is always also important to note the Companies logo and its
meaning.

Here is the link to Fairways website www.fairways.org.uk

It is also worth mentioning to the employer when asked what you know about their company
that you state why you want to work for them, eg. “After taking the time to research
Fairways policies and company culture I feel I am the perfect fit for this job, as your
company beliefs are very much in line with my own personal and professional way of
delivering quality care”.

8
 Interview Preparation

26. Are you familiar with the position/role? Explain.

Please take the time to research the attached document named Job Description carefully in
reference to this question.

27. Tell me about your previous professional experience (focus on nursing).

When answering questions of this nature, it is best to remain focused on the job you are
interviewing for. Keep your experience relevant to this and try not to go off on a tangent.
Think of at least 5 key areas for which you had responsibility in your previous Nursing.
Carer Job and list below:






Now think of a normal day in the Nursing job you undertook and list 5 key duties you completed
on a daily basis and list below:






If you do not have any real experience revert to your University work experience or any
voluntary experience you have undertaken also.

28. What qualifications or experiences do you have that would make you a success in this
field?
When answering questions like this do not be afraid to appear confident. List:
 Your formal Qualifications
 Your Formal Trainings
 Additions Trainings and Qualifications you have attained.
It is always good to say that you feel the combination of the skills you attained from your
qualifications and formal experience has equipped you to work in a busy healthcare setting.
Make a list of the skills you acquired through trainings and education below:

9
 Interview Preparation

29. What is your greatest achievement to date?

Always remain positive when answering these types of questions. It is a good tip to make a list
of your achievements before the interview and memorize them giving examples of real life
situations.
If you are newly qualified and do not have much experience you can say that “Successfully
completing my Nursing Degree, which has been my dream since I was very young, is to date my
biggest and proudest achievement”.

30. How do you manage your time on a daily basis?

 Make a list in a diary daily.
 Prioritize based on importance.
 Seek assistance where required.

31. What tasks do you least like in your current role and why?
This type of question is negative. It is in your interest to make the right impression, to make this
answer as positive as you possibly can. A good example of a suitable answer to this question
would be: “When I first started in my current job, I was fearful and inexperienced administering
medications to patients, however after increased trainings and gaining more experience and
knowledge of the individual patients and their individual needs, now doing the medication
rounds is one of my most rewarding daily tasks”. Try to come up with an example of your own
below:

32. What are you strengths/weaknesses?

Strengths: “I consider myself an honest, hard-working girl that is also flexible and able to adapt
and learn quickly. I always keep a positive attitude and I’m motivated to do my best throughout
my career”.
Weaknesses:” I think my main weaknesses are that I’m a sensitive person and that I can’t really
say no when I’m being asked for help.” Again we see an example of making a negative question
positive here. Eg. “I am a perfectionist and sometimes take my responsibilities too seriously”.

33. Why should I hire you?

This is your chance to sell yourself to the employer and also your opportunity to put your very
own unique stamp on the interview. Stay relevant to the job for which you are applying and
make an attempt to make the employer remember you by thinking outside the box. Make your
very own memorable personal statement below:

10
 Interview Preparation

34. What do you know about he NMC Code of Conduct?

The Code presents the professional standards that nurses and midwives must uphold in order to
be registered to practise in the UK.It is structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise
effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust. Developed in collaboration
with many who care about good nursing and midwifery, the Code can be used by nurses and
midwives as a way of reinforcing their professionalism. Failure to comply with the Code may
bring their fitness to practise into question.

35. Do you know what causes high blood pressure and how it is controlled?

It is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into
the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also
called hypertension, is dangerous because it makes theheart work harder to pump blood out to the body
and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, to stroke, kidney disease, and to the
development of heart failure.

