Why did you choose to advance your studies beyond your RN degree?

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In most regions, a nurse practitioner requires a Master's degree. Your interviewer is looking to hear about your own personal motivations to advance your career to this level, so discuss the details surrounding your elevated degree. This is also an opportunity to highlight your motivations, such as your desire to have more responsibility beyond typical registered nurse duties and be a highly valued member of the patient care team. You may also want to mention why you initially chose the RN career path and how that experience led you to pursue an advanced degree in nursing.

"Honestly, the main motivation for me to pursue my advanced nursing degree was to help with the shortage of physicians in our state, and I felt that becoming an NP would help the system to move a bit faster for many patients. I can diagnose illnesses, write prescriptions, and perform many tasks that a doctor would normally need to do. It truly relieves wait time for many people, which is very rewarding to me. Personally, I knew from the start as an RN that I had much more to provide to the patients that I worked with as well."

"While my RN career has been rewarding, I wanted to complete my NP license so that I could have a broader impact on my patients. I am proud to have a deeper knowledge and to be able to interpret diagnostic tests to recommend treatment. Also, I now collaborate with physicians and the leadership team on a more regular basis to help provide the best care possible to patients so that they can obtain the best possible outcome."

"After working as an RN for fifteen years, I decided to invest in myself in the way of a Masters' Degree in nursing. Nurse Practitioners are highly valued and needed in the medical system, and I am proud to offer many additional skills that I did not have as an RN. I also worked very closely with two Nurse Practitioners that highly encouraged me to pursue my advanced degree."

Anonymous Answer

"While my 20+ years of nursing career has been rewarding, I wanted to have a broader impact on delivering care to patients. I decided to invest in myself and pursue higher learning, with the hopes of using the knowledge and skills in providing exceptional care to our patients."

Rachelle's Feedback

Fantastic answer! It's clear and shows that you continually strive for more.

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Anonymous Answer

"Throughout my career as an RN, mainly while working in Labor and Delivery, my interest in women's health began to grow and evolve. I felt the next step in providing excellent care to women would be obtaining my Master's degree and transitioning into a provider role. It was of particular importance to me as I worked with a primarily economically disadvantaged patient population and witnessed how this, unfortunately, directed how care was sometimes given. I made it a personal goal that upon becoming a Nurse Practitioner, I would aim my practice in creating a broader impact in our healthcare system, particularly in underserved populations."

Rachelle's Feedback

Your answer is fantastic. Very personal and heartfelt. Well done.

Anonymous Answer

"First of all, I chose a nursing career because of the care that I received from nurses who took care of me during my time of labor and delivery in the USA, and I felt that I needed to give back. While working as an RN, a physician always said, 'you need to get your NP license to care for your pt in advanced ways.' That's how I was motivated to become NP. I'm excited that I have a broader impact on pt care because of this education."