What accomplishment during your career do you believe was the most difficult for you to achieve?

"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."

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.

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

If hired as our next nurse practitioner, what is your availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays?

"As a nurse practitioner just entering the field, I am available to work whatever schedule is needed. That includes nights, weekends, and holidays."

Before even applying for this position with this organization, you must have a good feel for what hours this nurse practitioner job will be working to ensure that it meets your own personal needs. As you answer this question, you need to walk the fine line of being open and honest about your availability while also meeting the organization's needs. When answering this question, be sure to talk about your understanding of the required hours and then talk about your overall availability if hired.

"I currently work Monday through Friday clinic hours at 0.8 FTE. As I embark on a new job search, I seek a role with the same schedule. With that said, I am a team player and can certainly pick up the odd night shift to cover someone when needed."

"In my previous job, I work nights, holidays and weekends so I don’t mind working them at all."

"I’m currently working shift duties, night shifts, day duty, overtime, and holidays so I don’t think I would have any problems with your company schedule."

We expect our nurse practitioners to be open and adaptive to change. When was the last time you had to use new methods, equipment or procedures in your work? How did you handle that situation?

"I would honestly point out the different clinical rotations that I went through in my DNP training. Having worked in primary care settings in both a large, urban clinic and a small, rural two provider clinic, I learned very different hands-on care techniques from each practice that were unique in their own way. During my first rotation in the large clinic, I learned a very collaborative team-based approach. Then upon shifting to the smaller practice, I needed to adapt and be way more independent. I think both of these experiences helped shape me into a flexible NP that would be joining your practice."

As a successful nurse practitioner, you know that the healthcare field is continuously changing and evolving as new technology and patient care techniques are being developed. Your interviewer is looking to get the sense that you are always open to adapting your practice to best meet the needs of your patients. Before your interview, think back to the last time you had to implement a new change into your practice and talk in detail about how you rolled with those changes with ease. Whether the change was technology-related or procedurally related, make it clear to your interviewer that you saw the good in the change and that you would always be open to change in their practice.

"In my current interventional radiology practice, my organization purchased a new fluoroscopy imaging system, and this type of imaging was brand new to our facility. While some of my colleagues became very nervous about training on and learning a new piece of equipment, I had heard from other colleagues in the field that fluoro imaging was great for providing real-time imaging of patients. I jumped in feet first with excitement to train and learn on the new machine, and my supervisor was very proud of how I handled this, given my years of experience in practice. I am of the mindset that I always need to learn and adapt to provide the best care possible to patients."

"In my years in an endocrinology practice, the treatment of diabetes surely has changed and adapted over time due to significant research in bettering patient care. In always wanting to provide the best care for patients, I've been very open to moving to non-insulin medications that have been developed as of pretty recently. Drugs like metformin and other inhibitors have drastically changed how patients manage their diabetes for the better. When these new and innovative treatment options come along, I take the time to learn about them and collaborate with my physicians on plans for next steps."

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

"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."

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.

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

Talk about a situation where you had to deal with a patient or family member that was upset. How did you handle that situation?

"During one of my clinical rotations in a busy urban emergency department, we had a patient come in that was heavily intoxicated and had been roughed up pretty badly. During our care of him, he suddenly had an attitude turn for the worse and became violent. I learned so much watching my preceptor try to calm the patient down and then eventually swiftly call security. I felt very fortunate that she acted quickly and kept us all safe and well that evening."

Nurse practitioners sometimes have to manage a patient or a family member that are upset with their situation or care. By asking this question, your interviewer is looking to hear that you have the ability to handle these situations when they inevitably occur with ease. As you think of a time when you had to handle an upset patient or family member, make sure that your example allows you to clearly point out the entire situation, what your action was, and what the eventual result was. Try to ensure that your example proves your ability to stay calm, cool, and collected and shows a positive outcome for all involved.

"Last year, I was consulting a patient who had learned that their insurance would not cover a procedure that the patient wanted and we were recommending. During my time with them, the patient became very upset with my organization and me and got to the point where they were yelling loudly and blurting some expletives. While letting the patient vent, I clearly explained that we did not have the power to change what their insurance would and would not cover. To help them out to the best of my ability, I recommended to the patient that they talk to one of our financial counselors that can walk them through payment options. At their next appointment in two weeks, the patient was thrilled that they could work out a payment plan for the procedure, and we proceeded with scheduling it. Looking back at this situation, I know that hearing them out and then providing a solution was key to providing the best possible outcome to the patient."

"In my years working in a pain clinic and primary care, I've surely dealt with some upset patients. Last year, a patient became very upset when I refused to prescribe an opioid pain medication to them. After I checked in the state-controlled substance database, I saw that an additional prescription wasn't necessary. The patient became very verbally upset and began pacing in the room. Having been formally trained in how to react to these situations, I remained calm and explained to them when and where they had their last prescription filled and let them when we would be able to fill their next prescription. Calmly, I then asked if they would like to talk to someone about any potential dependency on the drug. While she declined that, it was still enough to calm her down and finish her appointment."

Tell me about a crisis situation you faced at work. How were you a part of the solution?

"I have faced many crises in my nursing career. A few years back, when working as an RN in the intensive care setting, we had an elderly patient go unresponsive due to a mix-up with medication. It was challenging to get through the initial situation to stabilize the patient, but we did so through teamwork with the nursing staff and the physician on duty that night. The next challenge was following up without placing blame on any party. There was an internal investigation which could have torn our unit apart, but instead, we all became closer."

As a nurse practitioner, you may face many crises where you need to make quick and sound decisions. Be sure to highlight your strengths and strategies when under pressure to prove to your interviewer that you'll be able to handle these situations with ease at their organization. If possible, share an example that clearly lays out the situation you faced, the steps you took to find a solution, and any lessons you learned from the experience you can bring to this role.

"One of the most challenging days I've had as a Nurse Practitioner happened during my clinical rotation in the Labor and Delivery unit. We had a mother who delivered triplets, and two of the babies were unresponsive at the time of birth. There were multiple physicians and nurses in the room caring for the family...maybe 6 or 7 nurses at once, and there was a lot of activity in a short amount of time. I was part of the care team for the babies and learned how important it is to take the time to remain calm, carefully listen to the team lead, and follow specific directions in a time of crisis. I'm happy to report that the babies were healthy, and it was a great learning opportunity for me, one that I've remembered throughout my career."

"Crises happen every day in patient care. When I am faced with a crisis, I have learned to remain calm so that my team will follow suit and behave professionally. Keeping a level head is a critical key to making smart decisions. This thought process helped me through a situation last year when my emergency unit faced an auto accident that brought six critically injured patients to us. The ability to stay calm and focused helped my team triage the patients quickly and provide the best care possible in short order. This really helped prepare the patients for the staff that was called in and joined us within an hour after the arrival of the patients."

"As frontline to patients, as nurses, we are challenged with crises a lot. For example, we had a pt who coded, and we worked as a team and saved the patient's life. The key is to stay calm and sharp all the time and know when to refer."

"As an RN, I've had several instances in which I had to handle a crisis. While working in Labor and Delivery, there have been many times in which I've had to take steps to resuscitate a baby while mom was in labor or work with other nurses and physicians during postpartum hemorrhage situations. The key is to recognize what is normal and what's not, know your protocols, and be an active team member to resolve the crisis as soon as possible for the best outcome."

"As a hospitalist NP, I faced a crisis every time I went to work. There was a time that I had a code blue with a young pt who had multiple family members in the room. Every family member was trying to ask questions while the nurses were trying to get orders as well. It was chaotic. However, I didn't allow the chaos to get me off track. I remained calm and was able to provide the care, and the pt was resuscitated."

Have you ever had a time where you couldn't complete all of your necessary tasks in a given day or shift? How did you handle that situation?

"During my time as a registered nurse in an outpatient clinic, daily patient care tasks were required to be handled before heading home for the day. This included the stocking of rooms and all patient charting. Though it was rare to happen, I would stay after clinic hours to finish any duties that I wasn't able to complete during the day, and my nursing team always handled this as a team effort."

A busy clinic or inpatient unit can often prove to be too much to handle on some days for nurse practitioners, and your interviewer is fully aware of that fact. By asking this question, your interviewer is looking to hear that you are resourceful in handling situations where you get too busy and that you use open lines of communication with your team to ensure that the best care gets provided to patients. As you think of a time when you had to handle a busy clinic or inpatient unit, be sure that you can prove your ability to handle the situation with ease using communication and the resources available to you. To seal the deal for you in this answer, try also to share that you are always willing to help others on your team when they are in a time of need.

"This can happen from time to time on a busy hospital unit practicing in Hospital Internal Medicine as I have been for many years. During the pandemic, our hospital beds were often full, and it could be difficult to handle all necessary patient tasks in a given 12-hour shift. I am always focused on handline one task at a time while always reprioritizing what is most important. If I'm feeling too bogged down, I remain in contact with the other providers on shift with me. Then, at shift hand-off to the oncoming provider team, we have a great system for communicating to each other what needs to be done. When I come onto a new shift, I'm always happy to help my colleagues out as I know they would and have done the same for me."

"Yes, I have had a day or two like that in my current role. During seasons where influenza runs rampant, my clinic becomes overwhelming with appointments and leaves little to no room for administrative tasks. During these times, communication with collaborating physicians and administrators is critical to let them both know that I have a packed clinical schedule. My physician's schedule typically mirrors mine, so in these times, the administrator has other team members pick up on the administrative tasks so we can focus on patient care for that individual day. If hired here, I would bring a team-based approach to helping others as well on days that are just too crazy to get everything accomplished."

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

"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."

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.

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

How do you plan to continually grow and learn as a nurse practitioner on our team?

