How to Answer Mental Health Nurse Interview Questions

“The interview the only opportunity a Mental Health Nurse will have to sell themselves after the initial application, and if they don’t properly prepare, they may be going up against someone who has.”

Mental health nursing is a rewarding and competitive specialism, meaning applicants need to be confident and knowledgeable in their job interviews. RMN Chris shares common questions you could be asked and how best to answer them.

Regardless of how many interviews you have previously participated in, they can often be a stressful experience. Applicants can sometimes spend countless hours in preparation, whereas some choose to avoid any preparation whatsoever due to their anxiety or overconfidence.

However, it is important that anyone who is offered a mental health nursing interview adequately prepares themselves despite how assured or stressed they are feeling.

The interview is usually the only opportunity a Mental Health Nurse will have to sell themselves after the initial application, and if they don’t properly prepare, they may be going up against someone who has.

Common Questions Asked In Mental Health Nurse Interviews

To prepare for the interview, Mental Health Nurses should familiarise themselves with some of the common questions that regularly come up. Many mental health services may also ask questions that are specific to that area, however these are usually similar in their format and applicants should familiarise themselves with the service to ensure they are able to adapt their answers accordingly.

An outline of some of the most common questions that arise in mental health nursing interviews, and how to answer them are as follows:

"What Is Your Understanding Of The Role And What Experience Do You Bring?"

This question is one of the most crucial. It is your opening statement and a chance to demonstrate the research that you have undertaken in preparation for the interview. Applicants should examine the available information relating towards the role and ensure that they are able to provide a comprehensive overview of what it involves.

Most of the information about the role can be found within the job description that was provided in the advertisement. However, other sources of information could be found within copies of policies, speaking with existing members of staff, and online through associated websites.

If the role relates to a specialised area of mental health, applicants should thoroughly research the relevant issues, including NICE guidelines, clinical research outcomes, and evidence-based treatments.

"How Would You Carry Out An Assessment Of Mental Health?"

Undertaking a mental health assessment is usually a central feature of most mental health nursing jobs. When answering this question, applicants should ensure they provide as much detail as possible to demonstrate they have the relevant knowledge.

Any Mental Health Nurse carrying out an assessment must introduce themselves along with anyone else present and state the purpose of the assessment. Mental Health Nurses should also be seeking to gain the individual's consent to the assessment, although they may not always have the capacity to provide this. Depending upon the context, it may also be required to seek their consent to share the assessment with other agencies.

A comprehensive, holistic assessment will examine the psychological, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of the individual. The presenting issue, history of the presenting issue, psychiatric history, alcohol and substance misuse history, family and social history, medical history, developmental history, occupational and educational history, cultural history, and spirituality should all form the basis of a nursing assessment.

A mental state examination will also be carried out, and this will usually look at behaviour and appearance, affect, speech, thought content, perceptual disturbances, impulse control, cognition, and insight. If a physical assessment is to be undertaken, this may include taking observations such as bloods, blood pressure, pulse, oximeter reading, height and weight. It may also then be necessary to request further tests through a medical professional.

Within a mental health assessment, it will also be important to give consideration to capacity, and whether there are any specific issues where capacity should be assessed.

The applicant should also demonstrate that they have an awareness of assessment techniques. The Mental Health Nurse should be attentive and use non-verbal communication. Motivational interviewing is a useful tool in helping to elicit answers, and summing up and paraphrasing can be helpful towards the patient. Taking a non-judgemental position is also paramount towards effective engagement.

The interview the only opportunity a Mental Health Nurse will have to sell themselves after the initial application, and if they don’t properly prepare, they may be going up against someone who has.

"What Is Your Understanding Of Risk Management?"

Risk management is a central factor in providing effective care within mental health nursing. Applicants should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the models of risk assessment as they will be expected to routinely assess risk. They should demonstrate knowledge around risk identification and mitigation, and how this can be managed through safety planning.

The ‘5 P's Model’ (Presenting, Predisposing, Precipitating, Perpetuating, Protective) is often used, and describing this process can be useful in ensuring each aspect of risk formulation is discussed. Applicants should also seek to link in their knowledge of safeguarding if asked a question about risk management.

It may also be useful to discuss elements of Mental Health Law, e.g. Part II and III of the Mental Health Act, and the Mental Capacity Act within the context of risk management.

"This Service Is Currently Expanding; How Would You Manage Working In A Busy And Sometimes Demanding Environment?"

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they will be able to effectively carry out their role and manage competing priorities.

Many community mental health nursing roles are semi-autonomous, and therefore time management skills are essential. Basic considerations such as using a diary and planning community visits appropriately should be discussed if this question arises in an interview. Delegation of appropriate tasks may also be an option depending upon the role.

Applicants must show that they are proactive in forward planning and confident in the use of technology. Using supervision effectively is also a tool that applicants should identify as a means of support towards managing their workload.

It is important to show enthusiasm throughout the interview, as the interviewers will notice if someone appears disinterested.

"Can You Give An Example Of Managing Conflict Within The Team Or With A Co-Worker?"

This question may be framed in different ways within an interview. Interviewers are essentially looking for the interviewee to demonstrate an understanding of how to work in a respectful and professional manner with others. Applicants should demonstrate that they are able to understand different points of view, are able to act objectively, and that they have emotional awareness.

Within a scenario question such as this (or any others that arise in the interview), it can be useful to use the STAR acronym to frame your answer (Situation, Task, Action, and Result).

"How Would You Maintain Your Professional Development, And Is There Any Particular Training That Would Be Useful Towards This Role?"

It is important for Mental Health Nurses to continue to maintain and develop their skills within any new role. In advance of the interview, the applicant should consider what training may be relevant.

Core mandatory training must be prioritised, however due to the specialist nature of many mental health services there are a variety of different training opportunities available. That said, be sure to keep any suggestions of further training relevant to the role being applied for.

“Any Questions For The Panel?”

At the end of an interview, you will be asked if you have any questions for the panel. You should use this as an opportunity to put forward any questions you may have about the service or the role. An example of good questions to ask might be, "What do you enjoy about working for this service?” and “How do you see the service developing in the future?"

Some applicants may feel forced into asking questions. It is not mandatory, however if you have a genuine interest in the role, you will now have an opportunity to find out more about what it involves. It is important to show enthusiasm throughout the interview, as the interviewers will notice if someone appears disinterested.

If you’re looking for your next Mental Health Nurse role, you can check out our job board. We wish you luck in your upcoming interview.