20 Phoenix Children’s Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job at Phoenix Children’s, you can expect to be asked questions that are specific to the hospital and its mission. These questions will help the interviewers gauge your fit for the organization and whether you’re likely to be a good fit for the role you’re interviewing for.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Phoenix Children’s interview questions and answers. These questions will give you an idea of what to expect and how to best prepare for your interview.

Phoenix Children’s Interview Process

The interview process at Phoenix Children’s is generally pretty straightforward. Most positions will require at least two interviews, one with a human resources representative and one with the hiring manager. Some positions may also require a third interview. The interviews are usually conducted in person, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, some may be conducted virtually.

The questions asked during the interviews are typically based around the core values of the company. For nursing positions, questions may also be asked about specific situations that nurses may encounter on the job. Overall, the interview process is relatively easy and should not take more than a few weeks.

1. How do you deal with stress?

Working in a hospital can be stressful, especially when you’re caring for sick children. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the skills and personality traits needed to work in such an environment. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and give examples of how you helped others deal with it as well.

Example: “I find that exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress. I try to go for a run or do some other form of exercise at least three times per week. Exercise helps me clear my mind and feel more energized. Another way I help others deal with stress is by listening to them. When someone comes to me with a problem, I always make sure they know I am there to listen to them without judgment. This allows them to get their feelings out while also helping them think through their problems.”

2. Are you comfortable working with children and their parents in a stressful environment?

Working in a pediatric hospital can be stressful at times, especially when you’re working with children who are seriously ill. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the emotional intelligence and maturity to handle these situations well. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure and use your skills to help others feel more comfortable as well.

Example: “I am very empathetic and compassionate, so I understand what parents and patients are going through. When things get stressful, I try to remember that everyone is doing their best and we all want the same thing—to provide the best care possible for the child. I also find that my experience as an ER nurse has prepared me well for this role. I know how to work quickly and efficiently while still providing excellent patient care.”

3. Do you have any experience working in pediatrics?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to their hospital. If you have worked in pediatrics before, be sure to highlight some of your most important accomplishments.

Example: “I have worked as a pediatric nurse for five years now. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing patient care during emergency situations. One time, there was an outbreak of the flu at the hospital where I worked. I helped implement infection control measures to ensure that all patients were safe.”

4. What is your approach to customer service?

Customer service is an important part of working in healthcare. The interviewer will want to know how you would interact with patients and their families, as well as other hospital staff members. Use examples from your previous experience that show you can be empathetic and helpful.

Example: “I believe the best way to provide customer service is by being friendly and compassionate. I always try to make sure my patients and their families feel comfortable and supported. For example, when a child was scared about getting stitches, I talked to them about what they were going to do and made sure they knew it would all be okay. This helped them relax and get through the procedure without crying.”

5. Why are you interested in joining Phoenix Children’s Hospital as a Registered Nurse?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the field of nursing and why you are a good fit for this particular hospital. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of Phoenix Children’s Hospital that interest you or how you would like to contribute to the team.

Example: “I am passionate about working with children and their families, which is why I became a nurse in the first place. Phoenix Children’s Hospital has such a great reputation, so I know that if I were hired here, I could make a real difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones. I also love the idea of being part of a pediatric unit because I think it is important to have a diverse staff who understand what it means to work with kids.”

6. Have you had a difficult patient, how did you handle them?

This question is a great way to see how you handle difficult situations. It can be helpful for employers to know that you have experience with this and how you handled it, as they may need to help you through these types of situations in the future.

Example: “I had a patient who was very upset about their diagnosis. They were quite young and I tried my best to comfort them by explaining everything we knew about their condition and what we would do to treat it. I also made sure to explain why certain treatments were necessary so they could understand. This helped calm them down and allowed us to get started on treatment right away.”

7. How would you react if a family member was upset at the treatment of their child?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to diffuse conflict. In your answer, demonstrate that you can empathize with patients and their families while also maintaining professionalism.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they were upset and then explain our treatment plan in more detail. I would reassure them that we are here to help their child get better and provide them with resources if they have any questions or concerns after leaving the hospital.”

8. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in a hospital setting can be stressful, especially when you’re caring for children. Employers ask this question to make sure that you are able to handle pressure and perform well under stress. When answering this question, try to show the interviewer that you have good time management skills and that you can prioritize tasks effectively.

Example: “I am very organized and I know how to manage my time well. This is why I always meet deadlines and deliver excellent results. In my previous position, there were many patients who needed urgent care. I was able to stay calm and focused on each patient while also helping other nurses with their work.”

9. If you were told that you needed to get something done by tomorrow and it was going to be very difficult, what would you do?

This question is a great way to see how you handle pressure and time constraints. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of something that happened in the past where you had to complete a task quickly.

Example: “In my last position as a pediatric nurse practitioner, I was told by my supervisor that we needed to get all patients checked in before lunchtime because there would be a surprise visit from the hospital’s CEO. We were already running behind on our patient check-in process, so I went around to each team member and asked what they could do to help us finish checking in patients before noon. Together, we got everyone checked in before the CEO arrived.”