"I never stop learning and believe that one must stay up to date on new trends and discoveries, especially in the healthcare industry. I plan to continually grow as a Nurse Practitioner by taking quarterly courses on various related topics. If there are any courses you recommend to help me on your team, I would be happy to hear your recommendations."

You have an advanced degree; however, that doesn't mean that you stop learning once you have reached the top. As you are aware, continuing medical education is vital in keeping you at the top of your field as a nurse practitioner. Discuss your plans to take professional courses, obtain new certifications, and focus on personal growth as you look to continue to progress your career forward. You may also want to mention a class or volunteer position to highlight your commitment to professional growth.

"I am so happy to have completed my last certification for my Nurse Practitioner license. I recently enrolled in a weekend course through the American Heart Association that will allow me to teach CPR classes at the local middle school. This career in advanced nursing is one where we all need to be continuous learners to stay on top of the latest trends in providing the best care possible to patients, and I absolutely love this aspect of this career."

"I grow as an NP by reading medical journals, and I'm very involved in the AANP. I am also interested in taking additional coursework related to pediatric oncology. Education is important to me, and I will never stop learning in my career."

"I believe that in healthcare, education never ends. I plan to stay up to date on important topics relating to women's health by keeping current on publications, attending conferences, and completing continuing education courses. For example, this month, I plan to participate in a point of care OBGYN ultrasound course to familiarize myself with basic OBGYN ultrasonography, a key component in women's health care."

"I am always eager to learn new knowledge and new skills; I believe that Is important in our profession. I would accomplish this by attending continuing educations, lecture seminars, conferences, and continuously interacting with our physicians and colleagues, and using them as my mentors in this field."

"I boost my NP knowledge by reading peer reviews and journals on healthcare websites like uptodate.com, Mayoclinic.com, MedMD, etc."

If hired here, how would you gain the trust and respect from our physician team?

"I feel that the best way to earn the trust of the physicians is to be helpful, always do what I promise, and be honest with them at all times. Strong relationships in this field have to be built on these principles, and it would be essential for me as a new Nurse Practitioner. If I were fortunate enough to join your team, building a trusting relationship with the physicians would be my first goal on the job."

Professional working relationships are essential as a health care provider who regularly works on a multidisciplinary team. As part of the larger care team, Nurse Practitioners serve as both leaders and worker bees, and you need to be able to prove your worth to the physician staff through the respect you earn from them. You can be specific about your process or stay general by sharing some of your best practices around building trust. If possible, share an example of how you have built trust within the patient care team or how you relate to others.

"I find that being a great listener is an important part of gaining trust and respect, especially when it comes to working with busy physicians. Often, I only get a short amount of time to collaborate with the physician, so I like to come to meetings prepared with important questions and carefully listen to the answers. From there, I can create my patient care plan and report back to the physician on progress or challenges I may be facing. This partnership and communication help me gain their trust and respect."

"Trust is something you earn over time with people. If I join your team, I will lead by example and be transparent in my working relationships with the physicians. Trust happens when people deliver on doing what they say they will do. I take the approach of underpromising and over-delivering to accelerate the trust process. With strong trust, teams can accomplish great things together."

"I believe trust and respect are qualities that we earn in time. I can achieve this by making myself dependable, which means when I'm given a task to perform, I make sure that I do it well and efficiently. Also, making my team know that I am a good team player and a good worker."

"I believe that a certain level of respect should start upon working with a new team member, as this is a courtesy we should always provide our coworkers. Trust, however, is mainly earned over time. I believe this is best accomplished by creating an environment that fosters honesty and transparency while maintaining that level of respect. Additionally, being open to feedback and leading by example is key to establishing trust."

"Trust is something that is built with time. However, being open to feedback and doing as promised can earn your trust, and with trust comes respect."

How would you rate the communication skills that you would bring to our team as our next nurse practitioner?

"I will rate myself as an 8.5 because I consider myself a strong communicator. It truly is the foundation of all success in the healthcare industry as patients rely on clear and consistent information from their care team. Staff needs to maintain solid lines of communication in the care they provide. I consider my written word skills as excellent, and you will find that quickly in my charting. I am always striving to be a better communicator, so I leave the rest of the scale as an aspirational measure."

An efficient and successful nurse practitioner in this role will be expected to be a great communicator with many different people. You will have daily communication with fellow providers, nursing staff, and patients, and your interviewer will expect to hear that you consider yourself to be a great communicator. As you rate your communication skills, be sure to focus on the facts that you are a great listener, a solid verbal communicator, and an effective written communicator to show to ensure your interviewer that you can be relied upon to keep open lines of contact with everyone that you will be working closely within this job.

"I rate my communication skills as a 9 out of 10 as I will have times when I am not as clear as I would like to be. My fellow nursing staff will attest to my clear and concise communication skills, verbal communication skills, and listening skills. Because I am an open leader, my team will let me know if I need to clarify anything."

"I will rate myself an eight because I value communication, but, just like most people, I have things to learn. I ensure clear communication by utilizing multiple methods of delivering messages, and I give ample time for questions before implementing changes. I have an innate ability to speak to their knowledge base with my patients, so I don't overwhelm some patients with too much medical terminology. I have the ability to communicate highly technical things in a way that they understand and can use for educational purposes in their own health and wellbeing."

"I will rate myself with an 8. Communication is very vital in our profession, and I know the importance of being an effective communicator. In giving medical information and instructions to our patients, I must use simple and easy terms to understand medical terminologies/explanations. It is also important to encourage our patients to ask questions. If necessary, I will ask my patient to re-tell the instruction I gave her to evaluate if they have understood it correctly."

"I would rate my communication skills as an 8 out of 10, as I believe I am a strong communicator. These skills are a necessity for any position in the healthcare industry as miscommunication of information can potentially have disastrous patient results- not only among staff but also as we educated our patients. I'm very cautious with providing timely and concise information and allowing for clarification given my experience as an RN, and I will continue that as an NP."

"I rate myself an 8.5. I understand that communication is essential in healthcare, and I always allow my patient and family to ask questions when they need clarity. I tried to verify their understanding concerning any new information."

Describe the work ethic you would bring to our organization.

"If you were to hire me as your next Nurse Practitioner in this department, you will find that I am a mission-driven and respectful individual. As I'm approaching my graduation, I'm searching for an organization whose mission is to serve its patients and community, and I know that I have found that in your organization. I can best be described as a caring and respectful individual that comes to work each day with accountability for my actions and humbleness in all that I do to serve others."

When the interviewer asks about your work ethic, they are looking for specific examples of keywords to which they can relate. When you read the organization's job posting or job description for this nurse practitioner role, try to watch out for keywords they look for in a new NP related to work ethic. Talk about their values and how those align well with your own personal work values to prove that you are the right candidate for this job.

"I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your hospital culture as honest, transparent, and go the extra mile for your patients. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my patients every day."

"As my references will agree, I have a strong work ethic and always go the extra mile to help my patients, family members, coworkers, and supervisors. I consistently arrive at least 15 minutes before my shift, do tasks without being told, cover my coworkers' shifts when needed, and work double shifts when short-staffed. I look forward to the opportunity to bring this work ethic to your organization."

"I am dependable, a hard worker, a good learner, honest, and a good team player. In my small way, I always aim to deliver the best and safest care to our patients. Having to work in our institution for so many years, I believe I have embraced the core values."

"I have a strong work ethic and pride myself on my compassion, hard work, and dedication to treating my patients as a whole person- not just a diagnosis."

"I am dependable, trustworthy, hard-working, committed, and open to new ideas and corrections."

Are there any procedures that you are looking to forward to performing in this role as our next nurse practitioner? Are there any that you wouldn't care to perform?

"I feel very fortunate to have been exposed to some great procedural techniques during my clinical rotation with a great Dermatologist. If hired here at your organization, I have hands-on experience with shave and punch biopsies, excision, and cryotherapy. I would greatly look forward to building these skills in my practice. The one area in dermatology that I was not exposed to was laser therapy, and it sounds like this is a part of your practice. I would hope to learn this procedure by shadowing providers that are competent in it."

In looking to bring you into their department at this organization, your interviewer will be trying to understand which medical procedures you are comfortable and competent in handling. Before your interview, it will be important for you to research the specific position you are interviewing for so you can speak to your experiences and strengths in performing the procedures required for this role. As you answer, think back on your experiences so far in your career to talk about what skills you can bring to this team. Then be sure to be open and honest about any procedures that you are inexperienced with. If possible, try to reiterate to your interviewer that you are open and willing to learn any new procedures that you are not familiar with.

"As you can see from my resume, I have many years of experience as a surgical Nurse Practitioner. I would come to your team with first assist skills in GI, ortho, cardiovascular and colorectal surgeries. My skills include graft harvesting, retraction, and wound closures. I would look forward to utilizing all of these skills as part of your organization. As well, there aren't any procedures that I would shy away from. If I needed additional training, I wouldn't hesitate to ask."

"The real appeal to me in this role with your organization is the variety of procedures I would be performing on patients. I have experience in a family practice clinic and have many invaluable skills to bring to your team. I would look forward to the opportunity to work with patients in need of IUD placements, colposcopies, and any procedures related to pregnancy evaluation and management. If hired at your organization, I could use some brushing up in my skin laceration and suturing skills."

If hired as our next nurse practitioner, would you bring the ability to work independently to our team?

"As a new NP joining your practice, I felt very comfortable handling primary care and urgent care patients on my own in my last few clinical rotations. After an orientation period and check-ins with my supervising physician, I feel very confident in my ability to see patients independently. If an issue ever came up that I couldn't handle, I wouldn't hesitate to talk to my peers."

As you are being considered to join this organization, your interviewer is looking to get a sense that you have the ability to work and make decisions on your own with little supervision. Not to be confused with your scope of practice and working with your collaborating physician, talk about your ability to work with little direction and your competence in doing so. If possible, try to give examples of times when you've worked independently to prove to your interviewer that you will be a provider that joins their care team and runs with the work to provide the best care possible to patients.

