17 Occupational Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Occupational nurses play an important role in the workplace by helping employees stay healthy and safe. They work in a variety of settings, including factories, construction sites, and offices. To become an occupational nurse, you need to have a strong nursing background and knowledge of workplace health and safety.

If you’re looking for a job as an occupational nurse, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your nursing experience and your knowledge of workplace health and safety. You’ll also need to be able to articulate why you want to be an occupational nurse.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of questions and answers that you may be asked.

Are you certified as an occupational nurse?

Certification is an important part of the occupational nursing field. Employers ask this question to make sure you are certified and what your certification entails. If you are not certified, explain why you have chosen not to pursue certification. If you are certified, share the name of your certification and what it means to be certified in that role.

Example: “I am currently pursuing my certification as a Certified Occupational Nurse through the American Nurses Association. This certification requires me to complete 1,500 hours of work experience as an occupational nurse and pass two exams. I plan on taking these exams later this year.”

What are the most common types of injuries or illnesses that you treat as an occupational nurse?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your experience and knowledge of occupational nursing. It also helps them determine if you have any experience treating patients in their facility or industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few common injuries or illnesses that you treat regularly and how you would handle each one.

Example: “The most common types of injuries I see as an occupational nurse are carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and back pain. These conditions often occur due to repetitive motions at work. As an occupational nurse, my job is to assess the patient’s condition, create a treatment plan with the doctor and monitor the patient’s progress throughout their recovery.”

How would you help a patient learn how to use a new prosthetic limb or other device?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your teaching skills. Use examples from previous experience where you helped patients learn how to use new devices or tools and the positive outcomes of those experiences.

Example: “When I worked with my last patient who had recently received a prosthetic limb, we practiced using it in different situations so he could get used to it before leaving the hospital. We also discussed ways he could continue practicing at home, such as by walking on uneven surfaces or stairs. He was able to leave the hospital after only two weeks because he already knew how to use his new limb.”

What is the most challenging situation you’ve faced as an occupational nurse and how did you resolve it?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to describe a situation that you overcame or how you helped another nurse overcome a challenge.

Example: “The most challenging situation I’ve faced as an occupational nurse was when one of my patients had a severe reaction to their medication. The patient experienced extreme pain in their hands and feet, which made it difficult for them to move around. As a team, we decided to administer a sedative so they could rest until the medication wore off. After administering the sedative, we were able to reduce the dosage of the medication and avoid any further complications.”

Provide an example of a time you helped a patient learn how to perform ADLs on their own.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching skills and how you can help patients develop independence. Use examples from your previous experience where you helped a patient with ADLs, such as dressing or eating, and discuss the steps you took to teach them these skills.

Example: “When I first started working in my current role, I had a patient who was recovering from surgery that left him unable to dress himself. He would often call me over to help him put on his clothes, which made it difficult for him to practice doing it independently. So, I decided to spend some time each day helping him get dressed until he felt comfortable enough to do it on his own. After two weeks of practicing, he was able to perform all of his ADLs without any assistance.”

If a patient was struggling to perform ADLs, how would you determine the cause?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your diagnostic skills. They want to know how you apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to help patients overcome challenges. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to determine why a patient is struggling with ADLs. Try to show that you can use your knowledge of medical terminology to understand what each term means and how it relates to the situation.

Example: “I would first try to find out if they were having any pain or discomfort when performing their ADLs. If so, I would look for signs of muscle weakness, sensory loss or other physical impairments that could be causing them to struggle. I would also check for cognitive impairment by asking them questions about themselves and their surroundings. Finally, I would make sure they are able to communicate effectively with me.”

What would you do if a patient was struggling to adjust to a new job after an injury?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you can help patients with challenging situations. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to empathize with others and provide support when needed.

Example: “When a patient is struggling to adjust to a new job after an injury, I would first listen to their concerns and offer my support. If they are having trouble finding a new job or adjusting to the demands of their current job, I might suggest resources that could help them find a suitable position. For example, I worked with a patient who was injured in a car accident and had difficulty returning to work as a construction worker. We found a company that hired him as a forklift operator, which allowed him to return to work while still recovering from his injuries.”

How well do you communicate with patients who have limited speech capabilities?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you interact with patients who have limited speech capabilities. Use examples from past experiences where you used effective communication techniques to help these patients understand what you were saying, or how you helped them communicate their needs.

