17 Pediatric Oncology Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children, which is why there’s a great need for pediatric oncology nurses. These nurses provide care and support to children and families affected by cancer.

If you’re a nurse who’s interested in this specialty, you may be wondering what the interview process is like. What questions will you be asked? How can you stand out from the other candidates?

In this guide, we’ll go over some common pediatric oncology nurse interview questions and give you some tips on how to answer them.

Are you certified as a pediatric oncology nurse?

Certification is a way to show employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job. Employers may ask this question to see if you are certified, or they may be looking for someone who can help their facility become accredited. If you are not certified, explain what steps you would take to get your certification.

Example: “I am currently working toward my certification as a pediatric oncology nurse through the American Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses. I plan to complete this certification by the end of next year. This will allow me to work with children who need chemotherapy treatments.”

What are the most common types of pediatric cancers?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of pediatric oncology. It is important to know the most common types of cancers in children because you may be caring for these patients often. You should list the different types of cancer and briefly describe each one.

Example: “The most common types of pediatric cancers are leukemia, brain tumors, bone tumors, lymphoma and sarcoma. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood cells. Brain tumors occur when abnormal cells form in the brain. Bone tumors develop in the bones. Lymphomas affect the immune system, while sarcomas grow in soft tissue.”

How would you explain chemotherapy to a child?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would communicate with patients and their families. It’s important to be honest about your experience, but it’s also helpful to include any additional information that may help a child understand what they’re going through.

Example: “I have worked with children who are receiving chemotherapy for several years now, so I’ve developed an effective way of explaining this treatment process to them. First, I make sure the child is comfortable and understands that I’m there to answer any questions they might have. Then, I explain the basics of chemotherapy in terms they can understand. For example, I tell them that chemotherapy is medicine that makes their body fight off cancer cells.”

What is your process for building a rapport with a child who is experiencing cancer?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with patients and their families. It is important to show that you have strong interpersonal skills, especially when working with children who may be experiencing anxiety or fear about their treatment.

Example: “I find it helpful to get to know each child as an individual. I ask them questions about what they like to do for fun, what their favorite color is and other things that make them unique. This helps me learn more about them so I can better relate to them during their cancer treatment. I also try to connect with their parents and siblings to see if there are any special interests or hobbies they share.”

Provide an example of a time when you provided emotional support to a child or family member during a cancer diagnosis or treatment.

Emotional support is an important part of being a pediatric oncology nurse. The interviewer wants to know how you can help patients and their families through difficult times. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills, compassion and ability to provide emotional support in challenging situations.

Example: “When I first started working as a pediatric oncology nurse, I was nervous about providing emotional support to patients and their families. However, after my first few experiences with patients and their families, I realized that it’s actually quite easy to provide emotional support when you have the right tools. For example, I always make sure to introduce myself to new patients and their families before they start treatment. This helps me get to know them better and learn more about what they’re going through.”

If a child experienced a negative reaction to a treatment, what would be your first course of action?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenging situations. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to act quickly in a crisis.

Example: “If a child experienced a negative reaction to a treatment, I would first assess the situation to determine what caused it. If there was an error on my part or if the child had a severe allergic reaction, I would immediately call for medical assistance. If the reaction was milder, I would administer medication to reduce symptoms and monitor the child closely until they were stable.”

What would you do if you noticed a nurse treating a child in your pediatric oncology ward in a disrespectful manner?

Nurses in this role often work with children who are facing serious illnesses. It’s important for a pediatric oncology nurse to be able to handle stressful situations and remain calm when working with patients, their families and other medical professionals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would respond to disrespectful behavior while also emphasizing your commitment to helping others.

Example: “I have worked with many nurses throughout my career, so I understand that sometimes people get stressed or frustrated at work. If I noticed a nurse treating a child disrespectfully, I would first try to diffuse the situation by speaking privately with them about their behavior. If they continued to act disrespectfully toward the patient or another member of the healthcare team, I would report the incident to my supervisor.”

How well do you work in a team setting?

Working in a team setting is an important part of being a pediatric oncology nurse. Your interviewer will want to know that you can work well with others and are able to communicate effectively. Show them that you have the ability to collaborate with your colleagues, share information and support one another.

Example: “I find working in a team setting very beneficial. I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues and sharing ideas and strategies for patient care. In my previous role as a pediatric oncology nurse, we had weekly meetings where we discussed our patients’ progress and any challenges we were facing. This allowed us to brainstorm solutions together and come up with new ways to provide quality care for our patients.”

Do you have experience performing administrative tasks such as filing paperwork and updating a patient’s medical record?