"Throughout my career as a Nurse Practitioner, I've gained the confidence to work very independently, and this ability was really solidified in my time in plastic surgery. I often handled clinic patients on my own while the surgeon was handling cases in the OR. I learned quickly to make quick decisions with patients on their care and became more confident in my ability to do so daily. At the end of each day, the surgeon and I would talk quickly through the patients I saw that day."

"Yes, I have the ability to care for patients independently in the inpatient setting. I am the sole night shift provider in my current position and always have a physician on call if needed. Over the last two years, I've only had two situations where the physician needed to be called in for additional prescribing from the pharmacy."

How do you feel when a physician criticizes your work?

"Looking to join my first practice as a new Nurse Practitioner, I fully understand that my work will sometimes come with additional critiques from the physicians I would be working with. I take every critique as a learning opportunity. I am thankful for any feedback that helps me become a better healthcare practitioner and would have this attitude as a part of your team."

Be authentic when answering this question, but avoid sounding cynical or begrudged. If you choose to give an example, be sure it allows you to demonstrate your ability to handle criticism with style. Do not use specific names, as the healthcare industry is tight-knit! In the end, make sure your interviewer walks away from your conversation knowing that you can handle constructive criticism in a healthy manner that helps you become better as a Nurse Practitioner.

"It is never easy to be criticized or to receive unfavorable feedback. However, I believe I can learn from each experience and constructively move forward. A physician recently mentioned that my notes in the EMR were not as detailed as she would prefer. I had to take a minute and breathe because I spent extra time on those notes and felt frustrated by the feedback. However, I knew this physician could be tough to please, so I asked her to show me exactly how she preferred the notes in the system so that next time, as a team, we could be more efficient."

"It depends on how the criticism is delivered. When someone gives me constructive feedback, I am thankful for the learning opportunity. If the feedback is rude or unforgiving, that can be tough to swallow. I am always prepared to defend my work because I know it's good, but I would never be unprofessional in that situation to save face."

"As a new NP, I know I have lots of information and skills I need to develop. With good mentorship support from this organization, I hope to be as professional and efficient NP as possible. In this process, I know I will make mistakes. Good and bad feedbacks are important for me as this learning experience will help me be a better health care provider to our patients."

"As a new provider, I realize that each instance of constructive criticism is an opportunity for learning- something that never ends regardless of years of experience. I hope to look to physicians and other experienced providers as mentors and value their feedback, which ultimately helps me become a more well-rounded provider."

"In my first position as a new grad NP, I had to work with ten MDs on my team. Every MD does things differently, and each one of them wanted me to do it their way. At first, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but I excepted those criticisms as a learning point, and I'm glad I did because it prepared me to be the NP I am. Today I am open to any critical feedback because it teaches new things."

How do you handle conflict in the workplace?

"Conflict is often a symptom of poor communication, so when conflict arises in the workplace, I address the situation by using open lines of direct communication with an individual or individuals. During my time as a Registered Nurse in a busy dermatology clinic, a scheduler became very rude to the entire patient care staff, which continued for a few weeks. I had heard wind of the rudeness of the individual, but it wasn't until I faced it myself that I said something. Calmly and tactfully, I told the scheduler that I didn't appreciate being talked to rudely and then asked why she was taking that approach with me. Being the first person to ask her this question, she was very open and honest about how her role felt disrespected around our clinic. I encouraged her to speak with the unit administrator to help her try and find the best result for the situation. From that day forward, her attitude towards all staff improved greatly."

Conflicts between co-workers can happen when you spend so many waking hours in the workplace. How you handle conflicts within the workplace is what the interviewer would like to know more about. By asking this question, your interviewer wants to see that you will take accountability for conflict, whether the occurrence is considered your fault or not. Handling workplace conflict tactfully and with grace should be the only option. Give a clear example of a time when you professionally handled workplace conflict. Remember that this is not an opportunity to vent about the current workplace culture you are in.

"My style of conflict management can best be described as assertive. In my five years at my current facility, I have only encountered one true instance of conflict between myself and a colleague. One of my nurses did not show up for their shift, so I was forced to cover their shift and work a double. Because of this, I missed my daughter's dance recital. I was upset about it, but I wanted to do my part as a lead nurse. The next day, the delinquent employee came in and didn't say a word. He didn't apologize to me or thank me for my time. I approached him and told him how his actions impacted my day. He did not respond how I wanted; however, I let it go after I said my part. You cannot change the actions of others, but you have to take responsibility for how you handle your side."

"I start by identifying the possible reasons for the conflict, whether that be poor communication, absence of required materials, or a staff shortage. From there, I talk directly with conflicting parties to find solutions and get everyone back on track."

"As NP, I had an incident where a pt came to the ER with an Hgb of 4. He was septic and in severe liver failure. My supervisor had ordered abx, PRBCs for transfusion, and IV fluid. There was no bed in the ICU or IICU, so the pt was in the ER. Two hours later, nothing was done, so I went down to the ER to find that the pt treatment was not started. I met with the sister, and she was mad that her brother was not being cared for appropriately. I informed the sister that we were going to initiate pt Tx asap. I asked the nurse, and she said there was no IV pump. I contacted SPD asap, and pt Tx was started."

"It is important to identify the persons involved and the root cause of the conflict and address it directly with the involved party and discuss the problem as professionally as possible. Any conflict in a workplace can impact the work and delivery of patient care. So it is important to identify it as early as possible, and both parties should create a solution."

"During one of my shifts as in charge in the ICU, one of my colleagues walked out of the unit when I asked her about her handling of a situation. I waited there until she came back as the patient was intubated and ventilated. She said she had worked in critical care more than me and knew how to take care of a patient and therefore felt humiliated. I told her that it was not my intention to compare how many years of experience we had. My priority was patient safety and keeping my registration intact. So it was my responsibility to clarify the incident after stabilizing the patient. So I told her I was interested more in a learning culture than a blaming culture. She came later and apologized for her behavior. Therefore, I believe that in order to maintain a healthy working relationship, it is important that you communicate clearly with conflicting parties rather than talking behind their backs."

At our organization, we put a great amount of focus on the patient experience. How would you help ensure a positive experience for all patients that you work with here?

"Patient retention and attraction are critical for your organization, and I fully realize that retaining patients for the long haul is built through trust and positive relationships. If hired as your next NP, I would work diligently to build solid and trusting relationships with my patients. I would utilize my excellent interpersonal skills and educational skills to ensure that I provide the best care possible to them."

The overall patient experience entails the entire range of interactions that patients have with their overall healthcare team. Most healthcare organizations focus on the quality of care they provide to patients, and the patient experience is a cornerstone of that focus. If hired as their next Nurse Practitioner, this organization will expect you to positively influence the experience of the patients you will be working with daily. While there are many aspects of the patient experience out of our control as a Nurse Practitioner, some things to think about as you answer this question are your bedside manner, patient waiting times, and follow-through with patients.

"I am a firm believer that every care team member has an impact on the overall patient experience. As a primary care provider, a positive attitude and a focus on educating patients about their health are paramount when ensuring that they have a great experience with me. I also focus on answering patient questions submitted through the online portal because quick follow-up with those patients shows that I care for them and get them an answer to their questions. I also try to educate patients on the online resources available to them to help with ease of scheduling future appointments and to obtain resources on any conditions that they may have."

"In my current practice, I am happy to report that my CAHPS survey results have been excellent over the past five years in this practice. My patient continually reports a positive atmosphere and great outcomes, and I attribute this to the patient-centered care that I provide daily. This starts with a great bedside manner with anyone that I work with. If hired at our organization, I would look to continue to provide to the great patient experience that you are so well known for."

As a nurse practitioner, how do you stay current on new practice innovations?

"I have always believed in keeping a beat on the healthcare industry daily as a Registered Nurse. For that reason, I have a few google alerts set up with specific keywords. Also, I take one leadership development course per year. This keeps me competitive in the industry and helps my patients to get the best of me. As a new Nurse Practitioner, I'm looking forward to CME courses yearly to help me become a complete provider."

During your time with them in your interview, your interviewer wants to know that you stay up to date with the changes and trends in healthcare. This question allows you to highlight your commitment to growth and development, both personally and professionally. Talk to the interviewer about how you stay up to date on new trends and education in your field. Don't hesitate to talk about journals you subscribe to, CME events that you've attended, and training you've participated in that show your commitment to learning and growing as a Nurse Practitioner.

"I absolutely love and thrive on the fact that we have to be continuous learners as Nurse Practitioners. The medical field is constantly evolving surrounding patient care, and we have to be very open to learning and becoming better at what we do. Currently, I am a member of the NAPNAP, and I learn so much about pediatric care from their publication. I also attended their national conference for the last two years."

"While I actively am a member of the AAN and the Society of Hospital Medicine and participate in as many training opportunities through them as I can, I have found that the physician mentor that I meet with monthly to be the greatest resource that I've had. In addition to new working methods, we discuss findings in the industry and new research papers that interest us. It's important to keep the conversation going and spark some interest in the minds of my team as well."

"Having to work in this premier institution, I am privileged to work with top-notch health care providers who are a great source of knowledge. I can also stay current by pushing myself to attend learning seminars and continuing educations offered by the institution. Or by simply asking questions with mentors and colleagues who share a lot of knowledge and experience."

"I regularly read the latest bulletins from associations I belong to, such as AWHONN and NPWH, and set up weekly alerts from organizations like ACOG and the USPSTF. I've also been fortunate enough to have had great clinical experiences with preceptors who remain up to date on new findings and have passed that information on to me."

"I read articles on health organization websites like MedMD, Medscape, Mayo, Up to date, and E medical books."

Do you have any restrictions on your RN or NP license?