Causes:
 Smoking
 Being overweight or obese
 Lack of physical activity
 Too much salt in the diet
 Too much alcohol consumption (more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)
 Stress
 Older age
 Genetics
 Family history of high blood pressure
 Chronic kidney disease
 Adrenal and thyroid disorders
 Sleep apnea

A blood pressure reading has a top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic). The ranges
are:

 Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80)

 Prehypertension: 120-139 over 80-89
 Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159 over 90-99
 Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above over 100 and above
 High blood pressure in people over age 60: 150 and above over 90 and above

11
 Interview Preparation

36. What are the signs and causes of a stroke?

here are two types of stroke.

 Ischemic stroke is similar to a heart attack, except it occurs in theblood vessels of the brain.

Clots can form in the brain's blood vessels, in blood vessels leading to the brain, or even in blood
vessels elsewhere in the body and then travel to the brain. These clots block blood flow to the
brain's cells. Ischemic stroke can also occur when too much plaque (fatty deposits
and cholesterol) clogs the brain's blood vessels. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic.
 Hemorrhagic (heh-more-raj-ik) strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or
ruptures. The result is blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. The
most common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are high blood pressure and brain aneurysms.
An aneurysm is a weakness or thinness in the blood vessel wall.

The most common symptoms of a stroke are:

 Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
 Loss of vision or dimming (like a curtain falling) in one or both eyes
 Loss of speech, difficulty talking, or understanding what others are saying
 Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
 Loss of balance or unstable walking, usually combined with another symptom

37. What do you know about Care Plans?

A care plan is an agreement between you and your health professional (or social services) to help
you manage your health day to day. It can be a written document or something recorded in your
patient notes.
It will cover areas including:
 the goals you want to work towards, such as getting out of the house more, returning to
work, or starting a hobby
 the support services you want, who is in charge of providing these services, what the
support services have agreed to do, and when they will do it
 emergency numbers, such as who you should contact if you become very unwell and
your doctor's surgery is closed
 medicines

12
 Interview Preparation

 an eating plan
 an exercise plan

38. What is Person Centred Care?

Person-centred care sees patients as equal partners in planning, developing and accessing care to
make sure it is most appropriate for their needs. It involves putting patients and their families at
the heart of all decisions.

Person-centred care aims to be user focused, promote independence and autonomy, provide
choice and control and be based on a collaborative team philosophy. It takes into account service
users' needs and views and builds relationships with family members. 

39. What would you do if a resident in the Care Home started to choking?

Assess the Encourage Remove

situation coughing to obvious Back slaps Abdimonal
quickly. clear blockages from thrusts.
airways. with fingers. behind.

13
 Interview Preparation

40. What is hypoglycaemia?

 Definition-

 Signs/ Symptoms-

 Treatments-

41. Why did you choose to work in the elderly care sector?

Be honest, respectful and positive when answering such a question. A good sample answer is:

“I find working with vulnerable residents who are in need of care, assistance and attention
extremely rewarding and satisfying”.

Now ask yourself why/if this is the case and write your answer below:

 Eg. Our Elders provide us with wisdom and advice.

42. How would you transfer a resident from the Care Home to the Hospital?

Fill in the Blank:

 Communicate with Resident and their next of kin.

 Complete transfer Documentation.


43. Why and what would you consider good documentation important to your role as a
nurse?

S -Specific
M-Measurable
A-Achieveable
R-Realistic
T-Time Bound.

14
 Interview Preparation

44. What you know about the constipation at elderly patients?

Constipation is a frequent problem, especially in older persons, makes them to be confused,
anxious, distended abdomen, restless, poor appetite.

-increase daily oral fluids

-record the bowel motion on the chart
-give the laxative prescribed and monitor the effects
-increase the physical exercises.
-care plan regarding constipation

45.What would you do in a situation when your resident is very anxious, and he is standing
already for 30 minutes at the front door telling you that he wants to go home?

-You assist the situation, trying to ensure the resident that everything is fine, he is in a secure
place.
-You need to try distraction or redirection techniques to comfort the resident (offered him a cup
of tea/coffee, an activity that he likes, to play chess or to read a newspaper)
-you can call one of family member to hear a familiar voice.

46.What would you do if a restless resident pulls out the catheter, what are the
complications of such an event.

