20 Ascension Interview Questions and Answers

Ascension is the largest non-profit health system in the United States. With over 2,600 sites of care and 32 hospitals, they are one of the leading Catholic health systems in the country.

Ascension is known for their compassionate care and commitment to serving the poor and vulnerable. They have a strong focus on mission and values, which are evident in their day-to-day operations.

If you are interviewing with Ascension, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skills, and your values. Here are some sample questions that you may be asked in an interview with Ascension:

– Tell me about a time when you had to care for a patient with a difficult condition. – What is your experience with electronic medical records? – How do you handle difficult conversations with patients and families? – What do you think is the most important thing that we can do to improve the quality of healthcare? – What do you think are the most important values that a healthcare organization should uphold? – Why are you interested in working for Ascension?

Ascension Interview Process

The interview process at Ascension can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may be required to complete multiple interviews. The difficulty of the interviews will also vary depending on the position. Some positions may require you to answer more difficult questions, while others will be more straightforward. Overall, the interview process at Ascension is generally positive.

1. What are your career goals?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are motivated and have a plan for your career. It’s important to be honest about what you want, but it can also be helpful to include some steps you’ve taken to get there.

Example: “I am currently working toward my RN-BSN degree so I can become a nurse practitioner. My ultimate goal is to work in a hospital setting where I can help patients with chronic illnesses manage their care. In my current role as a registered nurse, I have been able to shadow several nurse practitioners and learn more about this career path. I feel confident that this is the right choice for me.”

2. Do you have experience working with vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with populations that Ascension serves. If you do, your answer can show how you helped those patients and what skills you used to provide care. If you don’t have experience in this area, you can talk about a time when you worked with a vulnerable population or developed a new program for them.

Example: “I’ve had experience working with children and elderly patients throughout my career. In my last role as a pediatric nurse, I was responsible for developing a new pediatric unit at a local hospital. We hired more nurses and doctors to work on the unit, which allowed us to hire additional specialists like speech therapists and occupational therapists. This made it easier for parents to get their child into an appointment within two weeks of contacting our office.”

3. What do you know about our organization?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are prepared for the interview. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of Ascension’s recent news or achievements.

Example: “I know that Ascension is one of the largest non-profit health systems in the United States. I also know that last year, you were named as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. This tells me that you have an excellent reputation within the industry and that employees enjoy working here. I am excited to learn more about what makes Ascension so special.”

4. What is your greatest strength/weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can use you for those skills and how you plan to improve on any weaknesses.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to help anyone who needs it, even if it means staying late or coming in early. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do. To fix this, I make sure to prioritize my tasks and set aside time each day to complete them.”

5. Why did you choose a career in healthcare?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the healthcare industry. When answering, it can be helpful to talk about what inspired you to pursue this career and how you hope to make an impact in the lives of others.

Example: “Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to help people. My mother worked as a nurse at a local hospital, so I grew up hearing stories about her work. It seemed like such an interesting job, and I knew that I wanted to do something similar when I grew up. Now, I am excited to get to use my skills to care for patients every day.”

6. How would you feel if a patient told you that they didn’t want to be treated by someone of your background?

This question is a test of your tolerance and ability to work with people from different backgrounds. It’s important that you show the interviewer that you can put aside personal feelings and treat patients regardless of their background or beliefs.

Example: “I would feel disappointed, but I would still do my job as best as I could. I believe that it’s more important to be compassionate than to have similar experiences as someone else. If they don’t want me to treat them, then I would refer them to another doctor who has similar experiences.”

7. What was one time you had to deal with a difficult patient and how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Describe a situation where you had to diffuse a difficult patient or family member, and explain what steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very upset with me because they didn’t like their diagnosis. They were quite loud in front of other patients and staff members, so I asked them if we could speak privately in my office. Once there, I explained that I understood why they were upset but that I would appreciate it if they kept their voice down while in the hospital. After speaking with them for a few minutes, they apologized and agreed to keep their voice low.”

8. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your experience as an RN.

This question is a great way to start an interview because it gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself and your background. When answering this question, be sure to include information about your education, work experience and any other relevant details that may help the interviewer get to know you better.

Example: “I graduated from the University of California with my Bachelor’s in Nursing degree. I then went on to complete my RN certification at the same institution. After graduation, I worked as an RN for five years at St. Mary’s Hospital where I gained valuable experience working with patients of all ages. I am excited to join Ascension and continue my career here.”

9. Have you ever worked in a team environment before?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential colleague’s teamwork skills. Ascension values collaboration and teamwork, so it’s important that you can work well with others. When answering this question, think of an example from your past where you worked in a team environment. Try to highlight the positive aspects of working as part of a team.

Example: “I have worked in a team environment before, and I really enjoy it. In my last position, I was one of three nurses on a night shift. We would often collaborate on patient care and discuss our different approaches to solving problems. It was nice to be able to bounce ideas off each other and get feedback.”

