17 Triage Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Triage nurses play a critical role in emergency rooms and other healthcare settings by assessing patients’ conditions and determining the best course of treatment. They must have excellent communication and critical thinking skills to make quick decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.

If you’re looking for a job in triage nursing, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some of the most common triage nursing interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where you need to make quick decisions?

Triage nurses often need to make quick decisions about patient care. Employers ask this question to see if you are comfortable working in a high-pressure environment and can still perform your job well. In your answer, explain that you have experience with making fast decisions and feel confident doing so. Explain that you enjoy the challenge of multitasking and helping many patients at once.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Throughout my career as a triage nurse, I’ve worked in emergency rooms where we had multiple patients who needed our help. I’m used to having several tasks going on at once and being able to prioritize them appropriately. I also understand how important it is to make quick decisions when caring for patients. I know that sometimes there isn’t time to gather all the information before acting.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a triage nurse to have?

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 most important qualities as well as how they benefit the triage nurse position.

Example: “The most important quality for a triage nurse is compassion. It’s essential that we are able to listen to patients and their families while also remaining calm and collected. Another important quality is organization. I am always prepared with all of my supplies and paperwork before entering the emergency room so I can focus on helping patients rather than searching for supplies or forms.”

How would you handle a situation where you have a patient who is very upset and angry?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle stressful situations and your ability to remain calm under pressure. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you are able to empathize with patients and use your communication skills to diffuse the situation.

Example: “I have had a few patients who were upset when they arrived at the triage desk. I always make sure to greet them kindly and listen to their concerns. If they are angry or yelling, I will calmly repeat back what they’re saying so that they know I’m listening. Then, I’ll ask questions to find out more about their issue so that I can address it as quickly as possible.”

What is your process for handling a patient who is in extreme pain?

Triage nurses often have to assess patients who are in extreme pain. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle these situations and if your approach is effective. In your answer, describe a specific situation where you helped a patient manage their pain while also addressing any other concerns they had.

Example: “When I encounter a patient who is in extreme pain, I first ask them what their current pain level is on a scale of one to ten. If it’s above an eight, I immediately call for a doctor or another nurse to help me administer medication. Once the patient feels better, I can then address any other issues they may be having. For example, when I was working at my previous hospital, I once encountered a patient who was in extreme pain because of a broken leg. After administering pain medication, I asked him about his family and talked with him until he fell asleep.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a patient who did not speak your language.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you adapt to different situations and communicate with patients. In your answer, try to show that you can use a variety of methods to communicate effectively with patients who do not speak English.

Example: “At my previous hospital, I worked with many non-English speaking patients. One time, I had a patient who spoke Spanish but was having trouble communicating their symptoms to me. I used Google Translate on my phone to help them describe their pain in Spanish so I could understand what they were saying. Then, I would respond back to them in Spanish using the same app. This helped us communicate effectively despite our language barrier.”

If a patient comes in with a complaint that is outside of your department, how would you refer them to the appropriate resource?

This question can help interviewers understand how you collaborate with other departments and professionals. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills, ability to communicate clearly and willingness to learn about the resources available in the facility.

Example: “If a patient comes in with a complaint that is outside of my department, I would first try to address their concerns myself. If I am unable to provide them with an adequate solution, I will refer them to another professional or department for further assistance. For example, if a patient came into triage complaining of chest pains but they were not experiencing any shortness of breath, I would ask them more questions to determine whether they should be seen by a cardiologist.”

What would you do if you had a patient who was in severe pain, but you were out of the medication that would help them?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to do what’s best for the patient and find another way to relieve their pain.

Example: “If I had a patient who was in severe pain but I didn’t have any of the medication they needed, I would first ask them if there were any other ways we could treat their pain. If not, I would call around to nearby hospitals or pharmacies to see if anyone had some of the medication on hand. If no one did, I would contact the doctor to see if there was anything else we could do.”

How well do you perform under pressure? Can you give me an example of a time when you had to perform your job duties even though you were feeling stressed or anxious?

When an interviewer asks you this question, they want to know how well you can perform your job duties under pressure. They also want to see if you have any strategies for coping with stress or anxiety and whether you can use them in a professional setting. In your answer, try to show that you are able to manage stressful situations effectively while still performing your job duties.

Example: “I am very comfortable working under pressure. I find that when I’m feeling stressed or anxious, it actually helps me focus on the task at hand and get it done quickly. At my last job, we had a situation where there were many patients who needed triage care all at once. There was a lot of commotion and noise as everyone tried to help their patients. However, I stayed calm and focused on helping each patient one at a time until they were either seen by a doctor or discharged.”

