Tell me a little bit about yourself.
In a busy practice, nurse practitioners face the challenging task of working directly with patients and collaborating with large teams of individuals. This list of collaborators includes supervising physicians, nursing staff, other support staff, and administrative staff. Healthcare institutions need to know their new NPs are both well-rounded practitioners and great people to be around and work with. To prepare for the open-ended opportunity to you to talk about who you are as an NP and individual, you'll ideally want to talk about the path that has taken you to this interview, what is motivating you for this opportunity and what kind of individual the team you are interviewing with would be getting if you were to be hired. How you lay out your response is up to you, but make sure to paint the complete picture of you that helps ultimately sell you as the top candidate for the job.
"With pleasure! I have over ten years of experience in the healthcare industry as a Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Medicine field. I want to grow my career to the next level with your organization. On a more personal note, I love to read, hike, and spend a lot of my extra time volunteering with the local humane society."
"I have a Bachelor's of Nursing from the University of Michigan and am working on completing my Master's degree. I graduate this May and am excited about my first practice opportunity. I have three years of experience as an RN. My most recent position was at the local children's hospital, and I'm currently looking for a position that will allow me to grow into a leadership opportunity in the future. In my personal life, I am a health nut that runs half marathons and trains pretty diligently for them."
"I would describe my work ethic as reliable and consistent. The healthcare industry needs professionals dedicated to their craft who understand the importance of learning new patient care methods. I am dedicated to doing this. Outside of work, I am dedicated to my family with all of my spare time. I coach my daughter's softball team in the summer months, and my husband and I spend as much time possible on the water on our kayaks to help stay in physical and mental shape."
"Thank you for the opportunity to talk about myself. Growing up with two parents in healthcare, I always felt I was destined for this field. After high school, I worked as a CNA while I pursued my nursing degree. Following graduation, I worked as an RN for six years in the family practice and emergency settings. I was inspired to pursue my NP by working with many great physicians and APPs, which instilled confidence that I had what it takes to succeed at the next level. While continuing to work full-time as an RN and pursuing my FNP, I graduated at the top of my class. If I'm fortunate enough to join your team, you'd be getting an empathetic and skilled caregiver that your patients are comfortable connecting with and opening up to. I'm a great team player and solid communicator who is always willing to lend a hand when needed."
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
My family migrated to the US in 2005. I worked briefly as a telemetry nurse. I then moved to Texas, where I have been at my current employer since 2006, with 12 years of oncology experience as an outpatient nurse in SCT and more than a year as an oncology inpatient nurse. I started my master's degree in the fall of 2016, graduated in Dec 2018, and passed the APN exam on 3/2019. On a more personal note, I am a mom of 3 good boys, ages 16,12, and 7, and I love to read and travel.
Kevin's Feedback
Wonderful answer! You give the interviewer a great overview of your professional career while adding a touch of personality. I've modified your answer for the sake of clarity, continuity, and flow.
My family migrated to the US in 2005. I am a mom of 3 good boys, ages 16,12, and 7. I love to read and travel. I worked briefly as a telemetry nurse before I moved to Texas, in 2006, when I was hired as an outpatient nurse in SCT. With 12 years of oncology experience, and more than a year as an oncology inpatient nurse, in the fall of 2016, I committed to pursuing my master’s degree. I graduated in Dec 2018 and passed the APN exam on 3/2019. Now I am excited and ready to start the next chapter of my career!
Anonymous Answer
I am originally from Liberia, West Africa. I got my nursing training here in the US. I was motivated to become a nurse because of the care I received from nurses who took care of me during my time of labor and delivery here in the USA. I earned my BSN in 2011 and my FNP in 2016. I worked for ________ system for about 8 years, 2 of those years as NP. As an NP, I was primarily responsible for admitting pt from ER to the hospital. I am currently looking for a position in a specialty.
Stephanie's Feedback
Good response! The "tell me about yourself" question is designed to better understand who you are as an individual, what professional experiences you bring, and why you're interested in this specific opportunity. You do a good job of covering all of that information in a way that feels natural.
Anonymous Answer
I am an overachiever type with a gentle side of compassion and strong comradery. My family and friend say that I am forever in school. I had 2 BS (Respiratory and BSN) and took 2 APRN certifying bodies. With my FNP, I other certifications such as Certified Medical Examiner, Botox/Filler, Weight Loss Management, Acne Management, and Sexual Dysfunction Certification. I am in the process of launching my website to help other NP students study for their board exams. They are right, I am not stopping at my MSN. I want to achieve my Ph.D. in 2 years.
Chad's Feedback
Great! This is an excellent response, and you make good use of the Past, Present, Future method to frame your answer. I recommend using full words in place of acronyms to ensure there is no room for confusion (i.e., "Bachelor of Science in Nursing," "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse" instead of APRN, etc.). Also, consider concluding with something personal that the interviewer would not know about you from reading your resume to make your answer more memorable.
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