"I have never had any restrictions on my state RN license, and I am currently in the process of obtaining my Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber license in the state. That would be a very challenging experience to go through."

At some point during your interview process, your interviewer will ask a point-blank yes or no answer on any restrictions you have on your license or if you have had any malpractice claims during your career. You need to be open and honest as you answer this question because any discrepancies you have will be uncovered during the credentialing process if you are hired for this role. If you have had restrictions on your license, you'll want to be very clear about the timing and resolution of those restrictions. Word also travels fast in the healthcare community, so be sure to be honest and upfront about your past.

"Back in 2006, I had a short-term restriction on my RN license in the state of Oregon while our entire nursing team was being reviewed. This was cleared up within 30 days, and I was released from all restrictions. This should no longer affect my license in any state, and my Washington RN license is current."

"In my four years as an RN, and now ten more years as an NP, I have never had any restrictions on my license. I want to say that I am well versed in policy and procedures and can assist any staff that is under review on how to professionally navigate these circumstances."

"None. In Texas state, I know that I have certain restrictions as provided by law that I am to comply with as an NP."

"No, I have never had any restrictions on any license I have held."

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

"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."

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 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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

Tell us about your community involvement. How would this translate to this nurse practitioner role with our organization?

"I was raised by parents who believed that giving back to the community through volunteering was the most important thing you could do. At a young age, I remember volunteering on Christmas afternoons by serving meals to the homeless. My parents taught me that even if you don't have money to give, you can always find the time. I spend every Sunday afternoon as a health aid at the homeless shelter. Upon researching your organization when I applied for this role, I was so excited to see that you give back to your community by providing wellness checks for uninsured children."

Most hiring managers prefer candidates who have some volunteer experience giving back to their community. As a Nurse Practitioner, you have a love for helping others, and your interviewer wants to hear how you have taken that passion for helping give back to your community. As you answer this question, share your core values and commitments outside work that show your passion for helping others. If possible, research the community efforts that this organization puts forth in their community so you can show support for them.

"I have a family member diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago, and I am now a volunteer with the American Diabetes Association. There is an annual fundraiser here locally, and I am the co-chairperson for the event. One of the reasons that I applied to this position was because I read about your facility's commitment to employee wellness, and I appreciate that the organization also supports the American Diabetes Association."

"I am grateful for the opportunity to get involved with the community and improve the lives of others through service. Currently, I collaborate with the local women's shelter to offer free health advice and checkups to those without health care. It's important that I use my knowledge to help others, and I would love to continue to help and give back in any way possible in this role."

"Through my 13 years of nursing experience, I have learned to love oncology. I participated in a department's activities such as Caregiver week and fundraising activities such as "walk the boots."

"I have been involved with my church healthcare team for the past 2 years. We create health awareness through health symposiums and workshops. During these workshops, we check blood pressure, provide diabetic evaluation and education, breast cancer awareness, etc."

What do you know about our organization and what interests you in a practice here?

"I know that your facility is top of the line when it comes to technological advancements and research in patient care. I have always been enamored with research into improving patient care, and I would be honored to work in such an advanced hospital environment."

The interviewer asks you this question to see if you did your homework on the organization or are merely floating your resume. Be sure to read up on the organization you are interviewing with and have a few questions prepared. Ideally, your interviewer wants to hear that you see their organization as a match for your professional goals and personal values, so be sure to talk about both of these pieces as you answer this question.

"As I embarked on a search to find my dream practice in ENT, I made a shortlist of health systems that I'd like to work with. Your organization was at the top of my list due to our values closely aligning. I know that your facility is a nationally recognized hospital that is known for service excellence. When my sister was sick a few years ago, she was admitted to the ER and told me that she had an outstanding experience, given the situation. I am personally drawn to the fact that your organization invests back in patient care and the communities where you care for patients."

"I have followed your facility's achievements for some time now. I have many industry acquaintances who have excellent things to say about your hospital. I know that you are the number one hospital in the state for providing excellent care and that you have incredible community support throughout the region. All of these factors are things I am looking for in my next opportunity."

"It is the #1 hospital for cancer care; that its main goal is to eradicate cancer and deliver the best and safest care at all times."

"This facility is a military facility that provides care for military personnel and family. Being a former military spouse, I know what it feels like to be a military family. My experience as a military spouse will positively impact the care I give the soldiers and families."

How did your experience as an RN, whether in clinicals or on the job, affect how you do your job as a nurse practitioner?

"All of my RN experiences have given me an endless amount of knowledge in the medical industry, specifically because of my years working in the primary care setting. I could never replace those experiences with any amount of education. As I worked through my clinical rotations recently, I found that the skills and knowledge I developed in the primary care setting as an RN helped me as a Nurse Practitioner in the emergency, general surgery, and dermatology settings, and I'm confident that my experience will shine through if hired on your team."

While they can tell a lot from your resume, your interviewer is looking to hear firsthand how your experience as an RN shaped you into the NP you are today. Be sure to summarize your experience as an RN and share how it enhances your ability to be an excellent NP. If possible, give a specific example showing how your whole career experience has specifically prepared you for this role to sell yourself to your interviewer.

"One of my first positions as an RN was at a skilled nursing facility where I cared for geriatric patients with Alzheimer's. A big part of my day was explaining to the family of the patients what the disease was and how it could be treated. I learned so much about Alzheimer's and the effects it can have on a family. Now, as a Nurse Practitioner, I can have even deeper discussions that include a medication treatment plan, onsite therapy options, and more. My experience as an RN has shaped the way I communicate with patients compassionately and professionally."

"As an RN, I spent two years in the medical oncology department of our hospital. The experiences I had every day, seeing people face death so bravely, were infinitely inspiring. As an NP, I have taken this same positive outlook on life and applied it to my patient relationships."

"I have had an opportunity to take care of oncology patients for almost 13 years. Seeing how our patients and their families face cancer bravely is so inspiring. I have taken this same positive outlook in my own personal and professional life and have applied it in everyday life."

"My RN experience as charge nurse, my pt assessment skills, my knowledge for initiating care plan, and pt education about their medications and treatment plan gives me the basic foundation for initiating treatment plan and pt and family education as an NP. These experiences have helped me immensely in my role as NP."

"Every experience that I've had whether in RN/ NP clinicals or working in my RN role in the different medical areas, all contribute to my values of humility, optimism, & compassion for all walks of life."

Are you familiar with the scope of practice you would be permitted to have as a nurse practitioner with our organization?

"As I've been researching opportunities in Colorado, I've become familiar with both the practice and prescriptive authority I would have with your organization. I look forward to obtaining the 1,000 hours of documented experience to be able to obtain full prescriptive privileges in the state and with your organization."

As you are aware, the scope of practice for Nurse Practitioners differs from state to state, and sometimes even organization to organization, so it is important for you to know and understand the independence you will have in this particular job and be able to explain that to your interviewer. Whether your experience in the state enables you to talk openly about your scope of practice or you need to research further before the interview, talk about your understanding of the procedures and actions that you will be permitted to do in this role and which procedures and actions will require physician supervision. Don't hesitate to talk about your past experiences in working under this same scope of practice.

"Having practiced in California for my entire career, I am very familiar with the fact that I would require a standardized procedure in place with my supervising position if I were to join your team. I am also well educated on the Schedule II and Schedule III drugs that would require sign-off by the physician. I am very comfortable in this scope of practice."

"I understand that I would be continuing in the same collaborative relationship with a physician in this department, and this is very similar to the working relationship I have in my current practice. I have completed the pharmacology educational requirements to be able to prescribe to patients. If I were hired at your organization, are there any additional scope of practice limitations that I may face in this practice?"

What do you like most about being a nurse practitioner?

"I most enjoy helping people in their time of need, so becoming a Nurse was a natural path for me. When you don't feel well, you feel vulnerable and need people around you that are kind and knowledgeable. I like to take action when others are in need, and this ultimately led me down the path of obtaining my Master's degree and FNP certification."

At some point during your time with them, your interviewer will want to know what would keep you motivated to do a good job at their organization, even on the toughest of days. Prior to your interview, put some thought into what drives you personally to be your best on the job. Perhaps you like working with children or diagnosing complicated issues. Discuss your commitment to providing exceptional patient care to prove that you are the best candidate for their next Nurse Practitioner.

"I love being an NP because the work is personally fulfilling and professionally challenging. No two days are the same as a Nurse Practitioner, so I get to use a variety of my skills and knowledge to help patients in the best way possible."

"In my ten years as an NP, no one day has been the same. I'm appreciative because not many people get to say that about their work and truly mean it. I learn so much from the other healthcare professionals around me, and I do feel a sense of responsibility knowing that I can save lives and help cure people of their worst ailments."

"Knowing that I made a difference in a patient's life gives me personal fulfillment and satisfaction. This motivates me to be a better nurse each day."

"My favorite thing about being a nurse is connecting with patients on a deeper level. I enjoy getting to know patients beyond their diagnosis. The satisfaction I get knowing I can be both a shoulder to lean on in times of crisis, as well as a trusted member of the medical community, makes my choice in careers one of the best decisions I've ever made."

"What I like about this career is that I'm able to help people in general. I take care of patients and help my colleagues achieve their desire goals through encouragement and coaching. When I see a co-worker struggling with something they don't understand, I step in and show them how to do it. For example, I had a co-worker who didn't know how to do tracheostomy care. I stepped in and showed her how to do it. I couldn't have chosen any better career."

What is an issue in the current healthcare system that you would like to see change?

"As a new Nurse Practitioner, I have not had the exposure to the healthcare system as seasoned healthcare professionals have. But, one thing that impacts almost everyone I know is the cost of healthcare. I would like to see a reduction in out-of-pocket healthcare costs and more services offered to those who need them."

