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

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Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. By asking this question, your interviewer is looking to get a feel for how you will handle diversity when faced with it in this role with their organization. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace. If possible, try to focus on the techniques you use to stay in the right mindset when a setback happens in your work to prove your ability to handle any situation in this role.

"Setbacks can be trying, but I learned from a young age that you have to learn how to lose before you learn how to win. I don't let any setbacks affect me emotionally but rather use them as motivation to learn and grow. While I never enjoy a setback, I use them as a stepping-off point to something even better."

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens occasionally. If I experience a major setback in my work, I will take a few moments to debrief with the physician on call and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move forward with the knowledge that I gained to make myself better when faced with the same situation in the future."

"I used to take things personally and get frustrated when my goal wasn't met. Now, I will go through a mental rundown of what I did wrong or could have done differently. Setbacks can certainly be emotionally taxing, but I also learn a ton from them. I allow myself to feel the frustration and then take my new lessons and share them with others, so they do not experience the same kind of setback as I did."

Anonymous Answer

"Overcoming setbacks in life can be difficult to handle. I recently got sick and was able to conquer that. As long as I keep my mind open to these possibilities and learn how to adapt to them, it can propel me to be a better person."

Rachelle's Feedback

Vaguely mentioning an illness puts the interviewer in a tough spot because, in most regions, they cannot legally ask any further questions. But you know they want to! Whenever possible, avoid this type of scenario by either mentioning further detail or offering a workplace scenario instead.

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Anonymous Answer

"I feel like setbacks are a part of life, and while they can be upsetting, they can also be a valuable tool for self-reflection and learning. Having a great working relationship with other providers as mentors helps to navigate the feelings of frustration with setbacks and use what I've learned as a guide to move forward."

Rachelle's Feedback

It seems you have a very healthy mindset around setbacks and what they can offer you. This is a well-crafted response - nice work!

Anonymous Answer

"Setbacks are difficult to overcome. As a new NP, I used to take setbacks personally, but I have learned that setbacks come to strengthen me and prepare me for the difficult tasks ahead. When I experience setbacks at work, I sit and meditate on what I did wrong and seek out how to right my wrongs."