Nurse Practitioner Mock Interview
Practice 55 Nurse Practitioner interview questions covering clinical scenarios, prescriptive authority, and patient management.
Question 17 of 55
What accomplishment during your career do you believe was the most difficult for you to achieve?
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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.
To get a sense of how you will handle certain challenges in this role as a nurse practitioner, your interviewer poses a question where you can talk about your most important accomplishment during your career. Being able to face a challenge while still gaining some accomplishment is very satisfying. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you were able to come out on top despite being faced with an obstacle to give them a sense that you will be an achiever in this role with their organization.
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.
"At this point in my career, I feel that the most difficult accomplishment for me to achieve were the two back-to-back promotions in my current facility. Because promotions are granted based on results and education, I had to put in a lot of overtime hours and hustle to get there. In my current role as an APP Supervisor, I manage a team of 12 advanced practitioners in the clinical setting. In this role, I mentor, coach, and evaluate their performance regularly."
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 am proud to say that my biggest accomplishment is completing my Master's Degree program while still working full time. It took hard work, dedication, and some sacrifices along the way, but being able to support my family while bettering my career was well worth it in the end."
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 most challenging accomplishment during my career was being recognized as an America's Top Nurse Practitioner by the Point of Care Network. Looking back on this achievement, the years of focus that I put into bettering my patient care techniques and their outcomes culminated in the nomination from a great colleague. While I didn't set out with this award in mind, I know that my dedication to this field was the reason for it coming together."
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Jaymie
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Anonymous Answer
My biggest accomplishment is finishing my master's degree and passing the FNP exam despite my physical limitations. Having to juggle (full time) work, family, and school on top of getting sick during this period took a lot of dedication, patience, and perseverance on my part. I am so glad I pursued and conquered it.
Rachelle's Feedback
Back to the feedback on Q #11 - I would avoid mentioning an illness so vaguely. Either dive right into it so that the interviewer has no questions remaining, or skip it altogether. This seems like a significant milestone for you, so we don't want to ignore it, but in most states, it's illegal for the interviewer to ask if you're okay to work if this sickness will return, etc. In short, it puts the interviewer in a spot of the 'unknown,' which rarely pans out well for a candidate. I adore your honesty; however, it may not be the best audience in an interview situation.
Anonymous Answer
I believe that earning my Master's degree has proven to be the most challenging accomplishment I have achieved so far while balancing life outside of school.
Rachelle's Feedback
You should be very proud of yourself for reaching this milestone. How did you maintain balance through it all?
Anonymous Answer
My best accomplishment was being on a team that felt that I wasn't supposed to be there. I could tell from their body language and communication with me even before I was told verbally. However, I continued to remain calm and humble, and I maintained professionalism throughout. I didn't allow people's attitudes to change me or alter who I am. I asked questions when I didn't understand things, and I helped when I saw that it was needed. At the end of the day, everyone wanted to work with me.
Stephanie's Feedback
It sounds like you worked very hard to acclimate to this team and find your place! This shows your humility, work ethic, and communication skills.
Anonymous Answer
My most accomplishment for me to achieve was being appointed as a night supervisor in the current institution where I’m working because I had to put in a lot of work, dedication, and commitment to make sure that I stand out amongst all my colleagues who some of them had more experience than me.
Marcie's Feedback
It definitely sounds like it took a lot of hard work to accomplish that! Can you talk more about why it was worth all the hard work and effort? What do you like about being the night supervisor? And how will you apply this same type of effort to achieve goals in this new role?
Anonymous Answer
Recently I have been able to complete a 6 months Leadership course online from the Florence Nightingale Foundation. It was really hard to manage to complete the course successfully as I am working full time and also a mother of two children. I am glad that I was able to complete the course as it enabled me to improve my leadership skills.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is definitely an accomplishment to be proud of, and one I'm sure was difficult to achieve while balancing home life and work! Share what skills you possess that contributed to your success (perseverance, commitment, dedication, self-discipline, organizational and time management skills, etc.). This is an excellent opportunity for you to share your accomplishments while also highlighting your strengths!
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