20 Cone Health Interview Questions and Answers

Cone Health is a not-for-profit network of health care providers serving people in Guilford, Forsyth, Rockingham and surrounding counties. They are committed to providing the highest quality care possible to their patients.

When interviewing for a position at Cone Health, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skills, and your knowledge of the health care industry. You may also be asked questions specific to Cone Health, such as their mission and values.

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with the company and their values will help you impress the interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job.

Cone Health Interview Process

The interview process at Cone Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, you may only have one interview, while for others you may have multiple interviews. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but generally it is a fairly lengthy process.

One common element of the interview process at Cone Health is shadowing. This allows perspective employees to get a better sense of what the job would be like and whether or not it is a good fit for them.

Overall, the interview process at Cone Health is generally positive. However, some applicants have found it to be unprofessional and disrespectful.

1. How would you handle a difficult patient?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving abilities and communication skills.

Example: “I have had a few patients who were unhappy with their care or the wait time in the emergency room. I always make sure to listen to what they are saying and address any concerns they may have. If there is something that we can improve upon, I will let them know about it so that they feel heard. I also offer solutions on how we can resolve the issue.”

2. What is your experience working in a team environment?

Teamwork is an important skill to have when working in a hospital setting. Employers ask this question to make sure you are able to work well with others and understand the importance of teamwork. In your answer, explain how you feel about teamwork and what steps you take to ensure you’re contributing positively to your team.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed working in a team environment. I find that it’s more efficient than working alone because we can all share our different experiences and perspectives. When working on projects, I try to be as helpful as possible to my teammates. I am always willing to lend a hand or give advice if someone needs it.”

3. Give an example of when you had to overcome adversity at work and how did you do it.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can overcome challenges. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to solve the issue and what you learned from it.

Example: “In my previous role as an administrative assistant, I had to work with several different managers who all had their own unique processes for completing tasks. This made it difficult to learn everyone’s process and complete my daily tasks on time. After talking with my manager about the situation, we decided that I would create a task management system that could be used by all of our team members.”

4. Can you describe a time where you were able to improve the process of something at work?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work as part of a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when you were able to improve the process of something at your current or previous job.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project with another employee who had a different method of doing things than me. We both wanted to complete our tasks in a timely manner but also make sure we did them correctly. After talking through our methods, we realized that combining our processes would help us get more done in less time. This led to an increase in productivity for both of us.”

5. Tell me about a time where there was conflict with one of your coworkers, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you had to resolve conflict with a coworker or supervisor and how you did so successfully.

Example: “In my previous role as an ER nurse, I worked alongside several different doctors who all had their own unique styles of working. One day, one of the doctors was in a rush and forgot to give me instructions on what he wanted done for a patient before leaving. I calmly approached him after his shift ended and asked if he could tell me what he would like done for the patient. He apologized and told me exactly what he wanted.”

6. Are you comfortable providing care for patients that are experiencing mental illness or addiction?

Cone Health provides a variety of services, including mental health and addiction treatment. The interviewer wants to make sure you are comfortable working with these patients and that you have the necessary skills to provide them with quality care.

Example: “I am very comfortable treating patients who are experiencing mental illness or addiction. I worked in an emergency room for two years where I treated many people who were struggling with substance abuse or mental illness. Many of my patients had experienced trauma, so I also learned how to treat patients who were suffering from PTSD.”

7. Do you have any recent examples of times where you went above and beyond for a patient?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for patients and their families. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example from your previous job or one that you have done in the past.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse at Guilford Memorial Hospital, I had a patient who was very anxious about her upcoming surgery. She asked me if she could meet with me before her procedure so we could talk through any questions or concerns she had. I agreed to meet with her and spent over an hour talking with her about her upcoming surgery and recovery. The day of her surgery, she thanked me profusely for taking the time to speak with her and said it helped ease her anxiety.”

8. Why do you want to work at Cone Health?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the position and the organization. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Cone Health that you admire or something about the company’s mission that resonates with you.

Example: “I want to work at Cone Health because I am passionate about providing quality care for people who need it most. In my research on this hospital system, I learned that Cone Health has a reputation for being one of the best hospitals in North Carolina. I would love to be part of a team that provides excellent patient care.”

9. Are you willing to work overtime if needed?

Working overtime is a common part of the nursing profession. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re willing to work extra hours when needed. In your answer, explain that you are committed to doing whatever it takes to help patients and their families.

Example: “I am happy to work overtime if necessary. I know how important it is for nurses to be available around the clock. If there’s ever an emergency or someone needs care outside of normal business hours, I will always be ready to step in and do my best.”

