17 Wellness Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Wellness nurses are responsible for promoting health and wellness in their patients. They work with patients to develop healthy lifestyle habits and provide education on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and disease prevention.

If you’re a registered nurse looking for a job in the wellness field, you may be wondering what kind of questions you’ll be asked in an interview. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of common wellness nurse interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next job interview.

Are you comfortable working with people who have a wide range of health conditions?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your comfort level with working in a hospital setting. They want to know if you have experience working with people who are ill or injured and how you handle those situations. In your answer, share an example of a time when you worked with someone who was experiencing a challenging health condition. Explain what steps you took to help them feel more comfortable during their treatment.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with patients who have a wide range of health conditions. I once had a patient who was recovering from surgery and needed assistance getting up and down from the bed. I helped him get situated in his wheelchair so he could go outside for some fresh air. He told me that it was nice having someone there to help him because he felt like he wasn’t bothering anyone else. It made me realize that even though we’re all here for different reasons, we can still make each other feel better.”

What are some of the most important skills for a wellness nurse to have?

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to wellness nursing.

Example: “I believe that empathy is one of the most important skills for a wellness nurse to have because it allows us to connect with patients on a deeper level. I also think it’s essential to have strong communication skills as well as good time management skills since both are crucial to ensuring patient care is delivered effectively. Finally, I feel compassion is another key skill for wellness nurses to possess because it helps us understand our patients’ needs.”

How would you deal with a patient who is resistant to your suggestions for healthier living?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with challenging patients. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and willing to take the time to understand a patient’s perspective.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood why they were resistant to my suggestions. Sometimes it is because of financial reasons or other barriers that prevent them from making changes. If this was the case, I would do everything in my power to find solutions for their problem. For example, if they needed more affordable food options, I might offer resources like coupons or discounts on healthy foods.”

What is your experience with administering medications?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific aspect of nursing. If you have previous experience administering medications, describe how you did so and what kind of medication you administered. If you do not have any experience administering medications, you can still answer this question by describing your experience with patients who take medications and how you helped them manage their treatment plans.

Example: “In my last position as a wellness nurse, I assisted in managing patient care for those who needed to administer their own medications. I would meet with each patient once per week to check on their progress and ensure they were following their treatment plan. In addition, I also had some patients who required assistance with taking their medications. For these patients, I would assist them with administering their medications until they could do it independently.”

Provide an example of a time when you provided holistic care to a patient.

When an interviewer asks you to provide an example of a time when you provided holistic care, they are trying to understand your experience with holistic medicine. This is because wellness nurses often use holistic methods to help patients manage their health and well-being. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the specific techniques or strategies that you used in your previous role as a wellness nurse.

Example: “In my last position as a wellness nurse, I worked with a patient who was struggling with anxiety. She had been taking medication for her anxiety but wanted to try something different. We decided to meet once a week so I could monitor her progress and adjust her treatment plan if needed. After two months, she reported feeling much better and no longer felt the need to take medication.”

If a patient was making progress toward their wellness goals, but then started to regress, how would you help them get back on track?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you apply your skills to support patients and their progress. Use examples from previous experience where you helped a patient overcome challenges or setbacks in their wellness goals, such as diet changes or exercise routines.

Example: “If I noticed that a patient was regressing in their wellness goals, I would first ask them about what’s changed since our last meeting. If they haven’t made any major changes, then I would work with them on strategies for getting back on track. For example, if someone is trying to lose weight but isn’t seeing results, I might suggest increasing their calorie deficit by 10% to see if that helps them make more progress.”

What would you do if you recommended a new diet or exercise routine, but the patient continued to struggle with their weight?

Healthcare professionals often recommend new diets and exercise routines to patients, but sometimes these changes are difficult for the patient to implement. An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you would respond if a patient did not follow your recommendations. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic while also encouraging the patient to make healthy choices.

Example: “I have had many patients who were resistant to my advice about diet and exercise. I always encourage them to give it their best effort, even if they don’t see results right away. If they continue to struggle with weight loss after several months of following my advice, I will reevaluate their current routine and offer additional suggestions.”

How well do you deal with stress?

Working as a wellness nurse can be stressful at times. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to handle stress in your job. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and give examples of past experiences where you did so successfully.

Example: “I find that I am able to deal with stress quite well. When I feel stressed, I take a few minutes to breathe deeply and relax myself. Then, I think about what is stressing me out and try to come up with a solution. If there isn’t an immediate solution, I write down my thoughts and revisit them later when I’m feeling calmer. This helps me solve problems more effectively.”

Do you have experience working with a team of other healthcare professionals?