10. Describe a time where you were faced with a problem, how did you solve it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what the problem was, how you solved it and what the outcome of that solution was.

Example: “In my last position as an ER nurse, I had a patient who came into the hospital with severe stomach pains. After running several tests, we determined that he had appendicitis. However, due to his age, we were unsure if he should have surgery or not. We decided to consult with his primary physician before making any decisions. His doctor agreed that surgery would be best for him, so we scheduled the procedure.”

11. What do you think is the most important quality for a nurse?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the nursing profession and how you can apply it in a healthcare setting. When answering this question, consider what qualities are most important for nurses at Ascension.

Example: “I think the most important quality for a nurse is empathy. Nurses interact with patients who are often going through difficult times, so they need to be compassionate and empathetic toward their patients. I have always been naturally empathetic, which has helped me build strong relationships with my patients.”

12. If a fellow staff member made a mistake, what would you do?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to speak up when someone makes a mistake. In your answer, try to show that you value honesty and integrity in your work and are willing to hold others accountable for their actions.

Example: “If I noticed a fellow staff member made an error on a patient’s chart or forgot to perform a task, I would first make sure they knew about it so they could correct it immediately. If they didn’t notice it themselves, I would let my supervisor know so they could address it with the employee. Mistakes happen, but I believe it’s important to be honest and take responsibility for our mistakes.”

13. Are you comfortable taking vitals?

This question is a good way to assess your comfort level with taking vital signs, which are measurements of the body’s health. Vital signs include blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature. These measurements can be taken by nurses or other medical professionals.

Example: “I have experience taking vitals for patients in both emergency situations and routine checkups. I find that it’s important to take vitals regularly so you can monitor any changes in their condition. If there are any significant changes, then you can act quickly to address them.”

14. Ascension values teamwork, describe a time when you demonstrated this value at work.

Teamwork is an important skill for any employee to have, and employers ask this question to see if you can work well with others. When answering this question, try to describe a time when you helped your team complete a project or goal.

Example: “I believe that teamwork is the key to success in any organization. At my last job, I was working on a marketing campaign with two other colleagues. We were all busy with our own projects, so we didn’t get much done during the day. One night, however, we decided to meet up at the office after hours to brainstorm ideas. After about three hours of talking through different concepts, we had several solid ideas for our campaign.”

15. What are some things you would like to improve on in yourself?

This question is a great way to show your self-awareness and willingness to improve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something you’ve already worked on or are currently working on.

Example: “I would like to continue improving my communication skills. I have been taking an online course in public speaking, which has helped me become more comfortable with presenting information to large groups of people. I also think that I could work on being less anxious when giving presentations. I am actively practicing deep breathing exercises before each presentation.”

16. When was the last time you went above and beyond for a client?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond for clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you went out of your way to provide excellent service or support to a client.

Example: “When I was working as an accountant at my previous company, we had a client who was having some issues with their financial statements. They were getting ready to submit them to the IRS, so they needed them completed right away. I stayed late every night for two weeks until I got all of the numbers entered correctly. The client ended up submitting their financials on time, which helped them avoid any penalties.”

17. If a patient told you they were suicidal, how would you approach the situation?

This question is a behavioral one that tests your ability to handle difficult situations. It also shows the interviewer how you prioritize patient care and safety. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the patient’s safety while still providing them with quality care.

Example: “If a patient told me they were suicidal, I would first make sure they are safe by asking them if they have access to any weapons or harmful substances. Then, I would call for backup from other medical professionals in the area who could help provide support. After ensuring their safety, I would listen to them and try to understand why they feel this way. I would then refer them to mental health resources in the community.”

18. Can you tell us a little bit about your clinical experience?

Ascension is a large health system that operates hospitals, outpatient centers and other facilities. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your clinical experience and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or experiences you have that relate to the job description.

Example: “I’ve worked as an emergency room nurse for five years now. In my current role, I work with patients of all ages who are experiencing various medical conditions. I am comfortable working in fast-paced environments where there’s always something new to learn. My previous employer also required me to complete continuing education courses every year to maintain my certification.”

19. What makes you want to work here?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the position and company. It also gives you an opportunity to highlight any research you’ve done on Ascension, its mission or recent news about the organization.

Example: “I’m drawn to this role because of my passion for working with patients. I love being able to help people feel better and get back to their daily lives. I know that Ascension has a reputation for providing excellent care, so I would be honored to work here.”

20. How would you respond if a family member asked you questions about their loved ones health condition?

This question is designed to test your communication skills and ability to work with patients. It also shows the interviewer how you would respond in a stressful situation.

Example: “I would first ask them what questions they have about their loved one’s health condition, then I would explain it as clearly as possible. If they still had questions after that, I would offer to meet with them at another time so we could go over everything again.”