Dialysis nursing can be a challenging and rewarding career.

Your interviewer will want to know that you have what it takes to be an excellent dialysis nurse, and to impress him, prepare answers to commonly asked questions beforehand to avoid getting stuck during the interview.

The more you practice answering questions such as these, the better your chances of being offered the position.

Dialysis Nursing Interview Questions and Answers

Below are some of the more common interview questions you’ll be asked when interviewing for a dialysis nursing interview.

To find dialysis nursing positions check out the NurseMoneyTalk job board.

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1. Why did you choose to become a dialysis nurse?

man having dialysis program

Answer:

“I chose to nurse because I wanted to help people, and I chose the dialysis specialty because patients experiencing kidney problems need extra help to stay healthy.

I am passionate about this specialty and love making my patients feel better after completing their treatment.”

Dialysis nursing needs specialized knowledge and advanced nursing skills to ensure patient’s safety.

Therefore, interviewers will look for candidates who show genuine interest in the field and treat dialysis nursing as more than “just a job.”

The interviewer needs to know your motivation for this type of work.

2. Do you have peritoneal or hemodialysis certification?

Answer:

“I completed my hemodialysis certification two years ago and worked in a dialysis unit at X hospital.

I am working part-time toward the peritoneal dialysis certification and plan to complete the course in the next three months.”

To work in a dialysis unit, nurses need certification. The interviewer needs to confirm that you are qualified to take the position if offered.

If you are not yet certified but have working experience let the interviewer know whether you plan to enroll in the certification program as soon as possible.

3. How would you reassure an anxious patient before starting a dialysis treatment?

dialysis

Answer:

“When I meet an anxious patient who is about to get their first dialysis treatment, I find that the best way to make them feel more comfortable is by chatting to them and explaining each step of the process. I am also allowing them to ask questions.

The explanations help patients anticipate what to expect and how they will feel during and after treatment.

It has a calming effect and helps them to feel more confident and in control during future treatments.”

Dialysis is stressful for patients, and the interviewer needs to find out if you have personal skills that show empathy and compassion to help calm anxious patients.

If you cannot be compassionate with a stranger who is anxious and cannot calm them down, you will not be a good fit to work in a dialysis unit.

4. What are the most important things to remember when caring for a patient receiving dialysis treatment?

Answer:

“Patients receiving dialysis treatment can develop complications suddenly.

Therefore, it is important to monitor them carefully, ensure that the dialysis is running smoothly and that the patient feels comfortable during treatment and is not developing any untoward effects.”

The interviewer needs to assess whether you have sufficient knowledge to administer dialysis to patients. Answer this question as fully as possible to show off your skills and knowledge.

5. How would you schedule treatments for patients receiving both peritoneal and hemodialysis?

nurse talking to patient

Answer:

“I would consult their doctor to establish which treatment method should be prioritized.

If peritoneal dialysis were more beneficial to the patient’s health, I would schedule the treatment separately from the hemodialysis schedule.

If the patient needed to receive both types of dialysis at once, I would make sure that I called in extra staff to enable me to administer both treatments simultaneously.”

The interviewer will ask this question to determine whether you are able to schedule treatments effectively by prioritizing the most important treatment first.

Your answer will show the interviewer that you are a capable nurse able to manage multiple tasks and collect all the necessary information before scheduling these treatments in the most efficient way for the patient and the facility.

Find Your Next Nursing Job
Use the NurseMoneyTalk job board to look for and apply to great nursing jobs near you.

6. What would you do when you notice a patient receiving the wrong type of dialysis treatment?

Answer:

“If I noticed that a patient was in the process of receiving incorrect dialysis treatment, I would immediately stop it.

I would call the supervisor, and together we would check the patient’s records and doctor’s orders to determine why the mistake happened.

If necessary, I would commence the correct treatment under orders from the physician.

Once the patient was taken care of, I would work with my supervisor to put new procedures in place to prevent similar mistakes from happening in the future.”

When you get a question about a patient’s safety, you must know that the interviewer is looking to assess your ability to make independent decisions and your commitment to patient safety.

To answer this question well, explain what actions you would take to correct the current error and how you would try to prevent this from happening again.

7. Are you comfortable with performing CPR on a dialysis patient?

cpr simulation

Answer:

“I have completed advanced CPR training at my current workplace. I also attended refresher sessions to ensure my skills were up to date.

If hired, I would be happy to continue refreshing my skills. I feel that dialysis nurses must be skilled in CPR because dialysis patients can develop emergencies during treatment or at home.”

Dialysis nurses need to be comfortable performing CPR and other emergency procedures to be able to care for patients when they experience medical emergencies.

The interviewer needs to confirm that you have the necessary skills to administer CPR in an emergency.

If you are not certified in this procedure, let the interviewer know that you are willing to learn and complete the certification as soon as possible.

8. When is it appropriate to call a patient’s doctor?

Answer:

“I would call the patient’s doctor when a patient develops serious complications.

Dialysis is a regulated process, but there are times when complications arise.

I would first consult my unit manager to see if we can resolve minor complications ourselves, but if the patient did not respond to my interventions, I would call the patient’s doctor.

I would communicate my concerns clearly and relate the specifics relevant to the patient’s health status.”

Dialysis patients often present with complex medical histories. Nurses may need to consult with patients’ primary care physicians about treatment plans or other issues arising during a dialysis session.

The interviewer wants to know if you can handle such situations professionally. In your answer, explain how you would approach this situation, and give examples when you can.

9. What is the most challenging part of being a dialysis nurse?

dialysis sched

Answer:

“For me, the most challenging part of being a dialysis nurse is having to tell patients that they cannot receive their treatment today.

There always seem to be more patients than available machines.

I understand that appointments will be canceled when we experience unexpected breakdowns of the dialysis machines or other issues, but it is always hard for me to let patients know that we must reschedule their appointments.

I always encourage them to call me if they have any concerns.

The interviewer needs to determine if you have the ability to handle the difficulties and challenges of being a dialysis nurse.

When you answer this question, explain what you find most difficult about this job. You can also include information about how you would overcome these challenges.

10. What makes you a good fit to work in our dialysis center?

scheduling dialysis

Answer:

“As I worked in the dialysis unit with my previous employer, I developed a passion for helping people stay healthy despite having kidneys that do not function optimally.

Dialysis is an essential part of keeping patients feeling good. Your dialysis center is well known in the community, and all the patients are happy with their care.

For me, it would be very exciting to work here. My experience and skills would benefit patients attending your dialysis center.”

The interviewer will ask this question to learn more about how you will contribute to their team and whether you will make a good fit for the position.

Your answer should highlight your skills and experience relevant to the job. It is also good to mention any positive or personal connections to the facility.

Key Takeaways

Remember, the interviewer is not trying to catch you out by asking questions you did not expect.

It is their job to ensure they hire someone who is a good fit for their facility.

So, practicing to answer these questions and others like those will help you provide fluent answers in a real interview. Let’s hope they will offer you the job.

Find Your Next Nursing Job
Use the NurseMoneyTalk job board to look for and apply to great nursing jobs near you.

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