How to Answer ‘Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?’

How to Answer 'Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?'.

Are you eager to know How to Answer ‘Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?’. This article is for you.

This question can be rather intimidating at times, along with that you do not expect to get asked such a question. This question is asked to know the candidate and potential registered nurse better. Every individual may have a different reason for choosing their profession. 

You have to answer all the questions with the utmost sincerity. You have to be genuine and positive in your tone. Being concise is also appreciated. A rambling long answer will make the interviewers think that you have not considered the question ahead of time. Utilizing personal experience along with the job description will help you stand out among other individuals. 

Thorough research of the organization is also a good idea. Every organization has different needs, as some may cater exclusively towards people with disabilities. Adding this to the answer will prove useful. 

How to Answer ‘Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?’.

Practicing your answers beforehand is essential. You do not want to fumble or have pauses in between. It’s recommended to practice the questions with a friend or family member. Training for the interview will give you enough time to tweak the answers.

Sample Answers

If you are having a hard time thinking of any viable answers to the question then worry not, the following answers can act as a great outline for your potential answer. Please keep in mind that you shouldn’t view the answers as a template but rather just points that you can fill your own words in.

1st Answer

This answer is focused on a personal example, you may or may not have had similar experiences in the past, it’s better, to be honest.

I chose to become a nurse because I like taking care of and looking after people and helping them in difficult times. When I was small, I had fractured my arm, it was very painful but my morale was boosted as the nurses spent lots of time with me. They cleared all my queries and comforted both me and my parents. The nurses took care of me and spent quality time with me. This inspired me to become a nurse. If it wasn’t for those nurses, I wouldn’t be here today.

2nd Answer

The following answer is focused more on your personal helplessness and viewing the nurses help someone you are close to, this answer has to be genuine and heartfelt.

A few years ago, my uncle was diagnosed with cancer, and he was gravely ill and weak. The doctors were very helpful but the nurses played an important part in the recovery and treatment of my uncle. Whenever I visited him at the hospital, I was awestruck by the ability of the nurses to understand their patients and be very friendly and warm to them, along with making them comfortable. I would love to do the same and help not only the individuals but also their families. 

3rd Answer

Talk about your past experiences volunteering or helping someone in need.

When I was in high school, I signed up to volunteer for a local hospital. This was a great opportunity to help the patients and observe the difference that the nurses made in the patient’s life. After high school, I was intrigued by nursing and hospitality, as it is perfect for my passion for both Biology and the desire of taking care of people in need.

4th Answer

Talk confidently about nursing and how it was always a part of your life. 

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to help people. I feel like, becoming a nurse is not only adding value to my life but also helps add value in the patient’s life. I believe that becoming a nurse is the purpose of my life. The nursing profession is a great career and it will help me earn the admiration and respect of my peers.

5th Answer

Put forth your motivation.

Helping others get better and achieve their goals motivates me. Nursing is the perfect opportunity for me to help others achieve their healthy state of physical as well as mental being. The job is very rewarding for me and clubbing it with a stable opportunity will help me grow in my professional life. 

What is a Registered Nurse?

To understand the duties of a Registered Nurse (RN), we must understand more about them first. 

A Registered Nurse (RN) actively collaborates and works closely with various other healthcare professionals, intending to assess and treat patients with various illnesses, injuries, disabilities, and much more. Typically, a Registered Nurse works for healthcare clinics, hospitals, care homes, or even rehabilitation centers, assessing both the doctors and the patients. 

Duties of a Registered Nurse

A registered nurse is handed lots of duties and tasks that they have to carry out daily. These may include both simple and elaborate tasks. Below is an extensive list and explanation of all the duties of a registered nurse. 

Create and maintain records

You will have to create and maintain medical records for all the patients. This includes everything from reporting their blood pressure and keeping a record of their mood as well. Nurses have to fill out all the necessary information and report it to the doctors or the seniors. Hence this is mandatory. 

Conducting physical exams

You will have to conduct routine physical exams of their patients. This includes checking their blood pressure, sugar levels along with various other tests. After the exam, you must assess the needs of the patient and address the root cause of their problems. 

Provide emotional support

This is not limited to the patients since it can extend to their family members or close ones. Providing support in the form of assurance or just being there for them can be enough. Sometimes, patients may not be fortunate enough to survive, you will have to provide both emotional and psychological support to their family members, this may be tough but at the same time, it is essential and appropriate training for grief counseling is provided during your Bachelor’s.

Ensure hygienic environment 

A sudden flux in the number of patients can lead to clutter. To take proper care and safety of the clinic, you must ensure a clean and hygienic environment. This includes properly disposing of sanitary waste, injections, and various other types of bio-medical waste.

