How to Articulate Your Motivation for Nursing: 6 Tips for Answering “Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?” Effectively

When interviewers ask “Why do you want to be a nurse?”, they are trying to understand your motivations for pursuing this challenging but rewarding career.

They want to know that you have a genuine passion for helping others and are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care.

Some key reasons interviewers ask this question include:

• To assess your understanding of the nursing profession and what it entails
• To gauge your enthusiasm and dedication to nursing
• To see if your motivations align with the organization’s mission and values
• To determine if you have realistic expectations about the challenges of nursing

Ultimately, they want to hire nurses who are in it for the right reasons and will be engaged, compassionate caregivers for the long haul. Having a thoughtful, authentic answer prepared demonstrates you’ve put serious consideration into this career path.

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How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?”

How to Articulate Your Motivation for Nursing: 6 Tips for Answering “Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?” Effectively

Here are some tips for crafting a compelling response to this common nursing interview question:

1. Discuss your passion for helping others

At its core, nursing is about serving others in their times of need. Talk about your desire to make a positive difference in patients’ lives. Perhaps you have always been a nurturing, caring person who is fulfilled by helping people. Share an anecdote about a time you went out of your way to help someone and how rewarding it felt. Emphasize that nursing will allow you to have that feeling every day.

2. Highlight your relevant strengths and skills

Think about the qualities that make an excellent nurse, such as compassion, strong communication, attention to detail, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Discuss how you embody these traits and have demonstrated them in past experiences, whether professional, volunteer, or educational.

For example, maybe you excelled in your anatomy classes, showcasing an aptitude for clinical knowledge. Or perhaps you volunteered at a nursing home, honing your bedside manner.

3. Explain what drew you to the nursing field

Reflect on the experiences or insights that sparked your interest in nursing. Was it witnessing the skilled, compassionate care a loved one received while hospitalized? Did you have an inspiring conversation with a nurse who became a role model?

Have you always had an interest in medicine and a desire to work closely with patients? Briefly recount the lightbulb moment or journey that led you to pursue nursing.

4. Connect to the specific employer

Research the healthcare organization ahead of time and consider how their mission and values resonate with you personally.

For example, if it’s a children’s hospital, discuss your love for working with kids and how meaningful it would be to help young patients and their families. If the organization is known for innovation, talk about your excitement to be at the forefront of healthcare advances. Show you’ve done your homework and are inspired by this particular opportunity.

5. Show your commitment to learning and growth

Emphasize that you understand nursing is a field of lifelong learning and you are eager to develop your skills.

Talk about your commitment to staying on top of healthcare advancements, taking continuing education, and always striving to provide the highest standard of care. Employers want nurses who are dedicated to professional growth and delivering optimal outcomes.

6. Be concise and genuine

While it’s good to be thoughtful in your response, don’t feel the need to give an exhaustive history of what led you to nursing. Aim for about a 1-2 minute answer that hits the key points in an organized, authentic way. Practicing your response beforehand can help you deliver it confidently and naturally in the moment.

Example Answers to “Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?”

Here are a few sample responses to help spark ideas for how you might approach this question:

Example 1

“I have always been a compassionate person who feels called to help others. Growing up, I watched my grandmother struggle with chronic health issues, and I saw firsthand the positive impact her nurses had on her wellbeing.

Not only did they provide excellent clinical care, but they offered emotional support and treated her with such dignity. I knew I wanted a career where I could have that same meaningful effect on people’s lives.

I’m drawn to nursing because it allows me to serve others during their most vulnerable times and make a tangible difference. I believe my strengths in building rapport, listening closely, and conveying information in an understandable way would help me be an effective nurse.

I also love that nursing offers so much room for growth and specialization. I’m excited to be a lifelong learner and hopefully pursue additional certifications down the line to expand how I can help patients. Joining [Organization Name]’s team would be an incredible opportunity to learn from expert nurses and provide top-notch care to this community.”

Example 2

“My journey to nursing started when I volunteered at a local clinic during college. I was pre-med at the time, but I quickly realized I was most excited by the hands-on patient interactions I observed the nurses having. They were the ones building meaningful relationships, doing critical thinking at the bedside, and empowering patients to take charge of their health.

I wanted to have that same direct positive impact.I switched my major to nursing and never looked back. My classes and clinical rotations have only deepened my passion for this work.

I love the blend of scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and deep human connection. I’m a details-oriented, organized person who thrives in a collaborative environment, so I think my skills are well-suited to nursing. I’m particularly interested in [Organization Name] because of your reputation for nursing excellence and focus on evidence-based practice. It would be an honor to launch my nursing career here and contribute to the amazing work you do for patients.”

Mistakes to Avoid When Answering This Question

When preparing your response to “Why do you want to be a nurse?”, be sure to sidestep these common pitfalls:

• Being too general: Avoid generic statements like “I want to help people” without elaborating or personalizing your response. Share specific examples and insights to make your answer more authentic and memorable.
• Focusing too much on yourself: While it’s great to discuss your strengths and goals, keep the emphasis on how you want to serve others as a nurse. Show that your motivation is about patients, not just your own career advancement.
• Dwelling on salary or lifestyle: While it’s okay to mention the practical benefits of nursing, like job stability, don’t let that be the focus of your answer. Keep the emphasis on your passion for the actual work of nursing.
• Rambling or getting off-topic: While you want to give a thorough response, be careful not to let it become a long-winded life story. Practice keeping your answer concise and on-point.
• Sounding rehearsed: While it’s smart to practice your response, avoid sounding too scripted or generic. Aim for a conversational, genuine-sounding delivery.
• Badmouthing other professions: There’s no need to disparage other healthcare roles to explain your draw to nursing. Focus on the positives of what nursing uniquely offers rather than knocking other fields.

The Bottom Line

Answering “Why do you want to be a nurse?” is your chance to convey your passion for and commitment to this meaningful work.

Discuss your desire to help others, your relevant strengths, and your excitement to grow in this field. Personalize your response with specific examples and insights to show you’ve reflected deeply on your career choice.

With a thoughtful, authentic answer, you’ll demonstrate you’re pursuing nursing for the right reasons and would be an asset to the healthcare team.

You’ve got this!

Are you feeling inspired and ready to launch your nursing career? Explore open nursing positions apply online today.