Prepare for your Nurse Practitioner interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question is a great way for employers to ensure that you have the necessary education and certification to perform the job duties. If you are not yet certified, consider asking about their certification process so you can prepare for it in the future.
Answer Example: "I am certified as a nurse practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. I am also licensed as an advanced practice nurse in my state."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and expertise. It’s important to highlight any areas of specialty that relate to the job description, but it’s also helpful to mention any other areas of expertise that you have.
Answer Example: "My areas of specialty include adult primary care, women’s health and chronic disease management. I also have extensive experience in pediatric care and emergency nursing. In my previous position, I worked as a nurse practitioner in an emergency room setting where I saw patients of all ages who were experiencing various health issues."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you are willing to stand up for what you believe is right. Your answer should show that you are willing to work with other doctors, but you also have the confidence to speak up when necessary.
Answer Example: "I would first discuss my concerns with the patient’s primary care physician in private. If I still felt strongly about my opinion, I would bring it up at our next team meeting so we could all discuss the issue together. In most cases, I believe it’s best to discuss disagreements openly so everyone has an opportunity to share their opinions."
Nurse practitioners must maintain their licenses by completing continuing education requirements. Employers ask this question to make sure you have a plan for staying up-to-date on the latest healthcare trends and techniques. In your answer, explain how you stay on top of your continuing education requirements. Share what resources you use to learn about new topics or courses.
Answer Example: "I am passionate about my career, so I make sure to take advantage of every opportunity available to me for continuing education. I subscribe to several newsletters and email lists that provide me with updates on new courses, conferences and seminars. I also take advantage of online resources like webinars and podcasts. Finally, I attend conferences and seminars whenever possible."
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your interpersonal skills and how you interact with patients. Use examples from previous roles where you helped improve a patient’s quality of life through your care.
Answer Example: "In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I had a patient who was diagnosed with cancer. He was very nervous about his treatment plan and unsure if he would be able to complete all of the procedures. I worked with him to create a plan that was easy to follow and helped him understand what each step meant. We also discussed ways to make the process more enjoyable, such as listening to music or watching movies while receiving treatment. By helping him feel more comfortable with his treatment plan, he was able to complete all of his procedures and remain positive throughout the process."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to have open conversations with patients about their care plans and are able to provide explanations for why certain recommendations are important.
Answer Example: "I would first try to have a conversation with the patient about their reasons for refusing my recommendation. If they still refused to comply with my advice, I would refer them to their primary care provider for further discussion. If the patient still refused treatment after speaking with their primary care provider, I would document the incident in their medical record so that other providers could be aware of the situation."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to go above and beyond for your patients, even if it means providing them with additional resources outside of the clinic.
Answer Example: "If a patient did not have access to the internet, I would find another way for them to access the information. If they had a smartphone or tablet, I would download an app that allows you to access medical journals and studies. If they did not have these devices, I would ask the clinic if they had any spare computers or laptops that the patient could use."
Nurse practitioners often work within an insurance-based system, so it’s important for employers to know that you understand how their system works. In your answer, explain what you know about the different types of insurance providers and how they affect patient care.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience working with patients who have Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. I understand that each provider has unique guidelines for care and coverage. When working with these patients, I make sure to thoroughly review their benefits so that I can provide the most efficient care possible. I also make sure to document all procedures and conversations in order to ensure that the patient receives the correct amount of reimbursement."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan to manage a patient’s pain and if you have experience doing so. Your answer should include a specific example of when you managed a patient’s pain, what method you used and the results of using that method.
Answer Example: "In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I had a patient who was suffering from severe back pain. They were unable to move without extreme discomfort, so I prescribed them an opioid painkiller that was safe for long-term use. After two weeks of taking the medication, the patient reported that their pain had decreased significantly and they were able to move around more easily."
This question is a great way for employers to ensure that you have the necessary education and experience to perform the job duties. If you are not yet certified, consider asking about the company’s certification process so you can plan ahead for when you apply again.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am certified as a nurse practitioner. I earned my certification from the National Board of Nurse Practitioners after completing my master’s degree in nursing and passing the national exam. My certification is valid until 2021."