Assisting doctors and surgeons

Depending on the type of organization, you will be working with doctors or surgeons, assisting with the patient’s reports, carrying out all the essential duties when the doctor is away. Helping the surgeon during surgery, assessing the doctor diagnose a patient, and much more.

Requirements to Become a Registered Nurse

The requirements for becoming a registered nurse may be a challenge for most individuals but it is essential to have all the qualifications to serve the people. With enough grit and determination, you can achieve the following required qualifications to become a nurse. 

Complete registered and accredited RN program

This is the first step in ensuring your nursing license. Graduating from an accredited program is a must. There are various majors available, including nursing associate degrees, diplomas, and Bachelor’s degrees as well. An associate degree takes close to 2 years to complete, whereas a Bachelor’s degree can take up to 4 years. You may also enroll in second-degree program schools that offer courses for individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in a separate field. 

This gives you the option to work in Administration, Teaching, Research, and Consulting courses. As more employers are emphasizing a Bachelor’s degree, the competition has thus increased. A common course for nurses includes Chemistry, Statistics, Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition, and much more!

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

RN (Registered Nurse) programs are the key to passing the NCLEX-RN exam. After graduation, registering with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is required to enter the exam. Individuals receive authorization for the examination and other information regarding their eligibility. The NCLEX-RN test is a computerized test. It contains over 120 questions, to be completed within the timeframe of six hours. 

In case of failing the exam, individuals will have to wait for 45 days to reappear for the exam. Though the average passing rate is between 70-75%, guaranteeing you a great chance at succeeding.  

Obtain State License

All the states in the United States have made it mandatory to require employed registered nurses with the appropriate licenses. The severity of this mandate may vary from state to state, some states may include extra steps like a background check.

Obtain Registered Nurse employment

With the recent flux in the pandemic and increased demand for healthcare workers, this has also seen the rise in demand for nurses. Graduate registered nurses have multiple options and can choose their suitable employment. Experience triumphs theoretical knowledge when it comes to the employment of registered or any other medical professional. 

Salaries of Nurses

The salary of a registered nurse entirely depends on your employer, years of experience, and specialty. Specialties that are a niche are viewed as more valuable. 

The median salary of a registered nurse with less than a year of experience is $33.78 per hour, which amounts to over $65,321 annually. The salary increases with the years of experience. 

The median salary of a registered nurse with 3 to 5 years of experience is $40.21 per hour, which results in over $77,347 annually. And the per hour wage goes up to  $50.73 per hour for registered nurses with over 10 years of experience, this amounts to over $95,322 annually.

California is the state with the highest average salary for registered nurses, clocking in at $106,960 annually, followed by Hawaii and Massachusetts. While South Dakota is the state with the lowest annual salary for nurses at $58,112, followed by Mississippi, Iowa, Alabama, and Arkansas. 

Final Thoughts

The interview question should be answered with utmost honesty and sincerity. You must not falter or fumble while answering the question. Relating to your past personal experience is necessary. To become a registered nurse, the essential requirements are also mentioned along with the daily duties and responsibilities. You must also be well versed and capable in stressful situations that require you to act in the nick of time. 

Nurses help nurture and heal society to make it a better place. 

Frequently Asked Questions

This article extensively covers all the nurse interview questions along with their sample answers. There is also relevant information relevant to nursing such as alternative careers to nursing. Sometimes the readers may still have extra queries in their minds, the Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) aims to resolve all the questions regarding this topic. 

Q. How long does a registered nurse work for?

A. On average, a registered nurse works for 12 hours a day. The hours may vary entirely on the appointed hospital, state, and position. 

Q. Are nurses offered any benefits and perks for their work?

A. Yes! The majority of nurses get paid-time-off (PTO), this can include sick days, vacation, Maternity leaves, and personal time off. Education allowances, health insurance retirement plans, and other incentives are also offered. This may vary on your employed hospital and state as well. 

Q. Can you work overtime as a nurse?

A. A nurse can work more than 40 hours a week if they desire to. The nurses are provided with choices and opportunities to work overtime. Your hospital or clinic may not permit you to work more, it depends on them, as they have to adhere to the state laws. The states that do allow to work overtime need a few set requirements, including physical and mental checks.

Q. Do registered nurses get raises?

A. Yes! Registered nurses in both government and private hospitals get 2.5 to 3% raises every year. The salaries may increase due to the demand for nurses along with the increase of experience. 

Q. What to wear for a registered nurse interview?

A. You have to follow the strict dress code provided by the company. You must dress for the position, for men, it is mandatory to wear a suit and tie, and for women, a buttoned-down shirt and skirt are required. Most interviewers do not emphasize dress code but it is essential to display professionalism. 

How to Answer ‘Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?’

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