-first you need to assist the situation and to comfort the resident.
-clean the area around the catheter and apply some moisturizing cream
- contact your primary care provider immediately to change the catheter
- assure that the resident has no discomfort or pain that will make him agitated

47. What would you do if a resident will be aggressive with you?

- I will try to calm down the resident and give him some space, but I’ll make sure he is safe.
- I reassure the resident that everything is ok, and I will check the pattern of aggression to see if
the resident has any pain or discomfort.
-I can send one of my colleague to talk with resident if still is aggressive with me.
-I will documented the incident and inform the GP.

48. What would you do if you have a resident who is refusing to take the medication?

-I will try for few times to give the medication during the shift, and I will explain how important
is to have his/her treatment.
-If is still refusing, I will never force to take the medicine
15
 Interview Preparation

-I will inform my manager to call the GP regarding missed medication.

- I will ask for help from the family because sometimes they are very cooperative with family’s
members.

50. What would you do if you noticed that two carers from your floor are fighting and they
are noisy?
-Make sure they will understand the unappropriated behaviour in the nursing home.
-Explain them that you’ll meet them in private to clarify the incident.
-
-

51 What would you will do if you have a resident with high temperature?
-temperature can be caused by response to threats such as bacterial or viral infections

-To make sure the body remain hydrated

-To maintain body temperature at a safe level with antipyretics treatment ( Paracetamol, Aspirin)
-To check often the temperature
-

Same basics terms in Nursing Home:

- Handover- is the report before/after you finished the shift, in that handover-report will
inform the next shift what happened with each resident during the day/night.
-Palliative Care –is the medication management for a person in the End of life to be free of
pain and to have all the comfort.
-Challenging behavioural- is the notion about a person who has an inappropriate
behavioural (can be aggressive, agitated, can try to attack the staff or can refuse the food,
the medication..etc)
-Feeding Tube Care –is the feeding route for the patients who are not accepting food by
mouth.
-Care plan- medical document which contain:
The problem/ Need Identification, Goal Specification, Specification, Specific Interventions,
Evaluation of Care.
-MRSA-infection is caused by a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of
the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections.
-Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) 0 = able to eat normal diet / no dysphagia, 1 = able to
swallow some solid foods, 2 = able to swallow only semi solid foods, 3 = able to swallow
liquids only, 4 = unable to swallow anything / total dysphagia.
Hoist equipment -is a device used for lifting or lowering a resident from bed, from a
wheelchair etc.

MDA drogs!!!!!-medicine that needs to be double checked by nurses, for administration

and documentation and to be locked.

16
 Interview Preparation

Bed rails- a board at the side of a bed connecting the footboard and headboard for

residents safety.

Hip protector-protection for the residents with high risk of falls (underwear or belt)

SAME LINKS VERY USEFULL, please check:

For English IELTS exam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4AtBASKGv4

https://www.britishcouncil.ro/examene/ielts/ieltsaward

Medical videos and useful for interview

http://www.andreeaberkhout.com/cursul-de-engleza-pentru-asistenti-english-
for-nursing/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekux5CdlZsY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGasKsWViV0

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes/Pages/Diabetes.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Pressure-ulcers/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/elder-abuse-and-neglect.htm

Questions to Ask Interviewer

Asking questions at the end of your interview is just as important as answering them. It
reinforces your suitability as a candidate and gives you an invaluable opportunity to find
out more about the role and the company you’re applying to. It also highlights your
interest in becoming an employee of the company. Chose a maximum of three of the below
questions you can ask the interviewer:

1. If I were to be successful today, what, in relation to performance would be expected of

me in the first 3 months of employment?
2. When can I expect to hear from you and what are the next steps?

17
 Interview Preparation

3. What type of training/development opportunities will I receive for this position?

4. What is the next step in the recruitment process? How soon would you like the new
person to start working?
5. What is the ration of Nursing Staff to residents and HCA (Health Care Assistant) in the
Care home on a daily basis?
6. If I am successful here today, who will I report to on commencement of my employment?

18