The interviewer is looking to identify a struggle you may have and share how you constructively handle this challenge in your typical workday. Be careful not to complain. Instead, present a solution to a challenging situation. Don't be afraid to share a controversial topic, but be aware of your audience. If you know that your interviewer is passionate about nutrition, consider sharing how you have researched the ingredients in feeding tubes for patients who cannot swallow or are in a coma. Talk about how nutrition needs to be a higher priority and how the food quality needs to change. Whatever the issue you decide to talk about, share your knowledge and experience about the topic. Tell the interviewer how you are going to help change this particular issue in healthcare.

"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. Having been in their shoes at one time, I would always be an advocate for involving them in decisions that fit within their scope of practice."

"After working in this industry for fifteen years, I have seen a lot of positive change. However, one thing that hasn't changed positively is the cost of prescription medicine. So many patients have debilitating diseases and cannot afford the medication they need. Many doctors I have worked with will provide samples to patients, but more is needed. I would like to see the price of medications decrease, but I feel that will not happen anytime soon."

If hired at our organization, how could we keep you motivated as a nurse practitioner?

"To keep me motivated as a new Nurse Practitioner, a diverse patient base that enables me to learn and grow for years will really help me become the best primary care provider I can be. I am personally inspired to learn and grow to become a complete Nurse Practitioner, and I really feel that this role will help me do that."

By proposing this question, your interviewer wants to know what keeps you motivated to do a good job, day in and day out. Take this opportunity to share what motivates you as a professional and its relation to your career path with this organization. At the end of the day, after you have seen car accidents, suicide attempts, and the most depressing sides of human nature, your interviewer wants to hear how you would keep your head up and stay focused on the job if hired for this role. To really sell yourself to your interview for this role, try to focus on your own internal motivations in your work as a nurse practitioner and how that motivation will help you provide the best care possible at this organization.

"My experiences in this field have been invaluable. I have learned so many skills that I will use when I move to the ICU at your hospital. Knowing that each patient provides me a unique opportunity to make a difference in someone's life motivates me and makes me love my job every day."

"I am motivated by growth in my career and by working with a great team. As a once successful Registered Nurse, I decided to obtain my advanced nursing degree after the hospital recognized a mentor of mine with a big award. Because of him, I was inspired to have a larger impact on the care of patients, and I enrolled in the NP program at my local university. As long as I would join a great team here at your organization, I am confident that I will be able to thrive in this role."

"My invaluable oncology experience in this institution has shaped me to be a better health care provider. I am privileged to work with knowledgeable healthcare providers in delivering the best care possible. I am humbled to be allowed to make a difference in our patient's lives and in my small contribution to making cancer history. This motivates me to work each day."

"Knowing that I can use my skills and training to educate women to manage their health better- whether during their pregnancies or throughout their lives, motivates me to continue learning and growing in my role as a Nurse Practitioner."

"As a nurse practitioner, I am motivated by providing care to people who cannot care for themselves. When I see a need, it's really fulfilling for me to realize that I have the skills to fill that gap. Being able to positively contribute to our healthcare system motivates me deeply."

If you could change anything about your current job, what would it be?

"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."

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."

"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?"

"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."

"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."

"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."

What type of nursing tasks do you find least desirable, or most challenging?

"I have never loved documentation, but I do fully understand the importance of detailed and accurate notes. During my years as an RN and my recent clinical rotations, I've taken the approach of documenting as a challenge to help myself enjoy the task more. Working on several different EMR's really helped me understand the full importance of accurate charting, especially as a provider. If offered to come work for you, I'd be excited to learn your EMR from back to front in my new role as a Nurse Practitioner."

The interviewer wants to know about your workplace challenges. This question allows you to highlight your ability to get things done, even if you don't enjoy EVERY part of your job. You can let your personality shine through a bit but keep it light and professional overall. As you answer this question, try to focus on a task that most find undesirable yet find a way to make it fun and interesting.

"I'm sure that every person has a task in their workday that they dislike. Mine is organizing and stocking the supply closet. I know it's so important that our supplies are tidy and accessible, but I dread it every few months when my turn comes to clean it out. I am a team player, however, and I do it with a smile on my face, and I always try to do it as a team effort with a colleague."

"Overall, I would say that I least enjoy long and drawn-out meetings. I like being on the front lines helping my patients, and I sometimes get frustrated if time is wasted in meetings that don't impact my work. I fully understand that gatherings of staff are important for training, educational, and other purposes, so I try to take any opportunities I can get in meetings to make them a learning opportunity for me."

"Honestly, I find attending long meetings as least desirable for me. I would prefer being engaged with patients than sitting in a meeting and discussing department goals, etc."

"I find charting probably the least desirable task, as it takes away from direct patient care. Given my experience as an RN, I, of course, realize the importance of proper charting and documentation."

"My least desirable task as an NP has been breaking "bad news" to the pt and family. Especially when I have to tell pt and family that the patient isn't going to survive their health condition. However, working with Oncology patients has strengthened me in this area. I have learned to take care of myself when these difficult situations arise. I meditate and then think about how I can make a family member feel better."

What qualities do you feel a should leader have?

"In our work setting, a leader needs to possess the ability to mentor others, delegate work among the team, and be able to lead by example in times of need. My inspiration for pursuing this career further came from a great NP I worked with as an RN, and he really inspired me with these same leadership qualities. He was never hesitant to lead by example and take an opportunity to help me learn and grow. As I enter a new practice as a Nurse Practitioner, I would look to be a great mentor and leader to this team."

The interviewer would like to know that you understand the qualities that a great leader should possess because the Nurse Practitioner that they hire at their organization needs to be a natural leader on their care team. Highlight your ability to work with a team and actively communicate. If you had a great mentor or supervisor in your past, feel free to mention something specific about what you learned from them that you could bring to this role.

"I believe that being a great leader requires a balance between working collaboratively with your team members while also being a consistent individual contributor. For example, we have a department project where everyone must work together to reorganize the supply closet, and each team member has an assigned task. I must strategically plan the work for the team and communicate productively and professionally for everyone to understand the goal. I also took on a small part of the project to see that I was committed to the outcome. I learned this from a mentor of mine when I was starting as a nurse."

"First and foremost, a leader should have the ability to get the team excited about the short and long-term goals of both the unit and the organization. A great leader should also be empathetic, responsible, and reliable. Among these skills, I also bring the ability to maintain a harmonious relationship with other nursing staff, patients, and physician staff."

"I believe a great leader should possess the ability to effectively motivate team members to deliver the task at hand, and at the same time, be a consistent individual contributor to the group as well. A leader should live by example and knows when to delegate and when to be an active participant. He should be patient, a good listener, accommodating, and a great resource person in the group."

"A leader should effectively communicate with all team members on both a personal and professional level. Also, delegate tasks fairly and equitably, be a motivating force that those who work with can rely on as a mentor, and recognize that a team can only be as good as the leadership they provide."

"A leader should have short-term and long-term goals. A leader should delegate tasks and then following up on implementation. Leaders should have good motivational skills. Leaders should get involved with team activities."

As a nurse practitioner with our organization, would you be comfortable making tough decisions in regards to a patients care?

"As an RN, I decided to separate the feelings surrounding patient care decisions from my other emotions. The medical decision needs to be made factually and not based solely on feeling. For this reason, I do not find it difficult to make tough decisions. As I learn and grow as a new Nurse Practitioner in your practice, my confidence would continue to grow."

At some point during your interview, your interviewer wants to know how you handle difficult patient care situations to get a feel for how you will work as part of their team. Be sure to highlight your ability to think strategically and to make quick, thoughtful decisions. Provide an example of the confidence you have in your decision-making skills in patient care and the tough decisions that come with it to prove your ability to act quickly and soundly in this role.

"I think my confidence in making tough decisions has grown over the years. As a new RN, I was more hesitant to make these decisions and learned a great deal from the more tenured nurses on my team. With my added education as a Nurse Practitioner, I make strategic and thoughtful decisions based on my knowledge and experience. I also am very comfortable asking for help in situations that may be new to me. I value the collaborative approach we have as a team."

"Yes, I am comfortable making tough decisions surrounding patient care. As an NP, I need to make recommendations to the doctors based on my findings, often related to terminally ill patients. It is never easy, but I am pragmatic. Last year, we had a patient prescribed a large dose of a medication administered by IV. When I was in their room, I seriously questioned the dosing and talked to the physician on duty who t prescribed the dosage. Based on the patient's symptoms and weight, I was comfortable questioning the physician's dosage, and she really appreciated my concern and insight, and we changed the dosage moving forward. Looking back, I learned not to be afraid to question a decision if the health and safety of a patient are concerned."

"Yes, I am confident that I will utilize resources and apply critical thinking for optimal patient outcomes."

"As a nurse for the last 13 years, I have learned to adapt to a busy environment with patience and utilize nursing skills when needed. For example, recently, we had a patient who coded in the unit. As the first responder, I quickly assessed the patient's status and activated the response team to save a patient's life. It felt good."

"Yes, I am confident in making tough decisions, and I utilize available resources for a given situation and make decisions."

If offered this role as a nurse practitioner with our organization, do you have any salary requirements?

"As I would be new to my career as a Nurse Practitioner in this role, I am hopeful that my years of experience as a Registered Nurse in many settings gets factored into an initial offer. From there, I would expect that my work ethic would speak for itself down the road with your organization."

When asked about your salary expectations, the best thing you can do is be open and honest about what you are currently earning and where you want to be in the future. But you definitely don't want to price yourself out for the role. Before applying for this position, you should conduct as much research as possible on the pay scale that this organization offers for their NP's to ensure that it aligns with your expectations. Sometimes, the pay scale is listed on the job posting on the organization's career site, and sometimes you may have to do some further digging online or with current staff members at the organization. In the end, be sure that your needs align with the position this organization is offering.

"I can share with you what I am currently earning and where I would like to be in my next position. Currently, I am earning an annual salary of $105,000 plus an extensive benefits package as a full time employee. Knowing that this role requires more extended hours into the evening and call time, I am hopeful to see an increase in this role."

