If you are stressed about your upcoming interview for the orthopedic nurse position, you are not alone.
Thankfully, many interviewers ask similar questions, so you can study the most recurring ones to prepare your answers beforehand and make you feel more confident during the interview.
You can use the model answers provided to script personalized answers that fit your situation. Here are ten of the possible questions you may be asked.
Common Orthopedic Nursing Interview Questions with Sample Answers
1. Tell Me More About Yourself.
When you enter the room, the interviewer knows nothing about you.
Their task is to find a perfect candidate to fill the orthopedic nurse role successfully.
To present yourself as the candidate they are looking for, tell them information about your previous experience, any accomplishments you’re proud of in your career, and any educational accomplishments.
Answer:
“My name is Anne Marks. I have worked as an orthopedic nurse for five years at XYZ Hospital.
I have a BSN degree and am working towards my certification as an orthopedic nurse practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
I have experience caring for patients with painful joints, broken bones, and other mobility problems.”
2. What Type Of Orthopedic Conditions Do You Treat The Most In Your Present Position?
Asking about your previous experience and what type of conditions you are used to treating will tell the interviewer more about how well you can adjust to the scope of work in your new role.
Use this opportunity to highlight specific skills or techniques for treating common orthopedic conditions.
Answer:
“Where I currently work, I see various orthopedic conditions, but the one that comes in most frequently are patients suffering from knee or hip pain.
We see so many of those patients that I have developed a specific treatment plan for them.
It consists of non-pharmacological ways to reduce pain, specific exercise stretches, and diet modification to improve the patient’s mobility and reduce knee inflammation.
It helps many patients recover quicker and cuts the amount of pain they have.”
3. How Do You Manage Patients Who Complain Of Pain?
Patients with orthopedic problems all present with some form of pain. That is why managing pain is an important skill for an orthopedic nurse.
The interviewer wants to assess your ability to perform this role’s main function.
Your answer should describe how you would use your knowledge of pharmacology and medical procedures to help patients cope better with the pain they feel.
Answer:
“When treating patients who experience pain, I start with providing comfort measures like ice packs or heating pads.
I also refer patients to physical therapy to learn useful stretches and exercises designed to reduce the amount of pain they feel.
Lastly, I treat patients’ pain with medications that medical practitioners have prescribed.
Once I administer the medication, I continue to observe the patient to monitor their response to the drug.”
4. How Would You Respond If You Noticed A Patient Was Not Using Their Injured Limb Properly?
The progress of a patient’s postoperative recovery often depends on how they use their injured limb postoperatively.
The interviewer wants to learn how you would ensure that patients use their limbs properly to prevent any setbacks in their recovery.
Answer:
“If I notice that the patient is not using their injured limb correctly, I would ask them about their pain levels when using the limb.
If they reply that they do not feel too much pain using their limb, I will tell them how important it is to start using it to ensure a good recovery.
If they are experiencing pain when using their injured limb, I will assess whether it is safe for them to use it.
If there are no signs of post-surgical complications, I will encourage them to use their limb and suggest exercises for them to do to increase their mobility, reduce the pain they feel, and speed up the recovery process.”
5. What Would You Do If A Patient Complains About Your Care?
Orthopedic nurses need to be able to deal effectively with patients who are difficult to care for.
Your answer should demonstrate that you can handle difficult patients in a positive way.
You could include an example of how you handled complaints about your care in the past to show how you would handle things if they hired you.
Answer:
“I had once a patient who complained about my care. He was a professional athlete who injured his cruciate ligament, which was surgically repaired.
The surgical procedure went well, but a few days after the surgery, the patient complained about the treatment and lack of progress in his recovery.
I talked to the patient to establish the cause of his complaint and realized that the patient did not fully understand the information given to him regarding what he could expect postoperatively and how the recovery should proceed.”
6. What Is Your Relationship With Other Healthcare Professionals?
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills.
As an orthopedic nurse, you regularly work with many healthcare professionals.
Your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively can help you succeed in the role. In your answer, highlight your teamwork skills and willingness to support others.
Answer:
“I know how important it is to collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
I regularly meet with other nurses, doctors, and physiotherapists throughout the day to discuss patients’ progress.
The team also shares treatment plans to ensure patients receive holistic care with better outcomes.”
7. If You Were Hired, How Would You Ensure Our Healthcare Facility Can Improve Our Patient Satisfaction Rate?
This question is asked to discover your knowledge of what it takes to keep patients satisfied with their care.
It will demonstrate to the interviewer your leadership ability and general insight into how healthcare facilities are run.
Your answer should show the interviewer that you are willing to put in extra effort to make sure each patient has a great experience at the facility.
You can also outline the steps you would take to ensure patients’ satisfaction.
Answer:
“I believe that communicating with patients about their diagnosis and treatment plan so they understand everything being done for them.
I also make sure they are as comfortable as possible and that their pain levels are well managed.
If patients know what to expect after surgery or how long it will take to recover after an injury, they will feel that they are receiving good care from the facility and be more satisfied.”
8. What Is Your Least Favorite Aspect Of Working As An Orthopedic Nurse?
This question aims to discover if there is anything about the job that can wear you out emotionally or physically.
Your answer should show your resilience and mental strength. The interviewer wants to ensure that your performance will not be affected by carrying out the main duties of the role.
If they think you may not be able to withstand the rigors of working as an orthopedic nurse, it will affect your long-term prospects.
Answer:
“The most difficult part of the job for me is when we treat patients riddled with arthritis, and there is nothing we can do to help improve their situation.
Not being able to help someone in pain and distress is frustrating.”
9. Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years From Now?
Before hiring you, employers want to be assured that you don’t have plans to leave them in a few months.
Use your answer to show you are serious about this job and achieving career goals with this healthcare facility.
Answer:
“In five years, I hope to gain more orthopedic nursing skills and experience to provide excellent patient care and become a practical tutor to new nurses so that I can pass on my knowledge to the next generation of nurses.
10. What Makes You Stand Out From Other Candidates?
This is usually asked as a wind-down question of the interview.
The interviewer is looking for a quick review of your qualifications and how they fit into the position offered.
Your answer needs to highlight the skills and experience you bring to the employer that relate to the job description.
Answer:
“I have five years of experience working as an orthopedic nurse and stay current on new procedures and technology by taking continuing education courses. I provide excellent patient care, and I love my job.”
Key Takeaways
Interviewers appreciate candidates who take the time to prepare for the interview.
If you practice answering questions like the above, you will be able to effortlessly provide answers with the interviewer sitting in front of you.
If you are not nervous when answering the questions, you will be more successful and land your dream position. Good luck with job hunting.
