Why are you the best Nurse Anesthetist for us?

The interviewer wants to know why they should hire you, versus another candidate. Focus on unique skills that you have as well as particularly strong achievements or professional accolades.

What questions do you have for me?

"Why do you like working here?"

Before your interview, do your research! Make sure you have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the website to make sure the answers are not obvious. The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of questions you could have found the answers to from simply watching a video on their company site! Think of questions that are relevant to the industry. Some of your questions may be asking for clarifications about something. Other questions might be delving deeper into something that interests you about their vision or their company culture. Put together a list of up to ten questions so that you are prepared!

How would your co-workers describe you?

"My coworkers would say that I'm dedicated to my work and care very much about my patients. Everyday I bring my very best to work to inspire my jr. Anesthetists and others around me."

The interviewer can see your experience on your resume, now it is your opportunity to tell the interviewer about your professional relationships. Think about the professional traits that your coworkers possess that makes it a joy to work with.

Give me a specific example of a time when you were unable to complete a project on time.

Remember, the interviewer isn't here to condemn you. Provide an honest answer. With that said, try to stay away from a severe deadline you may have missed in your life. The interviewer is looking for a simple deadline, and what you learned from your mistake. Did you simply under estimate your time? Did you face a distraction at work? Were you in over your head? Whatever the situation was, you had to have learned from the outcome, and it had to make you better in someway. Explain that to the interviewer.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?

"I would love to give myself a 10/10 for honesty but truthfully - nobody is 100% honest all of the time. I will give myself an 9 because I always do my best to be as honest as possible."

Do you feel that you are a very honest person or do you have room for growth? This could be a tricky question as nobody is always 100% honest. Answer to the best of your ability and back your reply by speaking about your personal ethics.

How do you handle communicating bad news to a fellow worker or subordinate?

"I certainly do not enjoy communicating bad news to a co-worker but I do have experience in doing so. When this type of task is required of me, I make sure to practice empathy. Truth is always key, so I will be honest and clear when communicating the news. For instance, if I am to deliver bad news in a particular case they are close to, I will bring great empathy to my delivery."

One of the toughest parts of communication can be delivering bad news to people that you work with and care about. Whether it is delivering a less than positive work review or terminating someone - it doesn't come easy. Assure the interviewer that you are able to handle this type of task in a clear, concise, and professional manner.

What are your salary expectations?

"I can share with you what I am currently earning, and where I would like to be in my next position. Currently, I am earning a base salary of $178K plus benefits. Last year my earnings were $185K and I'd like to earn a bit above that in my next position."

The best thing that you can do when asked about your salary expectations, be open and honest about what you are currently earning, and where you want to be in the future.

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a major setback I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!"

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace.

Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

"The greatest accomplishment in my career was graduating University as an honors student while still working full time in a related field. I was top of my class, and working full time. This showed me that I am able to dedicate myself to my career and reach the goals that I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and be recognized for my dedication."

Talking about your greatest accomplishment will give the interviewer a strong idea of where you place your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and how to coach you in the future. It is okay to brag a little bit when answering this question. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments! Here is an example answer: "The greatest accomplishment in my career was graduating University as an honors student while still working full time in a related field. I was top of my class, and working full time. This showed me that I am able to dedicate myself to my career and reach the goals that I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and be recognized for my dedication."

Why did you choose the field of anesthesia instead of other advanced practice fields?

The interviewer would like to know more about your motivations for selecting your specialty in anesthesia. Show the interviewer that you have a genuine interest in this particular practice. Feel free to share a story that highlights your motivation and passion for the field.

Tell me about the continuing education you've completed since finishing your Nursing degree.

The interviewer would like to understand how committed you are to continued education and ongoing professional development. Show the interviewer that you are proactive in driving your own personal development.

Walk me through your career as a Nurse Anesthetist.

The interviewer would like to fully understand your career path so far. Take a few minutes to bring your resume to life for them. Highlight your education and other specific achievements.

What do you dislike most about being a Nurse Anesthetist?

"The unpredictable and variable work schedule can make it difficult to manage work-life balance and personal commitments. Although this is a challenge, the pro's outweigh the con's because I find my career to be incredibly fulfilling."

The interviewer wants to understand what you dislike about your profession. Your answer will also help the interviewer know how to motivate you on the toughest work days. Make sure to complete your answer on a positive note as you do not want to sound like you are complaining about your job.