10. Describe what makes you passionate about nursing.

Passion is an important quality for any nurse to have. It’s what drives them to do their best work and helps them develop a strong relationship with patients. When you answer this question, try to explain why nursing is the right career choice for you.

Example: “I chose to become a nurse because I want to help people feel better. I love being able to provide comfort and support to my patients and make sure they’re getting the care they need. I also enjoy learning about new medical procedures and treatments that can improve patient outcomes.”

11. We rely on teamwork here at Cone Health. Give us an example of how you work as part of a team.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in any workplace, and Cone Health wants to make sure you can work well with others. When answering this question, think of a time when you worked as part of a team to complete a project or goal.

Example: “In my previous role, I was working on a marketing campaign for our hospital’s new pediatric wing. My team and I were tasked with creating a social media campaign that would reach parents who are looking for the best hospitals to take their children to. We all had different ideas about what we should do, but we used teamwork to come up with a plan that everyone agreed upon.”

12. Do you feel comfortable learning medical technology on the job?

Cone Health is a large network of medical professionals, and they want to make sure that you are willing to learn new things on the job. They also want to know if you have any experience with their specific technology or procedures.

Example: “I am always open to learning new things in my career. I understand that every facility has its own unique processes and systems. I would be happy to take some time to familiarize myself with your technology and procedures before starting work.”

13. How much experience do you have being involved in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care?

Cone Health is a large network of health care providers, and they want to know that you are comfortable working with other medical professionals. Your answer should show your willingness to collaborate with others in the healthcare field.

Example: “I have worked at my current hospital for five years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to work together as a team. In fact, I think this approach has led to better patient outcomes because we can all offer different perspectives on each case. I am always willing to listen to what others have to say and learn from their expertise.”

14. What do you enjoy most about nursing?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the nursing profession. When answering, it can be helpful to think about a specific moment or experience that made you fall in love with being a nurse.

Example: “I enjoy helping people feel better and get back to their daily lives. I remember one patient who was recovering from surgery and feeling quite ill. She told me she had been feeling so much better since coming into the hospital but was worried because her symptoms were returning. After talking through her concerns, we determined that she needed more medication to help manage her pain. By the next day, she felt significantly better and was able to go home.”

15. Are you available to work weekends/nights?

Cone Health offers a variety of shifts, including nights and weekends. Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for these types of hours. Before your interview, check the job description to see if it lists any specific requirements. If there aren’t any listed, consider asking about availability during your conversation.

Example: “I am happy to work whatever shift is needed. I understand that some positions require weekend or night work. However, I would like to let you know that I have young children at home. I am only able to work certain days and times.”

16. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information required.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have the ability to think critically. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of when you had to make a decision without all the information and how your decision-making process helped you arrive at a solution.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse in the emergency room, we would often treat patients who were unable to communicate their symptoms to us. In these situations, I would use my critical thinking skills to assess the patient’s condition and determine what could be causing their illness based on their symptoms. This skill has helped me save many lives during my career.”

17. If you could change anything about the healthcare industry, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to determine how passionate you are about the healthcare industry and what changes you would make if given the opportunity. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that you would change or an aspect of the industry that you would like to see improved.

Example: “If I could change anything about the healthcare industry, I would focus on improving patient care by increasing communication between doctors and nurses. In my experience, there are many instances where doctors do not communicate with their nurses in a timely manner, which can lead to misdiagnoses and other issues. If I were able to improve communication between these professionals, I think patients would receive better care.”

18. How would you handle a situation where a coworker made an error and you felt they should be punished?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you’re willing to hold others accountable for their mistakes. When answering, it’s important to be honest about your willingness to punish a coworker and show that you value the importance of accountability in the workplace.

Example: “I would first try to speak with them privately about the mistake they made and give them the opportunity to explain themselves. If I felt like they were being dishonest or if they didn’t seem remorseful, I would report the incident to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action.”

19. How would you react if you saw a fellow nurse violating protocol?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your ability to work with others. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork and collaboration.

Example: “I would first approach the nurse privately to discuss my concerns. If I felt they were not receptive to feedback or continued to violate protocol, I would report them to my manager so they could take appropriate action. As a team member of Cone Health, it is important to me that we maintain our reputation as an excellent health care provider.”

20. Have you ever been involved in a code blue situation? How did you respond?

A code blue is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to respond to an emergency situation and how you would react in such a scenario.

Example: “I have been involved in two code blue situations during my time as a nurse. In both cases, I responded by immediately checking on the patient’s vital signs and ensuring that all staff members were aware of the situation. We then worked together to stabilize the patient until they could be transported to the hospital.”