17 Pediatric ER Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

In a pediatric emergency room, every second counts. That’s why hospitals need nurses who are skilled in caring for children with a wide range of medical needs.

If you’re a registered nurse who wants to specialize in pediatric emergency care, you’ll need to know how to answer pediatric ER nurse interview questions. During the interview, you’ll be asked about your experience working with children, your ability to handle stress, and your knowledge of pediatric emergency care.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample pediatric ER nurse interview questions and answers.

Are you certified as a pediatric emergency room nurse?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary certifications for the job. If you are not certified, they may want to know what steps you plan on taking to become certified. You can answer honestly about your certification status and explain how you plan on becoming certified in the future.

Example: “I am not currently a pediatric emergency room nurse. However, I do plan on getting my certification within the next year. I will be studying for the exam during my free time and working with an experienced nurse who is willing to help me study.”

What are some of the most common pediatric emergencies you have encountered in your career?

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your experience and expertise in the field. They want to know what you have done in the past when a child has an emergency, so they can determine if you are qualified for the position. In your answer, explain some of the most common emergencies you’ve seen and how you handled them.

Example: “In my previous role as a pediatric ER nurse, I saw many different types of emergencies. One of the most common was children who had ingested something dangerous or toxic. For these situations, we always called poison control immediately to get advice on how to treat the situation. We also made sure that the parents were calm and prepared for any possible outcomes.”

How would you handle a situation where a child is refusing to cooperate with your care?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with children who may be scared or in pain. In your answer, try to highlight your communication skills and how you use them to calm a child’s fears and encourage cooperation.

Example: “I would first try to understand why the child is refusing care by asking questions about their concerns and listening carefully to their answers. I would also explain what I am doing as I perform each step of my assessment or treatment so that they know what to expect. If these approaches don’t work, I would ask for help from a colleague or supervisor to ensure that we are following proper procedures when working with patients.”

What is your process for documenting your care and the care of other professionals involved in the child’s treatment?

The interviewer will want to know how you document your work and the work of others in a way that is accurate, thorough and easy to read. Use examples from previous experiences where you have used effective documentation techniques.

Example: “I use an electronic medical record system that allows me to enter information into patient records as I care for them. This helps ensure all important details are documented accurately and in real time. It also makes it easier to share information with other professionals involved in the child’s treatment, such as doctors, specialists or therapists.

For example, when I was working at my last facility, I had a young patient who needed surgery after being injured in a car accident. The ER team worked together to stabilize the child before transferring him to the pediatric surgeon. During this process, we were able to communicate through our electronic medical records about the child’s condition and what treatments he received in the ER so the surgeon could prepare accordingly.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to provide exceptional care to a patient.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you helped your patient. This can help interviewers understand more about your skills as a nurse and what motivates you to do your job well.

Example: “When I was working in my previous pediatric ER facility, we had a child who came into the hospital with an infection that required us to administer antibiotics through an IV drip. The child was very scared of needles and cried when we tried to put the IV in. I took over for the nurses and talked to the child while inserting the needle. I distracted them by talking about their favorite toys or games and even let them hold my hand so they could feel safe. After several minutes, I was able to successfully insert the IV and give them the treatment they needed.”

If a child you are caring for becomes upset, how would you calm them down?

This question can help interviewers understand how you interact with children and their families. It is important to show that you have empathy for the child’s situation, but also that you are able to remain calm yourself.

Example: “I would first try to find out what was upsetting them or causing them anxiety. If they were in pain, I would explain why we need to do certain procedures or treatments. If they were scared, I would reassure them that everything will be okay and that I am there to take care of them. I would also ask if they had any questions about what was happening.”

What would you do if you noticed a coworker was not following proper sanitation procedures?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to provide feedback. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork and are willing to offer constructive criticism when necessary.

Example: “If I noticed a coworker was not following proper sanitation procedures, I would first approach them privately to discuss the issue. If they were aware of their mistake but simply forgot, I would remind them of the importance of adhering to our protocols. However, if they were unaware of the protocol or refused to follow it, I would report the incident to my supervisor so they could address the situation.”

How well do you work with children?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with children and their families. It’s important to show that you’re compassionate, patient and empathetic when working with patients of all ages.

Example: “I love working with children because they are so honest about what they feel. I find it rewarding to be able to make them laugh or calm down when they’re in pain. When a child is scared, I try my best to reassure them by explaining everything that will happen during their visit. I also like to bring small toys or stickers for kids who have to wait before seeing the doctor.”

