Nurse practitioner job interview series: What you maybe asked

In this continuing post on the nurse practitioner job series, we’ll discuss nurse practitioner job interview questions and increase your chances of scoring the first NP job you want, with little to no surprise. 

Job application:

Before you can secure a job interview, you will have to have applied for the position. Here is a post on websites to apply for a nurse practitioner job.

Research:

One of the best things you do when applying for a job is to research the organization. This would help you gain insight into expectations with the organization. Completing this step before sending your application could provide you with information to add to your cover letter. The “About us” section on any organization site is often riddled with the first glimpse of important information about the organization. This is also where you should find the organization’s mission, mission, and core values. Once you have that information, you can incorporate it into your cover letter as you argue for hiring you. Here is an example:

Applicant A: I believe that my nursing knowledge and experience, sense of accountability, adaptability, and excellent communication skills have prepared me for the road ahead in your organization.

Here is how it was modified to incorporate a company’s values which are  centered on a SPIRIT approach to care (Service, Patient first, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Teamwork)

Applicant B: As an employee of this organization, I will embrace and practice your core SPIRIT values, ensuring patients and their families feel heard, understood, appreciated, and empowered in their healthcare journey. OR

As an employee of your organization, I will strive to incorporate your SPIRIT values in every patient encounter and interaction with my colleagues, ensuring teamwork and professional representation of the organization.

Another example of incorporating an organization’s mission: As an employee of your organization, I will contribute to its mission of improving the health of individuals and communities we serve by providing compassionate and high-quality care. 

Research and interview

Before you go in for your interview, practice answering questions in front of your mirror. It would be good to see what subtle facial expressions you give off unknowingly.

When you show up for your interview, dress the part. Show the organization that you are ready to represent their interest and promote their values. Speaking of values, did you research this organization? What are their goals, values, mission, and vision? What online reviews did you find? This piece may set you apart because it would show how interested you are in this organization and how you are already placing yourself within it.

Every information you have about the organization you applied to would help to set you apart. In this modern day, where reviews are available on all sorts of companies and services, consider looking into online reviews, including the estimated salary scale on glassdoor or salary websites. Your goal should be to gather as much information to gear up interest to continue pursuing the job or enough to place it on the suspension burner. The information you gather should give you some talking points during the interview.

For example, you could say, “as I was looking through the organization’s website, I was amazed at how many/how many departments you have, or community outreach you offer…” and then try to tie that to something about you. Maybe you aim to serve the Veteran community, and you found something on their site relating to or honoring a veteran staff or patient; you should point that out and applaud whatever you find. You could take it further by saying how you would like to contribute to that aspect.

Some questions to expect

• Tell us about yourself.

  

This is a typical interview topic that can be challenging to respond to. Keep it succinct while highlighting your pertinent experience and abilities. After briefly summarizing your education and professional experience, concentrate on your motivation to become a nurse practitioner and how you may benefit the company.

• What made you decide to want to work here?

Before the interview, research all you can about the company. Be explicit when describing your motivations for choosing this particular healthcare center. Perhaps they have a reputation for offering top-notch patient care or for being dedicated to the growth and development of their staff.

• How do you manage challenging patients?

  

You will deal with patients who exhibit a variety of personalities and behaviors as a nurse practitioner. The interviewer is curious about your approach to challenging circumstances. Provide an example of difficult patient interaction and explain how you handled it while being professional.

• How do you work in conjunction with medical practitioners and other healthcare specialists?

Nurse practitioners collaborate closely with medical professionals in varying capacities to give patients the best treatment possible. Describe the ways in which you work with others to ensure that patient care is coordinated and optimal.

• What is your experience working with electronic medical records (EMRs)? Which ones are you familiar with?

Nurse practitioners must be adept in using electronic medical records (EMRs), which are becoming more prevalent in healthcare settings. Talk about your experience using EMRs, the various systems you’ve used, and how you ensure the documentation is concise, timely, and accurate.

• How do you keep up to date on the most recent medical advancements?

  

The healthcare sector is always changing. Therefore, it is critical for nurse practitioners to keep up with the most recent developments in medications, guidelines, and procedures, just to name a few.  Speak about the conferences you attend, the associations you are a member of, the newsletters you subscribe to, and the books you read to keep current.

• What methods and resources do you use for patient education?

Nurse practitioners are critical in patient education to ensure patients are informed about their diseases and available treatments. Explain your strategy for patient education. This should include the methods and materials you employ to ensure patients know about their ailment and treatment plan. Consider mentioning the utilization of the library resource of any organization where you worked or received training, as well as incorporating patient resource materials from authoritative organizations like the CDC, ADA, and AHA.

• How do you cope in a stressful situation or environment?

Being able to tolerate pressure is crucial for nurse practitioners because the healthcare industry can be highly stressful. Provide an example of a high-pressure situation you’ve faced and explain how you handled it while remaining composed and professional. Keep it short and concise. Describe what made it “stressful” in that particular setting/event.

A brief sample of possible clinical question

The type of clinical question to expect largely depends on the clinical setting, the position you hope to fill, and the interviewer. For example, if you are applying to a pediatric primary care clinic, you should be familiar with the top clinical concerns of pediatric patients in a primary care setting and top chronic conditions in the pediatric population, including how to diagnose, treat, monitor/manage, and when to refer. If going to an urgent care center (UCC) that caters to all age groups, consider reviewing the most common complaints presenting in the UCC, the most commonly prescribed medication, and the condition it is used to treat.

In the next post, we will present some questions you should ask your interviewer to equip you to make the best-informed decision for yourself!