Administrative tasks are an important part of the job for a pediatric oncology nurse. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with these types of duties and how well you perform them. Use examples from your previous work history to show that you can complete administrative tasks efficiently.

Example: “I have performed administrative tasks in my role as a pediatric oncology nurse, including filing paperwork and updating patient medical records. I find that it is helpful to keep accurate records so that doctors and other healthcare professionals can refer back to them when needed. In my last position, I was responsible for entering all new information into the patient’s electronic medical record at the end of each shift. This helped ensure that all relevant information about the patient was readily available.”

When administering a treatment, how do you make sure you get an accurate count of how much of the medication the child has taken?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your critical thinking skills to ensure that patients receive proper treatment. Use examples from your experience of counting pills or other methods of administering medication and how you make sure you get an accurate count.

Example: “I always double-check my patient’s weight before administering any medications, so I know exactly how much they should be receiving. If a child is taking multiple medications at once, I also ask their parents for the exact amount of each pill they are supposed to take. This helps me avoid mistakes when administering treatments.”

We want to improve our infection control practices. How would you approach this as a pediatric oncology nurse?

Infection control is an important part of the nursing profession, and it’s especially crucial in pediatric oncology. The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of infection control practices and how you would implement them into their hospital or clinic. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to ensure that patients are safe from infections and how you would help prevent them from spreading.

Example: “I think one of the most important things we can do as nurses is educate our patients and their families about hand washing and other ways they can protect themselves from getting sick while in the hospital. I would make sure that all patients and their families know the importance of following these procedures so that everyone stays healthy.”

Describe your process for cleaning and sanitizing medical equipment and supplies used in your ward.

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your attention to detail and ensure that you follow proper procedures for cleaning and sanitizing medical equipment. In your answer, describe the steps you take when cleaning and sanitizing supplies and equipment in a way that highlights your ability to follow protocols and procedures.

Example: “I always clean and sanitize all medical equipment and supplies before I use them on patients. First, I wash my hands with antibacterial soap and water. Then, I disinfect any surfaces or tools that might come into contact with the patient’s skin. Finally, I store the equipment and supplies in designated areas until they are needed again.”

What makes you stand out from other pediatric oncology nurses?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what makes you unique. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or quality that you feel is important for working in pediatric oncology nursing.

Example: “I think one of my greatest strengths as a nurse is my ability to remain calm under pressure. I have worked with many children who are experiencing pain or anxiety during their treatment, and I find that being able to provide them with comfort and reassurance can make a big difference in how they feel. In fact, I once had a child tell me that she felt better after I told her that everything would be okay.”

Which pediatric cancers do you have the most experience treating?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in treating specific types of pediatric cancer. You can use this opportunity to highlight any unique or challenging cases you’ve worked with and how you handled them.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with leukemia patients, as well as children who are undergoing treatment for brain tumors. In my previous role, I was responsible for monitoring a child’s blood counts during chemotherapy treatments. The patient had a low white blood cell count that made him more susceptible to infection. My team and I were able to monitor his condition closely and administer antibiotics when necessary to prevent infections from developing.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of your job as a pediatric oncology nurse?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your priorities and how you view your role in the healthcare team. Your answer should reflect your commitment to providing quality care for children with cancer, as well as your ability to work effectively within a team.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of my job is ensuring that I am always giving each child the individualized attention they need. Each patient has their own unique needs, and it’s our responsibility as nurses to make sure we are meeting those needs. For example, some patients may be more comfortable receiving treatment from one nurse rather than multiple caregivers. It’s also important to me that I’m able to communicate clearly with parents about any changes or concerns.”

How often do you perform maintenance on medical equipment and supplies?

This question can help the interviewer determine how often you perform maintenance on medical equipment and supplies. It can also show them your attention to detail when it comes to maintaining important tools and supplies for your job. When answering this question, make sure to mention any specific skills or certifications that allow you to maintain these items.

Example: “I am certified in performing basic maintenance on all of our medical equipment and supplies at my current hospital. I do this once a month as part of my regular duties. This helps me ensure that all of our equipment is working properly and ready to use when needed.”

There is a shortage of pediatric oncology nurses in the area. How would you encourage more people to pursue this career?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the field and how you can help others discover their own career path. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share a personal story about why you chose this career or what inspired you to pursue it.

Example: “When I was in high school, my best friend’s brother was diagnosed with leukemia. He was only five years old at the time, so he didn’t really understand what was happening. My friend’s family was very close-knit, but they were all going through this difficult time together. The nurses who cared for her brother were so kind and compassionate. They made sure that his parents understood everything that was happening and answered any questions they had. It was clear that these nurses loved their jobs and enjoyed helping children like my friend’s brother.”