"In all honesty, my desire to find a new practice with your organization has nothing to do with compensation. My expectation would be to be compensated equal to my peers with the same practice experience as me. Compensation to me is not just net pay. I would certainly take into account work hours, drive time, and the entire benefits package offered here if offered to join your practice."

"As a new NP, I am happy to negotiate my earnings based on the typical salary for this role."

"I have researched what a typical base salary would be and would be happy to negotiate around what is considered the average for this position, considering additional benefits offered."

"As a new NP, I was started with a salary of $102,000 and increased to $111,000. I expect to get paid a little more than this."

If hired as a nurse practitioner here, how would you gain our physician staff's trust and respect?

"If hired, I would gain the trust and respect of the physicians by being myself. I would introduce myself when I first meet them and let them know I am a new Nurse Practitioner and appreciate feedback if they have any. I have a strong work ethic, which shows whenever someone works with me. I always do what I say I will do, show up to work early, and perform tasks without being asked. I believe my work ethic and personality will help me quickly gain the trust of those I work with."

Professional working relationships are essential as a Nurse Practitioner who regularly works as part of a much larger multidisciplinary team. One of the strongest relationships you will need to build in this role will be the physician staff you will be working alongside. You can be specific about your process or stay general by sharing some of your best practices around building trust. If possible, share an example of how you gained trust within the patient care team in the past.

"I find that being a great listener is an important part of gaining trust and respect, especially when it comes to working with busy physicians. Often, I only get a short amount of time to collaborate with the physician, so I like to come to meetings prepared with important questions and carefully listen to the answers. From there, I can create my patient care plan and report back to the physician on progress or challenges I may be facing. This partnership and communication help me gain their trust and respect."

"Trust is something you earn over time with people. Trust happens when people deliver on doing what they say they will do. I take the approach of underpromising and overdelivering to accelerate the trust process. I will lead by example and be transparent in my communications. With strong trust, teams can accomplish great things together."

Why should we hire you over any other nurse practitioner for this role at our organization?

"I graduated top of my class with honors and have a stable work history. I am looking for a challenging position that will allow me to grow into a leadership role within healthcare. I will also note that I am tri-lingual, fluent in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. This has assisted me greatly when it comes to managing patients of varying cultural backgrounds like I would see here at your organization."

This question allows you to go ahead and brag about yourself a bit, but be sure to keep your answer concise and relate it to why you are the best choice for this position. You do not need to recap your resume. Instead, highlight one or two things you are most proud of and make you a great fit for this practice. Don't hesitate to use some unique words that make you a memorable candidate. You need to shine brighter than the rest!

"As I search for a new role in a medical oncology setting, I am hoping to work with an innovative facility that is on the cutting edge of patient care procedures. I read an article about your hospital and the exciting work in cancer research, and I wanted to be a part of it. I am confident that you won't find another candidate that has the passion for innovative and excellent patient care like I do."

"I believe that my years of practice experience as a Nurse Practitioner in primary care, coupled with my years of RN experience in surgery, make me the best candidate to join your dermatology practice. I love managing a full clinic schedule, which would translate well to seeing patients for initial consults and follow-up appointments. My surgical experience really drove my passion for the procedures I would be performing in a dermatology practice."

"I have 13 years of both outpatient and inpatient experience in this institution. I believe that gives me a great advantage over other candidates. I have worked with some physicians and colleagues who could vouch for my work ethic."

"I have an excellent record of pt care, as evidence by my honor Daisy Award, which is directly linked with pt care experience. I have a great work ethic, which can be vouched by my direct supervisor, whom I worked with for seven years. I'm dependable, trustworthy, team-oriented, and collaborative. This is why I should be selected for this position because I will bring excellent pt care to your department."

"I am a great fit for this NP role due to my strong ICU background with 10+Respiratory Therapy experience. In addition, I am well-rounded, compassionate, positive, and fun to work with. I will take on a task that is challenging and willing to extend my service beyond your expectations."

How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?

"I am not sure if I have been able to portray myself 100% accurately in this interview; although, I am trying my best as my nerves are getting the best of me. If there is anything more that I can clarify for you, I would be happy to do so."

Be honest. This question is a stress test and one that your interviewer will use to gauge to handle possible curveballs thrown your way as their next Nurse Practitioner. You need to be honest about your feelings about this meeting while maintaining an air of confidence at the same time. It's okay to ask the interviewer to circle back if you aren't pleased with your initial response to a previous question. Doing so will show that you truly do care about making a great impression to secure this job.

"After getting to talk with you to highlight my skills and abilities while learning more about this organization, I can't stress enough to you how relaxed and comfortable I now feel about my future success as your next Nurse Practitioner. You have painted a clear picture for me, and I'm hopeful that I've clearly outlined what I could provide for your patients. Do you have any clarifying questions for me?"

"I honestly feel very confident about our discussion today. I came in hoping to prove that I am the right person for this job and learn more about your organization and this department. I am very much looking forward to the next steps in the interview process."

"I would like to believe that I have presented myself to you as genuinely as possible, and I'm hoping that I have conveyed my interest and eagerness to join this group."

"I feel like I have presented myself authentically, and I hope to have given you an idea of what it would be like to have me as a provider within your practice. I look forward to the next steps in this process."

"I have enjoyed this interview and feel very comfortable. I have done my best to express who I am, what I'm passionate about, and what I'm capable of. Is there anything that would be helpful for me to clarify?"

Do you have experience providing care through telemedicine (virtual appointments)?

"In my typical week, I normally see about 90% of my patients face-to-face in my clinic. There are occasions about ten percent of the time when a patient may live a great distance from the office or are homebound so that I can offer telehealth appointments at my discretion. I feel comfortable doing this for well-established patients who just need check-ins for refill medications. I prefer to see anyone with an acute illness or injury in person to do a comprehensive evaluation."

Many practices are now offering a combination of in-person and telehealth appointments to patients. The interviewer would like to learn more about your experience treating patients virtually, so describe your length of experience, the types of patients you see, and the specific software or platforms you have used.

"My current practice offers a mix of in-person and virtual appointments for patients, and I would say I do telehealth about 25% of the time. We launched a new program this year in partnership with the local high school, and if a student is ill in the nurse's office, as long as we have parental consent, we can do a virtual appointment for them. The nurse's office there has different flu and strep swabs, so it's nice to provide quick care to students and to be able to order the tests for the nurse to do on the stop instead of a parent having to bring them in. I enjoy treating patients in person as well as virtually."

As a new nurse practitioner at our clinic, what are some challenges you anticipate?

"As a new grad, I know other clinicians are sometimes reluctant to work together. It may be a challenge to gain the trust of my colleagues and also to learn all of the practice-specific policies and procedures. I'm a quick learner, so I have no doubt I will catch on in a short period of time. I will go above and beyond to demonstrate my value in the practice both to patients and to other providers and their nursing staff."

Whether you are an experienced NP or a new graduate, there are certain challenges anytime you change jobs or begin working at a new facility. Be honest when describing what you anticipate will be a challenge, and speak to how you plan to overcome it. Perhaps it's meeting new coworkers, gaining patients' trust, learning new policies and procedures, etc. Keep a positive attitude and tone in your response.

"I know the previous NP was very well-liked and had a great reputation in the community, so I will have big shoes to fill! I think, at first, my challenge will be gaining the trust of patients and building those relationships. I'm very outgoing and possess great interpersonal skills, but I know patients can sometimes be reluctant to change, especially when they have seen a certain provider for so long. I will work hard to earn their trust by spending ample time with them in appointments, genuinely caring about them and their treatment plans, and providing excellent care."

Tell me about your typical day.

"As a nurse practitioner at the local VA office, I evaluate and treat 20-25 adults per day. Many appointments are routine check-ups or follow-ups, but I handle some acute cases of illness or injury. I frequently order lab work or radiology tests to be done and sign orders to refill medications. I collaborate with the staff nurses and physicians throughout the day to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care."

Being a nurse practitioner in a clinic setting could mean you work in a veteran's care facility, school, family practice, urgent care, or another outpatient-type clinic. Describe the setting you work in and how many patients you see and treat a day. Describe the types of patients you see, the team members you work with, and some of your daily responsibilities and tasks in your role.

"Working in a family care practice, I see anywhere from 10-20 patients per day ranging from pediatrics to elderly. I normally have my regularly scheduled patients on my calendar, but I also leave spaces open for emergencies or urgent pediatric needs like acute illnesses or injuries. I work closely with my triage nurse throughout the day and also the managing physician in cases where I need a second opinion or need a prescription written that's outside of my scope."

How do you handle a situation where you feel like you have too many patients on your schedule?

"Whenever I start at a new clinic, I meet with the office staff and schedulers to better understand the office's expectations and to express my feedback and opinions on how patients should be scheduled. I like to spend ample time with my patients and give them the attention and quality care they deserve so that I may ask for certain time blocks for certain patients. My more complex, chronic cases may need more time than treating someone with the flu. I would also ask that time blocks be left open here and there for me to catch up or to work in a patient with an acute illness. It's a compromise sometimes, and effective communication is important when making decisions on scheduling best practices."

Clinics often have expectations on how many patients are seen each day, but if there is a point where the quality of care is compromised, or patients are waiting hours to be seen, that situation will need to be addressed. Demonstrate your ability to collaborate, problem-solve, compromise, and effectively communicate to resolve scheduling issues.

"I'm used to seeing a high volume of patients, but if there was a time, I felt like my quality of care was compromised by time constraints, I would address it with the office staff and schedulers. I know it's with the best intentions when scheduling a high volume of patients to ensure we treat as many people as possible. I would talk to the schedulers about my concerns and help set realistic expectations. For example, I would ask to have 30 minutes with all new patients and 15 minutes for those that are established and are pretty routine visits. Helping the staff understand my perspective, along with not wanting patients to wait long periods to be seen, should help everyone collaborate and streamline the process."

