20 George Washington University Hospital Interview Questions and Answers

George Washington University Hospital is a world-renowned teaching hospital located in the heart of Washington, D.C. The hospital has more than 1,000 beds and is affiliated with George Washington University School of Medicine.

If you’re applying for a job at George Washington University Hospital, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of sample George Washington University Hospital interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

George Washington University Hospital Interview Process

The interview process at George Washington University Hospital can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require an initial screening with human resources, followed by an interview with the manager and supervisor. You may also be asked to shadow a unit before being hired. Drug testing and background checks are also standard procedures. The entire process can take up to a month.

1. Why do you want to work at George Washington University Hospital?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job that interest you or how your skills and experience align with the position’s requirements.

Example: “I want to work at George Washington University Hospital because I am passionate about providing quality healthcare to patients. In my previous role as a nurse, I saw firsthand how important it is to have an excellent team working together to provide care to those in need. I believe I would be a great addition to the hospital staff due to my ability to communicate effectively with others and my commitment to patient safety.”

2. What is your experience with patient care?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your experience with patient care and how you interact with patients. Use examples from previous work experiences or volunteer positions that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, empathize with patients and provide compassionate care.

Example: “I have extensive experience working in a hospital setting as well as volunteering at my local hospital. In both of these roles, I’ve learned how important it is to listen to patients and their families while providing them with information about their diagnosis and treatment options. I also understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality when discussing sensitive medical information.”

3. How would you describe your bedside manner?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have excellent communication skills and are empathetic toward patients. Use examples from your previous experience where you showed empathy, compassion or a positive attitude with patients.

Example: “I believe it’s important to make sure my patients feel comfortable and safe while they’re in the hospital. I always try to put myself in their shoes and understand what they may be feeling. For example, when I was working as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, there was a patient who had just learned she needed surgery for breast cancer. She was very nervous about her upcoming procedure but wanted to know more about how we could help her through this process. I took time to explain everything to her so she felt more confident.”

4. Describe a time when you had to deal with an upset family member of a patient.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle difficult situations and your ability to remain calm in stressful environments. In your answer, try to highlight your communication skills and empathy for others.

Example: “I once had a patient who was experiencing severe pain from their illness. The family member of the patient became upset with me because I could not give them any information about the patient’s condition or prognosis. I calmly explained that it is against hospital policy to discuss confidential medical information with anyone other than the patient themselves or their legal guardian. The family member understood my explanation and apologized for her behavior.”

5. Tell us about a time you were working under pressure and how you handled it.

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure and how you react to it. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your problem-solving skills and the steps you took to overcome the challenge.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse at my previous hospital, we were short on staff one night due to illness. This meant that there were only two nurses for the entire emergency room. We had several patients who needed immediate care, including one patient with a broken leg and another in labor. I knew that if we didn’t handle these situations quickly, they could become more serious. So, I asked the other nurse if she would mind taking care of the pregnant woman while I helped the patient with the broken leg. She agreed, and together we handled both situations successfully.”

6. Do you have any experience working in the emergency room?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a fast-paced environment. If you have worked in the emergency room before, share some of your experiences and how they prepared you for this role. If you haven’t worked in an emergency room before, consider sharing what you would do if faced with a similar situation.

Example: “I’ve never worked in the emergency room before, but I did work as a nurse at a hospital that had an urgent care center. The hospital was always busy, so we often had to prioritize patients based on their symptoms or injuries. This experience taught me how to handle a variety of situations and helped me develop my critical thinking skills.”

7. Do you think you are comfortable working on a busy floor?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. They want to make sure that you can handle the stress of working on a busy floor and still provide excellent customer service. In your answer, try to show that you enjoy working with many different people at once and have experience doing so.

Example: “I think I am very comfortable working on a busy floor. Throughout my career, I’ve worked as an ER nurse, where we had to care for multiple patients at once. I also volunteered at a hospital during college, which gave me valuable experience working on a busy floor.”

8. Can you tell us about a time where you experienced conflict with a coworker? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle interpersonal conflict and whether or not you’re able to resolve it. When answering this question, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the conflict rather than dwelling on the details of the conflict itself.

Example: “I once had a coworker who was constantly late for work. I tried talking with them about it several times but they didn’t seem interested in changing their behavior. Eventually, I spoke with our manager about the issue and we decided that my coworker would have to change their behavior or face disciplinary action. They agreed to change their ways and were much more punctual after that.”

9. Are you comfortable handling patients who may be aggressive or violent?

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle challenging patients. It’s important for healthcare professionals to be able to diffuse situations and keep their patients safe. In your answer, explain how you would approach this situation and what steps you would take to ensure the safety of yourself and other patients.

Example: “I have worked with aggressive or violent patients in the past, and I always make sure to remain calm and collected when they are acting out. I try to speak slowly and clearly so that they can understand me, and I also try to avoid making any sudden movements. If a patient becomes too aggressive, I will call security to help remove them from the premises.”