What do you enjoy most about being a Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RNA)?

"I enjoy the high degree of autonomy and professional respect RNA's command. The role carries a high degree of responsibility but the work is very gratifying. I also enjoy the additional responsibilities of research and being an educator - contributing to the development of students in a clinical setting brings a great deal of satisfaction."

The interviewer would like to know what drives you to do a great job at work every day - even on the toughest of days! Your answer should reflect your genuine passion and enthusiasm for what you do.

Why did you become a Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNA)?

The interviewer is looking for further insight into the personal reasons you became a Nurse Anesthetist. Bring passion to your answer and discuss what brought you to this career path

Describe your role as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

"The role of a nurse anesthetist is broad and diverse. I see my role as being an educator, and a life-long student; continually increasing my knowledge and expertise. I see my role as critical to the success of any procedure because I monitor anesthesia levels so the patient is safe and not experiencing pain. Anesthesia is an area which can cause a great deal of anxiety for patients, particularly the elderly. This means that an important part of my position is listening to patients, and trying to reduce their anxiety."

The interviewer would like to see that you fully understand your role as a Nurse Anesthetist. Briefly, describe what are the most important details of your role as a nurse anesthetist. Feel free to share a story that highlights your experience as a Nurse Anesthtist.

What type of situations cause you the most stress? How do you handle that stress?

The interviewer is looking for your ability to be reflective and self-aware. Discuss your triggers when it comes to stress, and the methods you employ to manage that stress.

Describe the techniques you have used to manage patient airway or pulmonary status.

The interviewer will see your qualifications and work history on your resume so a few technical questions may be asked of you. Here is a sample interview answer that you can use to show the interviewer that you have the right skills to be their next Nurse Anesthetist.

"With a difficult airway intubation, place the patient in a sniffing position, use pillows to elevate."

What are the differences between first degree, second degree type 1, and second degree type 2 heart block?

There will be times during your interview that the interviewer tests your knowledge. This question may be asked so be sure to keep it brief and to the point.

What is the first thing you would do if you saw a patient with second degree, type 2 heart block with low blood pressure?

The interviewer is assessing your knowledge as a Nurse Anesthetist. You can keep your answer brief, and to the point.

"If the patient is symptomatic treat the bloop pressure with fluid, the vasopressor agent if fluids do not work."

To your knowledge, what increases intracranial pressure (ICP)?

The interviewer is assessing your knowledge as a nurse anesthetist. You can keep your answer brief, and to the point.

In your professional opinion, what is normal intracranial pressure (ICP)?

The interviewer is assessing your knowledge as a nurse anesthetist. Keep your answer brief, and to the point. Feel free to share a story that challenged this situation within your career.

In your opinion, what are appropriate interventions for cardiogenic shock?

The interviewer is assessing your knowledge as a nurse anesthetist. You can keep your answer brief, and to the point. Walk the interviewer through the steps for cardiogenic shock intervention.

Talk to me about Digoxin and how it works.

The interviewer is assessing your knowledge as a Nurse Anesthetist. You can keep your answer brief, and to the point.

As a nurse anesthetist, you have many employment options. Why did you apply to our health care facility?

"Your facility stands out from the others in many ways. I was especially drawn to the clinic because of its reputation for offering advanced education opportunities, and the many benefits available for staff including childcare and gym membership. I absolutely see a strong, long term fit here."

The interviewer wants to be assured that your career goals align with what they can offer at their facility. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you see a long-term fit there. Be as specific as possible.

What do you know about our health care facility?

"I know that your facility is the newest facility in a 150-mile radius. You currently care for upwards of 3,000 patients per day and I am very familiar with the Board for this facility as well. The reputation of this facility is strong and I look forward to joining such a seasoned and professional health care team."

The interviewer would like to see that you have done your research on their organization prior to the interview. Talk to the interviewer about your research by discussing recent articles or news related to their facility. Highlight any awards the facility has won and that you want to be apart of their team.

As a nurse anesthetist it's very important to manage your time well. How do you ensure you are always on task?

The interviewer would like to see that you are able to maintain focus and produce quality work at the same time. Discuss the ways that you keep on task and on time.

"Stay focused and utilize the time wisely to document."

What aspect of being a nurse gives you the most satisfaction?

The interviewer would like to know more about what satisfies, and drives you, in your career as a nurse. Discuss your passion for being a nurse anesthetist! Choose a unique reason to set yourself apart from the rest of the candidates.

