With no shortage of jobs in the health industry, you may be searching for an APRN job. Do you know you’re ready, but you’re not sure of the APRN interview questions?
APRN interview questions will contain various questions designed for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives.
The questions range from personal experience with deadlines to how you would deal with difficult staff or family members.
It sounds like there’s a lot to cover in an APRN interview. In this article, we’ll explain 5 common APRN interview questions and offer examples of how to answer them.
APRN Interview Questions and Answers
These will be more challenging than your standard office nurse interview questions because the employers expect to see your degree and experience back up your answers.
These interview questions are the perfect place to expand on your resume and tell your personal stories.
1. What do you do to ensure a patient has an exceptional care experience?
Patient satisfaction and standard of care are essential when measuring a hospital’s or practice’s level of care.
The patient’s experiences shape not only the public view of the practice but also their overall health outcomes.
Patients who enjoy their stay or practice visits are more likely to recover faster.
Explain how you hold yourself to a high standard for all patient care to answer this question.
Then, discuss how you listen to patient needs beyond a medical sense to ensure positive experiences.
Example answer:
Patient care is a top priority in my book.
I focus on thorough discussions with the patient, the treatment options available, and if they have any remaining questions.
Once we discuss the medical side, I check in to see how they feel or if they need to talk to a friend or counselor.
While my job is to ensure they’re healthy, I also make sure they feel supported.
2. Tell me about how you handled a clinical emergency.
For this question, you can pull experience from any job.
When answering, describe the emergency that occurred. Talk about the importance of composure and your trust in your team members.
Then, wrap up the story with what you took away from the situation.
Example answer:
While I worked at a small practice, we had a man suddenly collapse in our waiting room.
My team and I rushed to ensure there was no life-threatening emergency before we called his primary doctor.
Because my team had open communication channels, we knew exactly what to do without getting in each other’s way.
3. How do you handle a difficult family member?
Anyone who has worked with the public knows there will be demanding customers and patients, but it’s sometimes harder to deal with the family members than the patients themselves.
Remember to stay positive while answering this question and focus on how you provided the best care despite the challenge.
Remember to be compassionate.
Example answer:
I had an elderly patient having trouble remembering what we told her during her visits, and her daughter would often call to complain that we weren’t treating her mother properly.
To rectify the misunderstanding, we invited the daughter to come into the room with us, with her mother’s consent, and we spoke to them as equals.
This helped calm both parties, and our willingness to cooperate with the daughter caused her to trust us as we went forward with her mother’s care.
4. What is your ultimate goal in your career?
This is the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” question.
The interviewer wants to know if you plan on staying with the practice and, if so, how you plan on making an impact.
They want to see if you have a desire to grow in your role and not stay stagnant.
Example answer:
My ultimate goal for my career is never to stop learning or improving in my field.
I see myself learning to become a better leader and then taking on roles as a team leader to work with what I’m passionate about.
(Here, you can mention a specific niche the office offers, such as outreach programs)
I want to lead a team of like-minded individuals focusing on outreach programs in our local community.
See also: Nurse Leadership Interview Questions
5. How would you respond to a physician who was challenging to work with?
When an interviewer asks you this question, don’t consider it a trap.
They’ve likely had APRNs leave in the past due to conflicts with a physician or other staff member.
What they’re looking for from you is an ability to manage interpersonal conversations professionally.
Example answer:
When I come across challenging coworkers, I remain calm, professional, and respectful during all encounters.
I value teamwork in all scenarios and strive to find a solution where both parties are listened to and respected.
Thanks to this, I have never had ongoing problems with a physician that interfered with my work or the patient’s well-being.
See also: Oncology Medical Assistant Interview Questions
How to Prepare for Advanced Practice Nurse Interview Questions?
- Examine the job description and research the practice.
- Practice your speaking voice and body language.
- Remember your qualifications and field experience.
- Choose some of your favorite stories that help to highlight your past job experiences.
- Prepare questions for the interviewer (they like it when you ask questions at the end because it shows that you’re engaged).
- Have fun! The employer wants to know why you are perfect for the job!
APRN Interview Questions and Answers PDF
Download our comprehensive PDF guide featuring expertly crafted APRN interview questions and model answers.
Gain the confidence and knowledge you need to excel in your upcoming job interviews.
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Conclusion: Interview Questions for APRNs
Interviewing can be stressful, but there’s no need to panic. You know what you’re talking about and are qualified in your field.
Whether you’re asked a question about complex patients or how you want to grow as a person, answer honestly and truthfully.
They’re bound to see you’re a great fit.
Good luck with your upcoming interview!
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