Do you have experience working with children?

Triage nurses often work with children who are experiencing minor injuries. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with kids and can handle their unique needs. Before your interview, read through the job description to see if they mention any specific requirements for working with children. If so, share that you meet those requirements. If not, explain how much experience you do have working with children.

Example: “I have worked as a triage nurse for five years now. During that time, I’ve encountered many different types of patients, including children. While I don’t have direct experience working with children in my current role, I am comfortable caring for them. In fact, I find it rewarding when I can help calm a child’s nerves or distract them from their pain.”

When is it appropriate to call in a doctor?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you know when it’s appropriate to call in a doctor for assistance. This can be an important skill because triage nurses often need to make quick decisions about whether or not they should contact their supervisor. When answering, try to think of a specific situation where you called in a doctor and the outcome was positive.

Example: “When I worked as a triage nurse at a hospital, we had a policy that stated we could only call in doctors during emergencies. However, sometimes there were situations where I felt like calling in a doctor would have been beneficial. For example, one time I was working alone on a busy night shift and I noticed a patient who seemed to be experiencing some serious symptoms. I decided to call in a doctor to help me assess the patient. The doctor agreed with my assessment and helped me provide care to the patient.”

We want to improve our wait times. How would you encourage patients to move through the triage process more quickly?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to manage a large number of patients and encourage them to move through the triage process quickly. In your answer, demonstrate how you would communicate with patients about wait times and encourage them to be patient while they’re waiting for their turn in the triage area.

Example: “I would first explain our current wait time to each patient as soon as they arrive at the triage desk. I find that knowing what to expect can help patients feel more comfortable during their wait. If we have any available seats in the waiting room, I would also offer those to patients who are willing to wait there instead of standing in line. This helps us reduce the length of the queue and makes it easier for other patients to get into the triage area.”

Describe your process for calming down a nervous or anxious patient.

As a triage nurse, you may encounter patients who are anxious or nervous about their medical conditions. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the interpersonal skills and experience to calm down these types of patients. In your answer, try to describe how you use your communication skills to help ease the patient’s nerves.

Example: “When I first meet with a nervous or anxious patient, I try to put them at ease by smiling and introducing myself. Then, I explain what my role is as a triage nurse and what they can expect from me during their visit. If the patient has any questions, I do my best to answer them clearly and thoroughly. This helps reassure the patient that I am here to help them.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for a triage nurse position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the position. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a few of your skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the role. You may also want to mention any personal qualities that help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became a nurse in the first place. As a triage nurse, I would get to use my communication skills to talk with patients and their families while assessing their needs. I am also very empathetic and compassionate, so I know I could provide excellent care to anyone who comes through the emergency room doors.”

Which medical software programs have you used in the past and how were they beneficial to your job?

Triage nurses need to be familiar with medical software programs that help them perform their job duties. When answering this question, make sure you mention the specific software program and how it helped you in your previous role.

Example: “I have used several different medical software programs throughout my career as a triage nurse. One of my favorite programs is Meditech because it allows me to enter all patient information into one system so I can easily access it when needed. This program also helps me communicate with other members of the healthcare team by sending alerts about patients who are waiting for care.”

What do you think is the most important part of your job as a triage nurse?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in your work and how you approach it. When answering this question, consider the responsibilities of a triage nurse and identify which ones are most important to you.

Example: “I think the most important part of my job as a triage nurse is assessing patients’ needs and deciding whether they need immediate care or if they can wait until later. I want to make sure that all patients get the right treatment at the right time so we don’t have any emergencies that could be avoided with better triage. Another important part of my job is communicating clearly with other nurses and doctors about each patient’s condition.”

How often do you perform physical assessments on patients?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with physical assessments and how often you perform them. If the facility uses a triage nurse to conduct physical assessments, they may want someone who is comfortable doing so. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific skills or certifications that you have related to performing physical assessments.

Example: “In my previous role as a registered nurse, I performed physical assessments on patients at least once every eight hours. This helped me monitor their vitals and ensure that there were no changes in their condition. In addition to monitoring their health status, I also used these assessments to determine if they needed additional care.”

There is a shortage of triage nurses in your area. How would you convince people to pursue this career path?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the nursing profession and why you are qualified for this role. When answering, consider what inspired you to become a nurse in the first place. Consider sharing personal stories about how you became interested in the field or how you have seen it positively impact others’ lives.

Example: “I would tell them that being a triage nurse is one of the most rewarding careers out there. I love helping people when they’re at their lowest point and knowing that my care can make a difference in someone’s life. It’s also very fulfilling to know that I am making a positive impact on the healthcare system by providing excellent patient care.”