Example: “In my last role as an occupational nurse, I worked with a patient who had severe speech impediments. However, he was able to write down his thoughts on paper, so we communicated through writing notes back and forth. He would write something like ‘I’m in pain,’ and I would respond by asking him if the pain is constant or intermittent. This allowed us to effectively communicate despite his speech impediment.”

Do you have experience working with patients who have mental health issues?

Some patients may have mental health issues that affect their ability to recover from an illness. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with these types of patients and can provide them with the care they need. In your answer, explain how you would approach a patient who has a mental health issue. Share any specific experience you have in this area.

Example: “I’ve worked with many patients who have mental health issues. I find it helpful to be empathetic toward them while also remaining firm about what is expected of them during treatment. For example, I had a patient who suffered from depression. He was very open about his feelings and wanted to talk about them often. I listened to him when he needed someone to talk to but reminded him that we were there to focus on his physical health. This helped him understand that I cared for him as a person but also understood my role as a nurse.”

When performing occupational assessments, are there any particular factors you consider?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your decision-making process and how you apply it in the workplace. Your answer should include a specific example of an occupational assessment you performed, what factors you considered when performing it and the results of your assessment.

Example: “When performing occupational assessments, I consider the patient’s age, gender, medical history and current health status. For instance, during my last occupational assessment with a patient who was a 30-year-old male, I noticed that he had a history of back pain and was currently experiencing lower back pain. Based on these factors, I recommended that he avoid heavy lifting and bending for at least two weeks.”

We want to improve our occupational health services. What areas would you focus on?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can improve a company’s occupational health services. When answering this question, consider what areas are most important for improving occupational health services and describe them in detail.

Example: “I would focus on increasing communication between patients and their doctors. I find that many patients don’t understand why they need certain treatments or how long it will take before they see improvements. Doctors should be able to explain these things clearly so patients know what to expect. This could help reduce anxiety and increase compliance with treatment plans.”

Describe your process for documenting a patient’s occupational health history.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your organizational skills and attention to detail. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for documenting occupational health histories, including how you organize patient files and keep track of important information.

Example: “I start by asking the patient about their occupation and any injuries or illnesses they have had in the past. I then record all relevant information into an electronic database that allows me to search for specific terms. This helps me find previous records quickly when I need them later on.”

What makes you stand out from other occupational nurses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, think of a skill or quality that makes you unique from other applicants. Try to choose something that is relevant to the job description.

Example: “I am passionate about occupational therapy and helping others. I have been working toward my certification as an occupational therapist for the past five years. In addition to being certified, I also volunteer at a local hospital where I help patients with physical therapy exercises. This experience has helped me understand what it’s like to work in a busy environment.”

Which types of occupational therapy do you prefer to perform with your patients?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with different types of occupational therapy. You can answer this question by listing the specific types of occupational therapy you have performed in previous roles and explaining why you prefer them over others.

Example: “I enjoy working with patients who are recovering from strokes or brain injuries because I find it rewarding to see their progress as they learn how to perform daily tasks independently again. In my last role, I worked with a patient who had suffered a stroke that left her unable to speak clearly. After several weeks of occupational therapy, she was able to communicate effectively again.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of occupational nursing?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what occupational nursing entails. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss how your answer relates to your own experience as an occupational nurse.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of occupational nursing is helping patients regain their independence and quality of life after injury or illness. I love working with my patients to help them overcome challenges and achieve goals. In my last role, I worked with a patient who had suffered a stroke. She was unable to use her right arm at all, but she wanted to learn how to write again. With our hard work together, she eventually learned how to write legibly with her right hand.”

How often do you perform occupational assessments on your patients?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with occupational assessments. They want to know how often you perform these assessments and what types of assessments you typically do. Use your answer to highlight the specific types of occupational assessments that you have performed in the past, such as assessing a patient’s ability to complete daily tasks or their ability to use equipment.

Example: “In my previous role as an occupational nurse, I performed occupational assessments on patients at least once per week. These assessments included evaluating a patient’s ability to move around safely, whether they can use assistive devices like wheelchairs and if they can perform basic household chores. I also assessed patients’ abilities to use tools and equipment, such as computers and kitchen utensils.”

There is a new treatment for a disease that most of your patients have. How would you approach them about it?

This question is a great way to assess your communication skills and how you would approach patients about new treatments. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to take on challenges and help your patients understand their treatment options.

Example: “I would first explain what the disease is, its symptoms and why it’s important for them to know about this treatment. I would then tell them about the new treatment and how it can benefit them. If they have any questions, I would be sure to answer them as thoroughly as possible so they feel comfortable with the treatment.”