Operating Room Nurse interview questions and answers
This operating room nurse interview profile brings together a snapshot of what to look for in candidates with a balanced sample of suitable interview questions.
10 good operating room nurse interview questions
- What would you do if you noticed the sterile field was contaminated?
- What are three things you should always ask a patient before surgery?
- How would you prepare a patient for a tracheotomy or another surgical procedure?
- How would you react if you saw there was something wrong with the patient’s vital signs during surgery?
- Imagine you had to prepare the operating room for a patient with a latex allergy. How would you do it?
- Imagine you had to prepare for an operation you don’t have experience with. What do you do?
- How has your experience prepared you for this role?
- In what types of operations do you have experience as a perioperative nurse?
- What’s a “time out”?
- Why is surgical skin preparation important and how would you do it?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. What would you do if you noticed the sterile field was contaminated?
Ensuring a sterile environment is crucial in surgeries. This question assesses the candidate’s knowledge and quick decision-making skills in maintaining a sterile field.
Sample answer:
“If I noticed contamination, I’d immediately inform the surgical team. Depending on the extent, we might need to replace the contaminated instruments or materials. Ensuring patient safety is paramount, so I’d follow the hospital’s protocol for such situations.”
2. What are three things you should always ask a patient before surgery?
This question evaluates the nurse’s patient assessment skills and their understanding of pre-operative procedures.
Sample answer:
“Before surgery, I’d always ask the patient about any allergies, the last time they ate or drank, and if they understand the procedure they’re about to undergo.”
3. How would you prepare a patient for a tracheotomy or another surgical procedure?
Preparation is key for any surgical procedure. This question delves into the nurse’s knowledge of specific surgeries and their protocols.
Sample answer:
“For a tracheotomy, I’d first ensure the patient is in the correct position, typically neck extended. I’d then clean and drape the area. Ensuring the patient is comfortable and informed about the procedure is also vital.”
4. How would you react if you saw there was something wrong with the patient’s vital signs during surgery?
This question tests the nurse’s ability to act swiftly and appropriately during emergencies.
Sample answer:
“I’d immediately alert the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Depending on the change, I might administer medications or fluids as directed. It’s crucial to act quickly and stay calm.”
5. Imagine you had to prepare the operating room for a patient with a latex allergy. How would you do it?
Understanding allergies and their implications is essential. This question assesses the nurse’s knowledge of latex allergies and their impact in the OR.
Sample answer:
“I’d ensure that all latex products are removed from the OR. I’d use latex-free gloves, instruments, and other supplies. The entire surgical team would be informed of the allergy to prevent any inadvertent exposure.”
6. Imagine you had to prepare for an operation you don’t have experience with. What do you do?
Adaptability is a valuable trait for nurses. This question gauges the nurse’s willingness to learn and adapt.
Sample answer:
“I’d research the procedure, consult with experienced colleagues, and review the hospital’s protocols. I believe in being well-prepared, so I’d take every step to ensure I’m familiar with the procedure.”
7. How has your experience prepared you for this role?
This question provides insight into the nurse’s past experiences and how they relate to the current role.
Sample answer:
“Having worked in various surgical settings, I’ve gained experience in both scrub and circulating roles. I’ve dealt with emergencies, learned from seasoned surgeons, and continuously updated my skills.”
8. In what types of operations do you have experience as a perioperative nurse?
Understanding the nurse’s background in surgeries can help determine their fit for specific roles.
Sample answer:
“I’ve assisted in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and general surgeries. Each type has honed my skills and taught me the nuances of different surgical procedures.”
9. What’s a “time out”?
This question tests the nurse’s knowledge of safety protocols in the OR.
Sample answer:
“A ‘time out’ is a safety procedure where the surgical team pauses before the incision to confirm the correct patient, procedure, and surgical site.”
10. Why is surgical skin preparation important and how would you do it?
Ensuring the surgical site is clean is crucial. This question assesses the nurse’s understanding of this process.
Sample answer:
“Surgical skin preparation reduces the risk of post-operative infections. I’d clean the area with an antiseptic solution, using a back-and-forth motion, starting from the incision site and moving outward.”
Why is it important to ask operating room nurse interview questions
Operating room nurses (or perioperative nurses) provide patient care services before, during and after surgery. They have two roles: scrub and circulating. A scrub nurse works within the sterile field while a circulating nurse out of it. This distinction is important since you should address their skills in performing both roles during the interview.
Perioperative nurses are registered nurses who move into the operating room (OR), usually after gaining some experience. Ask yourself whether you’re looking for a registered nurse who wants to make their shift into the OR or an experienced scrub/circulating nurse. Your requirements are likely to be different in each of these cases.
The following questions give you an idea on how to discover whether candidates possess the specialized skills needed for this position (e.g. knowledge of aseptic and patient assessment techniques). With situational and behavioral questions you can discover other important abilities such as critical thinking, people skills and attention to detail.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- What would you do if you noticed the sterile field was contaminated?
- What are three things you should always ask a patient before surgery?
- How would you prepare a patient for a tracheotomy/other surgical procedure?
- How would you react if you saw there was something wrong with the patient’s vital signs during surgery?
- Imagine you had to prepare the operating room for a patient with latex allergy. How would you do it?
- Imagine you had to prepare for an operation you don’t have experience with. What do you do?
Role-specific questions
- How has your experience prepared you for this role?
- In what types of operations do you have experience as a perioperative nurse?
- Give me an example of a break in the sterile technique
- What’s a “time out”?
- What are the legal aspects of a perioperative nurse’s role?
- Can you explain the use of a surgical safety checklist?
- Why is surgical skin preparation important and how would you do it?
- What do you find more satisfying in an OR job?
Behavioral questions
- Tell me about a time a patient was anxious or panicked before surgery. What steps did you take to calm them?
- Describe a time you spotted an inefficiency of the operating room. What was it and what did you do to fix it?
- Recall a time you had a conflict with a surgeon or nurse. How did you resolve it?
- Tell me about the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the past as a nurse
- Give me an example of a time you experienced high levels of stress at work. How did you handle it?