10. When was the last time that you worked as part of a team?

George Washington University Hospital is a large facility that offers many different services. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others in the workplace. To answer this question, think of a time when you worked on a team project or helped someone else complete their work.

Example: “At my current job, I am part of a team of nurses who help each other with patient care. For example, if one nurse needs help with a challenging patient, we all pitch in to assist them. We also have weekly meetings where we discuss our patients and any concerns we might have.”

11. What can you contribute to our hospital?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have done your research on the hospital and are eager to contribute. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific skills or experiences that you think will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I am passionate about patient care and would love to work with patients who need my support. I also feel like I could bring some new ideas to the table when it comes to improving patient satisfaction. In my previous position, I implemented a few strategies for increasing patient happiness, which led to an increase in overall patient satisfaction.”

12. What is your current level of nursing education?

George Washington University Hospital is a teaching hospital, so they may ask this question to see if you are qualified for their nursing program. If you have not yet graduated from an accredited nursing school, be honest about your current level of education and explain what steps you’re taking to complete your degree.

Example: “I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Western State University. I will graduate with my bachelor’s degree in May 2018, but I plan on continuing my education by enrolling in George Washington University’s Master of Science in Nursing program.”

13. Have you ever been involved in a situation where you had to make a life-changing decision for a patient, what happened?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can make tough decisions. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to come to a decision that benefited the patient.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, we had a patient who came in with severe abdominal pain. After examining him, we found out he had appendicitis. We told him that if he didn’t have his appendix removed, he could die. He said he couldn’t afford the surgery because he was uninsured.

I talked to my manager about what happened and they were able to find a surgeon who would do the surgery for free. The patient ended up doing well after the surgery.”

14. How would you explain a medical condition to a patient’s family members?

This question can help interviewers assess your communication skills and ability to explain medical conditions in a way that is easy for patients’ family members to understand. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would explain a specific condition to a patient’s family member or friend.

Example: “When explaining a medical condition to a patient’s family members, I find it important to use simple language and analogies to make the information easier to understand. For instance, if a patient had diabetes, I might explain that their body isn’t producing enough insulin to break down sugar properly. If they have high blood sugar levels, I might explain that it’s like having too much sugar in their bloodstream.”

15. Do you feel comfortable administering medications to patients?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your comfort level with administering medications. If you have experience doing this, describe how comfortable you are and what types of medications you’ve administered in the past. If you don’t have any experience, explain that you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I feel very comfortable administering medications to patients. In my last role as a registered nurse, I was responsible for administering all types of medications to patients. I’m familiar with different methods of administration, including oral, intravenous and subcutaneous injections.”

16. Would you be willing to take on additional responsibilities if needed?

This question is an opportunity to show your willingness to take on more responsibilities and help the team when needed. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time you took on additional work or responsibility in the past.

Example: “I am always willing to help out my team members if they need assistance. In fact, I have taken on extra responsibilities before at previous jobs. For example, at my last job, one of my coworkers was sick for two weeks. During that time, I covered their shifts and helped other nurses with patient care. It was challenging taking on those extra responsibilities, but I learned how to manage my time better.”

17. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are so that they can help you improve on any weaknesses. When answering this question, be sure to focus more on your strengths than your weaknesses.

Example: “I think my biggest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to lend a helping hand or offer advice when needed. Another strength of mine is my attention to detail. I have always been good at paying close attention to the small things, which has helped me succeed in previous roles.”

18. What kind of training have you received?

George Washington University Hospital is a teaching hospital, so they want to know that you have received training in your field. They are looking for candidates who can work with students and provide them with the best care possible. When answering this question, make sure to mention any certifications or special training you have.

Example: “I am certified in CPR and first aid through the American Red Cross. I also completed an online course on how to use medical equipment safely. In my previous position, I was able to shadow doctors and nurses during their rounds. This allowed me to learn more about the different departments of the hospital and what each department does.”

19. Do you have experience working with specific types of patients such as children, elderly, disabled, etc.?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working with a variety of patients and can adapt your skills and knowledge to meet their needs.

Example: “I worked at my previous hospital as a pediatric nurse, so I am very comfortable caring for children of all ages. In fact, I find it rewarding when I can help families feel more confident in their child’s care. However, I also understand that there are many different types of patients, so I am always willing to learn new techniques and approaches to care.”

20. What is your approach to dealing with difficult patients?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to handle challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a patient feel more comfortable or satisfied with their care.

Example: “I have had patients who were unhappy about the length of time they waited for treatment and others who felt like I didn’t spend enough time with them. In both cases, I try to listen carefully to what they’re saying and respond calmly. I also make sure to explain my reasoning clearly so that they understand why I’m handling their case a certain way. This helps me avoid conflict and shows them that I respect their concerns.”