20 Catholic Health Interview Questions and Answers

Catholic Health is a not-for-profit health care system that serves the needs of the communities on Long Island, New York. With over 100 locations, Catholic Health is one of the largest employers on Long Island.

The interview process for Catholic Health is competitive, so you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions. In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample Catholic Health interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Catholic Health Interview Process

The interview process at Catholic Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, one with a recruiter and one with the hiring manager. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically around two weeks.

Some positions may require additional interviews, such as with a panel of managers or a physician assistant. The difficulty of the interviews will also vary depending on the position, but all interviews will likely include questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. Overall, the interview process at Catholic Health is generally positive, though some applicants may find it to be too long or challenging.

1. Are you comfortable working with patients of all ages?

Catholic health facilities often treat patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. The interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable working with people of different backgrounds and age groups. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have caring for a variety of patients.

Example: “I’ve worked in pediatric hospitals before, so I’m very familiar with treating children. However, I also enjoy caring for older patients because they are usually more appreciative of our work. In my last position, I had an elderly patient who was struggling to get out of bed. When I asked her how she was feeling, she told me that she felt like a new person after receiving treatment at the hospital. Hearing stories like this always remind me why I chose this career.”

2. What do you think is the most important quality for a nurse to have?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your values and beliefs as they relate to nursing. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example from your experience that demonstrates this quality.

Example: “I believe the most important quality for a nurse to have is empathy. In my experience, I’ve seen nurses who are empathetic with their patients and families make a huge difference in how well they care for them. For instance, when I worked at a hospital where many of our patients were elderly, I saw one nurse who was very empathetic with her patients. She would always take time to talk to them and ask them questions about themselves. As a result, she had a lot of positive interactions with her patients and made them feel comfortable.”

3. How would you handle a patient that was being difficult or rude?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenging patients. It’s important to show that you have good conflict resolution skills and are able to maintain a positive attitude when working with difficult people.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they were being rude or difficult, as sometimes it could be due to their illness or pain. If I couldn’t figure out what was causing their behavior, I would ask them politely if there is anything I can do to make their experience better. If they continue to be rude, I would take notes on the situation so that I can report it to my manager.”

4. Tell me about your experience in the health care field.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to their organization. When answering this question, be sure to highlight any experience that you have in healthcare or other related fields.

Example: “I’ve been working as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital for five years now. I started out as an emergency room nurse but moved into my current position as a pediatric nurse two years ago. In both positions, I’ve learned so much about caring for patients of all ages and backgrounds. My experiences have helped me develop skills like communication and problem-solving.”

5. Why did you choose to become a nurse?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the nursing profession. It also allows you to share some of your personal experiences and how they led you to this career path. When answering, it can be helpful to include an example from your own life that helped you realize you wanted to become a nurse.

Example: “Ever since I was young, I have always been interested in helping others. My mother worked as a nurse at a local hospital, so I would often visit her at work. She would let me help with patients, which made me feel like I was making a difference. As I got older, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. I enrolled in a two-year associate degree program where I learned all about the medical field.”

6. Do you have any certifications?

Catholic health facilities may require their nurses to have certifications in certain areas. Employers ask this question to make sure you meet the requirements of the facility. Before your interview, research what certifications are required for the position. If you do not have any certifications, explain why you don’t and how you plan on getting them.

Example: “I am currently working toward my certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I’ve been working as a CNA for two years now, so I should be able to complete it by the time I start work here. I also have an Associate’s Degree in nursing from St. Mary’s College.”

7. Describe how you prioritize tasks, what comes first?

Catholic health facilities often have a lot of tasks to complete in a day. The interviewer wants to know how you would prioritize your tasks and ensure that you get them all done on time. Use examples from past experiences where you had multiple projects or assignments due at the same time.

Example: “I always start with my most important task for the day, which is usually whatever I can get done first. Then I move onto the next most important task, and so on until I’ve completed everything I need to do that day. This helps me stay focused and ensures that I don’t forget any important tasks.”

8. Have you ever had a conflict with another team member? How did you resolve it?

Catholic health systems are large organizations with many different departments. It’s likely that you’ll work with other team members, and your interviewer wants to know how you resolve conflicts. Use this question as an opportunity to show the interviewer that you’re a problem solver who can collaborate with others.

Example: “I once had a conflict with another nurse on my floor. We disagreed about which patient should receive care first. I asked her if we could talk in private so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. She agreed, and I told her that I valued her opinion and wanted to hear what she had to say. After listening to her concerns, I realized that I hadn’t fully explained why I made the decision I did. I apologized for not being more clear and promised to do better next time.”

9. Give an example of a time when you were under pressure and needed to meet a deadline.

Catholic health facilities often have a lot of patients to see, and the interviewer wants to know how you handle pressure. Use your answer to show that you can work under pressure while still maintaining quality results.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, we had a patient who came in with chest pains. We did all the necessary tests and determined he needed surgery right away. The surgeon on call wasn’t available, so I stepped up and performed the surgery myself. It was challenging because it was my first time performing the procedure, but I stayed calm and focused and successfully completed the surgery.”

