17 Palliative Care Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Palliative care nurses are the unsung heroes of the medical profession. They provide comfort and support to patients and families who are living with a life-threatening illness. Palliative care nurses are experts in symptom management and helping patients and families make difficult decisions.

If you’re a registered nurse who is interested in a career in palliative care, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions in your interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with sample questions and answers that will help you shine in your interview and land the job you want.

Are you comfortable working with patients who are in a lot of pain?

Palliative care nurses often work with patients who are in a lot of pain. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the emotional intelligence and compassion necessary to provide excellent patient care. In your answer, explain that you understand how important it is to help these patients feel as comfortable as possible. Explain that you know there are many different ways to manage pain.

Example: “I am very empathetic, so I can relate to what these patients are going through. When I was working at my previous hospital, I had a patient who was experiencing a lot of pain. I asked her what she liked to do for fun when she wasn’t sick. She told me she loved to go fishing, so we talked about our favorite fishing spots. We spent the rest of her stay talking about all of our favorite things. It helped her feel more comfortable, and it made me realize that there are always new ways to approach situations.”

What are some of the most important skills for a palliative care nurse?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the role and what you consider important skills for a palliative care nurse. When answering, it can be helpful to mention some specific skills that are relevant to the position and how they help you perform your job well.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a palliative care nurse is empathy. It’s important to have an empathetic nature when working with patients who are often in pain or struggling with their health. Another skill I find useful is communication. In my experience, good communication between myself and other members of the healthcare team has helped us provide better care for our patients.”

How would you help a patient who is refusing treatment for their illness?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenging situations and whether you have experience with patients who are refusing treatment. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you can remain calm, compassionate and helpful even when a patient is not receptive to your care.

Example: “When I first started working in palliative care, I had a patient who was very ill but refused any treatment or medications. I spoke with him about his illness and what he wanted for his future. He told me that he just wanted to spend time with his family before he died. We worked together to create an end-of-life plan that included hospice care at home so he could be with his family as much as possible.”

What is your process for getting to know a new patient?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with patients. They want to know that you are a compassionate nurse who can connect with patients on an emotional level. In your answer, try to describe the steps you take when meeting new patients and what you do to make them feel comfortable.

Example: “When I first meet a patient, I introduce myself and shake their hand. Then, I sit down with them and listen to their concerns. I find out as much information as possible about their medical history so I can understand any previous treatments they have had. Afterward, I explain my role in their care and let them know that I am always available if they need anything.”

Provide an example of a time when you supported a patient through a difficult emotional or mental struggle.

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your interpersonal skills and how you interact with patients. Use examples from your experience as a palliative care nurse to highlight your ability to support others in need.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with a patient who was terminally ill. The patient’s family members were often present during their appointments, which made it difficult for me to have private conversations with the patient about their treatment plan or any concerns they had. One day, I noticed that the patient seemed particularly upset. When I asked if everything was okay, they told me that they felt overwhelmed by all of the people in the room. They wanted some time alone so they could process what we discussed at our last appointment.”

If a patient’s family members were upset with the care you provided, how would you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to handle conflict. In your answer, try to show that you can communicate effectively with patients’ families and respond to criticism in a calm manner.

Example: “If a patient’s family members were upset with the care I provided, I would first listen to their concerns and then explain my reasoning for making certain decisions. If they still disagreed with me, I would offer to have another member of the healthcare team speak with them about their concerns. I believe it is important to maintain open communication with patients’ families so they feel comfortable speaking up if they have any questions or concerns.”

What would you do if you noticed another nurse or doctor was making a patient uncomfortable?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team. In your answer, try to show that you value the opinions of others and are willing to compromise when necessary.

Example: “I would first talk with the nurse or doctor about their intentions for treating the patient in that way. If I felt they were being insensitive on purpose, I would report them to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action. However, if I thought it was an honest mistake, I would speak with the patient myself and apologize on behalf of the medical professional. Then, I would help the patient understand what the healthcare provider meant by their actions.”

How well do you handle stress?

Working in palliative care can be stressful, especially when you’re caring for a patient who is suffering. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the emotional intelligence and stress management skills needed to work in their department. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and give an example of a time when you were able to overcome a stressful situation.

Example: “I am very good at managing stress. I practice meditation every morning before work, which helps me stay calm throughout my day. When working with patients who are experiencing pain or discomfort, it’s important to remain calm so that we can provide them with the best possible care. During my last rotation, I had a patient who was having trouble sleeping due to her pain. I helped her find ways to relax and get comfortable, which allowed us to focus on other aspects of her treatment plan.”

