Nurse Practitioner Mock Interview
Practice 55 Nurse Practitioner interview questions covering clinical scenarios, prescriptive authority, and patient management.
Question 23 of 55
How do you handle conflict in the workplace?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Conflicts between co-workers can happen when you spend so many waking hours in the workplace. How you handle conflicts within the workplace is what the interviewer would like to know more about. By asking this question, your interviewer wants to see that you will take accountability for conflict, whether the occurrence is considered your fault or not. Handling workplace conflict tactfully and with grace should be the only option. Give a clear example of a time when you professionally handled workplace conflict. Remember that this is not an opportunity to vent about the current workplace culture you are in.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"My style of conflict management can best be described as assertive. In my five years at my current facility, I have only encountered one true instance of conflict between myself and a colleague. One of my nurses did not show up for their shift, so I was forced to cover their shift and work a double. Because of this, I missed my daughter's dance recital. I was upset about it, but I wanted to do my part as a lead nurse. The next day, the delinquent employee came in and didn't say a word. He didn't apologize to me or thank me for my time. I approached him and told him how his actions impacted my day. He did not respond how I wanted; however, I let it go after I said my part. You cannot change the actions of others, but you have to take responsibility for how you handle your side."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Conflict is often a symptom of poor communication, so when conflict arises in the workplace, I address the situation by using open lines of direct communication with an individual or individuals. During my time as a Registered Nurse in a busy dermatology clinic, a scheduler became very rude to the entire patient care staff, which continued for a few weeks. I had heard wind of the rudeness of the individual, but it wasn't until I faced it myself that I said something. Calmly and tactfully, I told the scheduler that I didn't appreciate being talked to rudely and then asked why she was taking that approach with me. Being the first person to ask her this question, she was very open and honest about how her role felt disrespected around our clinic. I encouraged her to speak with the unit administrator to help her try and find the best result for the situation. From that day forward, her attitude towards all staff improved greatly."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I start by identifying the possible reasons for the conflict, whether that be poor communication, absence of required materials, or a staff shortage. From there, I talk directly with conflicting parties to find solutions and get everyone back on track."
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Anonymous Answer
It is important to identify the persons involved and the root cause of the conflict and address it directly with the involved party and discuss the problem as professionally as possible. Any conflict in a workplace can impact the work and delivery of patient care. So it is important to identify it as early as possible, and both parties should create a solution.
Rachelle's Feedback
Great response! You show compassion for your patients and the involved party while also ensuring that the situation is nipped in the bud.
Anonymous Answer
As NP, I had an incident where a pt came to the ER with an Hgb of 4. He was septic and in severe liver failure. My supervisor had ordered abx, PRBCs for transfusion, and IV fluid. There was no bed in the ICU or IICU, so the pt was in the ER. Two hours later, nothing was done, so I went down to the ER to find that the pt treatment was not started. I met with the sister, and she was mad that her brother was not being cared for appropriately. I informed the sister that we were going to initiate pt Tx asap. I asked the nurse, and she said there was no IV pump. I contacted SPD asap, and pt Tx was started.
Stephanie's Feedback
The specific scenario that you shared here would be better suited for an interview question about handling a challenging workplace scenario or a challenging patient/family scenario. To respond to this question, I would encourage you to select a scenario that deals with conflict with a co-worker/supervisor. You should clearly state the situation, why this created a conflict, how you responded to it, and the result.
Anonymous Answer
During one of my shifts as in charge in the ICU, one of my colleagues walked out of the unit when I asked her about her handling of a situation. I waited there until she came back as the patient was intubated and ventilated. She said she had worked in critical care more than me and knew how to take care of a patient and therefore felt humiliated. I told her that it was not my intention to compare how many years of experience we had. My priority was patient safety and keeping my registration intact. So it was my responsibility to clarify the incident after stabilizing the patient. So I told her I was interested more in a learning culture than a blaming culture. She came later and apologized for her behavior. Therefore, I believe that in order to maintain a healthy working relationship, it is important that you communicate clearly with conflicting parties rather than talking behind their backs.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is a good example that highlights your ability to remain calm, focus on the patient, maintain professionalism, and effectively communicate as you work through conflict resolution. Great job!
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