Getting hired at Seattle Children’s Hospital is no easy feat. As one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country, they only recruit the best and brightest candidates. If you have an interview scheduled, congratulations – you’ve made it past the initial screening! However, the hard work isn’t over yet. The interview will determine if you have what it takes to provide compassionate, professional care to the hospital’s vulnerable young patients.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the top 15 most common interview questions asked at Seattle Children’s and provide tips on how to craft winning responses. With the right preparation, you can enter your interview feeling ready to impress the hiring managers and land your dream nursing, physician, or healthcare administration role.
1. Why do you want to work at Seattle Children’s?
This question gauges your passion for the organization’s mission of providing hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. The interviewers want to know what draws you specifically to Seattle Children’s.
How to answer Express your commitment to pediatric care and research. Discuss aspects of the hospital that resonate with you such as their values, culture, or initiatives Share why their mission aligns with your own goals and aspirations as a healthcare professional You can reference projects or groundbreaking research they’ve conducted that inspire you.
Example: “Ever since starting my nursing career, I’ve been deeply committed to advancing pediatric medicine and improving quality of life for sick children. Seattle Children’s history of innovation in pediatric care, from performing the first pediatric heart transplant to pioneering immunotherapy cancer treatments, aligns perfectly with my passion. I firmly believe in your mission to provide the best possible medical treatment regardless of the families’ ability to pay. I would be honored to be part of an organization that embodies compassion, excellence, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves a chance to fulfill their potential.”
2. What do you know about our organization’s values and mission?
The interviewers want to gauge how well you’ve researched the hospital and understand their core values Being able to articulate their mission shows you did your homework and are truly interested in this job
How to answer: Demonstrate your knowledge of Seattle Children’s values like compassion, excellence, collaboration, and accountability. Highlight how their mission to provide hope, care and cures resonates with you. You can reference initiatives or projects they are undertaking that align with their values and mission. Conclude by reiterating your eagerness to contribute.
Example: “Seattle Children’s has a well-defined set of values centered around compassion, excellence and innovation that informs everything you do. Your mission statement – to provide hope, care and cures – speaks deeply to me. One example that showcases these values is your extensive ‘Folding Paper Cranes’ art installation, which emphasizes hope and healing through community interaction. Such initiatives create a warm, uplifting environment even in difficult times. I also admire pioneering programs like Strong Against Cancer for supporting kids bravely fighting cancer. I would be excited to join an organization with such a clear vision and purpose.”
3. Why do you want to work in pediatrics versus other medical specialties?
Interviewers want to ascertain your specific interest in pediatric medicine and working with children. Since it requires specialized training and skills, they want to know you have a genuine passion for this age group versus simply an interest in medicine generally.
How to answer: Share when you developed an interest in pediatric care and why you find this age group rewarding to work with. Discuss unique aspects of children’s medicine that appeal specifically to you compared to other specialties. You can mention pediatric rotations or volunteering experiences that solidified your interest. Conclude with how you hope to apply your skills in their organization.
Example: “I’ve been fascinated by pediatric medicine since I first volunteered at a children’s hospital during college. Being able to put a smile on a sick child’s face through simple gestures of compassion is unparalleled. While all medical specialties have value, I find that the resilience and optimism of pediatric patients makes this field particularly meaningful. The opportunity to help children not just recover but also grow into healthy, thriving adults is incredible. My pediatric rotations in nursing school, where I witnessed first-hand the difference compassionate care can make in a child’s healing process, cemented my career path. I hope to continue fulfilling my passion for pediatric care at Seattle Children’s.”
4. How would you handle an anxious or non-compliant child patient?
Since you’ll be caring for children, interviewers want to ensure you have strategies for dealing with challenging behavioral scenarios. Your approach should emphasize patience, empathy and maintaining the child’s dignity.
How to answer: Acknowledge that working with children requires creativity, sensitivity and patience. Share techniques you would use to ease anxiety or gain cooperation such as distractions, incentives, involving family, and providing explanations respectfully. Emphasize how you would adjust your strategies based on factors like age, maturity level, and condition. Share examples if possible.
Example: “Working effectively with children requires empathy, creativity and patience. If faced with an anxious child, I would first acknowledge their fears and validate their feelings. Then I would try age-appropriate distraction strategies, perhaps through a picture book, game or relaxed conversation to ease anxiety. If met with resistance about a procedure, I would calmly explain its importance for their health, involve family members, and offer small incentives to gain cooperation. However, I would tailor my approach based on the individual child’s maturity level. The key is to maintain patience and utilize strategies to establish trust while ensuring necessary care tasks are completed, even if it takes a little creativity.”
