17 Oncology Infusion Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Oncology infusion nurses are responsible for the care of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy and other treatments intravenously. They work in hospitals, infusion clinics, and doctor’s offices.

If you’re interviewing for an oncology infusion nurse position, you can expect questions about your experience, your knowledge of oncology treatments, and your ability to provide compassionate care to cancer patients. You may also be asked about your ability to handle difficult patients and manage stressful situations.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve gathered some common questions and answers that oncology infusion nurses are typically asked.

Are you certified in administering chemotherapy?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have the necessary certification for administering chemotherapy. If you are not certified, explain what steps you took to become certified and when you plan on taking your exam.

Example: “I am currently working toward my certification in administering chemotherapy. I started the process of becoming certified two years ago and plan to take my exam next month. In order to prepare for the exam, I’ve been reading up on the latest information regarding administering chemotherapy and practicing with a colleague who is already certified.”

What are some of the most important skills for an oncology nurse?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they apply to working as an oncology nurse.

Example: “The most important skill for an oncology nurse is compassion. It’s essential that we are empathetic toward our patients and their families. Another important skill is communication. We need to be able to clearly explain treatment plans to patients and their loved ones so everyone understands what to expect. Finally, I think critical thinking is important because it allows us to make quick decisions when needed.”

How would you comfort a patient who is feeling anxious or afraid about their cancer treatment?

Oncology nurses often work with patients who are facing serious health issues. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the interpersonal skills necessary to comfort anxious or fearful patients and help them feel more at ease. In your answer, share a specific example of how you helped an anxious patient in the past.

Example: “When I worked as an oncology nurse, I once had a patient who was very nervous about their upcoming chemotherapy treatment. They were worried that they would be sick for weeks after the treatment and wouldn’t be able to go to work. I talked to them about ways we could reduce side effects from the treatment and reassured them that most people only experience mild nausea during the first few days of treatment. After our conversation, they felt much better and even looked forward to starting treatment.”

What is your process for documenting patient care and communicating updates to other medical professionals?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you organize your work and communicate with others. Use your answer to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to collaborate with other medical professionals.

Example: “I use a patient care software program that allows me to document my notes in real time as I provide infusion services. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t miss any important information about the patient’s condition or treatment plan. When I have an update on a patient’s status, I can enter it into the system so that other medical professionals can see it. For example, if I notice a change in vital signs or symptoms, I can immediately alert the physician.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a patient manage pain during their treatment.

Oncology infusion nurses often work with patients who are experiencing pain. Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience working with these types of patients and how you can help them manage their pain during treatment. In your answer, try to describe a specific situation in which you helped a patient manage their pain.

Example: “When I worked as an oncology nurse at a hospital, I had a patient who was receiving chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. She told me that she experienced severe nausea after her first round of chemotherapy. I spoke with the doctor about her symptoms and he prescribed her some medication to help with her nausea. After taking the medication, she reported that she felt much better.”

If a patient’s condition suddenly worsened, how would you adjust your care plan to ensure their safety?

This question is an opportunity to demonstrate your critical thinking skills and ability to adapt. It’s important for healthcare professionals to be able to adjust their care plans in the event of a patient emergency, so it’s beneficial to show that you have experience doing this.

Example: “If I noticed a sudden change in a patient’s condition, I would first assess what happened and if there was anything I could do to reverse the situation. If not, I would immediately call my supervisor or other medical staff members to help me stabilize the patient. In some cases, we may need to transfer the patient to another facility with more advanced equipment.”

What would you do if you noticed another oncology nurse making a mistake during a treatment?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to communicate. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you noticed a mistake and helped the nurse correct it or communicated the mistake to another nurse so they could help.

Example: “When I was working in my previous hospital, I noticed one of my colleagues administering chemotherapy incorrectly. She had given the patient too much medication, which would have been harmful if administered for longer than the treatment session. I quietly informed her that she needed to administer the rest of the medication at a lower dosage. She did so, and we reported the incident to our supervisor so they could ensure all patients were receiving safe treatments.”

How well do you work with patients who are going through a difficult time?

Oncology infusion nurses often work with patients who are going through a difficult time. The interviewer wants to know how you can help them feel comfortable and supported during their treatment. Use examples from your experience that show you have empathy, patience and compassion for others.

Example: “I find it important to make sure my patients understand what they’re experiencing and why. I try to answer all of their questions as thoroughly as possible so they feel more confident in the process. When working with patients who are going through a difficult time, I also like to use humor when appropriate. It’s amazing how laughter can change someone’s mood and outlook on life.”

Do you have experience working with patients who speak a different language?

