If you could change anything about your current job, what would it be?
With this question, your interviewer is ideally looking for you to identify a struggle you may have in your work as a Nurse Practitioner and share how you would constructively handle this challenge if you were to join their organization. Before your interview, think carefully about your answer to this question to ensure that you are coming across as positive in your answer. Rather than talk about your own personal shortcoming, you can also think of a roadblock that you face in your work that Nurse Practitioners face wherever they practice. Be careful not to complain. Rather, present a solution to a challenging situation.
"My current team is understaffed and has been for about a year now as we are struggling to recruit additional providers. It can be challenging because each team member is stretched to their max, and burnout occurs with everyone. What I've found to be the most helpful is to remain positive and lead by example. By doing this, I can help lift a colleague's spirits on a given day, and this reflects very well on the care that we provide to patients."
"If hired for this role here, I would be coming as a new Nurse Practitioner out of my grad program. However, I am not new to the healthcare industry with my years as a Registered Nurse. I would say that the most challenging factor during my time as a Registered Nurse was the budgetary needs of my department. I worked for a small clinic with minimal resources, which made patient care tough at times. In that role, I learned how to be very resourceful with what was available, and this is a skill that I can bring to your organization."
"Everyone has something they would like to change about their job. For myself, if I could change anything at all, I would ensure that our RN's are given a stronger voice when it comes to the opinions in patient care and diagnosis. Many of our RN's are incredibly knowledgeable and are not often given a chance to be heard. If I can ask, what role do the RN's play in the greater care team here at your organization?"
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I am new to this career. However, I have a vast number of years of experience as a nurse. As more nurses pursue higher education, I hope to see better career opportunities for us.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a good start; however, the interviewer may look for more answers on what you mean by better career opportunities. I have provided a sample of a more specific answer below.
"I have 13 years of experience as a nurse. I hope that, as more nurses pursue higher education, there will be more career opportunities for us, such as (A), (B), and (C).
Anonymous Answer
While I'm new to my career as a Nurse Practitioner, with my experience as an RN and the healthcare industry in general, I would say if I could change anything, it would be chronic understaffing and its impact on the industry.
Rachelle's Feedback
Chronic under-staffing is an important issue to address. If you had the power to make changes, what would you implement?
Anonymous Answer
While I enjoy my role as a nurse, I know that changing specialty comes with a learning curve. As a result, there might be some challenges, and while it is true that change presents challenges, I always embrace the opportunity to learn, and I know that it gets better with time.
Stephanie's Feedback
In the "Revised Answer" box, I've suggested a slight rewording of this response to improve clarity and detail.
While I enjoy my current role, it is my first position within this specialty area, which comes with a learning curve. As a result, it's been challenging at times to get me fully up to speed. While this does present challenges, I always embrace the opportunity to learn, and I know that it will get better with time.
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