If an adult patient came into the office and you suspected abuse, what would you do?

"I would be very sensitive to this situation and address it with the patient privately. I would never pry or force someone to tell me anything, but I would ask appropriate questions and, based on their responses, act accordingly. If they acknowledge they were being abused, I would offer all available resources to help them get the safety and care they need."

Part of evaluating patients includes screening them for signs of physical, mental, emotional, or sexual abuse. The interviewer would like to know more about your process when asking these types of questions and how you respond when a patient acknowledges abuse. Consider how you approach this patient from an emotional perspective and how you would support them from the clinical side.

"I would be very kind and gentle in my approach to the patient. I would go through my screener questions, which include questions about physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. If the patient answered those questions openly and honestly, I would provide resources to support him or her, including contact information for local authorities, shelters, domestic violence mental health support, and I would offer to connect him or her to our clinic's social worker. I would also follow my state's guidelines for mandatory reporting if applicable."

What responsibilities do you anticipate in this role?

"If I understood the job description correctly, I would be responsible for assessing new inmates, treating acute illnesses, conducting psychiatric evaluations, assisting with detox plans, and providing a response to emergency situations. While I have not worked in corrections before, I do have experience with all of these areas of responsibility from my time at the local hospital. Are there any other major responsibilities that I might have missed?"

Be sure to read the job description carefully so that you fully understand the responsibilities and duties required. Give the interviewer an overview of the responsibilities you anticipate having and call out any that are specific to corrections facilities in general to demonstrate your clear understanding. You can also take this opportunity to mention if you have experience with the type of responsibilities required in this role.

"As the nurse practitioner on staff, I would be responsible for observing and evaluating patients and conducting physical exams. I may treat patients with injuries, acute illnesses, psychiatric episodes, drug and/or alcohol withdrawal, etc., and I would be required to assess them, prescribe appropriate medications, and order lab work or radiology tests as necessary. I understand that many times I'm the only advanced provider on staff or on call, and I am aware of and would accept that responsibility without hesitation."

Since many inmates are confined in close quarters, how do you prevent and stop the spread of illness among the population?

"I understand the importance of infection control in a correctional facility and follow every process and protocol to reduce the spread of infection or disease among the population. I also strive to educate patients and staff on best practices relating to hygiene, handwashing, and wearing proper PPE when dealing with certain illnesses."

Correctional facilities are at high-risk for infectious diseases and illnesses spreading rapidly. Give examples of how you effectively prevent and stop the spread of illness in settings such as this.

"Handwashing between seeing patients is critical, and so is wearing the proper PPE when dealing with certain infectious diseases or illnesses. If there is an outbreak in the facility, it's best to quarantine and isolate as best as possible to prevent the spread to others. I also encourage vaccinations where possible, for example with flu season, to help prevent sickness."

What are some unique challenges you find working in a correctional facility?

"There is a safety risk in almost every setting; however, it's substantially higher when working in a correctional facility. Working in a correctional facility can be unpredictable. Some days you are treating emergencies, and others, you may be treating psychiatric issues, so the ability to think and react quickly is important. This, coupled with being on constant alert and keeping your guard up to ensure you're safe when working with inmates, can be exhausting. It's important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and practice self-care to keep from becoming burnt out."

As a nurse practitioner in a correctional facility, you will primarily be responsible for the examination, rounding, and treatment of inmates. Consider what challenges you may face in this setting versus a traditional primary care practice or hospital. Whether it's challenges relating to safety or the prevention of disease in dense populations, or something else, give an honest answer about the challenges you foresee.

"I think the biggest challenge can be advocating for a patient you know has committed a crime that goes against your morals and values. It can sometimes be hard to remain unbiased and separate your personal opinions. Still, as a professional, it's my responsibility to provide the best care possible to inmates, regardless of what they have done in the past. Another challenge is preventing and stopping the spread of illness in such close quarters where inmates are confined. It's important to have strict protocols in place to protect the health of all inmates and staff."

How do you maintain healthy boundaries with your patients?

"In this environment, you cannot let your guard down. I never disclose or share personal information, and I keep my conversations professional at all times. If a patient tries to begin an emotional relationship or discusses inappropriate things, I redirect them to the task at hand, which is to diagnose and treat their health issue. I always document my patient visits and include such instances in my documentation."

You need to recognize that patient/provider relationships are very different in correctional facilities. You cannot let your guard down and must take necessary precautions to minimize risks. Make your understanding of this clear to the interviewer and discuss techniques that you use to set clear professional boundaries with patients.

"I'm careful not to engage in personal friendships or relationships with inmates and set clear boundaries from the beginning. I do not tolerate inappropriate comments or behaviors and do not engage in conversations about personal matters like where I live, details about my family, etc. I let my patients know I am there to help treat their health and medical needs and will do that to the best of my ability."

How do you feel about treating people who may have committed violent crimes?

"In this setting, I focus on my job, which is to provide care to those in need. I try to remove all personal opinions and feelings and always remain professional and provide the same exceptional level of care to all. I do take my safety seriously and would ensure I follow all facility processes and protocols to protect myself while providing treatment."

As a nurse practitioner in a correctional facility, you'll be treating inmates who have committed crimes, some violent. The interviewer wants to be certain that you, as a medical professional, are going to remain impartial and provide quality care to those in need. Reassure the interviewer that you are able to remove personal bias and opinions and are committed to doing the job to the best of your ability.

"I would treat all inmates with the same level of compassion and care; however, I would always follow safety protocols, especially when treating inmates with a violent history. I know that my responsibility is to diagnose and treat individuals, but it's also my responsibility to help ensure my own safety. It is not my place to judge the inmates, so I would set aside my personal feelings and do my best to focus on providing them with excellent care while they are at the facility."

How do you handle a patient who is agitated?

"Because I have worked with patients with Alzheimer's for years, I am familiar with ways to treat and care for those who are agitated. I always approach them calmly and slowly, and I'm patient as I try to calm them enough to have a conversation or to provide treatment. I never take it personally when an agitated patient says something hurtful. If I find that a family member can assist in the situation, I will try to make my rounds at times I know that family member will be there or another staff member who has a good relationship with that patient."

As an NP, you will likely encounter an agitated patient at some point. The interviewer can learn a lot from your answer about your communication skills, ability to de-escalate situations, work under pressure, and problem-solve. Give examples of settings where you've worked with agitated patients and techniques that you use to provide care and de-escalate the situation.

"There are many reasons a patient may be agitated. It could be a side effect of medication, frustration with being hospitalized, or perhaps a result of cognitive impairment or disability. It's important to remain calm and cautious. When working with a patient who is distressed or agitated, I first assess their immediate needs and whether or not they may be a threat. If I feel they may be aggressive or violent, I will ask another staff member to come into the room while I provide care or treatment. If it is more about their frustrations, I take the time to listen to their concerns and address them appropriately. I never let their emotions or stress affect me, and I remain calm and professional. I seek ways to provide them comfort and care from a holistic perspective."

What is your experience level and understanding of HIPAA?

"I am familiar with HIPAA and complete annual training on the topic. I take patient privacy very seriously and protect it at all times. My workstation is always locked when I'm away from my desk. When I deal with patient family and friends inquiring about patient statuses, I always check their file to see who they have given consent to receive information."

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is a Federal law that restricts access to individuals' private medical information. Knowledge of what HIPAA is and what it means in the workplace is critical, as violations of this law could result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and lawsuits for the employer. Speak about what knowledge and experience you have relating to following HIPAA policies.

"I understand the importance of protecting patient information and the implications if HIPAA is violated. I never leave charts out in the open, and I protect all documents on my desk from outside view. I only discuss the patient's care with those authorized, and I always check the patient's file before calling so I know if I'm allowed to leave a voicemail."

How do you handle a disagreement with a physician?

"As a new NP, I did run into this situation when treating a patient during my first month at the hospital. I was working under an attending physician, helping him do rounds, and there was a very complex patient with many chronic illnesses. I recommended a treatment plan for that patient, and the physician disagreed. Because it was his patient with whom he had a history, I supported his recommendation, and then later, we had a debrief of sorts. I asked him to walk me through his thinking and decision-making, so I could better understand how we came to different treatment options. It was a good learning experience and helped me develop diagnosing skills with complex patients."

Many providers can be on the care team in a hospital setting, so collaboration is crucial. The interviewer wants to understand your interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills. Give an example of a time you disagreed with a physician regarding a diagnosis, treatment plan, etc., and how you resolved the disagreement. Refrain from speaking negatively about the physician or the company when giving your answer.

"I have not encountered this type of situation before, but if I disagreed with a physician, I would be respectful in my approach. I would ask to have a conversation to explain the reasoning behind my diagnosis process or my recommendation for treatment. I would also be open to hearing why the physician disagreed with my assessment, and I would keep an open mind so I could learn or improve if I missed a step or did something incorrectly."

What types of hospital units do you have experience working in?

"I have five total years working in a hospital setting and because I worked as a float NP, I have experience working on the pediatric, cardiology, and emergency service units. I really enjoy working with diverse patient populations and I do not have a preference of what units I would be assigned."

Most hospitals have many different units, including pediatrics, cardiology, emergency services, obstetrics, ICU, surgical, etc. The interviewer would like to learn more about your background and experience with these types of units. Describe your experience, whether through your clinicals or actual work experience and note any that you enjoy or prefer working in.

"For the last two years, I have worked on our pediatric unit, serving as a primary care provider. I have treated pediatric patients with a broad range of acute and chronic illnesses. I have experience providing full spectrum care from daily rounds, ordering lab work and x-rays, prescribing medications, and treating injuries."

If you saw a nurse aide failing to follow safety precautions, what would you do?

