Posted 20 July 2023 - 01:00
Posted 20 July 2023 - 01:00
Career advice
Band 6 nursing interview: what questions should you expect?
Nurses applying for band 6 roles must demonstrate their ability to lead and manage people and projects, and other skills. Read our tips on being interview ready
Nurses applying for band 6 roles must demonstrate their ability to lead and manage people and projects, and other skills. Read our tips on being interview ready
Band 6 nursing roles include senior staff nurse, deputy ward manager, nurse specialist, consultant nurse and health visitor.
Typically, the move to band 6 will mean taking on a level of management responsibility, ward responsibility and/or autonomy in decision-making.
What are employers looking for in a band 6 nurse?
‘At this level, panels are looking for leadership skills,’ says RCN careers coach Julie Watkins. ‘You need to demonstrate that you have the ability to take the next step by giving examples of times you have led projects, acted up, or taken on
Nurses applying for band 6 roles must demonstrate their ability to lead and manage people and projects, and other skills. Read our tips on being interview ready
Band 6 nursing roles include senior staff nurse, deputy ward manager, nurse specialist, consultant nurse and health visitor.
Typically, the move to band 6 will mean taking on a level of management responsibility, ward responsibility and/or autonomy in decision-making.
What are employers looking for in a band 6 nurse?
‘At this level, panels are looking for leadership skills,’ says RCN careers coach Julie Watkins. ‘You need to demonstrate that you have the ability to take the next step by giving examples of times you have led projects, acted up, or taken on responsibility for managing others.
‘The move from band 5 to 6 can be a tricky one because it is a significant step up, so it helps to seize opportunities in your current role.
‘I would be looking for someone who has a good understanding of their clinical area, but who can also demonstrate the ability to lead people’
Jo Haworth, chief nurse, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
‘Volunteering to lead projects, getting experience acting up, managing a junior colleague or initiating service improvement are all good ways of gaining the experience you can use in job applications.’
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust chief nurse Jo Haworth says: ‘I would be looking for someone who has a good understanding of their clinical area, but who can also demonstrate the ability to lead people.’
What preparation should I do for a band 6 interview?
Ms Watkins says: ‘Read the job description and person specification carefully – don’t just skim it. Go through it with a highlighter pen, marking key words and phrases, then use these to plan the examples from your working experience that you’ll use in the interview.’
‘I would always recommend going for an informal visit ahead of the interview if that’s possible. It’s a chance to show you are really keen, and build rapport’
Julie Watkins, RCN careers coach
Using the STAR method can help you plan your examples:
- Situation – outline of the scene, including any necessary background information.
- Task – what did you need to do?
- Action – what did you do?
- Result – what impact did your actions have? For example on the patient, team, and workplace safety.
‘Pay attention to the specific words they use for competencies and skills listed, because these will give you more information about the sort of person they are looking for,’ advises Ms Watkins.
‘For example, if they want a “transformational leader”, can you echo that in the examples you give? Or they may want someone “innovative” or “enthusiastic” – think about examples where you’ve demonstrated those qualities.
‘I would always recommend going for an informal visit ahead of the interview if that’s possible. It’s a chance to show you are really keen and build rapport. But do a bit of preparation before you go – and make sure you don’t ask whoever you are speaking to questions that are already in the job description or person specification.’
It is also important to research an organisation’s values, adds Ms Watkins. ‘For example, if they say “always putting patients first” is a core value for them, make sure you highlight examples of where you have put the patient first. Emphasise the impact your actions have had on your patients.’
How does a band 6 interview differ from a band 5 interview?
At band 6 level, while you need to demonstrate clinical skills and solid qualifications and experience, the interviewers will want to see that you can lead, inspire and motivate teams.
This is not a time to be modest. ‘At this level, when answering questions you should be using more of the “I” and less of the “we”, says Ms Watkins. ‘The interviewers need to see how you as an individual led on something, or solved an issue, so say “I implemented X, and that meant that Y happened smoothly”.’
What types of questions are asked at a band 6 interview?
While the questions you are asked will vary, typically the areas of questioning will include clinical knowledge, safety, values, leadership and conflict management.
Candidates are typically asked to give examples of times when they have demonstrated the skills and behaviours outlined in the job description.
