Practice Nurse Interview Questions and Answers (UK)
What questions are asked in a practice nurse interview?
Expect questions on working autonomously in primary care, long-term condition reviews, immunisation and vaccination, cervical screening, wound care, safeguarding, patient education, working with GPs and the wider practice team, and keeping your competence up to date. Every practice writes its own questions, so practise the themes, not word-for-word answers.
How do you answer practice nurse questions?
Show you work safely alone, know your limits, use protocols and Patient Group Directions (PGDs) correctly, and ask for support. Give real examples and name the safe step.
What do panels look for?
Independent but safe practice, clear patient education, accurate record keeping, openness about errors and willingness to keep learning.
Practice questions with short model answers
These are original practice questions. Use your own experience, not these words.
1. Why do you want to be a practice nurse?
Model answer: "I like building relationships over time and supporting people to manage their health. I enjoy the variety of primary care and I want to develop my skills in long-term conditions in a team that supports learning."
2. How would you run a review for someone with asthma?
Model answer: "I would check symptoms, how often they use reliever medicine, inhaler technique, triggers and their written action plan, and follow the practice's protocol and current guidance. I would agree goals with them, escalate anything outside my remit to the GP and record the review."
3. What does working under a Patient Group Direction mean?
Model answer: "A PGD lets me supply or give certain medicines to a defined group of patients without an individual prescription, but only if I am named and trained, the patient meets the criteria and I follow the written terms exactly."
4. You realise you gave a vaccine to the wrong patient or the wrong dose. What do you do?
Model answer: "I would tell the patient promptly and honestly, make sure they are safe, tell the GP or clinical lead, follow the national guidance on vaccine errors and the practice's process, report it as an incident and reflect on how to prevent it."
5. A parent brings an infant with a bruise. What do you do?
Model answer: "Bruising in a baby who is not yet moving independently is a safeguarding concern and needs urgent same-day discussion with a senior clinician under local safeguarding procedures. I would record exactly what I saw and was told and not confront the family."
6. A patient refuses a recommended vaccine. What do you do?
Model answer: "I would listen to their concerns, give accurate information, respect their decision if they have capacity and record it. I would let them know they can change their mind."
7. How do you manage when you are the only nurse in the building?
Model answer: "I know who to call, the practice's emergency procedures and where equipment is. I keep to my competence, ask for GP input when needed and record decisions."
8. How do you educate someone newly diagnosed with diabetes?
Model answer: "I use plain language, give small amounts of information at a time, check understanding, involve family if they wish and signpost to structured education. I follow local pathways."
9. Tell us about a time you worked with the wider team.
Use a real example with a GP, health visitor, receptionist or pharmacist.
10. How do you keep your competence up to date?
Model answer: "Regular updates on immunisation and cervical screening, clinical supervision, reflective practice, and NMC revalidation."
Quick facts
Practice nurses work in general practice, often as part of a primary care network. Pay and banding vary by employer.
Immunisation and screening guidance changes. Check the current national guidance before the interview.
Interview format varies. Your invitation should say what to expect.
The practice questions here are original, not leaked or official.
Healthcare Interview Prep is independent of the NHS.
This is general interview preparation, not clinical advice.
Practise practice nurse questions
The General Practice Nursing bank has 40 original practice questions with full model answers. The first 8 are free to read. The full bank is £4.99, one-off, with 12 months' access and no subscription.
Related guides:
Frequently asked questions
Do I need primary care experience?
Not always. Read the person specification. Show transferable skills and willingness to train.
Will I be asked clinical scenarios?
Often. Explain safe steps and defer to current guidance and local protocol.
How long should my answers be?
About two minutes for most questions.
Healthcare Interview Prep is independent of the NHS and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the NHS. This guide cannot promise any interview result.
Comments