Interview Questions for Neonatal Nurses:
1. How would you personally handle the death of an infant?
Look for candidates who demonstrate empathy for a loss, but who can compartmentalize so as not to lose focus on the job. Be aware of candidates who demonstrate either a lack of emotion or too much emotion, as they run the risk of burn-out.
2. If you noticed a mother being unsuccessful in breastfeeding, how would you suggest an improvement?
Demonstrates candidates' communication skills and success in handling new parents in a composed and caring manner.
3. What would you suggest in the care of an infant that is not responding to current medical interventions?
Look for candidates who demonstrate an ability to think outside the box and who also show a working knowledge of the latest neonatal medical procedures.
4. What would you do if you disagreed with the medical diagnosis of the NICU physician?
Look for candidates who demonstrate confidence as well as discretion. Look out for candidates who demonstrate a disregard for authority, as a Neonatal Nurse must be able to follow direction as well as work on their own.
5. How would you handle an infant in the NICU who will not stop crying and is not responding to normal methods, such as feeding or rocking?
Demonstrates the candidates' attitude towards the infants that would be under their care, and how they would handle a difficult situation.