169. How to Answer Strengths and Weakness Interview Questions as a Nurse

Mar 26

In nursing interviews, one question that often catches candidates off guard is about strengths and weaknesses. While it may seem like a simple question, it holds significant weight in the decision-making process.

In this episode, we're going to discuss a common interview question we all have heard before: "Can you tell us about your strengths and weaknesses as a nurse?" Now, this question is all about self-awareness, so don't be scared of it!

I'm going to walk you through a neat little approach to tackle it head-on. Stick to this approach, and trust me, you'll shine in your interviews by showing not just your self-awareness, but also your dedication to always improving.

Key takeaways:

01:38 The intention behind asking the question is to assess self-awareness

02:09 Common mistakes in answering the question with generic and vague responses

02:44 Approach to preparing for the question: start with weaknesses and finish with strengths

03:19 Choose a weakness that is not essential for the role or show improvement in a weakness

04:43 Example of weakness and how it has been addressed or improved

05:13 Example of weakness for a clinical nurse educator position

06:18 Example of weakness for a nurse manager position

07:44 Importance of providing proof for strengths and using specific examples

09:11 Example of a strength for a new graduate nurse

10:36 Example of a strength for a registered nurse moving into a senior role

11:43 Leveraging strengths as a leader