Do you have experience administering medications?

Palliative care nurses often administer medications to patients. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with this task and how comfortable you are doing it. If you do not have direct experience, consider describing a time when you helped someone else administer medication or assisted in administering medication.

Example: “I have extensive experience administering medications to patients. In my last role as a palliative care nurse, I administered all of the patient’s medications. However, I also worked closely with other members of the healthcare team who administered medications to ensure that we were all on the same page regarding the patient’s treatment plan.”

When is it appropriate to ask a patient or their family members for their end-of-life wishes?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the importance of discussing end-of-life wishes with patients and their families. In your answer, explain that it’s important to discuss these wishes as early in the patient’s treatment plan as possible so they can be prepared for any changes in their health or quality of life.

Example: “I believe it is essential to have a conversation about end-of-life wishes as soon as I start caring for a new patient. This allows me to get to know my patients better and learn more about what matters most to them. It also gives me time to build trust with them and their family members so they feel comfortable sharing their preferences when the time comes.”

We want to improve our communication with patients and their families. Tell me about a strategy you would use to do that.

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific strategy you used in the past that helped improve communication or how you would implement a new system for improving communication.

Example: “I think one of the most important aspects of palliative care is building strong relationships with patients and their families. I have found that regular meetings are a great way to ensure everyone’s needs are met. For example, when I worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, I noticed that some family members were feeling left out of the patient’s treatment plan. So, I started weekly family meetings where we discussed what was happening with the patient and how they could help.”

Describe your process for documenting a patient’s care.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your organizational skills and attention to detail. Use examples from previous experiences to explain how you keep track of important information about patients, including their medical history, treatment plans and other details that help you provide quality care.

Example: “I use a patient management system to document all the relevant information I need for each patient. This allows me to access my notes at any time so I can refer back to them when needed. It also helps me stay organized by keeping all of my records in one place. In my last role, I used the patient management system to create a timeline of events for each patient, which helped me identify patterns or changes in their condition.”

What makes you stand out from other palliative care nurses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and abilities. They want to know what makes you a valuable asset to their team. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out from other palliative care nurses. These can be specific skills or experiences that have helped you develop as a nurse.

Example: “I am passionate about helping patients find comfort in the end-of-life stage. I’ve worked with many families who are going through difficult times. In these situations, I always try to remain positive and empathetic. This helps me build strong relationships with my patients and their loved ones. It also allows me to provide them with the best possible care.”

Which types of illnesses or conditions have you worked with in the past?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience and qualifications for the role. They want to know if you have any experience working with patients who are terminally ill or in palliative care. In your answer, try to highlight some of the most relevant experiences you’ve had.

Example: “In my previous position as a nurse at Greenfield Hospital, I worked primarily with patients who were terminally ill. Some of the illnesses I encountered included cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. I also helped families plan end-of-life care for their loved ones. I find that these types of experiences make me well suited for this role because I understand what it takes to work with patients who are facing serious illness.”

What do you think is the most important thing palliative care nurses do?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your understanding of what palliative care nurses do. It also helps them understand how you view your role in the field and what you value most as a nurse. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on one or two specific tasks that you think are important for palliative care nurses to perform.

Example: “I believe the most important thing palliative care nurses do is provide comfort to patients and their families. I have seen firsthand how much even small gestures of kindness can help someone feel better during a difficult time. In my last position, I was able to create a program where we provided free ice cream to families who were waiting for test results. This simple gesture helped many families relax and enjoy themselves while they waited.”

How often do you update a patient’s care plan?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your organizational skills and how often you update records. This can show the interviewer that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently. In your answer, try to explain why you update care plans regularly and what steps you take to ensure accurate documentation.

Example: “I update a patient’s care plan at least once per shift or more if there is a change in their condition. I find it important to document any changes to a patient’s condition so that other nurses on the team know what to expect when they arrive for their shift. It also helps me stay organized by keeping all of my notes in one place.”

There is a miscommunication and you give a patient the wrong medication. How do you handle it?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to handle mistakes and learn from them. It also shows how you communicate with patients about errors. In your answer, try to emphasize that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and apologize when necessary.

Example: “I would first make sure the patient was okay after giving them the wrong medication. Then I would immediately contact my supervisor or manager to let them know what happened. If it was during work hours, I would ask if they wanted me to stay late so I could explain the situation to the patient in person. After work, I would call the patient and offer an apology. I would also write down all of the steps I took to ensure this mistake never happens again.”