5. How would you handle the emotional stresses of working closely with critically ill or injured children?
Healthcare professionals in pediatrics need healthy coping skills to handle the emotional toll. Interviewers want to know you can manage stress while remaining professional and compassionate.
How to answer: Acknowledge this work brings emotional challenges but proper self-care allows you to manage the stress. Share examples of healthy coping mechanisms you employ like exercising, meditating, or maintaining work-life balance. Emphasize that while you feel compassion for patients, you don’t take those emotions home and allow them to impact your mental health or work performance. Conclude by mentioning utilization of counseling services if needed.
Example: “Without a doubt, working in pediatrics brings immense emotional rewards but also challenges. Personally, I cope with the stress through regular self-care including yoga, journaling, and designated days off to refresh. I am careful not to internalize the trauma experienced by patients and their families. While I offer compassion in the moment, I know when it is time to let go and focus on my own mental wellbeing. I also rely on counseling resources if needed to process any particularly difficult situations. With the right self-care regimen, I can provide families all the support they need during trying times while also taking care of myself, allowing me to stay fully present.”
6. How do you stay up to date on the latest developments and best practices in pediatric medicine?
Given the constantly evolving nature of medicine, interviewers want to know you are committed to regularly enhancing your knowledge and skills. Effective pediatric care requires lifelong learning.
How to answer: Demonstrate you actively stay updated through credible sources like medical journals, conferences, certified continuing education, professional networks and mentorship. Share specific examples of recent developments you’ve made an effort to learn. Emphasize being open to changing protocols and treatments as the field progresses.
Example: “I make a concerted effort to stay updated on the latest medical research and best practices in pediatrics through activities like reading prominent journals such as JAMA Pediatrics, attending nursing conferences, and taking continuing education courses annually. I also leverage professional networks like the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners to share knowledge. Recently, I familiarized myself with the updated CDC vaccination schedule to remain a trusted resource for parents. I recognize medicine is constantly changing as new research emerges. I see continuing education as a core component of being an effective pediatric nurse practitioner.”
7. Tell us about a time you had a disagreement with a colleague regarding patient care. How did you handle it?
Interviewers want to know how you can navigate conflict diplomatically while still advocating for patients’ best interests. Showcasing conflict resolution skills is key.
How to answer: Share a concise example of disagreeing with a colleague, focusing on how you approached conflict resolution professionally. Emphasize listening to their perspective, finding common ground, compromising when appropriate, and ultimately arriving at an ethical solution. Conclude by sharing how the experience helped improve your teamwork ability.
Example: “I recall an incident with a fellow nurse regarding a sepsis patient’s care plan. I felt the physician’s prescribed IV fluid rate was too aggressive and put the child at risk of fluid overload. While we disagreed initially, we maintained professionalism and took a step back to articulate our rationales. By listening closely, I understood her primary concern was the patient’s severely low blood pressure. We found common ground and ultimately decided to follow the current order but monitor for signs of overload very closely. If any arose, I would notify the physician immediately to adjust. This collaborative conflict resolution led to the ideal outcome—safe, personalized care for that patient. The experience also
Applying for a Job at Seattle Children’s
- Do you have internship opportunities? Yes. Some departments have internships. For more information, see the Internships and Residencies page. The people listed on that page can answer questions about the internships and residencies that are shown. back to top .
- Do you have volunteer opportunities? Volunteer Services set up volunteer opportunities. For more information, see the Volunteering at Children’s page. You can get help with volunteering from the people listed on that page. back to top .
- What is a temporary position? A temporary position is usually one that is only open for a short time or is hired for a specific task or project. Generally they are six months or less. Temporary positions are not eligible to receive benefits. back to top .
- What is a limited-term position? A limited-term position can: Fill a short-term need or one-time project; Cover the duties of an employee who is on extended leave or reassignment; Fill the duties of an open position while a long-term hiring process is underway; The hire must be for at least six months. Limited-term positions are eligible to receive benefits. back to top .
- What is a per diem position? A person in a per diem position works when they are needed. They can fill in for employees who are sick, on leave, or on vacation, or for any other reason that needs more staff. Per diem jobs might not have a set schedule or hours that are guaranteed. They are not eligible for benefits. back to top .
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FAQ
What do you say when working with children interview question?
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