17 Pediatric ICU Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

The pediatric intensive care unit, or PICU, is a specialized hospital ward that provides care for critically ill or injured infants, children, and adolescents. PICU nurses are responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of these patients.

If you’re a registered nurse who wants to work in a PICU, you’ll need to ace a PICU nurse interview. This guide will help you prepare for questions you may be asked during a PICU nurse job interview, including behavioral questions and questions about your clinical experience.

Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you are comfortable working in a high-pressure environment. This is especially important for pediatric ICU nurses because they often work with critically ill children who require immediate attention and care. Your answer should show that you can handle pressure well and prioritize your tasks effectively.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, as I have worked in the pediatric ICU for five years now. In my previous role, I was responsible for monitoring several patients at once while also communicating with their families and other medical professionals. I find that being able to multitask helps me provide better patient care.”

What are some of the most important skills for a pediatric intensive care unit nurse to have?

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 a pediatric intensive care unit nurse.

Example: “The most important skill for me is my ability to remain calm under pressure. In this role, I am often caring for children who are experiencing some of their worst days. Having a positive attitude and remaining calm can help ease the stress of patients and their families. Another important skill is my communication skills. As a pediatric intensive care unit nurse, I need to be able to clearly communicate with doctors, other nurses and patients’ families. This helps ensure that everyone understands what’s happening and feels comfortable asking questions.”

How would you handle a situation where a child’s parents were upset about the care their child was receiving?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to manage challenging situations. In your answer, try to show that you are able to remain calm under pressure while also empathizing with patients’ families.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood why they were upset. Then, I would explain my reasoning for providing care in a way that was clear and easy to understand. If their concerns still remained after our conversation, I would ask if there was anything else I could do to help them feel more comfortable about their child’s treatment plan.”

What is the most important thing to remember when caring for a pediatric patient?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the unique needs of pediatric patients. Use examples from your experience as a nurse in a pediatric ICU to highlight your ability to care for children and their families.

Example: “The most important thing I remember when caring for a pediatric patient is to always treat them like a person, not just a child. Even though they are young, they still have thoughts and feelings, so it’s important to communicate with them and their family members. For example, at my last job, we had a patient who was only two years old. He was admitted after falling off his bike and breaking his arm. His parents were very worried about him, but he was actually doing really well once we got him settled into his room.”

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

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a compassionate and dedicated nurse. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a patient or their family.

Example: “When I was working in my previous hospital’s pediatric ICU, there was a young boy who had been admitted after being involved in a car accident. He was in critical condition when he arrived at the hospital, but we were able to stabilize him over the next few days. The boy’s parents were always by his side, and they were so grateful for all of our hard work. One day, I noticed that the mother was wearing a pair of shoes that didn’t look very comfortable. So, I asked her if she would like me to get her some new ones from the gift shop. She said yes, and I got her a nice pair of sneakers.”

If a child was in the PICU due to a respiratory infection, what would be the best way to keep them comfortable?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of pediatric care and how it relates to specific conditions. In your answer, try to include the steps you would take to ensure that the child is as comfortable as possible while in the hospital.

Example: “I would first make sure they have plenty of fluids to help them stay hydrated. I would also administer any medications or treatments necessary to keep their symptoms under control. For example, if they had a fever, I would give them acetaminophen to reduce their temperature. If they were having trouble breathing, I would use an oxygen mask to increase the amount of oxygen in their bloodstream.”

What would you do if you noticed that a child’s parents were having a hard time coping with their child’s illness?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you will handle difficult situations. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to support parents and other family members during their child’s hospitalization.

Example: “I have had experience working with families who are coping with a child’s illness. I know that it can be hard for parents when they see their child in pain or struggling to breathe. If I noticed that a parent was having a hard time coping with their child’s illness, I would try to spend as much time with them as possible. This way, I could provide comfort and support while also giving the parents some space if they need it.”

How well do you deal with stress and pressure?

Working in a pediatric ICU can be stressful, and employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to handle these situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about how you manage stress and provide examples of how you’ve done so in the past.

Example: “I find that I am able to deal with stress quite well. In my previous role as a nurse, I was often assigned to work on the pediatric floor, which is where I developed my passion for working with children. While there were many challenging moments during my time there, I learned how to use deep breathing exercises and other techniques to calm myself when needed. This helped me remain focused and perform at my best.”