Do you have any questions for us about the pediatric emergency room nurse position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the role and are eager to learn more. Use this time to ask about specific aspects of the job, such as training opportunities or how often you’ll be working with children.

Example: “I am very excited about this position because I love working with kids. However, I do not have much experience in a pediatric emergency room setting. I was wondering if there were any training programs available for new nurses.”

When caring for a child, how do you determine when to seek outside help?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you use your critical thinking skills to make decisions that are in the best interest of the child. Use examples from your experience to explain how you assess a situation and decide whether or not it’s necessary to seek advice from a physician, nurse manager or other medical professional.

Example: “When caring for a child, I always try to rely on my own judgment first. However, if I’m unsure about something, I will ask another nurse or doctor for their opinion. In my previous role as a pediatric ER nurse, I cared for a young girl who was experiencing severe stomach pain. After asking her parents what she normally ate, I determined that she likely had an upset stomach rather than appendicitis, which is often characterized by more intense pain.”

We want to ensure our pediatric emergency room nurses feel appreciated. How would you feel if a parent sent you a thank you card after their child’s visit?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are looking for ways to improve your work environment. It also shows them that you care about how you’re perceived by others.

Example: “I would feel very appreciated and honored if a parent sent me a thank you card after their child’s visit. I always make it a point to go above and beyond for my patients, but knowing that parents appreciate our efforts makes us want to do even more. I think this type of feedback can help us become better nurses because we know what we’re doing is making an impact on families.”

Describe your process for handling a high volume of patients.

When working in a pediatric emergency room, you may have to handle many patients at once. Employers ask this question to make sure you can manage your time and prioritize tasks effectively. In your answer, explain how you plan your day and organize your workload. Try to show that you are organized and efficient with your time.

Example: “In my previous role as a pediatric ER nurse, I often had to care for multiple patients at the same time. To prepare myself for these situations, I would create a daily schedule of what I needed to accomplish. This helped me stay on track and ensured I was able to provide quality care to all of my patients. When there were more patients than usual, I would delegate responsibilities to other nurses so we could work together.”

What makes you stand out from other pediatric emergency room nurses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities as a nurse. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates, so they can decide if you’re the best fit for their team. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out. These could be specific skills or experiences that you have.

Example: “I am passionate about helping children in need. I volunteered at my local hospital’s pediatric ER department for five years before becoming a registered nurse. During that time, I learned how to calm scared children and help them feel safe. This experience has helped me become an excellent pediatric emergency room nurse because I understand how to talk to kids and make them feel comfortable.”

Which pediatric emergency care certifications do you have?

Employers may ask this question to learn about your certifications and how they relate to the job. If you have a certification that relates to pediatric emergency care, consider mentioning it in your answer. You can also mention any other relevant certifications you have.

Example: “I am certified as an Advanced Pediatric Life Support Provider through the American Heart Association. I am also a Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse through the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. These certifications help me provide quality care for children who come into the ER.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being a pediatric emergency room nurse?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of what your experience has been as a pediatric emergency room nurse. It can also allow you to share any unique challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific situation or example that helped you learn from the challenge.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a pediatric emergency room nurse is when children are in pain. I find that sometimes there isn’t much we can do for them other than provide comfort care until they receive treatment. In these situations, I try to use my communication skills to explain everything that’s happening to the child and their family so they feel more at ease.”

How often do you see pediatric patients?

Interviewers ask this question to determine how much experience you have working with children. They want to know if you are comfortable in the pediatric ER and whether or not you have any special skills that make you a good fit for their team. In your answer, explain what percentage of your patients are pediatric and highlight any specific skills you have when it comes to working with kids.

Example: “I work primarily in the adult emergency room, but I do see some pediatric patients. About 20% of my patients are pediatric, which is why I am so comfortable working with them. I find that they respond well to me because I am familiar with their needs. I also have excellent communication skills, which helps me talk to both parents and children about their treatment.”

There is a shortage of pediatric emergency room nurses in the area. How would you convince parents to bring their children to our facility for medical care?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the field and how you can help an organization grow. When answering this question, make sure to highlight why parents should bring their children to that facility.

Example: “I would tell them about our highly-trained staff of nurses and doctors who are ready to provide care at all times. I would also let them know we have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities so they can feel confident in bringing their child here. Finally, I would let them know that we offer affordable rates on all services.”