"When my patients wake up and ask me if the surgery is over and they feel great. A smooth induction and emergence signify patient satisfaction."

As a nurse anesthetist, how do you maintain your own moral compass?

In a healthcare setting, there are many governing rules and regulations to ensure confidentiality and ethical practice. Show the interviewer that you are able to keep an unwavering moral compass while also maintaining a strong knowledge of the rules and regulations of the industry.

"I stand my ground, speak clearly, and convey the message I desire to get across to the other person."

As a nurse anesthetist, ethics are incredibly important. Provide an example of when your ethics were tested.

The interviewer would like to see evidence that you are an ethical individual. Give an example of a time when you chose to do the right thing in the face of an ethical dilemma.

"My ethical principle was tested when a co-worker asked me to give her my waste and she would waste and record it for me. Ethically and morally it was wrong and I could not allow her to waste my anesthesia medications for me."

Nurse Anesthetist Interview Questions

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1. Why are you the best Nurse Anesthetist for us?
2. What questions do you have for me?
3. How would your co-workers describe you?
4. Give me a specific example of a time when you were unable to complete a project on time.
5. On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?
6. How do you handle communicating bad news to a fellow worker or subordinate?
7. What are your salary expectations?
8. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
9. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.
10. Why did you choose the field of anesthesia instead of other advanced practice fields?
11. Tell me about the continuing education you've completed since finishing your Nursing degree.
12. Walk me through your career as a Nurse Anesthetist.
13. What do you dislike most about being a Nurse Anesthetist?
14. What do you enjoy most about being a Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RNA)?
15. Why did you become a Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNA)?
16. Describe your role as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
17. What type of situations cause you the most stress? How do you handle that stress?
18. Describe the techniques you have used to manage patient airway or pulmonary status.
19. What are the differences between first degree, second degree type 1, and second degree type 2 heart block?
20. What is the first thing you would do if you saw a patient with second degree, type 2 heart block with low blood pressure?
21. To your knowledge, what increases intracranial pressure (ICP)?
22. In your professional opinion, what is normal intracranial pressure (ICP)?
23. In your opinion, what are appropriate interventions for cardiogenic shock?
24. Talk to me about Digoxin and how it works.
25. As a nurse anesthetist, you have many employment options. Why did you apply to our health care facility?
26. What do you know about our health care facility?
27. As a nurse anesthetist it's very important to manage your time well. How do you ensure you are always on task?
28. What aspect of being a nurse gives you the most satisfaction?
29. As a nurse anesthetist, how do you maintain your own moral compass?
30. As a nurse anesthetist, ethics are incredibly important. Provide an example of when your ethics were tested.

Nurse Anesthetist Interview Questions

1. Why are you the best Nurse Anesthetist for us?

2. What questions do you have for me?

3. How would your co-workers describe you?

4. Give me a specific example of a time when you were unable to complete a project on time.

5. On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?

6. How do you handle communicating bad news to a fellow worker or subordinate?

7. What are your salary expectations?

8. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

9. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

10. Why did you choose the field of anesthesia instead of other advanced practice fields?

11. Tell me about the continuing education you've completed since finishing your Nursing degree.

12. Walk me through your career as a Nurse Anesthetist.

13. What do you dislike most about being a Nurse Anesthetist?

14. What do you enjoy most about being a Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RNA)?

15. Why did you become a Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNA)?

16. Describe your role as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

17. What type of situations cause you the most stress? How do you handle that stress?

18. Describe the techniques you have used to manage patient airway or pulmonary status.

19. What are the differences between first degree, second degree type 1, and second degree type 2 heart block?

20. What is the first thing you would do if you saw a patient with second degree, type 2 heart block with low blood pressure?

21. To your knowledge, what increases intracranial pressure (ICP)?

22. In your professional opinion, what is normal intracranial pressure (ICP)?

23. In your opinion, what are appropriate interventions for cardiogenic shock?

24. Talk to me about Digoxin and how it works.

25. As a nurse anesthetist, you have many employment options. Why did you apply to our health care facility?

26. What do you know about our health care facility?

27. As a nurse anesthetist it's very important to manage your time well. How do you ensure you are always on task?

28. What aspect of being a nurse gives you the most satisfaction?

29. As a nurse anesthetist, how do you maintain your own moral compass?

30. As a nurse anesthetist, ethics are incredibly important. Provide an example of when your ethics were tested.