20 Sanford Health Interview Questions and Answers

Sanford Health is a large healthcare organization with many different types of positions. Because of this, the interview questions you may be asked will vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, there are some general questions that are commonly asked in interviews for positions at Sanford Health. In this article, we will provide some examples of these questions and suggest how you can answer them.

Sanford Health Interview Process

The interview process at Sanford Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will be conducted either in person or over the phone. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically not longer than a few weeks.

Overall, the interview process at Sanford Health is relatively straightforward. However, some positions may require more difficult or technical questions. The interviewers are generally respectful and professional, and the overall experience is generally positive.

1. Do you have any experience working as a nurse?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your background and experience. If you have nursing experience, share what kind of work you did and how it prepared you for this role. If you don’t have any nursing experience, you can talk about other healthcare-related jobs or volunteer work that helped prepare you for a career in nursing.

Example: “I worked as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital for three years before moving to my current position. During my time there, I learned how to communicate with patients and their families while providing them with compassionate care. This experience taught me how to manage stress and prioritize tasks so I could provide excellent patient care.”

2. What is your greatest strength and weakness as a nurse?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Your greatest strength should be something that you are proud of, while your weakness should be something you’re working on improving.

Example: “My greatest strength as a nurse is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to help other nurses or doctors when they need assistance, and I enjoy collaborating with others to find the best solutions for our patients. My biggest weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on helping others that I forget to take care of myself. I’m currently working on making sure I have time to eat and rest between shifts.”

3. Why do you want to work for Sanford Health?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for Sanford Health. You should answer this question by explaining why you are passionate about healthcare and what drew you to work for Sanford Health specifically.

Example: “I want to work for Sanford Health because I am passionate about providing quality care to patients. I have always been interested in research, so Sanford’s dedication to finding new ways to improve patient care is very exciting to me. Also, Sanford has a great reputation as an employer, which makes me excited to be part of such a successful company.”

4. Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult patient. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to show that you have the ability to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively with patients and solve problems quickly.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very upset about their diagnosis. They were angry and wanted me to change it. I remained calm and explained why we couldn’t change the diagnosis. Then, I asked them what they would like to see happen instead. They calmed down and agreed to try some of our treatment options.”

5. Tell me about your clinical rotations in nursing school.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience in a clinical setting. This can help them determine if you have the skills and knowledge necessary for success at Sanford Health. When answering, try to highlight any specific experiences that helped you develop your nursing skills.

Example: “During my clinical rotations, I worked with patients of all ages. In one rotation, I was able to work with pediatric patients who were experiencing behavioral issues. During this rotation, I learned how to communicate effectively with children and their parents. I also gained valuable insight into how to handle challenging situations while working with patients.”

6. When was the last time you learned something new on the job?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your ability to learn new things and adapt to change. It can also show them that you’re open to learning from others, which is an important skill for teamwork. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about how you learned or what you learned.

Example: “At my last job, I was working with a patient who had a rare condition. I didn’t know much about it, so I asked one of my colleagues if they could explain more about it to me. They were happy to share their knowledge and helped me understand the condition better.”

7. Do you have any experience providing patient care?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in this role. If you do not have direct patient care experience, you can talk about a time when you helped someone else provide care or assisted with other healthcare tasks.

Example: “I worked as a nurse’s aide for two years while I was in school. This gave me valuable experience working with patients and learning how to perform basic medical procedures. It also taught me how to work well under pressure and communicate effectively with my colleagues.”

8. What are some of your favorite parts about being a nurse? Least favorite?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they feel about their job. It also helps you understand what motivates them, which can be helpful when deciding whether or not to hire them.

Example: “My favorite part of being a nurse is helping patients get better. I love seeing people who are sick leave feeling better than when they arrived. My least favorite part of this job is having to work with difficult patients. Sometimes it’s hard to see someone in pain, but I know that my job is to help them as much as possible.”

9. Are you comfortable handling confidential information?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to keep information private. It’s important that you can maintain confidentiality in any healthcare setting, so it’s best to answer this question with a “yes” and explain why you feel confident doing so.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable handling confidential information because of my previous experience working as an ER nurse. In this role, I was responsible for maintaining patient privacy at all times, which meant keeping information within our team and not sharing details with anyone outside of work. This helped me develop strong communication skills and learn how to handle sensitive situations.”

10. Give an example of a time when you dealt with a conflict at work. How did you resolve it?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you were able to resolve conflict in the workplace. This can show your potential employer that you are capable of handling challenging situations and working through them effectively.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I had a patient who was very upset with me because they felt like I wasn’t giving them enough attention. They expressed their concerns to me, and we discussed how I could better meet their needs. We came up with a plan where I would check on them more frequently during their stay at the hospital.”