10. Catholic Health emphasizes teamwork, describe a time where you worked well on a team.

Catholic health facilities often have a team of medical professionals working together to provide the best care for their patients. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how important teamwork is in this role and that you can contribute positively to it. In your answer, explain what made you successful on your team. Share an example of how you helped your teammates succeed as well.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about healthcare, so I decided to pursue a career in nursing. During my education, I learned that teamwork is essential to providing quality patient care. When I was in school, I worked with a group of other students to create a new treatment plan for a patient who had experienced complications during surgery. We all contributed our ideas and feedback to come up with a solution that would help the patient recover.”

11. How many years of nursing experience do you have?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to Catholic health. If you have experience in this field, share what that was like. If you don’t have any nursing experience, consider sharing other relevant work experiences.

Example: “I’ve been a nurse for five years now. I started out as an emergency room nurse before moving into my current position at St. Mary’s Hospital.”

12. How long have you been certified as a CNA?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience level. If you are new to the field, it’s important to highlight any other relevant certifications or training that make you qualified for this role.

Example: “I have been certified as a CNA since 2016. I started working in healthcare right after high school and decided to pursue my certification shortly after starting work. I took an online course and passed with flying colors. Since then, I’ve taken several continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on the latest practices.”

13. What do you enjoy about working with children?

Catholic health facilities often work with children, so interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with kids. If you don’t have any experience working with children, consider what you enjoy about being around them and how that might translate into your work as a nurse in a Catholic facility.

Example: “I love working with children because they are so honest and genuine. I find it rewarding to help them feel better when they’re sick or scared. When I was a camp counselor, I would always try to make sure the kids were having fun while learning new things. I think those skills can be helpful for my work as a pediatric nurse.”

14. Can you tell us about a time where you had to deal with a difficult parent?

As a nurse, you may have to interact with parents who are concerned about their child’s health. Parents can sometimes be demanding or emotional when it comes to their children, so interviewers want to know how you handle these situations. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm and compassionate in these types of interactions.

Example: “I once had a parent call me at home after hours because they were upset about the medicine I gave their child. They said it wasn’t working, but I explained to them that we needed to give it more time before deciding if it was effective. The next day, the child seemed better, and the parent apologized for calling me. I told them that I understood they were just worried about their child and assured them that I would always do my best to help.”

15. How comfortable are you with using technology such as iPads, smartphones and computers?

Catholic health facilities often use technology to help patients and staff communicate more efficiently. The interviewer may ask this question to learn how comfortable you are using these devices, as well as how familiar you are with the specific systems they use in their facility. To answer this question effectively, make sure to mention any experience you have using these technologies and highlight your ability to quickly learn new programs or apps.

Example: “I am very comfortable using technology such as iPads, smartphones and computers. In my last role, I was responsible for maintaining our hospital’s patient portal system, which required me to regularly update software and troubleshoot issues. I also used a variety of different communication apps on a daily basis to check in with staff members and provide updates.”

16. Do you have experience working in a fast-paced environment?

Catholic health facilities often have a lot of patients to see in a day, so employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the fast pace. In your answer, explain how you stay organized and prioritize tasks when working quickly.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I worked with two other nurses who were also nurse practitioners. We had a lot of patients to see each day, but we made it work by dividing up our duties. One nurse would check on patients while the other two saw new patients. Then, they switched roles. This allowed us to get through all of our patients without overworking ourselves.”

17. What do you know about autism?

Catholic health care facilities often work with patients who have autism. The interviewer wants to know if you are familiar with the condition and how you would help a patient with autism. Use your answer to highlight any experience you’ve had working with autistic patients in the past.

Example: “I worked at an outpatient clinic that specialized in treating children with autism. I helped develop some of our treatment plans for these patients, which included behavioral therapy and medication management. Autism is a complex disorder, so it’s important to find a balance between medications and therapies to treat symptoms effectively.”

18. What made you want to work at Catholic Health?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are passionate about working at Catholic Health. Use your answer to share what attracted you to this role, how your personal values align with those of Catholic Health and any other reasons that make you excited to work for this company.

Example: “I wanted to work at Catholic Health because I am a practicing Catholic myself, and I believe in the mission of this organization. I also think it’s important to support organizations that put people first and provide excellent care to their patients. In my last job, I worked as an administrative assistant, and I found that I really enjoyed helping others. Working here would allow me to continue doing that while also gaining valuable experience.”

19. Do you have experience dealing with insurance companies and billing issues?

Catholic health facilities often work with insurance companies to ensure patients receive the care they need. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with these types of organizations and how you can help them save money for their facility. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or experiences that will benefit this role.

Example: “I worked at a small hospital where we had to deal with multiple insurance companies, which was challenging. However, I learned how to navigate through the system and find ways to reduce our costs. For example, I found a way to get one patient’s bill reduced by $1,000 simply by calling the billing department and asking about different options.”

20. What computer programs are you proficient in?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the computer programs they use at their facility. If you don’t, it’s okay to say so and explain that you’re willing to learn new ones. You can also mention any other relevant skills you have in using computers.

Example: “I’m proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I’ve used these programs for my past three jobs, so I feel comfortable using them. I also know how to use Google Drive, Dropbox and Trello.”