10. What does communication mean to you?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to explain what good communication means to you and how you would apply that skill at Phoenix Children’s.

Example: “Communication is one of the most important skills for any professional to have. It allows me to clearly convey my thoughts and ideas while also listening to others. I believe that effective communication is key to building strong relationships with coworkers and patients. In my last role as a pediatric nurse practitioner, I was responsible for managing patient care plans and communicating those plans to other medical professionals. This helped ensure all staff members were on the same page when caring for patients.”

11. Tell me about a time when you helped improve a process.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you can apply them in a healthcare setting. When answering, try to think of an example that shows your ability to work as part of a team and improve the efficiency of a process.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that there was often confusion over who was responsible for ordering supplies. This led to delays in getting needed items to patients. So, I worked with my supervisor to create a new system where each department would have a specific person responsible for ordering supplies. We also created a list of standard supplies so staff members could easily order what they needed without having to wait for approval from higher-ups.”

12. Give an example of a time where you had to make a quick decision and explain why you made that particular decision.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you made the decision and what the outcome was. This can help interviewers understand your thought process and evaluate whether or not your decision-making skills are sufficient for the role.

Example: “When I worked as an emergency room nurse, there were many times where I had to make quick decisions about patient care. One time in particular stands out because it involved a child who came into the ER with a broken arm. The parents told me that their son fell off his bike, but when I examined him further, I noticed bruises on his arms and legs. I immediately called CPS so they could investigate the situation.”

13. How would you describe yourself in three words?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and values. It also gives you insight into how they view themselves, which can be helpful when deciding whether or not they would fit in with your team.

Example: “I am passionate, dedicated and compassionate. I have always been someone who cares deeply for others, so working as a pediatric nurse has been a natural fit for me. I love being able to help children feel better and get back to their normal lives.”

14. What are some ways that you can help patients and their families feel more comfortable during their hospital stay?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you can help patients and their families feel comfortable during a hospital stay. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped make someone or their family feel more at ease in a medical setting.

Example: “I always try to greet patients and their families with a smile, which helps them feel more comfortable right away. I also like to introduce myself to the patient’s parents and siblings so they know who I am and that I will be there for them throughout the entire hospital stay. I find that by getting to know each person involved in the child’s care, it makes everyone feel more comfortable and less nervous.”

15. Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a patient or a family member.

This question is a great way to show your compassion and dedication to the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you helped someone in need or what you learned from that experience.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, there was a family who came into the hospital with their child because they were having trouble breathing. The parents were very worried about their child, but we did everything we could to make them feel comfortable while we treated their child. After some tests, we determined that the child had pneumonia and needed to stay overnight for treatment.

The next day, I went to check on the family and see if they had any questions. They told me that they appreciated all of our help and that they felt much better after getting some rest. It’s experiences like these that remind me why I love my job so much.”

16. What kind of support systems do you have in place for when you are having difficulty dealing with a situation?

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle stressful situations and how you manage them. It also shows the interviewer that you are aware of the challenges of working in a hospital environment, which can be emotionally challenging at times.

Example: “I have several support systems in place for when I am having difficulty dealing with a situation. First, I make sure to take care of myself by getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising regularly. Second, I talk through my feelings with my colleagues or friends who understand what it’s like to work in healthcare. Finally, I use my faith as a source of strength and guidance.”

17. We pride ourselves on keeping our facility clean and sanitary. Give an example of a time where you cleaned a medical facility or room.

This question is a great way to show your attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. When answering this question, make sure you include the specific steps you took to clean the facility or room.

Example: “I worked as an assistant in a pediatrician’s office for two years. During that time, I was responsible for cleaning all of the examination rooms after each patient visit. I would start by disinfecting the countertops and floors with bleach wipes. Then, I would wipe down all surfaces with antibacterial wipes. Finally, I would vacuum the floor and empty the trash can.”

18. Can you give us examples of times when you demonstrated teamwork and collaboration?

Teamwork and collaboration are important skills for working in a hospital setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you worked with others to achieve a goal or complete a task.

Example: “In my previous role as a pediatric nurse practitioner, I was responsible for managing the care of patients who were admitted to the emergency room. One night, there was a large influx of patients that required extra attention from our team. We all worked together to ensure each patient received the care they needed.”

19. What are your favorite parts about being a Registered Nurse?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to the team. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you enjoy most about being a nurse. You may also want to mention any specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “My favorite part of being a Registered Nurse is getting to know my patients and their families. I love seeing them grow and get better over time. It’s rewarding to see the progress they make in our care. Another thing I really enjoy is working with other nurses and doctors to create individualized treatment plans for each patient. This helps us provide the best possible care for everyone we treat.”

20. What motivates you?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what drives you. Your answer should reflect your personal values, but it can also be an opportunity to show that you are passionate about helping children.

Example: “I am motivated by my desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I have always loved working with kids, so when I became a pediatric nurse, I knew this was the career for me. I love being able to provide comfort and support to families who need it most.”