Do you have any experience working with children?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with children in a healthcare setting. If you do, they may ask you to describe your previous experiences and how they helped prepare you for this role. If you don’t have any experience working with children, you can talk about why you chose to pursue a career as a pediatric ICU nurse.

Example: “I worked at a local hospital where I cared for children of all ages. This experience taught me that each child is unique and requires different care based on their age and medical history. It also showed me that it’s important to communicate clearly with parents so they understand what we’re doing to care for their child.”

When caring for a pediatric patient, how do you make sure to get enough rest and nutrition?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your commitment to the job and how you balance work with other responsibilities. Your answer should show that you are committed to your patients’ well-being, even if it means sacrificing some of your own personal time.

Example: “I make sure to get enough sleep every night so I can be at my best when working with patients. If I am scheduled for a 12-hour shift, I try to take short breaks during the day to eat something nutritious. For example, I might bring an apple or granola bar to snack on while checking in on patients.”

We want to improve our infection rates. What would you do to help achieve this?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see how you would contribute to the overall success of a department. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work as part of a team and achieve goals together.

Example: “I think it’s important for all members of the healthcare team to be aware of infection risks, so I would make sure that everyone in my department is up-to-date on current procedures. For example, we should always wash our hands before entering the patient’s room and use sterile equipment when administering care. We also need to ensure that visitors are aware of these precautions and take steps to avoid spreading germs.”

Describe your ideal work environment.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a good fit for their hospital. It also gives them insight into what your expectations are and how you might adjust if they’re different from where you work now. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you feel most productive at work. Consider mentioning things like:

Clear communication A positive attitude among coworkers Opportunities for professional development Example: “I thrive in a collaborative environment with clear communication between my team members. I find that when everyone knows what’s expected of them, we all have more time to focus on our patients’ needs. I also really enjoy working in a place where there are opportunities for growth and learning.”

What makes pediatric care so special to you?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your passion for this career. They want to know what makes you excited to work in pediatric care and how it’s different from other types of nursing. Your answer should include specific examples of why you enjoy working with children and their families.

Example: “I love working with kids because they are so honest and genuine. I find that parents often forget how much joy their child brings them, but when they see their child after being in the ICU, they’re always overcome with emotion. It’s amazing to be part of such an emotional moment and watch as a family reunites. Another thing that makes pediatric care special is the relationships we build with patients and their families.”

Which pediatric conditions have you had experience caring for?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience level and determine if you have the necessary skills for the role. When answering, consider listing a few conditions that are similar to those in the hospital where you’re interviewing.

Example: “In my previous position as a pediatric ICU nurse, I cared for children with many different conditions including cancer, heart disease, kidney failure and respiratory distress. In my current role, I primarily care for newborns who require intensive care due to complications during birth or other health issues.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when caring for a pediatric patient?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience working with pediatric patients. It also helps them determine whether you have any unique insights or ideas that could benefit their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about pediatric care and how it helped improve your skills as a nurse.

Example: “I think one of the most important things to remember when caring for a pediatric patient is to always keep in mind what age they are. For example, I once had a patient who was 12 years old but still acted like a toddler. This meant that we needed to treat him more like a child than an adult. By remembering his age, I was able to provide him with the best care possible.”

How often do you perform pediatric CPR?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience with performing CPR on children. If you have not performed pediatric CPR before, consider describing a time when you had to perform CPR on an adult or child and how it made you feel.

Example: “In my previous role as a pediatric ICU nurse, I performed CPR on children several times per week. It was always difficult to see the children in our care who were experiencing cardiac arrest, but I knew that performing CPR could help save their lives. In each case where I had to perform CPR, I did everything I could to ensure the child’s safety and comfort while also providing excellent medical care.”

There is a shortage of pediatric nurses in the industry. How do you make your job more attractive to potential candidates?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your strategies for recruiting and retaining nurses. Use examples from your experience that show you can help others see the value of working in a pediatric ICU.

Example: “I think it’s important to make sure new nurses know what they’re getting into before accepting a position. I always take time to explain the job duties, hours and salary so candidates have realistic expectations. I also encourage them to talk with current employees to get their own opinions on the role. This helps me ensure everyone is prepared for the challenges of working in an intensive care unit.”