17 Rehabilitation Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Rehabilitation nurses work with patients who have disabling conditions or chronic illnesses. They provide care and support to help patients regain their strength and independence.

If you’re a registered nurse who’s interested in this specialty, you may need to interview for a job. This guide includes sample rehabilitation nurse interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your meeting.

Are you comfortable working with patients who have a range of different illnesses and injuries?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work with a diverse group of patients. They want to know that you can handle working with challenging patients and still provide compassionate care. In your answer, explain how you are able to adapt to different situations and personalities.

Example: “I have worked in rehabilitation for five years now, so I am used to seeing all types of injuries and illnesses. While each patient is unique, I find that I can adjust my approach based on their needs. For example, if a patient has an anxiety disorder, I will make sure to speak slowly and clearly when explaining treatment plans. If they have a physical injury, I will focus on providing them with the best possible care.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful rehabilitation nurse?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your own personal qualities that make you successful as well as some of the most important qualities for a rehabilitation nurse.

Example: “I believe empathy is one of the most important qualities for a successful rehabilitation nurse. I also think compassion and patience are essential because patients often go through challenging situations during their treatment. It’s important to remain calm and supportive when working with these patients so they feel comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns. Another quality I find beneficial is flexibility. Patients may need assistance at different times throughout the day, so it’s important to be able to adjust my schedule to meet their needs.”

How would you manage a patient who is resistant to the treatment plan or refuses to cooperate with the team?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to handle challenging patients and ensure their safety. In your answer, demonstrate how you would use your interpersonal skills to manage the situation while maintaining a positive relationship with the patient.

Example: “I have worked with many resistant patients in my previous role as a rehabilitation nurse. I find that it’s important to first understand why the patient is resisting treatment. For example, if they are refusing physical therapy because of pain, then I would work with them to develop an alternative exercise plan or modify the current one. If they are refusing medication, I would discuss the importance of taking the medication with them and provide additional resources for managing side effects.”

What is your process for documenting patient care and treatment progress?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you organize your work and prioritize tasks. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.

Example: “I use a patient care management system that allows me to enter all of my notes, assessments and treatment plans for each patient I see during the day. This system also has an alert function that notifies me when patients need follow-up care or have upcoming appointments. In my last role, I was responsible for managing the documentation process for our entire department, so I am familiar with several different software systems.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to advocate for a patient and their needs.

As a rehabilitation nurse, you may need to advocate for your patients when they’re not able to do so themselves. This question allows the interviewer to assess how comfortable you are with standing up for others and how well you can communicate your ideas and opinions in an effective way.

Example: “In my previous role as a rehab nurse, I had a patient who was recovering from a stroke. The patient’s family members were very involved in their care, but sometimes they would get overwhelmed by all of the information that we provided them. One day, I noticed that the family members seemed particularly stressed out about something. When I asked what was going on, they told me that they didn’t understand why their loved one wasn’t making more progress.

I explained our treatment plan to them and reassured them that everything was going according to schedule. Then, I offered to answer any questions or concerns they had.”

If a patient has a negative reaction to a new treatment, how would you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you respond to challenges and react in emergency situations. Use examples from your experience where you helped a patient overcome a negative reaction to treatment or medication, and highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my last role as a rehabilitation nurse, I had a patient who was experiencing severe side effects from their prescribed medications. The patient became agitated and started yelling at me when I tried to explain that there were no other options for them. I remained calm and explained that we would try another medication but it may have similar side effects. After explaining this to the patient, they calmed down and agreed to try the new medication.”

What would you do if you noticed a coworker displaying questionable behavior around a patient?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to address the issue and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I noticed a coworker displaying questionable behavior around a patient, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. If they continued their actions after our conversation, I would report the incident to my supervisor so that they could address the problem. As a nurse, I believe it’s important to maintain a safe environment for patients and coworkers alike.”

How well do you handle stress and pressure?

Rehabilitation can be a stressful job, especially when you’re working with patients who are in pain or have limited mobility. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the emotional intelligence and stress management skills needed for the role. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and provide an example of a time you faced a stressful situation and overcame it.

Example: “I am very good at managing stress because I know that my work is helping people get back on their feet. When I feel stressed, I take a few deep breaths and remind myself why I chose this career. If I’m ever feeling overwhelmed by a patient’s condition, I step away from the room for a moment to collect my thoughts. This helps me refocus and find solutions to any problems.”