If the hospital you’re interviewing for has a large population of patients who speak a different language, employers may ask this question to make sure you have experience working with non-English speakers. In your answer, explain how you’ve worked with non-English speaking patients in the past and what strategies you used to communicate with them.

Example: “I do have some experience working with patients who don’t speak English. At my previous job, I had a patient who spoke Spanish as their primary language. To communicate with them, I used an online translator app on my phone so that I could understand what they were saying. I also made sure to write down everything I said to them so they could read it later.”

When is it appropriate to ask a patient about their religious or spiritual beliefs?

Oncology nurses often work with patients who have strong religious or spiritual beliefs. It’s important to be sensitive to these values and ensure that you’re not imposing your own views on a patient. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would handle the situation if faced with it in real life.

Example: “I think it is always appropriate to ask about a patient’s religious or spiritual beliefs because it helps me better understand their perspective and what they are hoping for during treatment. For instance, I once worked with a patient who was very devoutly Christian. She told me she believed God had a plan for her and that everything would turn out okay. While I didn’t share her faith, I did my best to respect her wishes and make sure she felt comfortable talking to me about anything.”

We want to improve our communication with patients and their families. How would you approach this goal?

This question can help the interviewer evaluate your communication skills and how you plan to improve a process or procedure. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped implement changes that improved patient care, such as implementing new technology or creating an educational program for patients and their families.

Example: “I would first assess what information is missing from our current communication methods with patients and their families. I would then create a list of possible solutions to address these issues. For example, in my last role, we had many patients who were unable to attend their scheduled chemotherapy sessions because they forgot about them. We decided to use text message reminders to communicate upcoming appointments to patients so they could remember their schedules.”

Describe your process for preparing a treatment area for a new patient.

This question can help the interviewer understand your attention to detail and how you prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous experiences to describe what steps you take when preparing for a new patient, including any specific tools or techniques you use to ensure everything is ready before the infusion begins.

Example: “I always start by making sure all of my supplies are organized and within easy reach. I also make sure that the treatment area is clean and free of clutter so the patient feels comfortable during their session. Finally, I check with the doctor to see if there are any special instructions they need me to follow.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your soft skills such as communication and teamwork abilities along with any specific medical training or certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others through my work, which is why I became an infusion nurse in the first place. Throughout my career, I’ve developed strong communication and problem-solving skills while working with patients who are going through difficult times. My experience has also given me valuable insight into what nurses need to do to provide better care for patients.”

Which oncology treatments have you administered in the past?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how you might fit into their team. If you have previous experience administering oncology treatments, describe what kind of treatment it was and why you enjoyed working with that type of patient.

Example: “In my last position as an infusion nurse, I administered chemotherapy to patients who were undergoing cancer treatment. I really enjoy working with this population because they are so dedicated to their health and wellness. They’re always willing to try new things and work hard to get better. It’s rewarding to see them overcome obstacles and achieve remission.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an oncology nurse?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of what your experience has been as an oncology nurse. It also helps them determine if you have any challenges that might affect your ability to perform well in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the job and how you overcame or managed the challenge.

Example: “The most challenging part of being an oncology nurse is when patients are going through treatment and they’re not feeling well. I find that having empathy for their situation and providing support and encouragement can make a big difference in helping them feel better. In my last position, I had a patient who was struggling with nausea during chemotherapy. I helped her create a list of things she could do to help manage the nausea so she could focus on getting through treatment.”

How often do you perform check-ins with patients who are waiting for their treatment to begin?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how often you interact with patients and their families. This can be an important part of the job, as it allows you to answer any questions they might have about their treatment plan or schedule. In your response, try to emphasize that you enjoy interacting with patients and their loved ones.

Example: “I always perform check-ins with my patients before I start their infusion treatments. During these check-ins, I make sure that they are comfortable and ready for their treatment. I also review their medical history and treatment plan with them so that we’re all on the same page. I find that performing these check-ins helps me build a strong rapport with my patients and their families.”

There is a patient who is refusing to complete their treatment. How do you handle this situation?

Oncology nurses often work with patients who are experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety. These feelings can sometimes lead to them refusing treatment, which is why this question is important for employers to ask. They want to make sure you have the skills necessary to help these patients overcome their fears and complete their treatments. In your answer, explain how you would approach this situation and what steps you would take to ensure the patient completes their treatment.

Example: “I understand that it can be difficult for patients to continue their treatment when they’re feeling anxious or stressed. I would first try to calm the patient down by speaking calmly and reassuringly. Then, I would listen carefully to what they were saying and empathize with their concerns. Finally, I would discuss the importance of completing their treatment and offer to find ways to make the process easier.”