Trauma Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Trauma nurse interview questions

A trauma nurse specializes in treating patients who have an acute illness or injury.

They need to think quickly on their feet, have excellent communication skills, and possess the ability to keep calm in emergency situations. Employers will be looking for all of these attributes when interviewing candidates for a trauma nurse position.

Trauma nurse interview questions can be intimidating, but if you prepare yourself ahead of time, they don’t have to be stressful.

Before you interview for a trauma nurse position, do your research into the healthcare facility you are applying to.

If there is information available about the nature of the most common trauma cases available look into that. If not, ask.

This will help you discover what types of trauma you may expect to handle.

Trauma nurses need to be able to handle an emergency situation by not only treating the patient’s ailments but also keeping their patient calm so that no further harm comes to them.

See also: Can Nurses Be Paramedics?

A trauma nurse has a lot of responsibilities so employers want to be sure they hire the right people, so they will ask some pretty heavy interview questions.

Below, we’ve provided you with seven common trauma nurse interview questions asked in interviews as well as example answers for each.

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Interview questions for trauma nurses

Trauma Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Trauma nurse interview questions and answers

1. How would you handle a challenging emergency case?

An interviewer is not only looking for what you would do in a difficult situation but how would you tackle it.

They want to know that you can keep a calm head even if you’re surrounded by chaos.

They are looking for someone who will take the initiative to solve the problem effectively.

Example answer:

I would keep the patient calm speaking in a low volume and reassuring them that they are getting the best care.

I would triage the problem and if there is more than one, address the most urgent first.

If needed I will call for assistance to ensure the patient’s optimal treatment.

See also: Telephone Triage Nurse Interview Questions

2. What do you know about the different kinds of trauma?

Interviewers are looking to see what your knowledge base is here.

Review what you’ve learned in medical school and from previous work experience.

Be sure that you can talk about the common types of trauma, how to diagnose your patient, as well as what treatment options are.

Here is a quick video about what is trauma and what are types of trauma that you should definitely know about.

Video made by: The School of Life

Example answer:

There is physical trauma to the body that can happen suddenly as a car accident or gradually as with an illness.

There is also psychological trauma that accompanies these events.

It’s important to diagnose the issue in order to provide treatment options for the patient.

See also: How Do You Handle Stress Nursing Interview Question

3. How do you maintain detailed documentation?

It is not enough to treat a patient in need.

You also have to keep detailed records of:

  • the patient’s medical history,
  • the nature of the trauma from which they are suffering,
  • and any medications being used to treat.

Attention to detail in documentation is extremely important as it can provide information such as life-threatening allergies or conditions.

Example answer:

I always make sure that the required information is available for a patient before beginning any treatment.

If information is missing, I ask the patient in order to have detailed records.

I always double-check that the patient’s chart and file are put back where they should be.

See also: Can Nurses Look Up Medical Records?

4. How would you handle a patient suddenly collapsing in the emergency room?

The interviewer is looking for someone who thinks quickly on their feet and keeps a level head.

Do not hesitate or take too much time to think about this answer because it does not convey responsiveness.

Provide an outline of what you would do in the order you would do them to diagnose and help the patient.

Example answer:

I would make sure they were still breathing and not near any objects they could hurt themselves on if they started to have a seizure.

I would check their consciousness and assess the nature of their injury and the reason why they collapsed.

I would call for help if it was a condition I could not handle by myself.

See also: Can a Nurse Diagnose a Patient?

5. Why do you want to work here as a trauma nurse?

Interviewers want to know that you are invested in them before they invest in you.

Be sure to do some research on the healthcare facility so you know what they specialize in and what their achievements as an institution may be.

See also: Why ICU Nursing Interview Question

It’s easy to talk about yourself but tell them why they would benefit from hiring you instead of what you would get out of it.

Example answer:

I would love to be a part of an organization that provides the best care for its patients and treats them as people and not just another case.

My skills would be able to fill the need of a trauma nurse and continue to help better the lives of your patients.

See also: Rapid Response Nurse Interview Questions

6. Do you exercise regularly?

This may seem an odd question but as a trauma nurse, stamina is very important.

An interviewer needs to know that you can keep up with the fast pace without getting physically burnt out.

Someone who is not in shape or concerned about maintaining their own health will not be a good fit for the position.

Example answer:

I do my best to work out every day to keep healthy and make sure I am in peak condition for such a physically demanding job as a trauma nurse.

See also: Best Gym Shoes for Nurses

7. What qualities do you have that would make you a good trauma nurse?

There are a lot of important characteristics needed for a good trauma nurse including:

  • teamwork,
  • critical thinking,
  • adaptability,
  • and maintaining a level head.

Pick one or two of your strongest qualities and highlight them with examples of why these are particularly important for a trauma nurse.

Example answer:

I am very adaptable and can think quickly on my feet.

These are important for a trauma nurse to be able to handle emergency situations and provide the best care for patients.

See also: Qualities of a Nurse

Conclusion: Interview Questions for Trauma Nurses

A trauma nurse is a demanding but rewarding job.

If you prepare for your interview ahead of time and anticipate some of the questions you may be asked, you have a good shot at landing the job.

Remember to be honest, open, and prepare ahead of time!

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About Ida Koivisto, BSN, RN, PHN

Ida is both a registered nurse and public health nurse. Her passion is to provide as much valuable information about nursing to the world as possible. In her spare time from work and blogging, Ida loves to work out at the gym and spend time with relatives.