This question is a great way for employers to ensure that you have the necessary education and experience to perform the job duties. If you are not yet certified, consider asking if there is an opportunity to become certified while working at their company.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am certified as a nurse practitioner. I earned my certification from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2017 after completing the required education and clinical hours. I’m also licensed as a registered nurse in the state of California."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit into their company. They want to know that you have the qualities needed to be successful in this role, such as communication skills, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. When answering this question, think of two or three qualities that are most important to you as a nurse practitioner. Explain why these qualities are important to you and how they relate to your career as a nurse practitioner.
Answer Example: "My most important quality as a nurse practitioner is my compassion for patients. I love helping people, and I feel like my calling in life is to care for others. I have always been someone who wants to make a difference in other people’s lives, so becoming a nurse practitioner was the perfect fit for me. Another quality I believe is important is my attention to detail. As a nurse practitioner, it’s important to me that I am able to pay close attention to each patient’s needs and symptoms."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your patients and their families. Your answer should show that you are empathetic and compassionate, but it should also highlight your ability to provide patient-centered care.
Answer Example: "I believe that building a strong relationship with my patients is one of the most important aspects of my job. I try to make sure that each patient feels comfortable talking to me about their concerns and questions. I also make sure to schedule enough time during each visit so that they can ask me any questions they may have. In my experience, this has helped me better understand their needs and develop personalized care plans."
This question can help the interviewer understand your nursing philosophy and how you apply it to patient care. Your answer should include a few examples of how you apply your approach to patient care, including collaboration with other healthcare providers and communication with patients and their families.
Answer Example: "I believe that patient care should be centered around the patient’s needs and goals. To achieve this, I take an active role in assessing patients’ current condition and developing a plan of care that meets their needs and helps them achieve their goals. In addition to assessing patients’ physical health, I also focus on their emotional health and well-being. I believe that providing emotional support is an important part of nursing care."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle situations where you need to make decisions without the help of a doctor. In your answer, try to describe a time when you provided medical advice that helped a patient or group of patients.
Answer Example: "In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I was working with a group of patients who were all suffering from the same symptoms. After examining each patient, I determined that they all had the same illness and prescribed them all the same treatment plan. This helped me save time by not having to re-examine each patient individually and also ensured they received the correct treatment."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to take action when needed and can collaborate with patients to find solutions that are in their best interest.
Answer Example: "I would first try to explain why their treatment plan is important for their health and well-being. If they still refused to follow my instructions, I would contact their primary care provider or doctor for further guidance. In rare cases, I may even recommend hospitalization if the patient’s safety is at risk."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to make a proper diagnosis, but it can also highlight any collaboration skills you have that could help you work with other healthcare professionals to find an answer.
Answer Example: "If I were unable to diagnose a patient based on their symptoms, I would first try to gather more information about their symptoms and medical history. If this did not provide me with enough information, I would consult with other nurse practitioners or physicians who may have more experience with this type of case. If all else fails, I would refer the patient to another healthcare professional who may be able to better assist them."
Nurse practitioners often work with other medical professionals, such as physicians and physician assistants. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate with others and understand the importance of teamwork. In your answer, explain that you value collaboration and are willing to work with anyone who can help you provide better care for patients.
Answer Example: "I am a team player who enjoys working with other medical professionals. I believe that by working together, we can provide better care for our patients. I have had many opportunities to collaborate with other nurses, physicians and physician assistants. I find that working together allows us to share our different perspectives and experiences. This helps us come up with better solutions for patient care."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you may fit into their organization. If you have previous experience working with patients of all ages, share what your typical day looked like and what challenges you may have faced working with patients of all ages.
Answer Example: "Yes, I have extensive experience working with patients of all ages. In my current position as a Nurse Practitioner, I work with patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors. I have also previously worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner, where I specialized in caring for children. In this role, I was responsible for managing all aspects of care for children, from well-child visits to treating acute illnesses."
This question can help the interviewer understand your decision-making process and how you use your clinical judgment. Your answer should show that you know when it’s necessary to refer a patient to a physician, but also that you are comfortable making these decisions yourself.
Answer Example: "I believe it is always appropriate to refer a patient to a physician if I do not have the expertise or training to treat them. However, I also think it’s important to have a good working relationship with other healthcare providers so I try to collaborate with other professionals whenever possible. This helps me provide the best care possible for my patients while also ensuring they get the attention they need."