Working as a wellness nurse often involves working with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and physical therapists. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience collaborating with others in the field. In your answer, explain how you work well with others. Share an example of a time when you worked with another professional to achieve a goal.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed working with a team of professionals. I find that it’s more effective to collaborate with my colleagues than try to do everything myself. For instance, at my last job, I was working with a physical therapist who had a patient recovering from knee surgery. The patient wasn’t progressing as quickly as they should be, so we decided to meet together to discuss what could be causing the issue. We realized that the patient needed a different type of exercise to help them recover. By meeting together, we were able to come up with a solution that helped the patient.”

When is it appropriate to refer a patient to a mental health professional?

Mental health is an important aspect of overall wellness, and employers want to know that you understand this. They also want to ensure that you can recognize when a patient needs more specialized care than you can provide. In your answer, explain how you would determine if it’s appropriate to refer a patient to another professional.

Example: “I have experience working with mental health patients in the past, so I feel comfortable assessing whether or not they need additional support. However, I always ask my patients about their experiences with other professionals before making any referrals. If they’ve already seen someone for similar issues, then I may not feel as compelled to make a referral. However, if they haven’t had any previous treatment, then I will definitely recommend that they see a mental health professional.”

We want to improve our outreach to local communities. How would you go about doing that as a wellness nurse?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and how you can help a company achieve its goals. When answering this question, think about what steps you would take to increase outreach in the community.

Example: “I believe that one of the best ways to reach out to communities is through education. I would start by creating educational materials for local schools and organizations. This way, we could teach children about healthy habits at a young age so they are more likely to continue them as adults. I would also work with local businesses to create wellness programs. For example, if a business offered discounts to customers who completed a health assessment, it could encourage people to get healthier.”

Describe your process for conducting a health assessment.

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your assessment process and how it relates to the wellness nurse’s role. Use examples from previous experiences to describe your approach to conducting a health assessment, including how you gather information from patients and use that data to create an individualized plan for their care.

Example: “When I conduct a health assessment, I first meet with the patient to discuss their medical history and current state of health. I then perform a physical examination to assess any existing conditions or symptoms they’re experiencing. Afterward, I review my findings with the patient to explain what I observed during the exam and answer any questions they have. Finally, I develop a personalized treatment plan based on the results of the assessment.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that relates to the job description.

Example: “I have extensive knowledge of medical terminology and I’m always eager to learn new things. In my previous role as a nurse, I would often research topics related to patient care. This helped me understand complex conditions and develop treatment plans for patients. It also allowed me to communicate with specialists and collaborate on care plans.”

Which wellness areas would you like to be trained in?

This question is a great way for employers to learn about your interests and goals. It’s also an opportunity for you to show them that you’re eager to learn more about their company and the wellness industry in general. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific areas of interest or skills you already have.

Example: “I would love to get trained in all aspects of patient care. I’m especially interested in learning how to help patients with chronic illnesses manage their symptoms. I’ve worked with many patients who suffer from chronic pain, so I feel like I could bring some valuable insight into helping patients find relief.”

What do you think is the most important thing that a wellness nurse can do for their patients?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you know what a wellness nurse does and how it can benefit patients. Use your answer to highlight some of the skills, knowledge or experience you have as a wellness nurse.

Example: “I think one of the most important things a wellness nurse can do for their patients is educate them about their health. I always make sure to explain any procedures or treatments my patients are receiving so they understand why we’re doing them and what to expect. This helps build trust between me and my patients and makes them feel more comfortable with the process.”

How often would you recommend patients see a physician?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much independence you have in your role as a wellness nurse. It’s important to show that you’re able to make independent decisions about when patients need to see their primary care physician and when they don’t.

Example: “I recommend seeing a physician if there are any concerning symptoms or changes in health, such as weight loss or gain, fever, fatigue or pain. I also recommend seeing a physician if a patient has been sick for more than two weeks without improvement. If a patient is having trouble sleeping, has lost interest in activities they used to enjoy or has unexplained mood swings, I would also recommend seeing a physician.”

There is a new fad diet that you don’t think is healthy. How would you handle it with your patients?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to see how you handle controversial topics with your patients. You can answer honestly and explain that you would encourage the patient to discuss their diet with their physician before making any changes.

Example: “I believe it is important for my patients to have an open dialogue with their physicians about any dietary changes they are considering. I would tell them that while there are some diets that promote healthy eating, many of these fad diets lack essential nutrients and vitamins that our bodies need. I would also recommend that they speak with their primary care doctor or nutritionist if they want to make changes to their diet.”