The 3 Biggest Ways Nurses Sabotage Their Interviews (And How to Avoid Them)

Landing an RN position—whether you’re a new grad or making a transition—isn’t just about clinical knowledge. Interviews are your chance to showcase your professionalism, judgment, and emotional intelligence. But too often, strong candidates underperform simply because they fall into a few common traps.

Let’s break down the three most common interview mistakes I see nurses make—and how to fix them with focused, confident responses.⤵️

🚫 1. Talking Poorly About Others
Whether it’s a toxic work environment or a less-than-supportive preceptor, it can be tempting to vent. But when you badmouth past coworkers, managers, or organizations—even if it’s 100% true—it rarely lands well in an interview.

💡 What to do instead:
Keep it respectful and forward-focused. Rather than blaming others, highlight what you learned, how you grew, or what you’re looking for in your next role.
Example:
Instead of saying, “My manager was terrible at communication and never supported us,” try:
“I’ve learned how important communication and team support are to me, which is why I’m looking for a team that values collaboration and open dialogue.”
This shows maturity, not resentment—and tells the interviewer what kind of environment you thrive in.

⚠️ 2. Focusing Too Much on the Patient
Here’s something many nurses don’t realize: When you’re asked about a patient scenario, the focus should be on YOU—not the patient’s entire medical history.
Interviewers don’t need a deep dive into the chart. They want to know how you handled a challenge, communicated with your team, or de-escalated a tense moment.

💡 What to do instead:
Share just enough context to understand the situation—then quickly pivot to your actions and the result.

✨ Let’s Talk About the STAR Method
Most nursing interviews (especially new grad and residency interviews) include behavioral-based questions. These often start with:
“Tell me about a time when…” or “Describe a situation where…”

The STAR method is your best friend for these:
S – Situation (brief setup)
T – Task (what you were responsible for)
A – Action (what you did)
R – Result (the outcome or impact)

But here’s the problem: many candidates spend 70% of their time on the S and T—and then rush through A and R. That’s backwards!

💡 Pro tip:
Keep the Situation + Task to 2-3 sentences max. The majority of your answer should focus on the Action and Result—that’s where you show who you are and what you’re capable of.

🚩 3. Oversharing About Coworkers
When asked about a conflict or team challenge, don’t go into a long history about your coworker’s behavior or how difficult they were. That’s not the story your interviewer needs to hear.
💡 What to do instead:
Focus on:
👉🏻How you handled the situation
👉🏻What steps you took to resolve or de-escalate it
👉🏻What you learned from the experience
Even if you were totally in the right, keep the spotlight on your professionalism—not someone else’s flaws.

✅ The Takeaway: Keep It Focused and Professional
When preparing for your next interview, remember:
⭐Keep your responses succinct and structured
⭐Use the STAR method, but spend most of your time on the Action and Result
⭐Always center the story on you, not your patient, coworker, or manager
⭐Speak with professionalism, even when sharing challenges

These small shifts can completely change how you’re perceived—and help you stand out as the strong, self-aware nurse you are.

Want more support preparing for interviews? Inside The Nurse Navigator Membership, you’ll find:
✔️ Behavioral-based interview trainings
✔️ The RN Interview Lab for practice and feedback
✔️ A full STAR method workbook
✔️ Scripts, templates, and more to help you feel 100% confident
👉🏻 Click here to join or learn more.