"I once observed a colleague failing to change their gloves in between patient rooms. This is a major failure of protocol, so I quickly pulled her to the side and reminded her of our policy and the importance of adhering to it to prevent the spread of illness and germs. I notified the shift supervisor as well so that they could monitor the situation and provide further education as necessary."

In a hospital setting, many safety precautions and protocols are in place that are essential to protecting the health and safety of patients, visitors, and staff. The interviewer wants to learn more about how you would react if you observed someone putting the health or safety of others at risk. If you have experienced this situation, give an example of what happened and how you addressed it. If you have not encountered this type of situation, describe how you would follow a company policy.

"I once observed a nurse aide failing to use a gait belt for a patient that was a fall risk. I immediately addressed it with the aide, reminding him of the importance of using it. I assisted him with the patient and afterward, I made sure he knew where to look on the patient's room card and wristband to ensure they understood how to identify patients with fall risks. Per our company policy, I also notified their immediate supervisor of the incident and documented it accordingly."

How do you care for patients who cannot communicate?

"Just because a patient cannot speak or is in a vegetative state does not mean they cannot think and feel. It's important to remember that when caring for non-communicative patients and to treat them with the same respect and care you would with other patients. For example, I knock when entering the room, introduce myself, and explain why I'm in their room. I will explain each step of what I'm doing; for instance, if I'm checking their vitals, I explain what I'm going to do before I do it and as I move through the clinical process. I look for non-verbal cues for signs of pain or discomfort, fear, or anxiety. Often, patients can still communicate with a smile, a nod, etc., so it's important to be on the lookout for nonverbal cues. I also use close-ended questions that require a yes or no if they can shake their head. Lastly, if they can write, I will provide a pen and paper to communicate, and I'm very patient throughout the process."

In a nursing home setting, you may care for patients who are nonverbal due to a stroke, dementia-related illness, or other injuries or disabilities. Demonstrate that you treat them with the same respect and deliver the same quality care you would to other patients. You can acknowledge that these patients may require more time, patience, and reassurance. Give examples of ways you communicate and care for these types of patients. Perhaps you know sign language, communicate with pen and paper, read lips, or look for nonverbal signals like a smile, nod, etc.

"Nonverbal patients deserve the same quality care and attentiveness as other patients and may require a little more time to treat. Patience is key when working with patients who cannot communicate their needs in typical ways. I always speak to them in a professional tone, avoiding speaking to them like a child or a lesser person. Treating them with respect is so important. I work to build a relationship, so I understand if there are ways they can communicate (IE, writing, sign language, head nods) and utilize those methods to provide care and treatment to them."

Nurse Practitioner Interview Questions

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1. What accomplishment during your career do you believe was the most difficult for you to achieve?
2. If hired as our next nurse practitioner, what is your availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays?
3. We expect our nurse practitioners to be open and adaptive to change. When was the last time you had to use new methods, equipment or procedures in your work? How did you handle that situation?
4. When you suffer a setback as a nurse practitioner, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
5. Talk about a situation where you had to deal with a patient or family member that was upset. How did you handle that situation?
6. Tell me about a crisis situation you faced at work. How were you a part of the solution?
7. Have you ever had a time where you couldn't complete all of your necessary tasks in a given day or shift? How did you handle that situation?
8. Why did you choose to advance your studies beyond your RN degree?
9. How do you plan to continually grow and learn as a nurse practitioner on our team?
10. If hired here, how would you gain the trust and respect from our physician team?
11. How would you rate the communication skills that you would bring to our team as our next nurse practitioner?
12. Describe the work ethic you would bring to our organization.
13. Are there any procedures that you are looking to forward to performing in this role as our next nurse practitioner? Are there any that you wouldn't care to perform?
14. If hired as our next nurse practitioner, would you bring the ability to work independently to our team?
15. How do you feel when a physician criticizes your work?
16. How do you handle conflict in the workplace?
17. At our organization, we put a great amount of focus on the patient experience. How would you help ensure a positive experience for all patients that you work with here?
18. As a nurse practitioner, how do you stay current on new practice innovations?
19. Do you have any restrictions on your RN or NP license?
20. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
21. Tell us about your community involvement. How would this translate to this nurse practitioner role with our organization?
22. What do you know about our organization and what interests you in a practice here?
23. How did your experience as an RN, whether in clinicals or on the job, affect how you do your job as a nurse practitioner?
24. Are you familiar with the scope of practice you would be permitted to have as a nurse practitioner with our organization?
25. What do you like most about being a nurse practitioner?
26. What is an issue in the current healthcare system that you would like to see change?
27. If hired at our organization, how could we keep you motivated as a nurse practitioner?
28. If you could change anything about your current job, what would it be?
29. What type of nursing tasks do you find least desirable, or most challenging?
30. What qualities do you feel a should leader have?
31. As a nurse practitioner with our organization, would you be comfortable making tough decisions in regards to a patients care?
32. If offered this role as a nurse practitioner with our organization, do you have any salary requirements?
33. If hired as a nurse practitioner here, how would you gain our physician staff's trust and respect?
34. Why should we hire you over any other nurse practitioner for this role at our organization?
35. How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?
36. Do you have experience providing care through telemedicine (virtual appointments)?
37. As a new nurse practitioner at our clinic, what are some challenges you anticipate?
38. Tell me about your typical day.
39. How do you handle a situation where you feel like you have too many patients on your schedule?
40. If an adult patient came into the office and you suspected abuse, what would you do?
41. What responsibilities do you anticipate in this role?
42. Since many inmates are confined in close quarters, how do you prevent and stop the spread of illness among the population?
43. What are some unique challenges you find working in a correctional facility?
44. How do you maintain healthy boundaries with your patients?
45. How do you feel about treating people who may have committed violent crimes?
46. How do you handle a patient who is agitated?
47. What is your experience level and understanding of HIPAA?
48. How do you handle a disagreement with a physician?
49. What types of hospital units do you have experience working in?
50. If you saw a nurse aide failing to follow safety precautions, what would you do?
51. How do you care for patients who cannot communicate?
52. What experience do you have treating patients with memory impairment or dementia?
53. Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult family member of a resident.
54. What experience do you have and what do you enjoy about working with the geriatric population?
55. Are you comfortable being the lone advanced practice medical professional on duty?

Nurse Practitioner Interview Questions

1. What accomplishment during your career do you believe was the most difficult for you to achieve?

2. If hired as our next nurse practitioner, what is your availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays?

3. We expect our nurse practitioners to be open and adaptive to change. When was the last time you had to use new methods, equipment or procedures in your work? How did you handle that situation?

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

5. Talk about a situation where you had to deal with a patient or family member that was upset. How did you handle that situation?

6. Tell me about a crisis situation you faced at work. How were you a part of the solution?

7. Have you ever had a time where you couldn't complete all of your necessary tasks in a given day or shift? How did you handle that situation?

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

9. How do you plan to continually grow and learn as a nurse practitioner on our team?

10. If hired here, how would you gain the trust and respect from our physician team?

11. How would you rate the communication skills that you would bring to our team as our next nurse practitioner?

12. Describe the work ethic you would bring to our organization.

13. Are there any procedures that you are looking to forward to performing in this role as our next nurse practitioner? Are there any that you wouldn't care to perform?

14. If hired as our next nurse practitioner, would you bring the ability to work independently to our team?

15. How do you feel when a physician criticizes your work?

16. How do you handle conflict in the workplace?

17. At our organization, we put a great amount of focus on the patient experience. How would you help ensure a positive experience for all patients that you work with here?

18. As a nurse practitioner, how do you stay current on new practice innovations?

19. Do you have any restrictions on your RN or NP license?

20. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

21. Tell us about your community involvement. How would this translate to this nurse practitioner role with our organization?

22. What do you know about our organization and what interests you in a practice here?

23. How did your experience as an RN, whether in clinicals or on the job, affect how you do your job as a nurse practitioner?

24. Are you familiar with the scope of practice you would be permitted to have as a nurse practitioner with our organization?

25. What do you like most about being a nurse practitioner?

26. What is an issue in the current healthcare system that you would like to see change?

27. If hired at our organization, how could we keep you motivated as a nurse practitioner?

28. If you could change anything about your current job, what would it be?

29. What type of nursing tasks do you find least desirable, or most challenging?

30. What qualities do you feel a should leader have?

31. As a nurse practitioner with our organization, would you be comfortable making tough decisions in regards to a patients care?

32. If offered this role as a nurse practitioner with our organization, do you have any salary requirements?

33. If hired as a nurse practitioner here, how would you gain our physician staff's trust and respect?

34. Why should we hire you over any other nurse practitioner for this role at our organization?

35. How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?

36. Do you have experience providing care through telemedicine (virtual appointments)?

37. As a new nurse practitioner at our clinic, what are some challenges you anticipate?

38. Tell me about your typical day.

39. How do you handle a situation where you feel like you have too many patients on your schedule?

40. If an adult patient came into the office and you suspected abuse, what would you do?

41. What responsibilities do you anticipate in this role?

42. Since many inmates are confined in close quarters, how do you prevent and stop the spread of illness among the population?

43. What are some unique challenges you find working in a correctional facility?

44. How do you maintain healthy boundaries with your patients?

45. How do you feel about treating people who may have committed violent crimes?

46. How do you handle a patient who is agitated?

47. What is your experience level and understanding of HIPAA?

48. How do you handle a disagreement with a physician?

49. What types of hospital units do you have experience working in?

50. If you saw a nurse aide failing to follow safety precautions, what would you do?

51. How do you care for patients who cannot communicate?

52. What experience do you have treating patients with memory impairment or dementia?

53. Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult family member of a resident.

54. What experience do you have and what do you enjoy about working with the geriatric population?

55. Are you comfortable being the lone advanced practice medical professional on duty?