Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for Charge Nurse Roles – 2025

Preparing for a charge nurse job interview? This guide provides a list of essential questions and answers that will help you showcase your leadership skills, critical thinking abilities, and experience in managing a team of nurses. Whether you’re applying for a role in a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare setting, these questions cover all key areas of the job.

General Questions

• 1. Tell us about your experience as a charge nurse.
  A: I have been working as a charge nurse for 5 years now. In my current role, I supervise a team of 10 nurses and oversee all aspects of patient care. I also collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure smooth operations and excellent patient outcomes.
• 2. What do you think are the most important qualities for a charge nurse to possess?
  A: In my opinion, a charge nurse should have strong leadership skills, critical thinking abilities, and excellent communication skills. They should also be able to remain calm and make quick decisions in high-stress situations.
• 3. How do you handle conflicts between members of your team?
  A: I always try to approach conflicts with an open mind and aim to find a solution that works for everyone. I encourage open communication and actively listen to all parties involved. If needed, I also involve a neutral third party to mediate the conflict.
• 4. How do you ensure patient safety and quality of care?
  A: As a charge nurse, I make sure that my team follows all safety protocols and best practices. I regularly perform rounds, check-in with patients and their families, and address any concerns or issues promptly. I also conduct regular audits and provide feedback to my team to maintain high-quality care.
• 5. How do you handle difficult patients or family members?
  A: Difficult patients or family members require patience, empathy, and excellent communication. I always try to understand their concerns and address them in a calm and professional manner. I involve the patient's care team and collaborate with them to find the best course of action.

Behavioral Questions

• 6. Can you tell us about a time when you had to deal with a challenging patient or family member?
  A: In my previous job, I had a patient who was very resistant to their treatment plan and often argued with the care team. I took the time to build a rapport with the patient and their family, listened to their concerns, and involved them in decision-making. Eventually, the patient's behavior improved, and they started following their treatment plan.
• 7. Share an example of a conflict you had to resolve among your team members.
  A: There was a disagreement between two of my team members about the best course of action for a patient's care. I mediated the conflict by encouraging open communication and actively listening to both sides. We worked together to find a solution that met the patient's needs, and the team members were able to resolve their issue and continue working effectively together.
• 8. Can you tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision as a charge nurse?
  A: In my previous role, there was a sudden emergency with one of our patients. I had to quickly assess the situation, delegate tasks to my team, and make a decision on whether to transfer the patient to a higher level of care. I remained calm and communicated effectively with my team to ensure the patient received the best possible care.
• 9. How do you handle a mistake or error made by one of your team members?
  A: I believe in having an open and transparent approach to mistakes or errors. I address the situation promptly and involve the team member in finding a solution. I also use it as a learning opportunity to prevent similar mistakes in the future and provide support and guidance to the team member.
• 10. Share an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult situation or conflict with a physician or other healthcare professional.
  A: In my current job, there was a disagreement between a physician and our team regarding a patient's care plan. I listened to the physician's concerns and presented our team's perspective. We were able to find a compromise that worked for both parties and ultimately led to the patient's improved outcome.

Situational Questions

• 11. What would you do if you notice a fellow nurse is not following proper safety protocols?
  A: I would approach the nurse and calmly remind them of the proper procedures. If the behavior continues, I would escalate the issue to our manager and ensure that the protocols are being followed to maintain patient safety.
• 12. How would you handle a staffing shortage while also dealing with a high patient load?
  A: In times of staffing shortages, I would first assess the situation and see if there are any team members who can take on additional tasks. I would also prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities accordingly. If needed, I would reach out to our manager to discuss potential solutions, such as scheduling additional staff or requesting assistance from other units.
• 13. How would you handle a patient or family member who is dissatisfied with their care?
  A: I would listen to their concerns and address them in a calm and empathetic manner. I would also involve their care team to discuss any potential issues and work together to find a solution that meets the patient's needs.
• 14. What would you do if you noticed a fellow nurse making a medication error?
  A: I would immediately intervene to prevent harm to the patient. I would also follow our facility's medication error protocol, report the error to the appropriate individuals, and document the incident.
• 15. How would you handle a situation where a patient's family member is being verbally abusive towards your team?
  A: I would first attempt to diffuse the situation by addressing the family member calmly and professionally. If the behavior continues or becomes physically threatening, I would remove myself and my team from the situation and involve security or management.

Technical Skills & Experience

• 16. What experience do you have with electronic medical records (EMRs) and patient charting?
  A: I have extensive experience with EMRs and patient charting systems. In my previous role, I implemented a new EMR system and trained my team in its use. I am proficient in documenting patient assessments, care plans, and interventions accurately and efficiently.
• 17. How do you stay current with medical advancements and changes in healthcare practices?
  A: I attend regular continuing education courses, read medical journals and literature, and engage in professional development opportunities. I also attend conferences and workshops and share knowledge and best practices with my team.
• 18. Can you give an example of a time when you had to use critical thinking skills in a patient care situation?
  A: I had a patient with a complex medical history and multiple acute issues. While the patient's primary care physician was not available, I had to use my critical thinking skills to assess the situation, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and make decisions that led to the patient's improved outcome.
• 19. What has been your experience with infection control protocols?
  A: I have always been diligent in following infection control protocols to ensure patient and staff safety. In my current role, I have also been involved in developing and implementing new infection control policies and training my team on them.
• 20. How do you handle changes or updates to policies and procedures?
  A: I understand the importance of staying up-to-date with policies and procedures. I always strive to be informed and proactively communicate any changes to my team. I also provide support and training to ensure that my team is knowledgeable and compliant with these changes.