Nursing Job Interview: B2 English Conversation
Maria has just qualified as a nurse and is interviewing for her first job on a hospital ward. Helen, the ward manager, asks about her training, then gives her a series of situations and asks what she would do.
From the Conversation
The interview opens with Maria's training, then moves on to scenario questions. This is the first one.
Helen: So, can you start by telling me a bit about your training?
Maria: Sure. I finished my degree in June, and I got my registration in August. My placements were on a surgical ward, in a care home and in A&E. A&E was the last one, and that's really where I cut my teeth.
…
Helen: Let's talk about a busy shift. You've got six patients. One is getting worse, a relative wants to speak to you, and two people are waiting for their medication. What do you do?
Before students see Maria's answer, ask them to put the three tasks in order and explain why. Then compare their order with hers.
The full conversation is about 40 lines, with audio and highlighted vocabulary. It is part of Plus.
Vocabulary
Hospital terms that come up in the interview. Most learners outside healthcare won't know them, so pre-teach them before reading.
Maria also uses a number of informal expressions to talk about herself and her colleagues. Some of them:
- cut your teeth: to get your first real experience of a job
- be thrown in at the deep end: to face something difficult with little preparation
- be hard on yourself: to criticise yourself too much
- speak up: to tell someone clearly about a problem
- turn a blind eye: to pretend not to notice something wrong
- clear the air: to talk openly so bad feelings end
- switch off: to stop thinking about work and relax
The conversation highlights 16 expressions in total.
Comprehension Questions
For use after reading or listening to the full conversation.
- Where did Maria do her placements, and which one taught her the most?
- Why did Maria decide to become a nurse?
- How did Maria check that an anxious patient had understood her?
- In the busy shift scenario, what does Maria do first, second and third?
- What would Maria do if a patient refused their medication?
- How did Maria and another student resolve their disagreement?
- Why did Maria apply to this ward in particular?
- What does Maria find out about the shifts and the next steps?
Answering "What would you do if…?"
Helen's questions describe situations that haven't happened, so Maria answers with I'd rather than I do. She also puts her actions in order, and says who she would tell. Interviewers listen for both.
First, I'd… · Then I'd… · If that didn't work, I'd… · I'd tell / write it in…
Speaking: Scenario Interview
In pairs, one student plays the ward manager and the other the candidate. The manager reads out three of the situations below and asks one follow-up question after each answer, the way Helen does ("How did you know he understood?"). Then swap.
- A patient's relative becomes angry with you.
- You realise you gave a patient the wrong dose of a medicine.
- You don't know how to use a piece of equipment.
- A patient asks you to keep something from the doctor.
- You're asked to stay late at the end of a long shift.
- Two patients need you at the same time.
Students who don't work in healthcare can invent a background for the candidate.
Discussion
- What qualities make someone a good nurse?
- Why do healthcare interviews use so many "What would you do if..." questions?
- Should a patient always have the right to refuse treatment?
- How should you tell a colleague they are doing something unsafe?
- What can hospitals do to reduce burnout among staff?
- How is nursing seen as a profession in your country?