Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?

To that end, a candidate who is motivated solely by high pay will likely experience burnout very quickly in this career as opposed to someone who is in it for the love of caring for their patients and creating those long-term connections. Prepare your answer to this question by keeping all of that in mind.

This answer is the perfect opportunity to give some personal insight into who you are and what motivates you. If possible, share a story about what led you to nursing. Talk about liking the job because it is dynamic and it gives you a chance to keep learning and improving your skills.

Point out your ability to solve complex problems while remaining compassionate. There are challenging aspects of being a nurse practitioner such as working with patients who ignore your medical advice or those who read something on a website and think they know what treatment is best.

A good nurse practitioner needs to be able to handle these patients and other difficult situations while maintaining a professional and caring attitude. The interviewer wants to know that you understand the realities of the job.

A sample answer can include:

I learned about the role of nurse practitioners while I was studying to be a nurse and knew it was what I was looking for. I want to work with a diverse group of patients so I can have a spectrum of experiences every day. I enjoy having ongoing nurse-patient relationships where I can help a patient work through a challenging diagnosis.

While with a patient, I have an ongoing conversation with them, focusing on their comfort and comprehension. I let them know I'm listening to them and their caregivers by providing clear answers to their questions. I believe working with an established physician and staff gives me opportunities to learn about patient care in an office setting.