The U.S. News & World Report ranked the nurse practitioner (NP) role as the “Best Health Care Job” for 2023, with other nursing roles coming in close to the top.
With demand for nurses expected to grow around 40 percent by 2032, it’s a popular time to pursue a career in this fast-growing field. If you’re preparing to join the ranks of those entering nursing, here are some of the most common interview questions to prepare for when it comes to applying for APRN jobs.
Expect a Mix of Technical and General Questions
An interview is a chance to get to know an organization and its team members, and vice versa. For this reason, you’ll likely be asked a mix of general and role-specific questions. Employers will want to know about your clinical skills and experience in addition to your ability to communicate, navigate challenges, work on a team, and handle conflict.
General APRN Interview Questions
When building a team in a healthcare setting, it’s important to ensure the organization and any potential future employees are compatible. General interview questions give employers an idea of who you are, how you navigate common nursing challenges, and how you might fit into the healthcare organization’s mission.
Here are some frequent questions you might receive:
- Tell us about yourself.
- What are your biggest strengths?
- What are your biggest weaknesses?
- What made you consider becoming an APRN?
- Do you stay up to date on current healthcare trends and developments in nursing? How so?
- Tell us about a challenge you’ve faced in the workplace and how you overcame it.
- How do you prioritize tasks, manage your time, and stay organized?
- How did you hear about this APRN job opening and what attracted you to it?
- What are some of the ways you cope with workplace stress and pressure?
Clinical and Technical Questions
- Can you tell us about your experience caring for patients [of specific demographics, populations, or with certain diagnoses]?
- What are some ways you ensure patient safety in your role as an APRN?
- Tell us about the way you approach care plans with your patients. Do you involve them and/or their families in a collaborative way?
- Are you familiar with electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine platforms, and [other technologies utilized by the health system]? Tell us about your experience with these technologies.
- Tell us about a time you collaborated with other healthcare professionals to better care for your patient(s).
- How do you protect and prioritize patient confidentiality and privacy?
- How would you handle a situation in which a patient or family member disagreed with your medical advice?
Behavioral and Situational Questions
- Tell us about a time when you had to balance multiple priorities at once.
- How do you advocate for your patients? Can you tell us about a situation where your patient advocacy led to a positive outcome?
- How would you navigate a situation in which you made a mistake when caring for a patient?
- Can you tell us about a time that you had to deal with a colleague who disagreed with you?
- Can you tell us about a time when you had to adapt quickly in the workplace?
Job-Specific Questions
- Why did you pursue this nursing specialty?
- What are some strategies you use when developing patient care plans?
- Tell us about any certifications or training within your specialty.
- What’s your vision for the future of APRNs in healthcare?
- Do you stay up to date on the latest healthcare trends, regulations, and guidelines? How so?
Professional Development
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What are your professional goals as an APRN?
- Are you involved in any professional organizations or committees?
- How do you support your peers/staff in their own professional development?
Prepare to Ask Questions, Too
Interviews are for you just as much as they are for the hiring team. Don’t be afraid to prepare a list of questions to ask those interviewing you.
If you have any specific questions about the healthcare organization or the APRN role you’re interviewing for, the interview is an ideal time to ask. This shows your dedication to the role before accepting an offer and demonstrates interest in the position and healthcare environment.
Join Our Team at PACT
We’re a team of providers dedicated to impacting the health in the communities we live. We foster a respectful, professional and opportunity-rich work environment for all our team members.
Learn more about working for PACT and browse open APRN positions.
Learn More About PACT
Physicians Alliance of Connecticut (PACT) is a multi-specialty medical group led and operated by over 30 physician partners and more than 100 healthcare providers. We are committed to healthcare excellence, innovation, safety, and quality in private-practice patient care in the New Haven area of Connecticut.