Do you have any questions for us about the position or company?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done some research on their organization and are genuinely interested in working for them. It’s also a chance to ask about any information you may not have been able to find online, such as what the work environment is like or how much vacation time employees receive.

Example: “I was impressed by the mission statement of this facility when I researched it online. You seem to be very dedicated to providing quality care to your patients while also encouraging rehabilitation through physical therapy. I am excited to learn more about your company culture and see if I would fit in well here.”

When working with a team of doctors, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals, what is your process for communicating effectively?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your communication skills and how well you work with others. Your answer should include an example of a time when you successfully communicated with a team of professionals, including the steps you took to ensure everyone was on the same page.

Example: “I find that it’s important to communicate effectively with my colleagues so we can all be on the same page about our patients’ progress and any changes in their care plans. I always make sure to listen carefully to what other healthcare professionals have to say during meetings or while working with patients. If there are any questions I don’t know the answers to, I’ll do my best to get those answers from the appropriate sources as soon as possible.”

We want to ensure our patients have a positive experience while in our care. How would you make sure each patient feels valued and respected?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you treat patients and their families. It’s important to show that you care about each patient, even if they’re in a hospital for an extended period of time.

Example: “I believe it’s essential to make sure every patient feels valued and respected while in our care. I would do this by making sure I’m always available to answer questions or concerns. I also try to get to know my patients as individuals so I can learn more about them and what makes them unique. This helps me connect with them on a personal level and shows them that I truly care.”

Describe your experience with using medical software and other technology tools to manage patient information.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with technology and how you use it in your daily work. Use examples from your previous job to describe the software or tools you used, how often you used them and what they helped you accomplish.

Example: “At my last job, I worked alongside a team of rehabilitation professionals who used an electronic medical record system to manage patient information. The system allowed us to enter data into our patients’ records quickly and efficiently, which was especially helpful when we needed to access important details like medications or allergies during treatment. We also used video conferencing software to connect with other healthcare providers for telemedicine services.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have researched their facility and understand what they are looking for in a candidate. When preparing your answer, make sure to highlight any skills or qualifications that match those listed in the job description.

Example: “I am passionate about helping patients achieve their goals and feel confident in my ability to provide compassionate care. I also believe that teamwork is essential to providing quality patient care, so I would be happy to work with other nurses and rehabilitation professionals to ensure our patients receive the best possible treatment.”

Which rehabilitation specialties are you most familiar with?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and expertise. If you have previous experience in a specialty, be sure to mention it. If not, consider mentioning which specialties you would like to work in.

Example: “I’ve worked with patients who are recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries and amputations. I also have some experience working with patients who are learning how to use prosthetics. In my last role, I was responsible for training new rehabilitation nurses on these specialties.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of this job?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you might fit in with their team. It also helps them understand what challenges you might face on the job and whether you’re prepared for those challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the role that is challenging but also how you plan to overcome that challenge.

Example: “The most challenging part of this job would probably be working with patients who have severe injuries or disabilities. I find that being empathetic and compassionate are important skills when dealing with these situations. However, I’ve learned that sometimes it’s okay to take a break from work if I need to process some emotions.”

How often do you see patients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how much time you spend with patients and what your typical workday is like. It can also give them insight into whether or not you would be able to meet their expectations for productivity in a role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a typical day at work so that the employer can get an idea of what your responsibilities are as a rehabilitation nurse.

Example: “I see patients every day except for weekends. I usually have two sessions per day where I see between five and seven patients each session. Each patient has different goals they’re working toward, so I spend some time talking with them about those goals and helping them develop a plan to achieve them.”

There is a wide range of personalities among your patients. How do you manage each person’s individual needs?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with a variety of personalities. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to manage different types of patients, including those who are challenging or difficult to work with.

Example: “I have worked in rehabilitation for five years now, and I’ve seen many different personality types among my patients. Some people are very outgoing and talkative while others are more reserved and quiet. Regardless of the type of person they are, I always make sure that each patient feels comfortable and safe during their treatment.

For example, when working with someone who is shy or reserved, I try to be as friendly and welcoming as possible. I also take time to explain things thoroughly so that they understand what we are doing and why. When working with someone who is more outspoken, I am careful not to interrupt them or rush through our conversation. Instead, I listen carefully to what they say and respond thoughtfully.”