NQN Interview Preparation and NMC Code Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering newly qualified nurse (NQN) interview structures, the NMC Code, patient safety, clinical scenarios, and STAR methodology.

Tell us about yourself

Background, Experience, Motivation

I’m a newly qualified nurse who recently completed my adult nursing degree. During my placements in medical and surgical wards, I developed strong skills in patient-centred care, communication, and teamwork. I’m passionate about providing safe, compassionate care and I’m keen to grow within a supportive preceptorship programme.”

Say when nervous or needing a filler

As a newly qualified nurse, I understand my responsibility to practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism under the NMC Code.

SICPs

Standard Infection Control Precautions, for every patient.

PPE

Personal protective equipment. Based on the risk assessment, not automatically every item.

Aseptic technique

Prevent contamination during clinical procedures.

NMC Code

Prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, promote professionalism and trust.

PPE and hand hygiene

Perform hand hygiene at the appropriate moments, including before and after patient contact.

Use gloves, apron, gown, mask or eye protection according to the risk and transmission route.

Remove and dispose of PPE safely.

Perform hand hygiene after removing PPE.

Use soap and water when indicated, particularly for suspected norovirus or C. difficile.

Isolate and implement precautions

Follow the Scottish National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM).

Use Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) for all patients.

Arrange a single room if indicated, preferably with dedicated toilet facilities.

If no room is available, escalate to the nurse in charge and IPC team for a safe placement plan.

Assess the patient and identify risks

Check for signs of infection: temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, wounds or new symptoms.

Assess observations using NEWS2 and A–E.

Identify risks to other patients, staff and visitors.

Escalate immediately if the patient is deteriorating or sepsis is suspected.

SEPSIS

A–E assessment → NEWS2 → SBAR → Sepsis Six → Reassess

What to look for when Septic

Temperature above or below normal

Increased respiratory rate

Tachycardia

Hypotension

New confusion or altered consciousness

Reduced urine output

Mottled, pale or clammy skin

Reduced oxygen saturations

Sepsis Six

3 GIVE

1. Oxygen

If indicated, target SpO₂ 94–98%, or 88–92% if at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure.

2. IV antibiotics

Prescribed antibiotics urgently, guided by severity, likely source and allergies.

3. IV fluids

Prescribed crystalloid boluses when indicated, reassessing after each.

3 TAKE

4. Blood cultures

Before antibiotics where possible, without delaying urgent treatment.

5. Lactate

Blood gas to assess lactate and tissue hypoperfusion.

6. Urine output

Monitor fluid balance and urine output for kidney perfusion.

A patient with suspected infectious diarrhoea requires isolation, but no single room is available. What should you do?

The nurse in charge and IPC team can advise on safe placement and interim transmission precautions.

You notice several patients in the same ward bay developing similar vomiting symptoms over a short period. What is the best action?

Prompt reporting, assessment and infection control measures help contain a possible outbreak.

what would you do if a patient had a slowly reactive wound on their coccyx?

wound assessment, SSKIN assessment and pressure ulcer risk assessment.

This would include the wound appearance, surrounding skin, pain, and any signs of infection.

I would also contribute factors such as mobility, continence, nutrition, and how well pressure area care is being managed. Follow local policy’s.

And document, escalate appropriately and consider tissue viability.

What does professionalism mean to you and how do you demonstrate this in every day practice?

professionalism means delivering safe, compassionate, and respectful care at all times, while maintaining accountability and clear boundaries in my practice.

why you want to work for NHS Scotland?

I want to work for NHS Scotland because its values align closely with my own, particularly compassion, dignity, respect and providing person-centred care.

What attracts you to working with nhs?

Being part of an organisation where I can make a real difference in people’s lives. continuously develop into a safe, confident, and compassionate practitioner.

A key component of the NHS Ayrshire and Arran NMAHP Strategy 2023-2026 is Transformational Leadership.

focuses on transforming roles, ensuring consistent, sustainable, and high-quality care, and enhancing workforce development. This approach empowers staff across four pillars of practice: clinical, learning, service improvement, and leadership.

Can you tell us about the leadership skills you possess and how they would be of benefit to our organisation?

Idealised Influence: Acting as a positive role model who embodies the shared values and vision of the community team.

A patient refuses care/treatment?

think capacity, respect autonomy, communication, education, escalation if safeguarding concerns.

A family member becomes upset or aggressive

think de-escalation, professionalism, boundaries, safety awareness.

You’re unsure about a clinical skill/task

work within competency, seek support, don’t guess.

Role of an NQN

Accountability for decisions, Safety through assessment and escalation, and Learning with feedback and preceptorship.

NHS values

Care and Compassion

Dignity and Respect

Openness, Honesty and Responsibility

clinical emergencies

ABCDE, Call for help early, Escalate using SBAR and follow emergency protocols, and Record actions and reassess

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

I can be overly self-critical, but I manage this by reflecting and asking for feedback.

Clinical Error Management

Honestly and professional

• Patient safety first

• Inform senior staff

• Document

• Reflect and learn

How do you handle stress?

Coping strategies and self-awareness

How to answer:

• Organisation

• Asking for support

• Reflection

• Self-care

Four Themes of the NMC Code

Prioritise people

Practise effectively

Preserve safety

Promote professionalism and trust.

Prioritise People (NMC Code)

treat people as individuals, uphold dignity, listen, obtain valid consent, and involve individuals in decisions about their care.

Practise Effectively (NMC Code)

use evidence, communicate clearly, work cooperatively, maintain accurate records, and share information appropriately.

Preserve Safety (NMC Code)

work within competence, recognise and escalate risk, act without delay if safety is compromised, and adhere to safe medicines practice.

Promote Professionalism and Trust (NMC Code)

be honest, maintain professional boundaries, uphold public confidence, and act with integrity and accountability.

Duty of Candour

The professional and ethical obligation to be open and honest when things go wrong.

Safe Documentation

Clinical records created promptly and accurately.

detailing patient assessments, actions taken, escalation, clinical response, and staff informed.

Appropriate Delegation

Assigning only suitable clinical tasks to competent colleagues with clear instructions.

Working Outside Competence Protocol

explain limitations, refuse to perform it unsafely, seek guidance or supervision, and ensure patient care is not delayed.

Safeguarding Concern Protocol

reporting promptly via local policies, and sharing information on a need-to-know, immediate safety, listening calmly without leading questions or promises of secrecy, recording factual details accurately.

ABCDE Approach

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure. Clinicians treat life-threatening conditions immediately as they are detected and continually reassess.

SBAR

Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

sudden dyspnoea

check safety and responsiveness, call for help, execute ABCDE, measure vital signs including oxygen saturation, follow local oxygen policies, and escalate urgently.

Sepsis Pathway protocol

when a patient develops fever and new confusion: perform ABCDE, record observations and warning score, escalate promptly, follow the local sepsis pathway.

Treatment Refusal Protocol

assess decision-making capacity and understanding regarding the specific decision, explain options and risks, respect valid refusals, escalate concerns, and document

Infection prevention measures

hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, isolation precautions, environmental cleaning, safe waste disposal, and adherence to local protocols.

STAR Technique

Situation, Task, Action, and Result (plus Reflection)

Describe a time you dealt with a challenging situation

Resilience, professionalism, learning

How do you ensure patient safety?

Following policies

Escalating concerns

Infection control

Documentation

Duty of candour