Clinical questions in FNP interview

Specialties NP

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I have an interview in 2 weeks with two different MD's. I'm nervous I'm going to be asked clinical questions testing my knowledge. Anyone have any examples of clinical practical application questions they have asked or have most of your interviews been generic questions? Thanks!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree with above - no clinical questions, just general stuff about my past experiences as an RN and why I wanted to get into this particular specialty.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

I agree with what others have said. It's more about how you'll fit in and why you specifically want to work there. The only time in my nursing career I have ever been asked clinical questions was at my interview for CRNA school at TCU.

If they ask you any sort of clinical question, it might be them giving you a scenario where a patient is being seen and looks like they're about to die, and they want to know what you'll do. This to me isn't so much a clinical question and more of a make sure you have common sense question. My first NP job asked this of med techs, and even though it's a softball question, a few people got it incredibly wrong.

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My interviews involved more listening than answering questions. The practices talked about what they do, how they work and why that are the most awesome place in the world to work. I did speak about my background and what sort of things I wanted to do. No tough or clinical questions. They are basically recruiting help and just feeling you out to make sure you are not crazy.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I had to laugh when I read TicTok's post - we had a potential advanced provider who shadowed one of the PAs - she came to the experience in a sundress and flip flops. Then, she told the PA that she didn't like working with NPs and hoped that didn't occur often. Well, the practice had already informed her at the first interview that there were 2 PAs and 6 NPs so the PA nixed her quickly when she said that....

We've interviewed some crazy folks..

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Specializes in Emergency.

I recently graduated and had an interview a little while back that involved a semi formal luncheon with the practice members, and the director threw some clinical softballs at me randomly throughout the interview. I think it was more a test of my confidence and nerves than actually trying to test my clinical knowledge.

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I had an interview for a primary care/urgent care where the doctor grilled me over the phone for 1.5hr on clinical questions. She then asked me in for a formal interview, where I figured she just wanted to meet me in person, show me the office etc, but no. The in person interview was 5.5 hours of clinical questions- head to toe- everything you could imagine- every system and disease process.... I had barely started studying for my board exam so I was sweating bullets. Then she made me see 2 patients. She also asked me every illegal question in the book- am I married, do I have kids etc... I was so exhausted and intimidated by the end of it that I didnt even want the job lol.... but I wasn't offered it anyway. Now I'm terrified to go on another interview!

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That's a good point. I feel like she'd be very overbearing and insistent that I do everything her way. She said she'd make me her scribe at first so I could "learn the computer system"... I wasn't even sure what to make of that.

On another note, I think I'm so nervous to start my first NP job because everyone has a way to doing things and though each way may be correct I'm afraid of a supervising doctor insisting I do it their way, especially if it's old and no longer evidence based (or like giving an antibiotic for a viral infection). I've experienced this as a new nurse where I was taught one way in school and then got into the work place and was told to do it my preceptors way, even though I was going according to EBP. I feel like as a new grad I can't speak against someone with more experience.

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Wow! Thanks for all the replies and advice!!! As of today, I have gone to 3 different interviews. As most people stated on this thread, I did not get any clinical based questions. However, my interview today was basically "give me an example of when you had xyz scenario?" I still have yet to be offered a job...but at this point I just want to focus on passing my boards!

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Specializes in Ortho.

My experience with my only interview was identical

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FYI I was offered a position at an internal medicine office. I start this week seeing patients!

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