Weaknesses for Nursing Interview – 7 Examples

Weaknesses for nursing interview

Attending any type of nursing interview can be nerve-wracking. Even if you are confident in your abilities, it’s natural to worry about how you will come across to the interviewer.

This is what prompts one to prepare extensively before the interview.

However, even the best-prepared individual can sometimes be caught off guard by questions about weaknesses for nursing interviews.

The “What are your weaknesses?” question is very common in nursing interviews, and it can be difficult to answer.

Everyone has their share of weaknesses, and that’s why the question becomes a key focus during the interview.

See also: Nursing Interview Questions

After all, you don’t want to give the impression that you are not capable of doing the job. But you also don’t want to come across as arrogant.

What is the interviewer looking for when they ask this question?

There are several things the interviewer may be looking for when they ask this question.

1. Whether you are aware of your weaknesses

Are you aware of what your weaknesses are?

If you can identify them and talk about how you are working to improve upon them, this will show the interviewer that you are taking steps to improve yourself.

2. Your ability to be honest

Can you be honest about your weaknesses?

Lying about them will not help you in the long run.

The interviewer will be keen to find out if you are being truthful, and if they don’t believe you, it could count against you.

Moreover, you cant hide your weaknesses forever, so it is better to be truthful and work on improving them.

3. Your willingness to work on your weaknesses

Are you willing to work on your weaknesses?

If you are not, the interviewer will wonder if you are willing to put in the effort required to be successful in this career.

4. The severity of your weaknesses

How severe are your weaknesses?

If they are relatively minor, the interviewer will likely be less concerned.

However, if your weaknesses are major, the interviewer will want to know what you are doing to address them.

So, let’s go straight to it, how should you answer the dreaded question?

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Weakness for nursing interview

Example Answers to Weaknesses for Nursing Interview Question

We all have weaknesses, and that is ok.

However, in a nursing interview, you never want to come across as incompetent.

So, how can you answer the “What are your weaknesses?” question without sounding like a total slacker?

Below are 7 example answers to this question.

Weakness for nursing interview 1

I would say that my weakness is that I sometimes have a hard time saying no.

I care deeply about the people I work with and want to help them as much as I can.

However, this can sometimes lead to me overcommitting myself.

I have been working on this by setting limits for myself and trying to say no when I know I am already stretched too thin.

This answer shows that you are aware of your weakness and that you are working to address it.

It also highlights your strong work ethic and your dedication to your team.

Example answer 2

I sometimes have trouble staying organized.

I’m a very hands-on person, and I like to be able to touch and feel things in order to understand them.

This can sometimes lead to me being a little cluttered.

However, I have been working on this by creating lists and trying to stay organized in my work.

This response shows that you have knowledge of your weaknesses and that you are taking steps to address them.

It also highlights your creative side.

Example answer 3

I would say that my weakness is that I am a perfectionist.

I want everything to be perfect, and this can sometimes lead to me being a little slower on the uptake.

However, I am working on this weakness by taking my time and ensuring that I have all the facts before making a decision.

This answer showcases your attention to detail and your willingness to work on your weaknesses.

It also highlights your intelligence and your ability to think critically.

See also: How Long Does It Take to Hear Back After Nursing Interview?

Example answer 4

I sometimes have trouble staying calm under pressure.

I get very nervous, and this can sometimes lead to me making mistakes.

However, I am working on this weakness by practicing breathing exercises and by trying to stay positive.

This answer shows that you are aware of your weaknesses for nursing interviews and that you are taking steps to address them.

It also highlights your resilience and your ability to overcome obstacles.

Example answer 5

I would say my weakness is I’m too self-critical.

I always expect myself to do perfectly, and this can sometimes lead to me being hard on myself.

However, I am working on this by accepting that mistakes are a part of life and that I cannot be perfect all the time.

This answer showcases your maturity and that your areas of improvement in a nursing interview are clear.

It also highlights your growth mindset.

See also: Why Do You Want to Work Here as a Nurse

Example answer 6

I would say that my weakness is that I find myself handling things in a ‘black and white manner’.

I like to have things organized and I like to know what is going on at all times.

This can sometimes lead to me not being as flexible as I should be.

I have been working on this weakness by trying to be more open-minded and by accepting that some things cannot be planned.

This response shows that you have knowledge of your weaknesses and that you are taking steps to address them.

It also highlights your organizational skills and your ability to think critically.

See also: Why Should We Hire You as a Nurse

Example answer 7

I sometimes have trouble delegating.

I like to be in control of everything, and this can sometimes lead to me not trusting others with important tasks.

However, I am working on this weakness by delegating more responsibilities to my team and by trusting them to do a good job.

This answer portrays you as a leader and as someone who is willing to work on your weaknesses.

It also showcases your trustworthiness and your willingness to delegate tasks.

See also:

As you can observe, there are many different ways to answer the question of weaknesses for nursing interviews.

No matter what your weaknesses may be, it is important, to be honest, and to have a plan to address them.

See also: What Are Your Strengths Nursing Interview

How to Answer What Are Your Weaknesses in a Nursing Interview?

Since we have discussed some examples of weaknesses that can be mentioned in a nursing interview, we will now provide some in-depth tips on how to answer the question about your weaknesses.

This will help you come up with a response before your interview.

1. Reflect on your weaknesses

Before you can mention any weaknesses in a nursing interview, you first need to take some time to reflect on them.

This means thinking about the areas where you may not be as strong as you would like to be.

It is important, to be honest with yourself and to be realistic about your weaknesses.

For instance, if you are someone who is very disorganized, then you should mention this as one of your weaknesses.

Alternatively, if you are someone who becomes easily overwhelmed under pressure, then you should mention this as well.

2. Be prepared to talk about your weaknesses

Once you have reflected on your weaknesses, you need to be prepared to talk about them in a nursing interview.

This means having an answer ready for the question of “What are your weaknesses?”.

Make sure that your answer is honest and that you have a plan to address your weaknesses.

3. Be positive about your weaknesses

Even though you may view your weaknesses as negative, it is important to be positive about them when you talk about them in a nursing interview.

This means highlighting the steps that you are taking to address them.

It is also important to showcase your resilience and your ability to overcome obstacles.

4. Avoid sounding defensive

When talking about your weaknesses, it is important to avoid sounding defensive.

This means being honest and accepting that you may not be perfect.

It is also important to avoid making excuses or blaming others for your weaknesses.

5. Practice your answer

The best way to prepare for talking about your weaknesses in a nursing interview is to practice your answer.

This will help you sound confident when you mention them.

It is also important to be aware of the tone of your voice and to make sure that you are not defensive.

See also: Greatest Accomplishment Nursing Interview

Conclusion: Nursing Interview Weaknesses

Mentioning your weaknesses in a nursing interview can be a daunting task.

However, if you are prepared for it, then you can overcome it.

By reflecting on your weaknesses, being positive about them, and having a plan to address them, you can come up with a strong answer.

Additionally, make sure to practice your answer so that you can sound confident when you mention them.

Lastly, be aware of your body language and make sure that you are not appearing defensive.

By following these tips, you can overcome the question about your weaknesses in a nursing interview.

Good luck with upcoming your nursing interview!

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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.