11. Do you have experience scheduling appointments?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with scheduling appointments for patients and their families. This is an important part of working in a healthcare setting, so it’s helpful to show that you’re familiar with this process.

Example: “I’ve worked as a receptionist at my current job for two years now, which means I’m responsible for scheduling appointments for patients and their families. I use our company’s online booking system to schedule appointments, check-in patients and answer questions about our services. I find that this helps me build rapport with patients and their families, which makes them feel more comfortable when they come into the office.”

12. Tell us about a project that you worked on which involved teamwork.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the healthcare industry. Employers ask this question to see if you can work well with others and how you handle teamwork situations. When answering, try to describe a situation where your team was successful or faced challenges together.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse, I worked on a medical research project that involved many different departments within the hospital. We had to communicate often to make sure everyone knew what they were doing and when it would be done by. It was challenging at times to get everyone on board with the project, but we all managed to work through any issues we encountered.”

13. Can you tell me about your previous experience registering patients?

This question is a great way to learn more about the responsibilities of this role. It’s important to show that you understand what it takes to register patients and how to do so efficiently.

Example: “In my previous position, I was responsible for registering new patients at our front desk. This included checking in patients, verifying insurance information and collecting payment. I also had to ensure that all patient information was entered into our electronic medical record system. To make sure I didn’t miss any steps, I developed a checklist that I followed each day.”

14. Are you familiar with medical terminology?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of medical terminology and how you use it in your work. If you are interviewing for a position that requires you to use medical terminology, be sure to highlight any experience you have with this type of language.

Example: “I am very familiar with medical terminology because I worked as an interpreter at the hospital where I completed my clinicals. During my time there, I was responsible for translating between doctors and patients who spoke different languages. This required me to learn many new terms and their definitions so I could accurately communicate information.”

15. What are some ways to make sure a patient has a positive healthcare experience?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you can help patients feel comfortable during their visit. Use examples from your previous experience that show you understand the importance of making sure a patient feels welcome, cared for and respected.

Example: “I believe it’s important to make sure every patient has a positive healthcare experience. I always try to greet them with a smile and offer assistance when they need it. If they have questions or concerns, I take the time to listen and answer any questions they might have. I also ensure they know we are here to care for them and provide them with the best possible treatment.”

16. Have you ever had to provide emotional support to a coworker or patient?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle difficult situations and support others. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills, empathy and ability to provide emotional support when needed.

Example: “I once had a patient who was experiencing severe pain during their chemotherapy treatment. The patient’s family members were in the room with them, and they were all crying together. I approached the patient and asked if they would like me to call for more medication or another nurse to be with them. They said no, so I sat down next to them and held their hand while we talked about their favorite sports team. After a few minutes, they calmed down and started laughing again. Their family members joined us, and we ended up having a nice conversation.”

17. What is one thing that would be most important to you if you were a patient?

This question is a great way to show your empathy and compassion for patients. It also helps the interviewer understand what you value in healthcare. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when you were a patient or helped someone else who was a patient.

Example: “I would want my doctor to listen to me and take my concerns seriously. I would also want them to explain things clearly so that I understood everything they told me. If I had questions, I would want them to answer them thoroughly and patiently.”

18. At times, we may need help outside the scope of our responsibilities. Would you be okay with doing this?

This question is a great way to determine how flexible you are as an employee. It also shows the interviewer that you’re willing to help out your coworkers when needed. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and ensure your coworkers have what they need to succeed.

Example: “I’m happy to pitch in wherever I can. If my coworker needs help with something outside of their responsibilities, I’ll be there to assist them. This helps us all work more efficiently and ensures we’re providing our patients with the best care possible.”

19. It’s important to give accurate instructions to patients. Tell me about a time when you provided clear instructions to someone.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills. It’s important to be clear and concise when giving instructions, especially in a healthcare setting. When answering this question, think of a time you were able to clearly explain something to someone.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at the hospital, I had a patient who needed to take medication twice a day. The patient didn’t understand how to remember to take their pills, so I created a schedule for them that they could hang on their fridge. They thanked me for my help and said it made things much easier.”

20. In what ways can nurses improve the quality of patient care?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of nursing and how you can improve the quality of patient care. Use examples from your experience to show that you know what it takes to provide excellent care for patients.

Example: “I believe nurses should always be learning new skills and techniques to better their practice. I have taken several continuing education courses in my career, which has helped me learn more about different treatment methods and ways to communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals. Another way I think we can improve patient care is by encouraging our colleagues to speak up if they notice something amiss with a patient or their care.”