The Top 25 Banner Health Registered Nurse Interview Questions To Prepare For

Getting hired as a registered nurse at Banner Health can be competitive but going into your interview prepared with knowledge of common questions can give you a leg up. With nearly 30,000 employees across multiple states Banner Health prides itself on providing excellent patient care. The interviewers will want to make sure you’ll be a good culture fit and have the necessary nursing skills.

In this article I’ll share the top 25 registered nurse interview questions specific to Banner Health to help you ace your interview. We’ll go over examples and tips to help you craft winning responses. Read on to get fully prepped!

1. Why are you interested in working at Banner Health?

This common question allows you to share your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Highlight aspects of Banner Health’s mission, values, and culture that resonate with you. Emphasize your alignment with their commitment to compassionate patient care.

Sample Answer: “I’m excited to work for Banner Health because of your longstanding reputation for clinical excellence and innovation in patient care. Your mission to make healthcare easier resonates with me, as my priority is improving patients’ quality of life. I also appreciate your culture of diversity, integrity, and teamwork. My skills and values align well with Banner Health, and I’m eager to contribute as a nurse.”

2. What qualities or skills make you a strong nurse?

With this behavioral question, interviewers want to understand your self-awareness and hear you articulate the top nursing competencies. Focus on skills like communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, empathy, and ability to work under pressure.

Sample Answer: “A few key qualities that make me an effective nurse are my empathy, critical thinking skills, and commitment to continuous learning. I build trusting relationships with patients by listening actively and validating their concerns. I make evidence-based decisions when providing care using logic and clinical judgement. And I stay up-to-date on the latest practices through training and research to deliver the best possible care.”

3. How do you ensure you’re providing culturally sensitive care as a nurse?

Cultural competence is vital for Banner Health nurses across their diverse communities. Share examples of how you respect patients’ cultural backgrounds and adjust your care approach appropriately. Highlight the importance of open communication.

Sample Answer: “I ensure culturally sensitive care by taking time to understand each patient’s values and customs, and adapting my nursing approach. Whether it’s dietary preferences or modesty concerns, I modify my care plan accordingly. Clear communication is key – I utilize interpreters when needed and use layman’s terms to avoid confusion. Overall, I aim to make patients feel respected in a vulnerable time by providing care in a compassionate, culturally competent way.”

4. How do you respond when a patient or their family member is angry?

Nurses regularly encounter challenging interpersonal situations, so interviewers want to know you can handle them professionally. Emphasize listening, empathy, and maintaining calmness. Share an example if possible.

Sample Answer: “When patients or their families express anger, I listen calmly and let them voice their frustrations. I apologize for any distress they’re feeling. Then, I seek to understand the root of their anger so I can address concerns. It’s important not to take anger personally. With empathy and clear communication, I aim to resolve issues and rebuild trust.”

5. What experience do you have with electronic medical records?

Banner Health uses Cerner electronic health records, so highlight any EHR experience you have. If unfamiliar with Cerner specifically, focus on your ability to learn new technology systems quickly.

Sample Answer: “I have 3 years of experience using Epic electronic medical records. I’m very comfortable with patient charting, medication administration tracking, and lab result reviews in EHR systems. I also have experience with computerized physician order entry. While I haven’t used Cerner, I learn new technologies very quickly and am confident I could become proficient with Cerner’s EHR platform.”

6. How do you ensure you’re providing the highest quality of care as a nurse?

With this question, interviewers are assessing your standards of care and commitment to excellence. Share how you stay up-to-date on best practices, follow safety protocols, and solicit patient feedback.

Sample Answer: “I ensure exceptional care by keeping current on evidence-based practices, adhering to safety guidelines, and continuously evaluating my care approach. I read nursing publications, attend conferences, and discuss new research with colleagues. I follow protocols like hand hygiene, double checks for medication, and patient identification. I also check in frequently with patients about their level of satisfaction to identify any areas for improvement.”

7. How do you balance the emotional toll of nursing with providing professional care?

Healthcare can be emotionally taxing. The interviewer wants to know you have healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress and avoid burnout, while still caring for patients effectively.

Sample Answer: “To manage the emotions of nursing, I rely on a few key coping strategies. I take care to leave work at work – when I get home, I detach from the day’s challenges. I maintain work-life balance through exercise, socializing with friends, and relaxing hobbies. I also participate in counseling sessions occasionally for added support. At work, I stay focused on delivering excellent care with compassion. Having outlets to process my feelings makes it possible to be professionally present for my patients.”

8. Tell me about a time you failed to meet a patient care objective. What did you learn?

When asked about failures, be honest while keeping it professional. Do not place blame – instead, focus on accountability, lessons learned, and your commitment to continuous improvement.

Sample Answer: “Recently, a complex post-surgical patient I was caring for developed an infection due to lapses in sterile technique. Though I tried my best to manage their case, I regret missing key signs of infection. From this incident, I learned the importance of vigilance with high-risk patients and being proactive with interventions, like starting antibiotics sooner. I now pay greater attention to infection control practices. Though difficult, this experience ultimately made me a more attentive, safety-focused nurse.”

9. How do you stay motivated on difficult days?

Healthcare can be stressful and demanding. Interviewers want to know you have self-motivation to deliver consistent care even when the job is challenging. Share how you tap into resilience, passion, teamwork, or other areas to stay driven.

Sample Answer: “On tough days, my nursing passion and team keep me motivated. I recall the moments I’ve made a difference in patients’ lives – those meaningful experiences reignite my dedication. I also lean on colleagues for peer support; venting frustrations together reminds me I’m not alone. At the end of the day, knowing my role directly impacts patients is incredibly rewarding, which drives me to be my best every day, regardless of challenges.”

10. How do you prioritize tasks when caring for multiple patients?

Time management and multitasking are key nursing skills. Share how you organize and tackle your different responsibilities throughout a shift when caring for several patients.

Sample Answer: “When juggling multiple patients, I utilize time management strategies to prioritize effectively. I start my shift by reviewing each patient’s status, medications due, and upcoming tests to build an action plan. I cluster tasks by timing and location to maximize efficiency. For example, assessing two patients in the same wing back-to-back. I re-evaluate priorities continually based on changes in patients’ needs. Clear communication with my team ensures we collaborate seamlessly so no duties slip through the cracks.”

11. What qualities do you believe are most important in a nurse?

Use this question to highlight traits that align with Banner Health’s values like empathy, integrity, and commitment to excellence in care. Share why each quality is vital in your nursing practice.

Sample Answer: “The most important nursing qualities, in my view, are compassion, attention to detail, critical thinking, and accountability. Compassion builds trust with patients. Close attention to details prevents medical errors. Sharp critical thinking allows me to tailor interventions and catch complications proactively. And accountability, owning both successes and failures, motivates me to continuously improve.”

12. How do you respond when a physician orders a treatment you disagree with?

Nurses often need to advocate for their patients. Demonstrate you can professionally express concerns while still being collaborative. Emphasize that patient wellbeing is always the priority.

Sample Answer: “If I disagreed with a physician’s treatment order, I would first discuss my concerns directly with them. I would explain my reasoning while remaining professional and respectful. If we couldn’t reach an agreement, involving the nurse manager or ethics committee would be the next appropriate step. With any conflict, the wellbeing of the patient comes first – open communication ensures we determine the optimal care plan.”

13. Tell me about a time you struggled to communicate with a patient. How did you handle it?

Communication challenges are common in nursing. By sharing an example, you can demonstrate honesty while highlighting your conflict resolution abilities. Focus on the actions you took to understand the patient’s perspective and bridge the communication gap.

Sample Answer: *”I once cared for an