Assessing and planning nursing care requirements is not something that everyone can do.
Hence, candidates for mental health nurse positions are scrutinized during the interview process to determine what their skills are.
As an interviewee, it is your job to know the work inside out and to prepare for possible questions.
A set of interview questions and answers for a mental health nurse position is given below to help you get prepared for the interview:
24 Common Interview Questions and Answers for Mental Health Nurse Position
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a compassionate and driven mental health nurse. I have worked in this role for 10+ years, and these years have been quite fruitful.
2. What duties have you performed in this role?
As a mental health nurse, I have assessed patients’ conditions and handled plan development for them. I have also helped patients manage their emotions, and have helped with evidence-based anxiety therapy. Moreover, my work involves preparing and maintaining patients’ records and helping them come to terms with their conditions.
3. What skills do you offer us?
I am a highly-skilled mental health nurse, with excellent knowledge of providing one on one mental health therapy. I am well-versed in developing specific mental health plans for each patient, and can effectively provide support for intervention. Furthermore, I am adept at advising educators on the potential side-effects of medications and can also skillfully provide mental health consultations.
4. What do you like most about this work?
I love the fact that I am in a position to help people.
5. How do you handle conflict at the workplace?
Being a patient individual by nature, I can resolve conflicts with tact and diplomacy.
6. Do you have any liaison with educators?
All the time. I work with educators to provide them with information on mental health disorders, and how to help people, especially families understand them.
7. As far as administrative work is concerned, what is your experience?
Part of my work includes setting up appointments and making follow-ups. I am also an expert in creating and maintaining patient charts.
8. As far as self-harm is concerned, what has been your experience?
I have worked with many patients who were in danger of harming themselves and others. My plan to look after them is more profoundly handled. I ensure that they are constantly monitored and that they remain as calm as possible.
9. Have you ever wanted to do something else?
Never. Working in mental health had been my goal forever, and I have never wanted to do anything else.
10. Describe your perfect work environment.
To be honest, I do not look for perfect work environments. I just make sure that whatever environment I am working in is conducive to providing excellent patient care.
11. What is your biggest strength?
My biggest strength is my ability to remain calm and professional at all times.
12. What is your biggest weakness?
I feel that, sometimes, I cannot ask for help, even when I know that I need to.
13. How do you motivate patients?
I have a pleasant demeanor, and that helps me greatly to motivate patients. I make sure that I keep a continuously positive outlook, which helps keep patients motivated.
13. What do you do to keep yourself motivated?
I love my work, and doing it every day is all the motivation that I need.
14. What is your management style?
My management style changes with what works best in which situation.
15. Why do you want to work with us specifically?
I appreciate your stance on mental health awareness and assistance, which is why I want to work with your facility specifically.
16. Have you attended any mental health conferences?
Many. I make sure that I attend as many workshops and conferences as I can.
17. Do these events help you?
Absolutely. These events give me great knowledge, which makes it easy for me to apply my skills to patients.
18. Who is your career role model, and why?
It may sound cliched, but I really do consider Florence Nightingale my role model. This is because of how selflessly she helped her patients, which is how I think things need to be done, especially when one is working in mental health.
19. Do you need to be closely supervised?
Not at all. I can work with minimal supervision, and even without it.
20. How do you set priorities in your work?
I am great at setting priorities, as I know which cases need me the most, and in what capacity.
21. Have you ever led a team of nurses?
I have led 3 teams of nurses over the last few years. It has been quite a journey training and mentoring them.
22. What has been your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement has been to rehabilitate 100+ patients over the last 5 years.
23. When can you join us?
I need to provide a 14-days notice at my present workplace. Once I do that, I will be able to join you as soon as the notice period is over.
24. What are your plans for the next 5 years?
I am hoping to work as a mental health nurse manager within the next 5 years.
Related: Mental Health Nurse Resume Sample