‘You have a lot more responsibility at band 6, and you need to show you can be confident in making decisions’
Kajal Modi, clinical nurse specialist in oncology, The Harley Street Clinic, London
For example, you may be asked about a time you faced a difficult situation and how you responded, an example of when you have led a team, and an example of a time when you have contributed to service improvement.
‘You’re also likely to be asked what you think the differences are between your current role and the one you’re applying for,’ says Kajal Modi, a clinical nurse specialist in oncology at The Harley Street Clinic in London. ‘You have a lot more responsibility at band 6, and you need to show you can be confident in making decisions.
‘At band 6, you will also act as a role model to junior colleagues.’
What are some of the most common interview questions at band 6?
Question: ‘Why did you apply for this job?
How to answer: ‘This is often an opening question – or you may get a similar question,’ says RCN careers coach Julie Watkins. ‘It’s an opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role, so you could say “I am passionate about X, such as end of life care or the specialism or area that you have applied for. Also, highlight your skills and experience and why they make you a good candidate for the role.
‘If you’ve been on an informal visit, you can also say something like: “I was really impressed when I spoke to X to hear that you were doing Y”.
‘When giving your answers, use action words such as coordinated, identified, initiated, led, managed, influenced and trained, rather than continually repeating “I did”.’
Question: ‘How would you ensure safety on the ward?’
How to answer: Some of the most important questions at band 6 level will be related to safety, so it is wise to prepare this area, says Kajal Modi, clinical nurse specialist in oncology at The Harley Street Clinic in London. ‘The interviewer needs to know that you, as a band 6, are capable of managing a ward safely, including reviewing the skill mix, knowing when to escalate when the ward is short-staffed, and understanding what to do in this situation.’
Question: ‘If a healthcare assistant (HCA) wants to change their shift, but you see that will leave the ward uncovered, what would you do?’
How to answer: ‘I would be looking for someone who can demonstrate in their answer how they would take the necessary steps,’ says Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust chief nurse Jo Haworth. ‘For example, look at the rotas, check whether the HCA has asked anyone if they can swap the shift, ask if there is a particular reason for needing the change, and try to negotiate a solution by talking to the individuals involved.
‘But you also need an understanding of when to escalate this to the ward manager if required.’
Question: ‘How would you approach managing colleagues you may have been working alongside for some time?’
How to answer: Having had experience of this, Ms Modi says the important thing is to demonstrate an understanding of the situation. ‘You have to show that you understand there may be some pushback from colleagues who you are delegating tasks to in your new role. But while you understand this and are aware it may happen, you can manage it, and it takes time for others to adjust to you being in your new role.’
How can I overcome my interview nerves?
Nerves are a normal human reaction and can affect anyone, however experienced you are, so don’t be surprised or assume this means you are ill-prepared or likely to fail. Find some techniques that help you to feel calm and confident.
‘Positive affirmations, breathing techniques and working with a careers coach can all help,’ says Ms Watkins.
The RCN has a comprehensive careers resource, including tips on how to overcome interview nerves. This includes writing down positive statements to repeat to yourself, such as ‘I am really well prepared and will be able to answer all the questions’, and reframing your nerves as ‘excitement’ about the opportunity or challenge you face.
Should I ask questions at the end of the interview?
Candidates are usually invited to ask questions at the end of an interview, so it is a good idea to have a couple in mind. ‘You could ask about something that’s come up in your research,’ suggests Ms Watkins.
‘For example, if the department you’re applying to has launched an initiative recently, you could say: “I thought that sounded interesting – how is it going?”’
The closing minutes of the interview can also provide an opportunity to change the mood a bit and show more of your personality. ‘People sometimes ask the panel something about themselves, such as why they like working in their roles,’ says Ms Watkins. ‘This can be a time to show a bit more of what you will be like to work with, and don’t be afraid to use humour where appropriate.’
Should I ask for feedback if I don’t get the job?
It is always disappointing not to get a job you wanted, but it happens to everyone at some stage, so try not to take it personally. After all, you have now proved you can be shortlisted for a band 6 role and have some great interview experience under your belt.
‘Don’t be too hard on yourself,’ stresses Ms Watkins. ‘You could ask the panel for some feedback, but rather than just asking for general feedback, we recommend people ask “Which question did I score lowest on?”
‘You could also ask which two questions you scored highest on. This will give you a picture of your strengths and weaknesses, and something more concrete to go away and work on.’